How do you get to the Rothko Chapel from the airport?
June 24, 2010 7:34 AM Subscribe
How do you get from the Houston Airport to the Rothko Chapel?
I have a 6.5 hour layover in Houston during the day next Wednesday, and as an art lover I thought that it might be a good opportunity to see the Rothko Chapel. It is in the middle of the "museum district." Do any of you Texans have advice for pulling this off? My main concern is that I will not have a car. Also, can you recommend good places to eat or have coffee near the chapel? Thanks in advance!
I have a 6.5 hour layover in Houston during the day next Wednesday, and as an art lover I thought that it might be a good opportunity to see the Rothko Chapel. It is in the middle of the "museum district." Do any of you Texans have advice for pulling this off? My main concern is that I will not have a car. Also, can you recommend good places to eat or have coffee near the chapel? Thanks in advance!
Are you coming through Hobby Airport or IAH? They're at opposite ends of town, so the advice will differ.
posted by *s at 7:50 AM on June 24, 2010
posted by *s at 7:50 AM on June 24, 2010
Response by poster: I am going through Houston Intercontinental.
posted by mortaddams at 7:55 AM on June 24, 2010
posted by mortaddams at 7:55 AM on June 24, 2010
The easiest would be to take a taxi from the airport to Rothko Chapel. That will take about 30 minutes, but cost $40+ there and back.
You could also take the bus, which will be cheaper but take over an hour since there would be a transfer. They have a trip planner which will let you see your options.
I would recommend the taxi, since its summer in Houston and you will not want to wait outside for the Metro. That will also give you more time to enjoy the chapel, walk over to the Menil, and enjoy the Montrose area which has a good selection of coffee shops and stores you can walk to.
posted by zamdaba at 8:06 AM on June 24, 2010
You could also take the bus, which will be cheaper but take over an hour since there would be a transfer. They have a trip planner which will let you see your options.
I would recommend the taxi, since its summer in Houston and you will not want to wait outside for the Metro. That will also give you more time to enjoy the chapel, walk over to the Menil, and enjoy the Montrose area which has a good selection of coffee shops and stores you can walk to.
posted by zamdaba at 8:06 AM on June 24, 2010
First of all, which airport?
Secondly, Google Maps is your friend.
If it's Bush Intercontinental, a cab to the Museum District will be about $55. (Yes, crazy. But public transportation is not all that popular in Houston. I can verify this cost because I took a taxi from the Montrose to the airport two weeks ago.) This will be probably the quickest and most direct way because the cabbie can take you right to the chapel.
There is a Metro Airport Direct Bus that will take you from Terminal C at Intercontinental to the Downtown Transit Center for $15 (booking information at link). From there, you have two options.
You can walk one block to catch the southbound Metro Lightrail to the Museum District (one way ticket is $1.20). Actually, because the train jogs east in the museum district, I'd actually get off two stops before, at HCC/Ensemble, walk south to Alabama, and then head west about 1 kilometer. You'll run right into the signs for the Menil and Rothko, both of which are on the south side of the street in a neighborhood.
Or, at the transit center, you can pick up bus #78, which will take you right to the museum. I think this is also $1.20 one way.
Be aware that the ride from the airport to downtown will take AT LEAST 30 minutes, depending on traffic, and that the bus will take a while too. You may be able to take a taxi from the transit center for about $10. Google tells me that taking a bus the whole way will take an hour. But four hours is more than enough time to enjoy the facility.
And since you're making your way down there already, it is a must to stop at the Menil and the Menil Bookstore (free admission). It is really the best museum in Houston and is right next door to the Rothko.
posted by Brittanie at 8:08 AM on June 24, 2010
Secondly, Google Maps is your friend.
If it's Bush Intercontinental, a cab to the Museum District will be about $55. (Yes, crazy. But public transportation is not all that popular in Houston. I can verify this cost because I took a taxi from the Montrose to the airport two weeks ago.) This will be probably the quickest and most direct way because the cabbie can take you right to the chapel.
There is a Metro Airport Direct Bus that will take you from Terminal C at Intercontinental to the Downtown Transit Center for $15 (booking information at link). From there, you have two options.
You can walk one block to catch the southbound Metro Lightrail to the Museum District (one way ticket is $1.20). Actually, because the train jogs east in the museum district, I'd actually get off two stops before, at HCC/Ensemble, walk south to Alabama, and then head west about 1 kilometer. You'll run right into the signs for the Menil and Rothko, both of which are on the south side of the street in a neighborhood.
Or, at the transit center, you can pick up bus #78, which will take you right to the museum. I think this is also $1.20 one way.
Be aware that the ride from the airport to downtown will take AT LEAST 30 minutes, depending on traffic, and that the bus will take a while too. You may be able to take a taxi from the transit center for about $10. Google tells me that taking a bus the whole way will take an hour. But four hours is more than enough time to enjoy the facility.
