Exploring Houston
While you are visiting campus for GCURS, we encourage to not only explore the beautiful Rice campus but our great city of Houston, the fourth-largest city in the U.S., and one of the most diverse. Houston is easily navigable by light rail. Sports fans have plenty to take in; Rice has NCAA Division 1 athletics in a wide variety of fields. Houston is also home to the NBA Rockets, NFL Texans, and the MLB Houston Astros.
Houston is home to seven resident performing arts companies, and boasts a ballet, grand opera and symphony. Adjacent to the Rice campus, Hermann Park is home to the Houston Zoo and Miller Outdoor Theater. Take advantage of Houston’s mild fall weather while you’re in town, and spend some time outside!
Lodging
If you were granted a GCURS travel award that includes lodging, you will stay at a hotel in the Texas Medical Center. Participants will share a double room; you will receive information about your roommate after you receive your GCURS acceptance and award letter. Shuttles will be provided on Saturday morning to take participants and visiting advisors to the main campus. Your section coordinator will provide detailed information before the symposium. Participants who are presenting at the BioScience Research Collaborative (BRC) will walk to their destination. Parking will be available at the hotel, and is self-paid.
Parking
Participants and advisors not staying at the hotel can park at the various visitors' lots on campus and at the BRC. Click the link to view the campus map - visitor parking is highlighted in yellow. GCURS will pay for visitor parking. The Coordinators of each Division will assist you with obtaining a parking validation ticket.
Dining
All meals will be provided during the GCURS symposium on Saturday. A continental breakfast is typically served during registration on Saturday. Participants will be notified of the time and location for breakfast and lunch by the section administrators. At the conclusion of the day, an interdisciplinary networking reception is typically held in the Grand Hall, Rice Memorial Center. Guests presenting at the BRC will have the option of taking a shuttle to the reception or walking to campus. Heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served.
You will be given the opportunity to note dietary restrictions on the GCURS application.
For those wanting to explore Houston's dining scene, here are no shortage of cuisine options, as Houston is home to more than 10,000 restaurants. The below are close-to-campus recommendations from Rice's student newspaper, The Thresher. More information on where to eat in Houston, courtesy of Rice alum and Houston food critic Alison Cook, can be found here.
Hungry's
2356 Rice Blvd., (.8 from Rice)
Conveniently located in Rice Village, Hungry's has you covered from breakfast - dinner, with lots of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Torchy's Tacos
2400 Times Blvd., (1 mile from Rice)
Something for everyone. Beat the line with online ordering, and be sure to try the queso.
Agora
1712 Westheimer, 2.0 miles from Rice
Cozy coffee shop named one of Houston's most unique. Embrace your inner DJ and check out the jukebox.
Dak & Bop
1801 Binz #120, (1.9 miles from Rice)
Asian fusion meets fried chicken. Don't miss the fries.
Bodegas Taco Shop
1200 Binz #160, (1.5 miles from Rice)
Great spot for build-your-own burritos, tacos and salads.
House of Pies
6142 Westheimmer, (2.4 miles from Rice)
The place for pies, cakes, cookies, and classic diner fare.