Cheap flights to Houston

Houston climate

Houston weather is pleasant starting in the fall through winter and into the spring but beware the summers, which are hot and humid in equally generous measure. Thunderstorms become increasingly frequent as the summer wears on and sometimes result in tornados. The city is also in the path of potential hurricanes so make sure to check the forecast before booking cheap flights to Houston.  Winters tend to be mild but infrequent cold snaps have been know to arrive as a result of cold air moving south from the plains.

Getting around Houston

As long as you’re spending most of your Houston time downtown, you won’t need to rent a car. Houston’s downtown and museum district are small and compact, and many hotels have shuttles to help you get around. The city’s public transportation system is very good. The Metro has both bus and light rail services. If you do decided to venture out, you’ll want to rent a car. Finding your way around shouldn’t be too difficult. The city is smartly laid out, streets are clearly marked and the roads are well kept. The only trouble you’ll have is with traffic. Houston drivers are notoriously ruthless and fast, and you’ll want to stay off the road during rush hour.       

What is good to know if travelling to Houston?

• Space Center Houston is the official visitors’ area for the Johnson Space Center, the NASA facility. It’s a huge draw; visitors take cheap flights to Houston from around the US to experience it. Extensive tours lasting up to four hours are available and sometimes feature astronauts in training. Meanwhile the Astronaut Gallery displays several flight suits and features pictures of all astronauts and crews. A combination of films, simulations and interactive displays are all used to impart the sensation of being in space.
• The Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) features a noteworthy permanent collection and also includes a sculpture garden. It also hosts outstanding travelling exhibits but is worth a visit for its own architecture, which is a mix of early 20th century traditional and modern styles, including two additions by Mies van der Rohe.
• Bayou Bend is part of MFAH but the museum house set in 5 hectares of garden is worth a visit on its own merits. It specializes in American antiques, some dating as far back as the 17th century, as collected by Miss Ima Hogg. (As some readers may have feared, this is indeed pronounced “I’m a hog”. The Bayou Bend tour explains how her father, Governor Jim Hogg, gave her the name — and also clarifies that she did not have a sister called Ura – that’s just a Texas tall tale.)
• As can be expected of a city in Texas, rodeo and livestock-related events here are staged throughout the year, but the big one is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which takes place in late February and early March.
• Galveston, a small beach resort town, is just an hour’s drive from Houston. While its beaches are the main attraction, the town also features a fine display of Victorian buildings in its historic district.