Top 10 Things to Do at the Houston Rodeo

Top 10 Things To Do at the Houston Rodeo

Your first trip to Reliant Park for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo can be daunting. Visit www.rodeohouston.com for a full list of events, or pick up a schedule when you arrive. In the meantime, check out my top 10 things to see and do.

1. Watch the rodeo. Duh, right? You’ll see the best performers, and, with the new Super Series format (think Final Four brackets), there’s a winner every night. Tickets start at $16.

Catch a star.

George Strait got his start here and remains a perennial favorite, but Hannah Montana (aka Miley Cyrus) and The Cheetah Girls set an all-time attendance record last year with 73,295. This year’s entertainers include Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, Rascal Flatts, and more. Rodeo tickets include admission to the concerts.

Walk through the barns.

In addition to the world’s largest rodeo, Houston also hosts the biggest and best livestock show. “This is the only time some kids will ever see a horse or a cow up close,” says Paul Somerville.

Witness the miracle of birth.

Capital One AgVenture features a birthing center where visitors can watch calves, lambs, and chicks enter the world.

Shop till you drop.

The Reliant Center, which sits adjacent to the stadium, fills with vendors selling everything from cowboy hats to shoe inserts. Famous Texas bootmaker, M.L. Leddy’s, has sold more than 25,000 custom-made pairs since they set up shop at the rodeo in 1955.

Eat a corny dog.

Or some fried Oreos. Or a fried Twinkie. Or…well, you get the picture. Indulge your taste buds with something yummy!

Take a turn on the ferris wheel.

Whee! The carnival opens at 4 p.m. and runs to midnight on weekdays; hours are 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends.

Ride a bull.

Okay, so it’s a mechanical bull, but you’ll have more of an appreciation for the rodeo cowboys.

Scoot a boot.

After the rodeo, head over to the Reliant Astrodome for live music and a little two-stepping. Open 6 p.m. to midnight daily.

Talk to a real cowboy.

You’ll know who they are.

"Top 10 Things To Do at the Houston Rodeo" is a Web Exclusive for the Febuary 2008 Southern Living.