Houston Ranked 15th For Vacations

[houstonsemipro]

Houston is ranked 15th for a vacation site according to Yahoo Travel. Here is the top 16 vacation sites in the U.S.

1. Las Veges

2. New York City

3. Honolulu

4. San Francisco

5. Sarasota, FL

6. Orlando

7. Chicago

8. Los Angeles

9. San Diego

10. Boston

11. New Orleans

12. Miami

13. San Antonio

14. Seattle

15. Houston

16. Philadelphia

[The Great Hizzy!]

Sarasota #5 but Miami #12? Odd.

Oh well. I would say it's an improvement at least in terms of perception. Four years ago, Houston wouldn't have been listed--even if the list was for the Top 30 locations. Or 40.

[Sooner&RiceGrad]

I sure wouldn't minda vacation in Houston. Beats the hell outta Oklahoma City.

[dalparadise]

Could this be skewed a bit by last year's Superbowl and All-Star games? I doubt we'd rank in the top 100 on a normal year.

Oh, and as far as OKC goes, I head up there every Thanksgiving to spend it with my wife's family. VERY nice little city. Bricktown is like a mini Denver, with bars and beer joints and what looks like a fantastic minor league ballpark. Everytime I go I swear I'll be back in the summer for a game. I haven't done that yet, though.

There's even the beginning of a waterway there, with water taxis, but I think they only go a couple of blocks, or so.

The Bible Belt mentality kind of sours the whole experience, but not a bad town overall. Truly surprising, in fact.

[H-Town Man]

dalparadise, I don't know if you've been gone all this time, or if it's because I've mostly been gone, but I haven't crossed posts with you since last summer.

Now then... that's a pretty skewed list. How does San Diego end up at #9? How does Houston get ahead of Philadelphia? Better place to live, sure, but to visit? And Seattle only one spot ahead of Houston? Bet that was a squeaker.

Here is what I would think would be the list - of major cities that is. By the way, I'm not a real big Vegas guy.

1. San Diego

2. Honolulu

3. New York

4. San Fransisco

5. Orlando

6. Washington, D.C.

7. Los Angeles

8. Boston

9. Miami

10. Seattle

11. Chicago

12. New Orleans

13. Denver

14. Philadelphia

15. San Antonio

[kzseattle]

dalparadise, I don't know if you've been gone all this time, or if it's because I've mostly been gone, but I haven't crossed posts with you since last summer.

Now then... that's a pretty skewed list.  How does San Diego end up at #9?  How does Houston get ahead of Philadelphia?  Better place to live, sure, but to visit?  And Seattle only one spot ahead of Houston?  Bet that was a squeaker.

Here is what I would think would be the list - of major cities that is.  By the way, I'm not a real big Vegas guy.

1. San Diego

2. Honolulu

3. New York

4. San Fransisco

5. Orlando

6. Washington, D.C.

7. Los Angeles

8. Boston

9. Miami

10. Seattle

11. Chicago

12. New Orleans

13. Denver

14. Philadelphia

15. San Antonio

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If this is the list of your favorite cities, then it is understandable. However, if it is intended as a list of popular tourist destinations in the US, then I am not sure if it is correct. Las Vegas is obviously missing (although you aren

[houstonsemipro]

Why y'all trying to change things. The real list is what i listed above. People don't travel every time to New Orleans, or to Seattle. People always travel to Houston. Like i said before, Houston is a international city, and to tell you the truth houston is to far down the list with all the venue, and things to do here. People go to New orleans when new orleans have something, mardi gras, etc. Barbon street, french quaters be like a ghost town when no tourist around. For Houston, we always have people here even if we don't have nothing going on. I won't be surprised if houston move up on the list.

[tw2ntyse7en]

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[MidtownCoog]

Houston just lacks the tourism to be 14th in the nation.

I know people who drive from East Texas, Beaumont, Corpus, Victoria, Sweet Home, etc. just to go shopping, spend the night, see a baseball game, etc.

Don' confuse "tourism" with "visitors".

You don't have to have Mickey Mouse in order to have visitors.

