How to tourist form Pearland TX with a baby (i.e. car seat!)

February 28, 2018 6:39 PM

I'm going to Pearland TX to visit a family member. I'd like to do a small amount of touristing, specifically to tour NASA (anything else you suggest?). But how do I do that given that there's no public transit in Pearland and I would need a car seat for the baby? Note: I'm unwilling to get in a car with a baby without a car seat, even if the law makes exceptions for cabs or whatever. The laws of physics make no exceptions.
posted by If only I had a penguin... to Travel & Transportation around Houston, TX (14 answers total)

I think you can rent car seats with cars at the major vendors, can't you?

Assuming you can get out, the museums in central Houston are really spectacular and generally close to one another. The only one that's not, really, is the Menil, but it's a very short drive from the rest.
posted by uberchet at 6:45 PM on February 28, 2018 [1 favorite]

How are you getting there? Bring a car seat with you or rent one when you get there, and then put it in any cars you get into.

You can get a relatively lightweight and easy-to-install one like this - that's what we use for any trips not in our car.
posted by brainmouse at 6:53 PM on February 28, 2018 [1 favorite]

I should have added -and/or a travel system with a stroller you can pop the car seat into when it's not in the car.
posted by brainmouse at 6:54 PM on February 28, 2018

Are you flying? Airlines commonly allow you to gate check a car seat gratis.
posted by momus_window at 6:58 PM on February 28, 2018 [1 favorite]

I have several times recently gotten car seats when I rented a car with Enterprise, and I second the notion that most larger renters will have them available.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:08 PM on February 28, 2018

Does Family Member know anyone they can borrow a car seat from? Or could they go by a thrift store and pick one up?
posted by carter at 7:30 PM on February 28, 2018

Response by poster: Sorry, I should have clarified. Yes, I've arranged to rent a car seat, but then am I supposed to carry a car seat around during my tour of NASA? Seems like a non-starter.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:14 PM on February 28, 2018

Response by poster: We are not renting a car.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:14 PM on February 28, 2018

It says on their website: Lockers are available for rent with rates ranging from $3 to $21 depending on storage requirements.
posted by ilovewinter at 8:21 PM on February 28, 2018

but then am I supposed to carry a car seat around during my tour of NASA? Seems like a non-starter

Call them!
posted by carter at 2:58 AM on March 1, 2018

I mean, call the visitor number and tell them you will have a car seat, and see what they say. I'm sure you will not be the first.
posted by carter at 3:26 AM on March 1, 2018

How old is your baby? Can someone watch them while you tour NASA? It's a fun place for older kids, but it tends to be loud, crowded and a bit chaotic. If your baby enjoys that, I say go for it, but if you'd rather leisurely go through the exhibits, which have gotten better recently, IMHO, I'd honestly leave the little one with the family member.
posted by not that mimi at 5:03 AM on March 1, 2018

As a former Houstonian that grew up near Pearland (Friendswood, if you're curious) I would HIGHLY recommend renting a car. Outside of Space Center Houston (poorly named since it's nowhere near Houston proper) there's not much to do in that area, unless you want to do some mall shopping, chain eating, and movie watching. Get a car, go to Houston proper (thats inside 610) and visit all the museums. The End.
posted by vividvoltage at 8:33 AM on March 1, 2018 [2 favorites]

depends how old baby is. if less than 12 months, you can use a stroller-car seat combo. if older, the cosco scenera next is a lightweight convertible option that you can hook onto the back of a stroller (assuming you’re bringing one). any museum probably has a coat check or stroller check if you prefer to babywear instead during the tour (i always do, but still never traveled without wheels for my kids.).
posted by sabh at 7:36 PM on March 1, 2018