Welcome Fans, Friends, and Visitors,

Hi. March is a month that is booming with activities for men and women. It is as if the tourist business is coming out of hibernation and starting to see buds opening up. March is Women’s History Month and Irish American Heritage Month. It is also when men and women scurry to the biggest rodeo in the United States. The rodeo lasts for approximately 3 weeks. Although not as long or as appealing to the masses, the Azalea Trail in River Oaks lasts only one long weekend from Friday to Sunday when primarily women come from across the United States to see the beautiful flowers and beautiful mansion homes. The professional basketball regular season is ending, March Madness is beginning, and a new baseball season is just about to commence. There is something for everyone.

Weather in Houston

March is one of the four best months to visit Houston. Several reasons exist for this. The temperatures are moderate. You might need a light sweater at the beginning of the month, but by the end of the month, the temperatures are quite comfortable. The monthly average high temperature is 74 degrees Fahrenheit/23 degrees Centigrade. The monthly average low temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit/13 degrees Centigrade, and the mean is 64 degrees Fahrenheit/18 degrees Centigrade. The average rainfall is 3.19 inches/81 centimeters. It is the second driest month of the year after February.

Tours Below

Mention that you read about the tours below from the blog and you will receive a 10% discount.

Azalea Trail Tours

The formal Azalea Trail historically has signaled the beginning of spring in Houston. It is always on the first 3 day weekend in March from Friday through Sunday, In 2018, this is March 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th. Six homes and the Forum for Civics are opened for touring; two homes that are always on the tour are the late Ima Hogg’s Bayou Bend and the late Harris Masterson’s Rienzi. Bayou Bend has one of the finest collections of Americana art and furnishings dating to the colonial period of the 1600s. The other four houses vary annually. We offer 3 different packages for 1, 1.5, or 2 days. We also take you on tour through River Oaks showing you some of the homes of the rich, famous, and scandalous, and where movies were filmed. Of course, you will see beautiful azaleas and plenty of other flowers. If you either miss the formal Azalea Trail of homes that are opened, we can take you on an informal Azalea Trail for the first half of the month. By the middle of the month, most of the most vibrant azaleas have already bloomed and the petals have fallen off.

Irish-American Heritage Month

March has been Irish-American Heritage Month since 1991. It encases Saint Patrick’s Day which always falls on March 17^th. Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, lived from circa 385 to 461 when he died on March 17^th. We will visit St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Houston or some other church if you prefer and see the statue of Irish immigrant Dick Dowling who served in the Confederacy, Of course, what Irish American Tour would be complete without going to two or three Irish pubs, consuming a pint of Guinness and whatever else, throwing darts, and devouring some corned beef and cabbage?

Rodeo Themed Tours

The rodeo is the biggest and longest fundraiser in Houston. It provides scholarships for students to attend college. It generally lasts for three weeks and begins in either the last week of February or the first week of March. A different musical performer is featured every night. This is the largest rodeo in the United States and the second largest in North American after the Calgary, Alberta, Canada’s Stampede in July. Everyone should attend the Houston rodeo at least once in his/her life. Try some of the barbecue and go enjoy the activities on the fairgrounds. Traffic is often miserable in the vicinity. If you want to schedule us to transport to and or from the rodeo with or without tickets let us know. If you want to include an activity of visiting an actual ranch, the George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond, Texas, or the Oil Ranch in Hockley, Texas we can arrange that, also.

Women’s History Month Tours

March is a busy month for different groups to be recognized. It is Women’s History Month. Women have often been as the forefront of social progressive movements such as voting, abolition, medical care, civil rights, and more. When men have lacked a conscious, women have filled in the vacuum. We offer a couple of completely different 5-hour tours that focus on women’s history and culture. Visit our website to see more detailed descriptions.

National Food Day Tours

Did you know that:

• • March 1^st is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day?
  • March 2^nd is National Banana Crème Pie Day?
  • March 8^th is National Peanut Cluster Day?
  • March 9^th is National Crabmeat Day?
  • March 9^th is National Meatball Day?
  • March 10^th is National Blueberry Popover Day?
  • March 11^th is Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day?
  • March 11^th is Johnny Appleseed Day?
  • March 12^th is National Baked Scallops Day?
  • March 14^th is Pi Day?
  • March 22^nd is National Corndog Day?
  • March 23^rd is National Chips and Dip Day?
  • March 27^th is International Whiskey Day?

