HOUSTON (AP) 鈥� Houston will host the for the first time this summer. If you鈥檙e heading to the Space City to take in the tournament, here are some things to know about this sprawling metropolis that is the nation鈥檚 fourth largest city.
First, make sure to dress for intense heat and humidity, hydrate and pack your sunscreen. Temperatures in June are typically around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), but the humidity can make it feel hotter than 105 F (41 C) or higher.
Landmarks/Places to See
First time visitors should make the trek about 30 miles from downtown to Clear Lake, Texas, for a visit to the Johnson Space Center, home to .
The features Hermann Park, the Houston Zoo and 19 museums, highlighted by Museum of Fine Arts. It鈥檚 a family friendly and walkable destination for visitors.
For a little slice of history, you can get a look at the Astrodome, which sits in the shadow of NRG Stadium, where all the matches will be held. Dubbed the 鈥淓ighth Wonder of the World鈥� when it opened as the world鈥檚 first air-conditioned domed stadium in 1965, the stadium hasn鈥檛 been used for events in more than two decades.
Food Scene
No visit to Houston is complete without barbecue and Tex-Mex, which are plentiful in all corners of the city. For great barbecue close to downtown, try for its perfectly cooked brisket or for huge and tender beef ribs and flavorful jalape帽o and cheese sausage links. For Tex-Mex, and are both solid choices. Order fajitas at Ninfa鈥檚 and don鈥檛 miss the mole poblano chicken enchiladas at Irma鈥檚. And try not to fill up on chips and salsa before your order arrives!
Fan Zones
The city鈥檚 free will be in East downtown, known to locals as . The fan festival will be open from June 11-July 19 and will show all 104 World Cup matches live on giant screens.
Transportation Options
The Red Line is the primary way to get to NRG Stadium, which will be called Houston Stadium, for the World Cup. It offers direct service to Stadium Park/Astrodome Station from downtown for $1.25. Trains run every 6-12 minutes from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. with increased capacity during the event.
Stadium Tips
The stadium has a retractable roof which is almost certain to be closed during all the matches because of the high temperatures. With the roof closed, it can get chilly in the stadium, so bring a light jacket or cardigan if you tend to get cold easily. ___
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