Excellent work, gumshoes! Here's your first Top 10 list, made up of your suggestions and our opinions. If you didn't get a chance, be sure to go back and read the various comments made on the first Top 10ist, because there are a few gems. [Next step: contribute to next week's Top 10ist by commenting - below this post - in response to the new prompt, which you will find at the bottom.] Good work on contributing, now sit back and enjoy!
Top 10ist Question #1: What is the most satisfying driving experience in Houston?
Answer:
1. Memorial Drive between the Galleria & downtown
2. I-45 South through downtown
3. (S.) Main Street between Holcome and Bissonett
4. 610 East and the Ship Channel Bridge
5. Allen Parkway (Shepherd to downtown) + Kirby Drive (through River Oaks)
6. 288 North into downtown
7. Montrose/Studemont/Studewood Drive from 59 through the Heights
8. West Loop 610 past the Galleria
9. Westpark Tollway eastbound, exit ramp for 59
10. Smith St. through downtown
Honorable Mention: Westheimer. Because who doesn't have a cherished Westheimer intersection nuzzled somewhere in their heart? "Montrose for you, Voss for me. How about we meet somewhere near Kirby?' That's an old adage.
How nice! A map showing the Top 10ist most satisfying drives in Houston!
Yes, you can print it out and tape it to your dash. You made it - and you made Top 10ist the most talked about game in town! Strut your stuff in Round 2:
Houstonist Top 10ist Question #2:
(Because really, we all know this is the question we were all actually thinking of)
What is the least satisfying driving experience in Houston?
Specifics make Houstonist happy. Time, season, weather, year, etc. Have fun, debate with some pals, and then report back. We'll be in touch next week with your new Top 10ist.
Click the link for a sample response to Top 10ist prompt #2.
What is the least satisfying driving experience in Houston?
For example (as told to Houstonist by a reader): "8:45PM, 610 West Loop Northbound, in between 59 and I-10. You're trying to exit to go to I-10 west - but before that you see a sign on 610 N (around the Woodway exit) that says, "I-10 west ramp will be closed for road work from 9PM-5AM." It's 8:45PM. And you get there, and it's already closed. So then you have to go I-10 eastbound and exit at Washington street (with everyone else), and there's a line of people stopped in the right lane of the freeway to get into the exit ramp at Washington to effectively take two left turns and get to the I-10 westbound like they wanted to in the first place. And the worst part is when you are trying to decide if it is worth your life to poke your head out of line and get back on the freeway (I-10) eastbound and skip up to the Shepherd exit to u-turn without a line. But it's just so scary. You might die just trying to U-turn."
You've made your first Top 10ist list. You should be proud. Take your friends out for a drink. Show them the map. Then, make everyone feel miserable by asking them for their least satisfying driving experience in Houston. Once you have done this, steal away into the night, leaving only the faint scent of jasmine in bloom. This is what you must do. Then leave a comment in response to the prompt:
What is the least satisfying driving experience in Houston?
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