Exploring Houston:
If you decide to arrive early or stay for the weekend (discounted hotel rates will apply on both ends of the conference), Houston is a vibrant city with a stunning array of cultural attractions. We encourage you to take advantage of all the wonderful aspects of the fourth-largest city in the United States, including performing arts, renowned restaurants, Rice Village, sporting events, Hermann Park, etc. If you have specific interests, please let us know, and we can try to make recommendations.
Joggers/Walkers: We have a beautiful 3 mile, live oak trail that encircles the Rice campus. From the Hotel, follow Main Street northeast for 0.4 mile. You will reach a light at University Blvd. Follow the crushed gravel path around campus.
Where to Eat: The Rice Village, Midtown, and Montrose neighborhoods offer many dining options near the hotel and our campus. Below is a list of a few of our local office favorites. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended for options marked *.
What to do Near Rice: The Wyndham Houston Medical Center Hotel & Suites is located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District. The hotel is within walking distance of the Houston Zoo, Museum of Fine Arts, and Contemporary Art Museum. The world-renowned Menil Collection is less than two miles north of the Rice campus but is open only Wednesday through Sunday. The Rothko Chapel is adjacent to Menil. This link provides updated information on special exhibits and museum and Chapel hours for those who are interested: http://houstonmuseumdistrict.org/.
Downtown attractions can be accessed by the METRO light-rail:
Discovery Green: http://www.discoverygreen.com/
Alley Theater: http://www.alleytheatre.org/alley/default.asp
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts: https://www.thehobbycenter.org/
Jones Hall for the Performing Arts: http://www.houstonfirsttheaters.com/venues/JonesHall.aspx
Rice Village Directory: http://ricevillage.org/
Recommended eateries in the Village:
BBQ: http://www.goodecompany.com/restaurant-bbq1.asp
*Southern Italian/Sicilian: http://sud-italia.com/
*Eclectic Italian: http://coppaosteriahouston.com/
Mediterranean: http://istanbulgrill.com/
Eclectic Mediterranean: http://www.hungryscafe.com/
Southern: http://punkssimplesouthernfood.com/
Gourmet Sandwiches: http://houstonlocalfoods.com/
French: http://www.caferabelais.com/indexOUT.html
Sushi: http://www.sushiking.us/
*Gulf seafood: http://www.goodecompany.com/restaurant-seafood1.asp
Recommended eateries in Midtown:
*New Orleans Creole: http://www.brennanshouston.com/
*Fusion tapas: http://www.ibizafoodandwinebar.com/
*Spanish Tapas: http://www.majorcabistroandtapas.com/
Brunch/Southern: http://thebreakfastklub.com/
*Seafood: http://www.reefhouston.com/
Recommended eateries in Montrose/Museum District:
Tex-Mex: http://www.spanishvillagerestaurant.com/
*Sushi: http://uchirestaurants.com/houston/
*American: http://www.justdinnerhouston.com/
*Contemporary American: http://paxamericanahtx.com/
*American: http://www.underbellyhouston.com/
Tex-Mex within 4 miles of campus:
http://www.pappas.com/restaurants/pappasitos-cantina/ (Richmond/Kirby location)
https://www.chuys.com/locations/houston/river-oaks
http://www.eltiempocantina.com/#!1308-cantina/ck70
http://www.spanishvillagerestaurant.com/
Mex-Mex: http://www.picos.net/