[Lowbrow]

Why y'all trying to change things. The real list is what i listed above. People don't travel every time to New Orleans, or to Seattle. People always travel to Houston. Like i said before, Houston is a international city, and to tell you the truth houston is to far down the list with all the venue, and things to do here. People go to New orleans when new orleans have something, mardi gras, etc. Barbon street, french quaters be like a ghost town when no tourist around. For Houston, we always have people here even if we don't have nothing going on. I won't be surprised if houston move up on the list.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I travel to New Orleans for work all the time and I have NEVER seen the french quarter a ghost town. It might not be party hats and nekkid girls all the time but there is always a decent flow of people eating, drinking and just having fun in general. I personally don't care for the quarter beyond architecture and food but its still hoppin'.

[tw2ntyse7en]

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[VelvetJ]

I will say this again for the ump-teenth time: "Houston is a business city. People come here to work - not play."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can you name a couple of more cities where the same can be said? And please do not include places like Jacksonville, or Birmingham, or Memphis. Those cities are not our counterparts.

[VelvetJ]

I love Houston just the way it is. I would rather be 30th on the list of placed to vacation, but higher on the list of places to work, make money, start a business, raise a family, not be a victim of crime, etc etc. I'm not really concerned with out of towners & their vacations. Houston is a city of business.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

IMO, it's these types of statements that contribute to the image problem Houston has. tw2ntyse7en, it's possible to have both. It's ok for visitors to view Houston as a cool, fun place to be and continue to have a strong business character.

The great thing about great cities, especially large ones, is they are usually dynamic, exciting places. In many cases, places that attract fresh, progressive college graduates is a city's "coolness" factor. A city with a attitude of "it doesn't matter how the rest of the world views me", can be a bad thing in the long run.

We know what Houston is and no one is saying Houston should focus on trying to turn itself into Las Vegas. But presenting yourself as a attractive, fun and exciting place to visit to those beyond CowPoke, Texas and SmallTown Louisiana, has it's benefits. A city being a great place to visit is not a bad thing.

[BayouCityGirl]

It also depends on people's preferences as well. I mean my friend from Conn. had a BLAST here and wants to relocate her job here. She enjoyed the mall and ranches and everything so nearby!

She loves being in the warmer weather compared to where she is. (wait till she sees our summer) but I think it depends on the person as well (as wlell as

[tw2ntyse7en]

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[CincoRanch-HoustonResident]

Bourbon street isn't a "when", it's a "where". I have to agree with dal that Houston just lacks the tourism to be 14th in the nation.

I will say this again for the ump-teenth time: "Houston is a business city. People come here to work - not play." Now, with that said, yes, all uf us here in Houston love to play, but our venues are not tourist attractions, they're simply local attractions.

I love Houston just the way it is. I would rather be 30th on the list of placed to vacation, but higher on the list of places to work, make money, start a business, raise a family, not be a victim of crime, etc etc. I'm not really concerned with out of towners & their vacations. Houston is a city of business.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree. Houston is more business, unlike a city like San Antonio, or Orlando, when they more strictly rely on tourist money, and not business wise.

[VelvetJ]

Hey - watch those "smalltown Louisiana" cracks! (just kidding) . I know what you're saying VelvetJ, and to some extent I agree. I have to stick to my guns with this statement however:

I'm more concerned with my lifestyle, than my city's tourism. That may sound self centered - but I live here, tourist don't. Once I know that Houston is tops when it comes to it's residents, then I'll worry about its tourists.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

tw2ntyse7en no offense was meant to Louisiana, I only included it because I love it the most . You know, sorta like, "I hit you because I love you".

I also understand what you're saying about Lifestyle being more important than tourism. I really don't think anyone, including myself, would disagree with you. But there comes a time when growing cities have to "step it up" and understand the different aspects of large International cities. New York, Boston, Philly, DC, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver (it's suburbs), and over the past 10-15 years even Dallas and Atlanta, all have reputations for being places for leisure as one of it's characteristics. Personally, I think Houston should and could be in that group. No offense to anyone but Charlotte, Cincinatti, Nashville, St. Louis, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Salt Lake City, and Pittsburgh are not our counterparts and are not in our league and we shouldn't compare ourselves to them. We can stick our toungue out at San Antonio and Tampa for not having rail, but should we even be concerned about them?

