Our Houston Rodeo Experience – What to Do in Houston for a Weekend

Our friends from college live in Houston and invited us to join them for a weekend to experience the Houston Rodeo.

What to Know About the Houston Rodeo

The Houston Rodeo is, from many reports, the largest in the whole world. There were 2.7 million attendees last year. It runs for three weeks, is accompanied by massive concerts every night, and is surrounded by one of the biggest “state fair” type carnivals I have ever seen.

In other words, it’s kind of a big deal and we were excited about the opportunity to check it out.

Some other couples joined in as well and it was a party.

Exploring River Oaks in Houston

Before all that rodeo jazz though, let’s just start with the trees. Because Houston is a city filled to the brim with the most incredibly gorgeous live oaks.

We met up with everyone to drive to the most GORGEOUS area called River Oaks. I about died with the beauty of the live oaks spreading out everywhere we went. Like, really, they spoke to a deep part of my soul.

We walked around the Waterwall Park, which is just what it says it is: a water wall.

A GIANT one. And it doesn’t disappoint.

We had lunch on a sunny patio at El Tiempo and ate the most divine fajitas I’ve ever tasted, walked around the pool the shape of Texas at our hotel, and headed off to the RODEO in all it’s glory.

The Houston Rodeo & Livestock Show Experience

Houston does indeed know how to do rodeos.

First we visited all the rodeo hoopla in the giant warehouse areas surrounding the stadium. We walked around to see all the livestock. There were cows fattened up so much for show that some of them couldn’t even stand up, with the cleanest, gleaming coats.

We walked through the giant cavern with everything for sale from cowboy boots to mattresses of all things, to cowboy hats that cost hundreds of dollars that they would steam right into your preferred shape.

See the shape choices below? It was kind of fascinating.

The Houston rodeo isn’t just a rodeo as you can see. It also had an amazing quilt show.

And an art show. These particular sculptures were done by kids in high school if you can believe it.

We walked around all the food stands explored, and then it was time for the actual rodeo itself.

I do really love rodeos, can you tell?

It was very professional, from the national anthem with this sparkly rider waving her flag with fireworks coming out of it:

…to the most beautiful opening prayer, to the way it was run, and of course, the riders as well as the bulls and broncos were all top notch.

Incredible athletes I have to say and they moved along at a speedy clip.

I still think outdoor small-town rodeos win, mostly because of how the sun slants perfectly to frame it all. But this was pretty cool and that giant stadium was filled up to the brim.

The Rodeo Concert Experience

Every night of the 21 rodeo days there was a concert following the rodeo portion. The night we were there Parker McCollum was on deck, and he was pretty good.

And the crowd was in heaven.

The Carnival at the Houston Rodeo

But we left early and walked through the packed-to-the-hilt carnival. THIS, honestly, was one thing I wish we could have hit the middle of. I was actually dying to ride some of those rides and would have cajoled everyone to join me if those lines weren’t so dang long.

It was incredible people-watching business though, followed up with chocolate dipped cheesecake.

Texas sure knows how to do things big.

We got back to the hotel and talk, talk, talked with all those college friends until 1:00am.

Exploring Houston: Montrose, Museums & More

Dave and I went on a little run through the downtown area, then we all drove down the Buffalo Bayou and visited the Montrose neighborhood.

Rothko Chapel

We visited the Rothko Chapel – very somber that really made me think.

I love Rothko and I love to think about how different people find different ways to connect with God and with themselves.

We strolled through some museums filled with abstract art and walked around that area.

But the most beautiful things? Once again, the live oaks. I want to move to Texas just for those and drink them.

Some trees are so beautiful you just gotta frame them:

Look at this one that provides a little bench for someone to sit on. See that guy down there?

Favorite Places to Eat in Houston

Probably my favorite place we ate was the one I mentioned when we sat on the sunny porch and ate at El Tiempo the day before. I didn’t get a photo of the group, but here are the fajitas:

Oh even that photo makes my mouth water.

But of course, when in Texas, you have to have barbecue, am I right? We ate lunch at Pitt House for the Texas BBQ.

Yow, that’s a whole lotta meat!

We also ate at a kind of hole-in-the wall dumpling place that was so good, eating and talking and putting our friends’ kids in the “hot seat” to catch up:

Love these people.

Visiting Rice University and Hermann Park

We went to Rice University where our friends were meeting up with a family friend, and the rest of us explored a bit.

Gosh that is a beautiful campus filled with my favorite trees and we walked as we explored.

the Houston Zoo

We explored Hermann Park where we randomly went to the zoo.

…which was also beautifully adorned with my favorites.

Back to the hotel and off for dumplings for dinner that I mentioned before.

More talking in the lounge until late when we had to tear ourselves away to pack up for our early-morning Sunday flight.

As I sat in that circle I looked at each of those friends and just felt so grateful for each of them and all they have taught me through the years. Good friends are jewels.

Tips for Visiting the Houston Rodeo

• Go early to explore livestock and vendors, so interesting!
• Expect big crowds (it is even bigger than you think!)
• Stay for the concert if you can
• Plan time for the carnival, I wish I would have!

Also, plan time to enjoy the TREES. Because that beauty is something every soul needs to see!