Dear Louisiana hurricane evacuee mamas,
Houston Moms know all too well what you are facing right now.
The anxiety.
The fear.
The uncertainty.
The feeling of hopelessness.
The loss of control.
Like you, we have endured monster storms before and faced the agonizing decision of whether or not to leave with our families. We all hold our breath from May through November each year and pray that we do not see the likes of Katrina, Ike, Harvey & Laura. Some storms give us time to prepare, others do not. But each time, it feels like the weight of the world is on our shoulders and that any decision we make is lose-lose. Throw a storm like Hurricane Ida on top of an already raging global pandemic, and it is a level of anxiety and uncertainty that you would not wish on your worst enemy.
At Houston Moms, we cannot turn back what happened with Hurricane Ida, but what we can do is welcome any hurricane evacuee to our city with open arms and try to wrap as much love and support as Houston has to offer around you and your family. Whether you have young kiddos in need of burning off some excess energy brought on by cabin fever or older ones in need of something to keep them occupied and their minds away from worry, below are some resources that we hope you find helpful while you are in Houston.
Hurricane Evacuee Tips on Houston in General:
- Everything is spread out – and we do mean everything. The actual city of Houston is 665 square miles, but the greater Houston area covers 9,444 square miles, an area only slightly smaller than Massachusetts but larger than New Jersey!
- As the most ethnically diverse metropolitan area in the United States, Houston is a huge melting pot of families and cultures. It’s hard to pinpoint the vibe in Houston {because there are so many!}, but here is our super helpful neighborhood guide to help you learn more about the various areas of our city.
- Traffic and getting around town in Houston can be quite intense and we seem to love a good toll road. So be sure to consult with Google Maps or Waze before hitting the road to avoid any unexpected surprises along the way.
Family Friendly Indoor Activities:
- NASA/Space Center Houston – They call us “Space City” for a reason. If you haven’t been before or need an air conditioned, yet educational experience for your family, this is your place.
- Houston Museum of Natural Science – Truly one of the coolest museums around, offering everything from dinosaur bones to volcanoes and everything in between.
- Houston Children’s Museum – A 9,000 square foot paradise for kids with action packed fun for all ages.
- Downtown Aquarium – A true underwater adventure that even your older kiddos will enjoy.
- Houston Zoo – Our zoo houses over 6,000 animals from 900 species!
- Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal Preserve – Want to sake a selfie with a toucan or feed a sloth? This is SUCH a cool place!
- Moody Gardens – Your destination for pyramids, museums, paddle boating, wild animals, nature & more.
- Texas Rock Gym – Houston’s original indoor rock climbing gym with a fun atmosphere for climbers of all skills and abilities.
Family Friendly Outdoor Activities:
- Kemah Boardwalk – A family focused amusement park with midway games and more.
- Typhoon Texas Waterpark – The park is on reduced hours due to back to school, but still offering Labor Day availability.
- Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures – Again, the park is on reduced hours due to back to school, but offering Labor Day and weekend availability.
- Free Things to Do in Houston – Need we say more?
Family Friendly Food & Dining:
*Be sure to double check hours of operation before you go, as COVID has unfortunately hit the restaurant industry incredibly hard over the past 18-months
- 50+ Family-Friendly Houston Restaurants
- Best Houston Coffee Shops
- Babies & Beer:: A Guide to Houston’s Kid-Friendly Breweries
Houston Moms Specific Guides & Resources:
- Houston Moms Guide to August 2021
- Houston Moms Guide to September 2021
- The Best Parks In and Around Houston
- Top Texas Waterparks to Cool Off With Your Family This Summer
- Exploring Houston:: Houston Murals Guide
- Best Spots to Explore Nature Around Houston
- 8 Delightful Day Trips for Houston Families
- 5 Texas State Parks You Can Visit From Houston
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this stressful time and we are here to help. For additional support and information, be sure to join our Houston Moms Community & Conversation Facebook group where you can connect with thousands of other Houston moms for anything you might need. We are Louisiana Strong too.
You will get through this, mama. Big hugs.
Do you have any must-visit spots to share with our hurricane evacuee families? Let us know what we should add to our list.
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