A lot of our lifestyle issues have been issues since I moved here 16 years ago. Traffic, crime, trash, ugly billboard and "free-for-all" styled ugly businesses along them, bumpy roads, and complaints of high property taxes are alive and well today. This is not to say we should give up on our lifestyle issues, but it seems at times they just become full circle issues.

Houston doesn't do enough in the tourism department for me. I just want us to be loved .

[VelvetJ]

One more thing, just to make sure I have made myself clear. I am NOT NOT NOT saying Houston should, nor do I want it to become a San Antonio, or New Orleans, or Las Vegas, or Orlando. That is not the type of city we are. I just want Houston to at least get to the point where a nice place for leisure becomes one of the city's characteristics outside of certain places in East Texas and certain parts of Louisiana (No offense Mr. 27)

*By the way, typing your name works on my patience, so if you don't mind, I would like to refer to you as Mr. 27.

[houstonsemipro]

What? Houston is a business town, not a place to play? It's alot to do here in Houston. You want me to name some. Okay, first off. Galleria, Nasa space center, kameh broadwalk, woodlands town center, new sugarland town center, downtown main street, bayou place, musuem of fine arts, etc I can go on and on. New Orleans one popular place barbon street, really that's it, and the riverwalk, and if you feeling lucky there's the casinos. Plus, they building more entertainment places downtown houston coming soon. Houston is a place for business and alots and alots of pleasure. We have more clubs probably then anyone in the southeast. Then you have our playground next door, Galveston. And if you look at it, people here in hosuton really don't have to go to louisiana. We also have a great vacation city just 2hrs away San Antonio. Only thing makes louisiana is New Orleans, and if that city didn't have the casinos and barbon street, people would even brother going to N.O. I rest my case.

[Lowbrow]

Most of the people in my circle go to new orleans for the food, music, culture, history, architecture, fishing and sports.. most of us ignore the bourbon street and any gambling. Its got alot to to offer other than what you mentioned.

But I'd never live there. No how, no way.

And most of the things you mentioned minus the galleria and space center can be found in nearly any moderate size metropolis. I don't think we are going to get much press abroad for those.

[kzseattle]

tw2ntyse7en no offense was meant to Louisiana, I only included it because I love it the most  . You know, sorta like, "I hit you because I love you".

I also understand what you're  saying about Lifestyle being more important than tourism. I really don't think anyone, including myself, would disagree with you.  But there comes a time when growing cities have to "step it up" and understand the different aspects of large International cities. New York, Boston, Philly, DC, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver (it's suburbs), and over the past 10-15 years even Dallas and Atlanta, all have reputations for being places for leisure as one of it's characteristics. Personally, I think Houston should and could be in that group. No offense to anyone but Charlotte, Cincinatti, Nashville, St. Louis, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Salt Lake City, and Pittsburgh are not our counterparts and are not in our league and we shouldn't compare ourselves to them. We can stick our toungue out at San Antonio and Tampa for not having rail, but should we even be concerned about them?

A lot of our lifestyle issues have been issues since I moved here 16 years ago. Traffic, crime, trash, ugly billboard and "free-for-all" styled ugly businesses along them, bumpy roads, and complaints of high property taxes are alive and well today. This is not to say we should give up on our lifestyle issues, but it seems at times they just become full circle issues.

Houston doesn't do enough in the tourism department for me. I just want us to be loved    .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Most of the cities that you have mentioned with reputation as places for leisure have characteristics that Houston simply can

[kzseattle]

A lot of our lifestyle issues have been issues since I moved here 16 years ago. Traffic, crime, trash, ugly billboard and "free-for-all" styled ugly businesses along them, bumpy roads, and complaints of high property taxes are alive and well today. This is not to say we should give up on our lifestyle issues, but it seems at times they just become full circle issues.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Speaking of trash, is Houston considered the trashiest place? I know for fact that Seattle is way more cleaner than Houston but thats the only place where I have lived long enough. What about other major cities?

Also, what about bumpy roads? Which city has the worst roads? Is Houston the king in this category?

