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H-Town Rock
Rock Talk, Vol. IX
That's right, gents and ladies, we at Houstonist have a new feature for you to sink your teeth into, and it's called the Top 10ist. Since we're pretty sure Letterman doesn't have a trademark on top ten lists, we are going to start coming up with our own top ten lists - HOUSTON STYLE. Won't you help us? Read on.
Here's the idea: every Monday, we present a question or prompt for the next week's Top 10ist. Then, it's up to you - yes, you, dear Houstonist reader - to help us come up with 10 responses to the question. Simple enough? We'll post the question on Monday, so you'll have the whole week and weekend to think about some possible answers. Now, as with all excellent questions, there may not be one right answer. That's where the fun comes in. Discuss the topic with your friends, get into a few heated discussions, and then return to the Top 10ist post and leave your answer as a comment below the Top 10ist prompt.
The questions we come up with for Top 10ist will always have something to do with life in Houston and the glories and traumas that come with the title, "Houstonian." We want to hear your opinions and thoughts on Houston, so be sure to leave a comment each week. (Of course, Houstonist is always open to ideas for future Top 10ist questions/prompts, but try to email those to avoid confusion.)
Now, as to the question of how to rank a top ten list - that's where we come in. We'll check out different suggestions and comments that readers leave on the Top 10ist post throughout the week. Then, using a very complicated Houstonist Top 10ist logarithm, we'll digest your comments and post the new Top 10ist the following Monday. At the bottom of each Top 10ist list will be the new prompt for the following week's Top 10ist, so be sure to look for that. Shall we begin?
Top 10ist Prompt #1:
Question: What is the most satisfying driving experience in Houston?
Comment below, or follow the link for more info and a sample answer.
When we say "satisfying", we mean a driving experience that makes you go "yee-haw!" or that makes you say, "bless you, Screwston." Think about it. Then tell us about it, where and when it happens, and what makes it so great.
Here's an example to get you going: "One of our most satisfying Houston driving experiences is cruising 32 mph, southbound on Smith Street through downtown Houston, and hitting only green lights all the way from I-10 to 45. Particularly, when it happens on sunny winter Sundays, around one in the afternoon. The day is bright and ripe. Families are racing around going to various cultural events, and the police are relaxing outside of their cars at Angelika, soaking up the sun. Good no-coat-but-a-scarf weather. Houston looks really beautiful and glossy and blue with the car windows down, and it's so satisfying to give the brake a break." Now you try!
(Why start with this prompt, you ask? Well, if so many Houstonians have such wonderful driving experiences to share and recommend to others, why don't we? Driving is a common theme among us Htowners, so let's share. Put on your thinking cowboy hats, and comment on what you personally believe is the most satisfying driving experience in Houston. Just make sure it's a Houston-related driving experience - please no under the influence experiences - and recreatable by other readers.)
Houstonist wants your suggestions, so do tell!
What is the most satisfying driving experience in Houston? (comment!)
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No longer a Houston resident, but the most satisfying Houston driving experience is going from downtown to the Galleria/Uptown area via Memorial Drive, not getting pulled over cops and then having your friend call you and say "what? you're there already? i'm stuck on 59 south"
A clear day, driving up 288 north from Pearland, seeing our World Class Medical Center on teh horzon, our state of the art Reliant Stadium in teh distance, and approaching our beautiful Downtown Houston skyline. All three things that make Houston great, and all in one view. Ahhhhh.
Heading down Allen Parkway away from downtown. Moving into the right lane right before you get to Shepherd and blowing by all of the people stuck at the light trying to get into River Oaks. Cruise up Shepherd and into the Heights.
Memorial/Woodway flyover on 610 coming from the north at 8-9 am rush hour. There's no traffic on the ramp, but you see all of it 2 stories below.
Driving on the Southloop during the Rodeo cook-off and smelling all the cooking going on. Yummmmmmm.
I am a fan of the new "super ramps" they built on and off of 610 in the galleria area - specifically the Westheimer exit off 610 northbound that flies you over 59, and the 610 South on ramp from the feeder that also flies you over 59. Very cool.
Driving down Main Street past the Wortham fountain and underneath the gorgeous trees. Out of town visitors couldn't get over all the beautiful tress in our city.
Driving towards downtown on South Main from University (the Med Center) to Binz (the Museum District). You have Herman Park on the right, Rice University on the left, and the Mecom Fountain waiting for you at the end. Even during rush hour, the beautiful canopy of live oak trees, covering the entire drive, always seem to make the traffic bearable.
