Visiting Houston Rodeo

Dear readers, it has been some time since I wrote a blog post. It has been really busy at work since we got back from our winter break when we visited Calgary and got to see the Northern Lights. You can check out the post here! This week is our Spring Break and here I am writing a couple of posts before heading back to the grinding routine:) In today’s post I am writing about the Houston Rodeo which is a must see event if any of you travel here this time of year or live nearby. We went on Monday and had a good time. Our last visit was last year in 2022, so it’s been back to back for 2 years now after the pandemic. So read on about the Houston Rodeo!

Introduction

You all must have heard of a rodeo which is basically an exhibition or contest where cowboys show their skills. This includes herding cattle, wresting steers, roping calves, and more. There are also concerts, displays, rides, food, games, exhibits, shopping and lot of walking. Houston Rodeo is almost a month long, and this year it started on Tuesday, February 28th and is ending on Sunday, March 19th. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo first began in 1932, so it has been over 90 years! In 2003, the 71st Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo celebrated its first year in its new homes: NRG Stadium and NRG Center. The NRG Stadium is about 1.9 million square feet in area— the largest and most expensive rodeo and football facility ever built. 

Our experience

We have lived in Houston, Texas, since 2006- 17 years so far, but we have only been to the rodeo a handful of times. We visited just before COVID and then went last year as well as this year. I can say that going to the Rodeo can be expensive but it is a day well spent! This year the entrance ticket was $20 as opposed to $10 from previous years. The concerts are reasonably priced starting at $25 which includes free entrance/ground ticket. As a family the rides are what all kids look forward to and you will easily spend a couple 100 dollars if you want to do many. This year I found the pricing to be little high as compared to previous and pre-COVID times. You buy 2 tickets for a dollar and rides cost between 15 tickets to 30 tickets. Yes 30 tickets, or $15, for a single ride! Kiddie rides can be under 10 tickets. Add the food, drinks, games and shopping to the mix and as a family of 4 you can end up spending between 200-400$. This is not to refrain you from going, but the intention is for awareness for anyone thinking of spending a fun filled exciting and interactive day at the Houston Rodeo! It is definitely worth going- if not every year then maybe every other year. It all depends on your personal preference and family decision in the end.

There is also a shopping area and petting zoo in the animal exhibit section. Our family favorite has always been rides, which includes cliff hanger, creep show, endeavor, evolution, flying Dutchmen, G force, galaxy coaster, grand wheel, haunted mansion, kite flyer, La Grande wheel XL, mach 1, mini bumper cars, omg, sling shot, speedway, tango, zero gravity, zipper and more. These are the list of rides, if you are interested to check them. There are lots of games too with prizes, and the tickets for games may vary from minimum of 9 to maximum of 22.

The Rodeo attractions and activities include agventure (agriculture adventure), carnival, dining, shopping, junction (kid sized rides and games along with interactive shows) and ranching & wildlife expo. Read here for more information about each one.

Fun facts about Houston Rodeo:

• The rodeo started in 1932.

• The first rodeo attracted 2,000 attendees and lost $2,800.

• The Houston Rodeo is the largest livestock show in the world.

• The rodeo has been canceled three times in its history. Twice for COVID-19 safety and once after a fire burned Sam Houston Hall in 1937.

• The NRG Stadium attendance record for a concert was on Sunday, March 17, 2019. The attendance was 80,108.

• A cowboy is required to ride eight seconds in the bull riding competition.

• More than 2.5 million rides have been taken at the carnival

• The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the largest scholarship providers in the U.S. The Rodeo has presented more than 20,000 scholarships valued at $260 million since 1957. Each year, more than 800 scholarships are awarded to Texas students by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

• The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is officially described as a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation.

• The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has presented nearly $84 million in research, grants and educational programs to more than 100 organizations and institutions in Texas.

• Each year, Houston Methodist hospital sends approximately 80 rotating health care professionals to the Houston rodeo, including EMTs, athletic trainers, physical therapists, massage therapists, orthopedic surgeons, ER doctors, primary care doctors, chiropractors and nurses.

Wrap up

To summarize, Houston Rodeo is a fun filled action packed day outing for any family! Filled with events and activities, Houston Rodeo has concerts and a carnival you can take the kids to for a day (or days) of fun and excitement.

Dear readers, we would love to hear from you. Have you attended any rodeo event, in your city or state? Do share your experiences about any other fun event that you have enjoyed with your family or friends recently.

Related posts:

Fun things to do in Texas with kids

6 fun outdoor activities

Places to visit in and around Houston

Our road trip experiences