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Houston, Texas

While perhaps best known for big pick-up trucks and even bigger steaks, Houston, Texas offers a whole lot more. The fourth largest city in the U.S. has seventeen DaVita centers to get dialysis treatment, an array of hotels and restaurants and a variety of things to do.

From theaters and museums to the Space Center and Astrodome, Houston, Texas is big on variety. Houston has everything you’d expect from a bustling metropolis, but also offers a unique perspective for those who delve into the city’s nuances; gems that may go unnoticed to those who merely pass through the city.

Evening culture

You don’t need to go to New York City’s Broadway to see good theater; you can find it in Houston. The huge theater district spans seventeen blocks and has a total of 12,000 seats. While there are almost too many to list, one of the most popular is The Alley Theatre featuring a nine-tower design reminiscent of a castle. It is undoubtedly a real treat for the visiting eye.

On a larger theatrical scale, there are two spaces contained within the Wortham Center, where even the lavish entranceway draws huge crowds. The 2,465-seat Alice and George Brown Theater is worthy of special mention not only because of its typical Texas-size, but also as it is home to the Houston Ballet, Theater Under the Stars and the Houston Grand Opera. Those looking for a more intimate atmosphere would be wise to check out the 1,100-seat Lillie and Roy Cullen Theater. It offers world-class acoustics and a night of entertainment to remember. 

Sightseeing

A perfect daytime pursuit for animal lovers is a visit to the Armand Bayou Nature Center (ABNC). Located forty minutes from Houston, ABNC is the largest wildlife refuge in the nation and offers the opportunity to see creatures in their natural habitat. A little further from nature, but a more accessible that doesn’t require as much walking, is the Houston Zoo. You can enjoy mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds and more. Admission is only $8.50.

Houston’s museum district is another area where the city excels. The Holocaust Museum, open seven days week, offers a stark reminder to the horrors of unchecked dictatorship. The Contemporary Arts Museum exhibits choice international, national and regional art from the 1960s and beyond. The Museum of Fine Arts ensures that those with more traditional taste are not left out. Charging just $7 adult and $3.50 senior admission is a bargain, as the art is indulgent. Nearly three million visitors each year are testament to the appeal of the exhibitions.   

Venture twenty miles from the city and you may just run into the Battleship Texas—the only American ship to have fought in both World Wars and survived to sail the seas again. The nearby San Jacinto Monument looks much like the Washington Monument but, as Texas likes things “big,” as it stands 15 feet higher at just less than 600 feet. Built to mark the site of a key battle in Texas’ successful bid for independence from Mexico, there is also an impressive museum located at the structure’s base.

Another short drive from downtown takes you to the Houston Space Center. Visitors can take a close-up look at the massive rockets used in the earliest days of the space program, hear Mission Briefing Officers relay live updates on current spaceflights and, if you time things just right, you may get to see current astronauts training for upcoming missions. Admission is $18.95, but how often can one take a look behind the scenes of a high security NASA base?

Billed as the Eighth Wonder of the World when it opened in 1965—at least by its owner—it’s hard to miss the Houston Astrodome. Once the home of the Houston Astro’s baseball team, it was used as a makeshift home for victims of Hurricane Katrina. When the rodeo is in town you’ll find excitement next door at Reliant Stadium. Houston loves cowboys and cowboys love Houston, so be sure to join in the shouts of encouragement for the local favorites.

For those with an adventurous side, Houston has a huge boating culture. A short drive from the center, Bay Area Houston combines big city allure with the feel of a waterfront community. Boats of various sizes can be hired, and boating instruction is available for those of more limited experience.

Under most circumstances, visitor DaVita and non-DaVita patients are all welcome to dialyze at the seventeen DaVita centers in Houston. It is recommended to let your social worker know about your plans to travel as he or she can provide information and assist in making dialysis arrangements for your trip. In-center hemodialysis patients should make arrangements at a Houston dialysis center at least two weeks in advance of their visit. Planning ahead improves chances that there will be availability at the DaVita center that is most convenient for you. Also be sure to bring all relevant medical documents with you. Call 1-800-244-0680 and DaVita will help with your dialysis plans. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are advised to call a Houston-based PD center ahead of time to guard against running out of supplies or to have a back up if your supplies are lost. 

If Houston had to be described in one word, that would be “big.”  With this in mind, careful planning is essential. An important thing to bear in mind that Houston summers get very hot and humid. The best time to visit for temperate weather is in the fall or early spring. The sheer number of attractions located in and around the city makes a rental car a wise choice. It’s worth shopping around, but Hertz and Enterprise are two reliable options. Travel companies such as Expedia and Orbitz usually offer hotel deals with special car rental rates, so be sure to do some research.

If you’re looking for a one-stop, got-it-all city then be sure to visit Houston. After all, its 1.75 million residents can’t be wrong!

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This site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a physician. Please check with a physician if you need a diagnosis and/or for treatments as well as information regarding your specific condition. If you are experiencing urgent medical conditions, call 9-1-1.