Houston offers quick getaway close to home

• By ROXANNE C. HARE
• Special sections editor
• Published: Apr 26, 2009

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Hotwire.com has ranked Houston No. 6 in its Travel Value Index of affordable U.S. vacation destinations, making America’s fourth-largest city – which is only a drive away – a viable option for Baton Rougeans. And in these economic times, that is good news.

Lindsey Brown, director of marketing and public relations for the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, said one way tourists can visit and save is by using a “city pass” – a discount booklet for various attractions that sells for $39 per adult.

The city began offering the pass one year ago. It has insider information such as maps and tips on the best times to visit certain attractions.

Through its use, admission is discounted for a visitor’s choice of six destinations: Space Center Houston; Downtown Aquarium; Houston Museum of Natural Science; Houston Zoo; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, or Children’s Museum of Houston; and The Health Museum or George Ranch Historical Park.

There are plenty of other things to do, as only New York, Los Angeles and Chicago have a larger population than Houston. Houston offers the best of all worlds, Brown said.

“Houston has always been a very affordable destination,” Brown said. “We have all the amenities of a big city – great shopping, a very strong art scene, tons of green space … all the things you’d want in a big city, but it’s significantly less expensive than other cities our size.”

A few big upcoming events include the Art Car Parade on May 9, in which 250 entries from all over the U.S. compete and perform, and the Fourth of July festival, which features four stages of entertainment, a children’s are and more.