There are two great rides in Houston.
1. Memorial Drive from 610 towards Downtown. The way the skyline unfolds for you as you weave back and forth is just one of the best drives in Houston.
2. Main Street, near Rice University under the canopy of oak trees.
Anytime I need to sort myself out, I drive the whole Loop. It takes about 20 minutes, so sometimes I have to do it more than once. The ship channel bridge is especially nice.
The most satisfying driving experience to me in Houston:
Arriving in my driveway and garage safely.
The most satisfying driving experience to us all in Houston:
1. Driving east on Memorial Drive towards Downtown.
2. Driving north on Main from TMC to Mecom Fountain
I'm with Mamacita: The Ship Channel bridge on the East Loop is a great drive. Headed north, you get to look out over all the port activity and the acres and acres of imported cars on the lots as you come down on the north side of the bridge. And in either direction, the skyscrapers of downtown, the Med Center and Uptown line up to make a very Manhattan-esque skyline.
But 20 minutes to drive the whole Loop? Yikes.
river oaks
Driving in the left late on Shepherd between Richmond and West Gray without running into a single person turning left.
Driving in the left lane on Shepherd between Richmond and West Gray without running into a single person turning left.
I'LL HAVE TO AGREE- MEMORIAL DR. FROM 610 TO DOWNTOWN,ALLEN PKWY SHEPHERD TO DOWNTOWN- REALLY SHOWS OFF THE SKYLINE.
ALSO - MAIN FROM MECOM FOUNTAIN TO THE MED CENTER- OR ANY OF THE TREE COVERED MUSEUM AREA STREETS- A LITTLE HEAVEN ON EARTH !
MY OLD FAVE RIDE WAS ON MY BIKE - I WOULD TAKE THE BAYOU TRAIL FROM SHEPHERD & MEMORIAL TO DOWNTOWN,HEAD SOUTH DOWN MAIN STREET, WATCHING THE SKYLINE DISSAPPEAR BEHIND ME , THEN TAKE NORTH OR SOUTH BLVD WEST AND THEN ZIG-ZAG MY WAY HOME FROM THERE.
Seriously, the Loop only takes 20 minutes, going something close to the speed limit, if you do it after 9 p.m. You try it and tell me how long you take.
Jack: the scenario you describe is science fiction, and thus ineligible for the contest, I believe.
Has anyone ever seen the bridge across the Ship Channel on the East Belt? Truly one of the most maginificent structures in our area, if not the state.
I did some searching, the Fred Hartman Bridge, and it's not on the Beltway, it's Texas 146. My apologies.
i'll second the fred hartman bridge, heading south/southwest on 146 at sunset - of course, hold your nose, it usually smells like death around there
Driving with your windows down and being comfortable. Usually about 1 week in April and 1 in October.
I. First in line at the stoplight northbound on Shepherd at West Gray.
Light turns green, floor it, take the Shepherd S curve way too fast, break into daylight past W. Dallas and enjoy the wonderful view to the east as you bridge over Memorial / Allen Pkwy.
II. Early on a Sunday morning, drive the West Loop northbound from 59 to 10. With no traffic, you can enjoy being in the Urban Uptown Canyon.
Seeing the downtown skyline after the rain.
Agreed on Allen Parkway, the 610 ship channel bridge, 288, and the Hartman bridge.
Another: the HOV ramp from the Katy Freeway into Downtown, inbound. Kinda scary, incredible view.
And somehow nobody's mentioned I-45 past Downtown.
I-45 past downtown is good. The ramp from 288 N to 59 S gets you a nice skyline view too.
But how much fun is the ramp from the Westpark Tollway, heading east, to 59 N? It's like a roller coaster.
I think the whole sequence along I-45 from the North Loop into downtown is pretty amazing — from the time you come around the curve headed south and see the skyline to the point where you actually drive past all the skyscrapers. It's one of my favorites.
My vote is also for the 610 ship channel, but only at night when it's all lit up. During the daytime it's not even remotely attractive.
As to how long it takes to drive the entire 610 loop, I timed it once many years ago (mainly out of boredom). Late at night and driving pretty close to the speed limit (max of 5 miles over) it took about 40 minutes.
Allen Parkway drive is certainly fantastic, I prefer going towards downtown. There are many great streets to cruise in the Heights as well. My favorite being down Bayland going from Studewood towards Houston Ave. The drive down Memorial is great as well as Main by Rice.
Sunset Avenue going through Rice is fantastic as well, passing all the houses and trees.