We will create a customized 3-hour themed tour for your enjoyment anytime in this month for the above gastronomical sensations. We can combine two or more of the above holidays. Who does not like comfort food and drink?

Monthly Special – Discounted by 17 to 43% Based on the Number of People

The monthly special for March is a 2.5-hour walking tour to and from art galleries. Did you know that Houston has over 30 art galleries? Did you know that Houston has 3 or 4 areas with 5 or more art galleries within walking distance. We can give you a choice of which area you want to walk through leisurely. These galleries present art in different forms, styles, and genres from different ethnicities, philosophies, and nations. Just imagine. You get to learn about your city, explore new neighborhoods or old ones that you like, and see dozens of works of art. Some of these areas have quaint and cute cafes with excellent food in them to enjoy, also.

The tour begins at The Menil Collection Parking lot by the Bistro Menil. The parking is free. Two entrances exist for it. If you have a GPS, input either 1559 West Alabama Street, or 3860 Mulberry Street. The city and zip code is Houston, Texas 77006 for each address.

Monthly Special Prices

• 1 person – $40.00.  This is a 43% discount off of the regular price of $70.00

$40.00 + $3.30 (Sales tax of 8.25%) = $43.30 Total.

• 2 people – $30.00 each.  This is a 25% discount off of the regular price of $40.00 per person.

$30.00 + $2.48 (Sales tax of 8.25%) = $32.48 per person x 2 people = $64.96 Total.

• 3 or 4 people – $25.00 each.  This is a 17% discount off the regular price of $30.00 per person.

$25.00 + $2.07 (Sales tax of 8.25%) = $27.07 per person.
$27.07 per person x 3 people = $81.21 Total.
$27.07 per person x 4 people = $108.28 Total.

• 5 to 9 people – $20.00 each.  This is a 20% discount off the regular price of $25.00 per person.

$20.00 + $1.65 (Sales tax of 8.25%) = $21.65 per person.  $21.65 x 5 people = $108.25.
$20.00 + $1.65 (Sales tax of 8.25%) + $3.00 (15% gratuity for parties of 6 or more people) = $24.65 per person x 6, 7, 8, or 9 people.

• 10 to 19 people – $15.00 each.  This is a 25% discount off the regular price of $20.00 per person.
  $15.00 + $1.24 (Sales tax of 8.25%) + $2.25 per person (15% gratuity for parties of 6 or more people) = $18.49 per person x the number of people.

 

Trivia and Rewards

In the Mid-February 2019, I asked a trivia question with a reward: “Whoever can be the first person to send me an email with the Houston Rockets’s 5 highest single season scorers, the season, and the average (not counting this season) will win a free 3-hour city tour for one person?” Only one person made one attempt and not all of the answers were correct.

The correct answers were:

1. Moses Malone 1981 – 1982 31.1
2. James Harden 2017 – 2018 30.4
3. James Harden 2016 – 2017 29.1
4. James Harden 2015 – 2016 29.0
5. Elvin Hayes 1970 – 1971 28.7

Look for more trivia questions in mid-month blogs with free and discounted tours for the first person who submits the correct answers.

Kudos to Us

For the 9^th consecutive year since 2012, AAA has included Houston Historical Tours in its nationally-famous tour books. People from all over the country use these tour books to plan their vacations. We are one of only two tour companies identified in the book. However, we are referenced in three different sections on 3 different pages:

1. Must Do: AAA Editor’s Picks on page 240.
2. Houston 1-day Itinerary on page 241.
3. Sightseeing Bus and Van Tours on page 250.

 

I know of no other tour company in the state of Texas that has 2 entries, let alone 3 entries and that are not paid advertisements. We offer a 10% discount for AAA members who show proof of their membership.

Invite Your Friends

If you know anyone who would be interested in receiving our blogs, please let us know at houstonhistory@aol.com. Provide a clear name and email address for the person or group and we will sign them up. Thanks.

See you on a tour.

Sincerely,

Keith Rosen
Houston Historical Tours
P. O. Box 262404
Houston, Texas 77207-2404
(713) 392-0867
(713) 643-4086 Fax
houstonhistory@aol.com
www.houstonhistoricaltours.com

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