The Texas Bowl features a matchup between old Southwestern Conference rivals Arkansas and Texas on Dec. 29 at 9 p.m. ET.

Houston, Texas is the site of this year’s Texas Bowl, and fortunately for Razorback and Longhorn fans, it’s a city that has a lot to offer its visitors. Whether its visiting the Museum District, heading down to the Space Center or enjoying the nightlife in downtown, there’s something for everyone.

Where To Stay:

  • If you’re looking for a historical location, The Lancaster may be the place for you. Located just 15 minutes north of NRG Stadium, this classic hotel has a great mix of a traditional feel with a modernized look inside. It also has shuttle services that can take fans to and from Houston attractions.
  • Hotel ZaZa provides great accommodations inside Houston’s Museum District. In addition to staying at this boutique hotel, guests are also just a short trip away from the Houston Zoo and the city’s various and highly-rated museums.
  • Hotel Icon offers a place with lots of character for visitors to stay. It’s received high marks for those looking to stay in Houston just a few days and has a great location on Main Street near Houston’s Museum District.

Restaurant Suggestions

  • Looking for a nice steakhouse before the big game? Make sure you visit Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, located just 15 minutes west of the stadium. According to Trip Advisor, it’s the best steak in all of Houston ($$$$)
  • If pizza is more your thing, you can’t go wrong with Star Pizza ($$). It’s a great, local pizza joint with two locations in Houston. From pizza to pastas to craft beers, Star Pizza has something for everyone.
  • Ninfa’s ($$$) is a wonderful, local spot that is known for it’s great Tex-Mex. This restaurant serves lunch and dinner as well as brunch on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Things To Do

  • Want to check out NRG Stadium before the Texas Bowl? Go check out some NFL action on Dec. 28 when the Houston Texans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in their regular-season finale.
  • Museum lovers will have a ton of places to visit in Houston. From the city’s Holocaust Museum to the Museum of Natural Science and many others, there’s a lot of unique museums to stop at.
  • The Houston Zoo is always a popular place for visitors. Home to more than 6,000 animals, the Houston Zoo is great entertainment for all ages.
  • Rice University is just a short drive away from NRG Stadium. Not only is it a beautiful campus, but it’s full of history and tradition as well. Tours are offered on campus or visitors can always walk around themselves and enjoy the campus’ historical layout.
  • Houston is also home to the Houston Space Center, which houses a ton of history about our country’s space program. Pay a few bucks extra and visitors can have an audio device to supplement your experience while on a tour. Kids will love the Space Center.

Bars

  • Anvil Bar & Refuge is a hip bar for the younger crowd. In addition to speciality cocktails and friendly staff, Anvil also offers small plates to guests. Housemade bitters make for some unique drink combinations.
  • Boheme Cafe and Wine Bar offers a wide variety of options to guests. Customers can have anything from wine and specialty cocktails to pizzas and other great bar food. Outdoor seating here is a plus.
  • La Carafe is a unique bar located in Houston. Patrons can sip on some wine in one of the more historical locations in the city. Oh and did I mention you can go ghost hunting?

Getting To The Stadium

NRG Stadium is located around 15 minutes south of downtown Houston. Although it’s a little bit of a drive from the populous areas of the city, the stadium isn’t far off Interstate 610 and should be a relatively easy commute for visitors whether they drive themselves or take a shuttle from the hotel.