Traveling to Houston to cheer on the Hawkeyes in the Sweet 16? Here's your guide for everything to do in Houston.
You're not dreaming, Iowa fans.
The Hawkeye men's basketball team is off to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999, and it's safe to say that the 27-year wait was well worth it after what transpired on Sunday evening.
But the season is just beginning.
Iowa will have a chance to continue its unlikely postseason run in the South Region semifinals in Houston, Texas on Thursday evening (6:30 CDT, TBS). The Hawkeyes' opponent is none other than Big Ten rival Nebraska, which is making its first ever Sweet 16 appearance.
There's likely going to be a mass of Iowa fans making the trip to the Lone Star State, so before you pack you cars, take a few minutes to check out everything Texas' largest city has to offer:
Attractions
Space Center Houston
Houston isn't nicknamed Space City for no reason. The city is home to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, where NASA trains its astronauts for spaceflight and conducts research.
If you're thinking this isn't something interesting to see, the real tourist attraction is the visitor center on campus. The 250,000-square foot museum is home to over 400 space artifacts, including space capsules that you can walk inside of.
Click here for more information to plan your visit.
Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo is the second-most visited zoo in the United States, and houses over 6,000 animals. You can see animals from all over the world, including gorillas, rhinos, lions, tigers, sea lions, monkeys, giraffes, snakes, and more.
Click here to learn more.
Dining
According to Trip Advisor, these are some of the best dining options in downtown Houston (where the Toyota Center is located).
Located near Daikin Park (the home of MLB's Houston Astros) on 1510 Texas Ave., Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse is known for its prime rib and fresh seafood.
If you're looking for a fun family-centered experience, the Aquarium Restaurant may be the place for you. It's located on 410 Bagby St and features a 150,000 gallon aquarium to admire while you enjoy seafood, chicken, steak, and more.
If you're in the mood for pizza, check out Frank's Pizza at 417 Travis St. The restaurant features an array of pizzas, including vegetarian and gluten free options.
Click here to read more about some other dining options in downtown Houston.
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