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DiningWhether you're looking for all-American fare, great Mexican food (of course), or an authentic Thai restaurant, your palate will be very satisfied by Houston's incredibly good food. Houston has, per capita, more restaurants than just about any other city in the country, and a wide variety as well. In fact, the Houston yellow pages lists 32 national or regional restaurant categories, and many ethnic supermarkets, too. The cost of dining out is very reasonable compared to other urban areas, which probably explains why Houstonians eat out more times per week than people anywhere else in the U.S.
ShoppingHouston offers just about any brand of shopping you could ask for, whether it's upscale department stores, eclectic mom-and-pop shops, outlet malls, or flea markets. The Rice Village, a few blocks from campus, offers more than 350 stores, ranging from well-known retail chains like the Gap and Eddie Bauer to funky neighborhood shops and numerous ethnic restaurants. The Galleria, the most exclusive of the 30 Houston-area malls, is about 10 minutes from campus and contains such names as Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co., and Gucci. Highland Village and Sharpstown Center offer department and specialty retail shopping a short drive from Rice.
Short Trips
Within three hours, you can canoe on the Guadalupe River, go camping in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, or visit historic San Antonio or Austin, the state's capital. A few more hours on the road will lead you to Padre Island, where the white sand and clear blue water provide the perfect getaway for long weekends. The Big Thicket national wilderness preserve, where wild orchids hang from the trees in a thick cypress forest, is only a couple of hours away.
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When
you feel the need to get out of the city, you have several excellent
choices. For sailing and water sports only 45 minutes away, there
is Galveston Bay, which is also home to the Rice sailing team's
fleet. The beaches of 
Sports / Outdoor Activities