Houston Sports & Outdoors Tips by XenoHumph Top 5 Page for this destination

Reliant Park The Texans Review

Reliant Park is the location of some of the main stadiums of Houston. The old one, built in 1965 and called the Astrodome (the round building on the right on the picture), was quite famous in its time as it was the first enclosed air-conditioned football and baseball stadium. Some even called it the 8th wonder of the world!! The other newer building on the left is Reliant Stadium, home to the Texans, the american football team of Houston, professionals from the NFL (National Football League).
These stadiums and surrounding other compounds (exhibit halls) are used for much more than american football matches. Numerous events and fairs take place on these grounds, including the huge rodeo of Houston every March.

Go to http://www.houstontexans.com/ for more info on Reliant Stadium and the Texans.
To know more about the Astrodome, go to http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/national/astrod.htm

Finally, the Superbowl XXXVIII (2004) was located in Houston at the Reliant Stadium. Go to https://www.superbowlxxxviii.org/ for more info.

Address: 8400 Kirby Drive

Directions: Along the Southern part of loop 610, exit Kirby Drive. It is probably better to take a bus rather than drive during a major sporting event as all parking places are reserved in advance.

Phone: 1-800-451-8499

Theme: Sports Watching

Bicycling is possible and pleasant in Houston! Participation Sports Review

There is a huge potential for riding your bicycle in the Houston area. First, the weather allows biking all year long. And yes, even in the hot humid summer days, it might be the best outdoor sport because the speed makes you feel a nice breeze! Second, Houston has lots of empty spaces not yet developed, especially in the suburbs. In Houston try the trails along Buffalo bayou (river that goes EW across downtown Houston), or Braes bayou (more S, near the University of Houston). Finally there are plenty of local little roads in the country side which are just great to cycle! It is very flat, however. If you want a little bit of hills, go North and Northwest of Houston (ex: Navasota area)

Equipment: Always wear a helmet, even in the hottest days. It might save your life! Take LOTS of water.

Directions: Buffalo Bayou (center Houston)
Todville Road (Seabrook).
Morgan's Point and South of it (La Porte).
Liverpool area (S Houston)
Brazos State Park area (SW Houston)
Sam Houston State Forest (North Houston)

Phone: 281-480-9100 (Bike Barn Houston)

Theme: Biking

Website: http://bikebarn.com/site/intro.cfm

The Toyota Center The Houston Rockets Review

The Toyota Center is the new stadium in Houston for professional basketball and hockey. It just opened in October 2003. It is home to:
The Rockets: NBA (National Basketball Association) Houston's basketball professional team
The Houston Comets: WNBA Houston's basketball professional team for women.
The Houston Aeros: AHL Houston professional hockey team
Finally, the Toyota Center is also used for concerts.

Info on the Rockets can be found at http://www.nba.com/rockets

Equipment: Parking is expensive ($20/hour!!). Alternatively, park somewhere along the new tramway line (see my Transportation Tips), take the tramway ($1 per person one way), and walk to the stadium (5-10 mn walk East from Main Square stop). When it is not a huge popular game, it is actually easy to park in the nearby streets for free.

Address: Downtown Houston, corner of Polk and LaBranch

Directions: Downtown Houston, within walking distance of the George R. Brown Convention Center and Minute Maid Park.

Theme: Sports Watching

Website: http://www.houstontoyotacenter.com/

Minute Maid Park Houston Astros Review

Minute Maid Park is the baseball stadium of Houston. It is home to the Astros, the professional baseball team of Houston. The main feature of the building is its retractable roof. By the way, it used to be called "Enron Field"... Go to http://houston.astros.mlb.com/ for info on the Astros, tickets and stadium.

Driving Directions:

Northeast part of downtown Houston

From I-10 West:
Exit Smith Street to Downtown

From I-10 East:
Exit San Jacinto/Main to Downtown
Exit McKee Street to Downtown
Exit Hamilton to Downtown

From US 59 South:
Exit Spur 527 to Travis, take Travis to Downtown
Exit Spur 527 to Louisiana, take Louisiana to Downtown
Exit Gray/Pierce, take Chartres northbound to Downtown

From 1-45 North:
Exit Milam Street to Downtown
Exit McKinney Street
Exit Dallas/Pierce to Jefferson

From US-59 North:
Take Hamilton (ramp that reads "DOWNTOWN DESTINATIONS"; inside lane (left side) after you cross I-10).

From 1-45 South:
Exit Scott (Downtown) to Pease or St. Joseph Parkway
Exit Scott (Downtown) to Pease to Dowling north

From SH 288:
Merge to US 59 North, exit Gray/Pierce, take Chartres northbound to Downtown
Exit Chenevert St. to Downtown

Equipment: To avoid the expensive parking fees, you can park somewhere along the new tramway line (see my Transportation Tips), take the metrorail ($1 per person one way), and walk to the stadium.

Address: 501 Crawford Street, Houston, TX 77001

Directions: Eastern part of Downtown, North of Rusk street, and along the Western side of the 59 freeway.
About 5-10 mn walk East from tramway stop "Main Square".

Phone: (713) 259-8000

Theme: Sports Watching

Great water sports in the Houston area Participation Sports Review

Galveston Bay and the lakes around (ex: Clear Lake) are just wonderful for fans of water sports, especially sailing.
Canoeing is great in the bayous (ex: Armand Bayou) to observe the local fauna (alligators and birds)
If you like to go to the beach, go to Galveston.
If you like fishing, plenty of possibilities here from rivers, bayous, Galveston Bay to the Gulf!

Directions: The Clear lake area offers tons of renting and buying facilities for any water sport and fishing equipment.

Theme: Boating/Sailing

Website: http://www.nasaclearlaketexas.com/attractions/