[tw2ntyse7en]

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[kzseattle]

KZ - You trying to remind us how dirty our city is? (just kidding!)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You made me realize I didnt ask the question correctly. What I really wanted to ask was how does the littering problem in Houston compares with other major such cities as Atlanta, Philly, LA, NY etc ? Is it about average, above average or below average?

[2112]

We know what Houston is and no one is saying Houston should focus on trying to turn itself into Las Vegas. But presenting yourself as a attractive, fun and exciting place to visit to those beyond CowPoke, Texas and SmallTown Louisiana, has it's benefits. A city being a great place to visit is not a bad thing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Also, the corn. That's what I reallly like about here. The corn.

[2112]

Speaking of trash, is Houston considered the trashiest place? I know for fact that Seattle is way more cleaner than Houston but thats the only place where I have lived long enough. What about other major cities?

Also, what about bumpy roads? Which city has the worst roads? Is Houston the king in this category?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is this necessary? huh?

[The Great Hizzy!]

Trash:

Answer is no. Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland, New Orleans, Lousiville, New York City (despite the excellent clean up initiatives of the last ten plus years) and even San Francisco all strike me as being trashier. That said, we need to clean up our medians, because the medians help the trash to standout. Not many cities have medians as wide as Houston (in fact, I can't think of any that have as many) so every piece of paper that sits in a median stands out more. Fortunately, Houston doesn't have areas where lot after lot (and many in residential areas) is infested with bulk trash that no one seems to care about, like what you find in Philadelphia or Detroit.

That said, the worst offender for trash in Houston is Fifth Ward and most of the NE Side.

As far as cleanest, I'd say Seattle is the epitome of clean, with San Diego and Denver close behind.

Roads:

Answer is no. Easily. You haven't seen bad roads until you've visited some of our midwestern cities. Boston and Dallas both have a bit of a problem with potholes, too. In fact, moreso than when I first visited some ten plus years ago. I would say Boston is slightly worse than Houston where Dallas is slightly better--at least IMO. Conversely, I think Los Angeles, Atlanta and San Diego have the best roads as far as major cities are concerned.

[kzseattle]

Trash:

Answer is no. Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland, New Orleans, Lousiville, New York City (despite the excellent clean up initiatives of the last ten plus years) and even San Francisco all strike me as being trashier. That said, we need to clean up our medians, because the medians help the trash to standout. Not many cities have medians as wide as Houston (in fact, I can't think of any that have as many) so every piece of paper that sits in a median stands out more. Fortunately, Houston doesn't have areas where lot after lot (and many in residential areas) is infested with bulk trash that no one seems to care about, like what you find in Philadelphia or Detroit.

That said, the worst offender for trash in Houston is Fifth Ward and most of the NE Side.

As far as cleanest, I'd say Seattle is the epitome of clean, with San Diego and Denver close behind.

Roads:

Answer is no. Easily. You haven't seen bad roads until you've visited some of our midwestern cities. Boston and Dallas both have a bit of a problem with potholes, too. In fact, moreso than when I first visited some ten plus years ago. I would say Boston is slightly worse than Houston where Dallas is slightly better--at least IMO. Conversely, I think Los Angeles, Atlanta and San Diego have the best roads as far as major cities are concerned.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks! I was just curious to know where do we stand now and what is the status of our infrastructure when compared to other cities in the country. Coming from Seattle, I am kind of new to these issues so I guess I get frustrated a bit more than long time residents.

[kzseattle]

Is this necessary? huh?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess there is no harm in taking an inward look and knowing what our problems are and admitting them so they can be resolved. And I think there is no harm in comparing with other cities of similar size to see which ones are doing better and what we can learn from them. That's all, nothing more.

[The Great Hizzy!]

Right. And an honest look is better than spending years in delusionment like some other new growth cities. Only recently has cities like Phoenix admitted some of its quality of life issues such as rising crime, lack of transit options, dearth of public parks and an antiquated water works department. Dallas recently came to grips with reality not being in tune with the locals perception, particularly with regards to schools and crime. Atlanta is finally starting to acknowledge that it is a city that also extends south of I-20 and that blight and decay is growing at a faster rate in this area of the city than prosperity is growing in other parts.

The moral (as if I'm one to give morals): the first step to being the best of what you can be is to acknowledge the worst of what you are.