Places to stay
Keep in mind when booking accomidations that Houston is HUGE, just because you hotel is in town doesnt mean it's within an hours drive of  the Rice Media Center, check  your distance to Rice University

Modern B and B
4003 Hazard St Houston, TX 77098
832-279-6367
lisa@modernbb.com
Website   |  Map  

HI Houston - The Morty Rich Hostel
501 Lovett Boulevard Houston, TX 77006
713-636-9776
houston@hiusa.org
Website   |  Map

Most of the below have  a ‘Rice Rate’ that can be mentioned when reserving

Independent spot by the astrodome with shuttle
Hotel Ylem
Address: 8080 S Main St, Houston, TX 77025
Phone: (713) 665-4439
Email: makeachange@dalwadi.com 
walking distance
InterContinental Houston - Medical Center
Address: 6750 Main St, Houston, TX 77030
Phone: (713) 422-2779
Email: intercontinentalhouston@ihg.com
walking distance
Houston Marriott Medical Center/Museum District
Address: 6580 Fannin Street, (Driveway Entrance on 1730 Dryden Road), Houston, Texas 77030 
Phone: 713-796-0080

walking distance
Hilton Houston Plaza/Medical Center
Address: 6633 Travis St, Houston, TX 77030
Phone: (713) 313-4000

walking distance
Wyndham Houston - Medical Center Hotel & Suites
Address: 6800 Main St, Houston, TX 77030
Phone: (713) 528-7744

Feeling Fancy?
Hotel ZaZa Museum District
Address: 5701 Main St, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: (713) 526-1991

How to get around
Houston isn't called the "petrometro" for nothing. The effects of the oil economy loom large here and it sucks to get around without a car.   That said:

Metro
Houston Metro has busses and light rail. 
There is a light rail stop at Rice University on the Red Line
And a route 27 bus stop near media center at University and Stockton

Rice University shuttles can be really helpful to get across campus

Houston B-cycle Bike sharing program
Rent and return a a bike off a rack from several locations all over town including in front of the Rice Media Center

Ride apps
Uber and Lyft are very active in this area

Places to eat
Cafe Brasil
Artsy hangout for coffee, sandwiches & salads with a relaxed vibe & live music performances.
2604 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

La Tapatia
Casual cantina & local chain branch serving Tex-Mex favorites from breakfast until late at night.
Address: 1749 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77098
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 3AM · See more hours
Soul Food Vegan
Laid-back outpost offering traditional soul food dishes alongside vegan choices & hearty sides.
Address: 2901 Emancipation Ave, Houston, TX 77004

Green Seed Vegan
Casual spot for raw & vegan gourmet sandwiches, juices & smoothies in an airy, open space.
4320 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77004
11am to 8pm Closed Sunday

Chapultepec Lupita
813 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006
Cozy Tex-Mex joint open 24/7 Thursday through Monday, known for bargain prices & dozens of tequilas.

House of Pies
3112 Kirby Dr. Houston, TX 77098
Happiest Place on Earth, open 24 hours, traditional diner food + pies.

La Mexicana
Traditional Tex Mex, breakfast tacos, booze

Tacos Tierra Caliente / West Alabama Ice House
Really great taco truck and open air beer spot combo

Pasha
Delishish Turkish food and the closest resturant to the Rice Media Center

Qui Bahn Mi
Get your cheap tofu sandwhiches here

Empire Cafe
Breakfast, booze, cake


Groceries
HEB on Dunluvy
Disco Kroger on Montrose
Trader Joe's on Shepard
Whole Foods on Kirby

Corner Stores
Hollywood on Hazard
D&Q Beer Station

Bars
West Alabama Ice House
Grand Prize
Poison Girl
Lola's