Hi there, rodeogoer! Consider this your one-stop shop for my advice on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — what to do, how to get around, and more.
Let’s start with the basics, shall we?
Getting there
Yes, you can drive — factor in $25 minimum for parking if you don’t already have a pass. There are SEVERAL lots, and they fill up. Consult this link here for more deets. There’s park and rides that use a big bus — keep track of what lot and what bus you took to retrace your steps.
Yes, you can Uber or Lyft. Drop off is in the yellow lot, and it’s a hike to get on the grounds from there (you can wait in line for the tram, too!).
My all-time rec is to use Alto, a car service that’s a tiny bit pricier but worth it during rodeo season. Here are the perks:
- Limo Lot access (Green Lot across from NRG on Kirby — no Yellow Lot chaos!)
- Alcohol permitted in the car – bring a roadie!!
- Pre-scheduling is always a perk
- Rodeo Vibe updated with this year’s lineup
- Clean cars, 5 seats, water bottles and chargers waiting for you
Use code RODEO26 for 15% off first 5 rides through March 22nd.
The show
Rodeo is a massive machine but one thing you need to know is the actual show — which takes place daily inside NRG Stadium and concludes with a concert — is the main event. During the show, you’ll see bull riding, barrel racing, calf scrambling, mutton busting, and a whole program of rodeo sports.
The weekday (M-F) rodeos start at 6:45 p.m., and the entertainer takes the stage at approximately 9:15 p.m. NRG Stadium gates open at 6 p.m. Weekend rodeos (Sa-Su) start at 2:45 p.m. The entertainer takes the stage at approximately 5:15 p.m. NRG Stadium gates open at 2 p.m. DON’T MISS THINGS ON THE WEEKEND EARLY SHOWS!
Rodeo Cookoff
This is a different beast! It’s three days rather than three weeks, so a lot crammed in here.
My advice is again to use Alto to get there — cookoff takes place in a parking lot, so parking is severely limited.
Click here to read the full guide on how to do cookoff right!
The Wine Garden
Sorry, but she needs her own section!! I love the wine garden at the rodeo so much. Live music, bottles of award-winning wine (at every price range) — on a perfect spring day, it’s truly unbeatable!!
You can find it outside the northeast corner of the stadium — right between the stadium and NRG Center. It wraps around the Astrodome, and there are a couple stages, private tents that are available to rent for big groups, and tons of tables. They have some light bites but you are going to want to visit the nearby food tents for better food options.
Pro-tip go early and get a group together to save a table while people get up to get food/more wine. There’s portopotties on opposite ends of the garden, but don’t worry they are well maintained!
Make the memories
Explore the grounds and take photos! I’ve got a few tips on where to accomplish that goal…
