About Houston
With a population of over 2.3 million, Houston is one of the most populated cities in the United States and you will know why when you see it. The city boasts a humid subtropical climate with an average high of 81 and an average low of 61 so outdoor activities like swimming, boating, hiking, and biking are popular.
Being so close to the Gulf, there are a variety of beaches and parks as well as attractions like the Houston Zoo, Kemah Boardwalk, and the Downtown Aquarium. And since teens love shopping, they will love it if you take them to the Galleria. Having a Houston sweet 16 venue is an absolutely perfect idea.
Sweet 16 Options in Houston
Whether you are having a huge party or a small gathering, it is a good idea to have some help in planning everything. For example, the kids are going to need a lot of food and drinks, entertainment, and photos to remember this day.
- Catering
From taco bar buffets to a seated formal dinner, whatever you are planning would best be done by a professional. Hire a catering company in Houston that can plan the menu, set up the food, serve the food, and clean up afterward. That way you do not have to do anything but eat the food.
- Entertainment
How do you keep a group of 16-year-olds happy? How about a DJ who can spin records all night long? Or maybe a musical group or musician? If the kids are into gaming, get some video games. And all teens love taking selfies so get a photo booth to help them out. You could even get an airbrush tattoo artist or t-shirt airbrushing artist.
- Photographer
No matter what kind of entertainment and food you get, you will definitely need a photographer and videographer to record every single moment. After all, a sweet 16 party only happens once so you will all want to remember it forever.
Sweet 16 Companies in Houston
Being a popular destination, Houston has a lot of experienced party planning and serving companies. From artists to zipline providers, you can find it all from A to Z.
- Café Natalie Catering
Café Natalie has won many awards over the years like the Best Bridal Caterer in 2019, Couples Choice Awards by WeddingWire in 2020, and even the Knot’s Best of Weddings Hall of Fame. Yes, they do a lot of weddings but they consider every event to be just as important as the rest so your sweet 16 party guests will all be treated like royalty. And they serve any dish you have in mind so just ask if you do not see it on the menu!
- Incredible Events
From animal shows to trivia games, Incredible Events can provide hours of fun for everyone. Live music and dancers are also available, and they have DJs who also entertain the guests. The kids will love the karaoke setups and the artists who will do tattoos, caricatures, and rock painting. But don’t forget the photo booth.
- Rob Greer Photography
Rob has been shooting events for more than 15 years and has over 100 five-star reviews as well as more than 1,000 happy customers. His work has been published in People, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, and some of his clients include Walt Disney, Microsoft, and Reebok.
Pros and Cons of Sweet 16s in Houston
Every city has its ups and downs and even though Houston is a fantastic and popular city, there are a few things you may need to know first. Before you are 100% sure you want to do your sweet 16 venue in Houston.
Advantages
- Lots of entertainment for kids
From the aquarium to the zoo, Houston has it all from A to Z. Hurricane Harbor Splashtown and Gator Bayou are also popular.
- Shopping
Houston is home to some of the best malls and shops like the Galleria, Houston Center, and Gulfgate.
- Eating
You will not run out of dining opportunities to enjoy with the kids because Houston literally has thousands of eateries with all kinds of different cuisine.
Disadvantages
- Traffic is a nightmare
There are too many cars and not enough roads in Houston so instead of braving the traffic, hire a car service, use a rideshare app, or even public transportation is better than driving yourself.
- The weather
Although it is nice to have warm weather in the winter, the summertime is sweltering, and pop thunderstorms are common. In fact, Houston has been hit by hurricanes too.
- Taxes
Whatever you buy, you are going to pay more than in most cities because their sales tax is over 8.25%.
Famous Locations in Houston
- Kemah Boardwalk
The boardwalk in nearby Kemah is a popular place for visitors as well as the locals with restaurants, games, and even carnival rides. The kids will enjoy the Iron Eagle Zip Line, Drop Zone Drop Tower, and the Boardwalk Bullet wooden roller coaster. And you can see it all from up on the Boardwalk Tower or Ferris wheel.
- Houston Zoo
This zoo lauds more than 55 acres housing over 6,000 animals of 900+ species. With 2.1 million visitors, it is the second most visited zoo in the US. The Carruth Natural Encounters exhibit is the most popular because the kids get to interact with the wildlife. But the Bug House is pretty cool too.
- Downtown Aquarium
With tanks holding more than a half-million gallons of water for thousands of marine creatures, everyone loves this place no matter how old they are. See the rainforest exhibit with piranhas, stingrays, and boas as well as the Sunken Temple where the lionfish and porcupine fish live. There’s even an electric eel.