And since you're making your way down there already, it is a must to stop at the Menil and the Menil Bookstore (free admission). It is really the best museum in Houston and is right next door to the Rothko.
posted by Brittanie at 8:08 AM on June 24, 2010
Ok, the cab option is pretty expensive, but it's the most direct. It could easily run you $45 one way. Here's a summary of your options. In addition to the cab, there's also the super shuttle. You can also take a metro bus to downtown and call a cab to take you to the Rothko. A further possibility would be to bus downtown and take light rail (bus lets you off at the rail stop) south to the Museum District stop, but it's a hike to the Rothko and the weather lately is not so amenable for the long walks. If you don't mind a half-hour walk in the heat though, you could walk up Montrose from the Musem District stop, have a coffee at Diedrich's (not the best coffee shop, but on your way) or stop for lunch at Canopy, which is across the street from Diedrich's and pretty awesome, and continue on your way. Note, people will think you're nuts if you do the bus/rail/walk option. It's possible that there is a bus that will go from either the Downtown Transit Center stop or the Museum District stop closer to the Rothko, but you'd have to call/search Metro, which is linked at the bottom of the airport transit link up top.
The Rothko Chapel is fantastic. The whole Menil complex is worth exploring -- the Byzantine Chapel, the Menil itself, the Cy Twombly museum -- if you have time.
posted by *s at 8:08 AM on June 24, 2010
The Rothko Chapel is fantastic. The whole Menil complex is worth exploring -- the Byzantine Chapel, the Menil itself, the Cy Twombly museum -- if you have time.
posted by *s at 8:08 AM on June 24, 2010
Regarding walking anywhere - I don't know what kind of climate you're coming from, but be aware that if you spend more than about 1 minute outside, even without moving, you will feel like you need to take another shower. If you walk anywhere, you will be soaking wet in 3-4 minutes. As they say, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity."
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:14 AM on June 24, 2010
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:14 AM on June 24, 2010
Take the Metro Airport Direct bus from Terminal C (you have to buy your ticket before you board), and then a cab from downtown. The bus takes just as long as a cab, and is much cheaper. Also, it's a full-size tour bus, not a typical city transit bus, so it's a nice and relaxing ride.
I wouldn't bother with public transport once you get to downtown, unless you are going to the Museum District (which is not where the Rothko Chapel is). Bring mosquito repellent if you'd like to be able to enjoy the pond.
posted by halogen at 8:26 AM on June 24, 2010
I wouldn't bother with public transport once you get to downtown, unless you are going to the Museum District (which is not where the Rothko Chapel is). Bring mosquito repellent if you'd like to be able to enjoy the pond.
posted by halogen at 8:26 AM on June 24, 2010
I would also suggest running into the Menil for a long as you can spare, wonderful place. Specially if you like René Magritte, they have several pieces. The Byzatine Fresco Chapel is very nice too.
I would consider keeping a spare shirt in your carry one. As others have have said, it's hot and humid right now, and you'll be sticky by the time you get back to the airport. A quick wash and a change before getting on your connecting flight will make the world of difference.
posted by beowulf573 at 9:32 AM on June 24, 2010
I would consider keeping a spare shirt in your carry one. As others have have said, it's hot and humid right now, and you'll be sticky by the time you get back to the airport. A quick wash and a change before getting on your connecting flight will make the world of difference.
posted by beowulf573 at 9:32 AM on June 24, 2010
Someone mentioned it upstream, but I'll give you a link to Supershuttle.
If I can't decide between a really expensive taxi and a really slow public transport, I choose these guys since they are about halfway on both price and time. Your fare will probably be $27 each way and they are faster than the bus/train.
posted by CathyG at 9:46 AM on June 24, 2010
If I can't decide between a really expensive taxi and a really slow public transport, I choose these guys since they are about halfway on both price and time. Your fare will probably be $27 each way and they are faster than the bus/train.
posted by CathyG at 9:46 AM on June 24, 2010
The Chapel of St. Basil at the University of St. Thomas is also worth a look. I'm not a big fan of Philip Johnson, but this is an excellent design. It's two blocks or so from the Rothko Chapel and unless there's a service, the doors are open.
posted by BigSky at 11:34 AM on June 24, 2010
posted by BigSky at 11:34 AM on June 24, 2010
Here is a link to IAH's transportation options. I'd put the Rothko closer to Medical Center than Downtown, so it looks like $51 each way. The direct bus coupled with a cab is probably cheaper. Nthing the suggestions to stop at the Menil, it's only a block away. I seem to remember they've got at least one more Rothko there. It's unfortunately been a couple of months since I've been there so I can't remember for certain (hey Houstonian's, given all the love for the Menil we should have a meetup there)
posted by Runes at 8:44 PM on June 24, 2010
posted by Runes at 8:44 PM on June 24, 2010
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posted by BigSky at 7:50 AM on June 24, 2010 [1 favorite]