It’s that time of the year! Get out your boots and your western wear because it’s rodeo season in Houston! Whether you’re feeling excited or indifferent about the month-long event, you can’t deny that the Rodeo season creates such a festive and magical time in our amazing city! From the 30,000 livestock entries to the fried EVERYTHING and nightly concerts, there is so much activity lined up for the next few weeks. We hope you’ve bought your tickets, but before you go, be sure to keep in mind these tips and events that you won’t want to miss this year!
TRANSPORTATION
Forget wasting time and money on trying to find a close enough parking spot! This year, take advantage of the several transportation options available. If you’re considering Uber, the drop-off and pick-up location is at Gate 16B in Yellow Lot 38. If you’re thinking of the METRORail option, you can ride any of the three lines for just $2.50. Another popular route is Park and Ride. You can park your vehicle for free at any of the seven park and ride locations and for a small fee, take a shuttle that drops off and picks up at NRG Center or NRG Arena.
VALUE WEDNESDAYS
Every Wednesday during the rodeo, patrons can enjoy a serious discount on admission to concerts and the rodeo with tickets costing only $10. You can use the discount to access concerts on those days, so if you’re flexible on dates and who you want to see, check out who is playing on Wednesdays! This year it is Old Dominion (March 8), Thomas Rhett (March 15) and Jake Owen (March 22). If you're only looking to enjoy the carnival, tickets to enter NRG Park are $5 on Wednesdays.
CHARGING STATIONS
For those moments when your phone dies but you need to know where the rest of your family is, Reliant and NRG have developed a solution to keep you powered up this rodeo season! With NRG Go portable power stations positioned all throughout the grounds, low batteries will no longer be an issue. You can rent a Go Pack to charge on the go, or take advantage of NRG’s Street Charge stations that have a variety of charging cables where you can plug in and charge your device for free!
THE JUNCTION
A perfect spot for fun with the kids! The Junction includes a petting zoo, camel ride, pig races, pony rides and the ever-popular Mutton Bustin’ where 5 and 6-year-olds try to hold on to sheep for 8 seconds! Don’t forget to stop by Fun on the Farm, which allows children to explore the world of agriculture by learning the farm-to-market process! The Junction Carnival also offers kid-friendly rides, games and prizes.
WINE GARDEN
Escape to a little oasis and at the Champion Wine Garden and savor more than 70 award-winning wines from the Rodeo Uncorked International Wine Competition. Enjoy wines by the glass or bottle, and try delicious cheeses while listening to live music. You can also expand your taste and understanding by attending their wine tastings and seminars.