HOUSTON – So, you’re taking the kids to the carnival at the Houston Rodeo?
It won’t be too bad if you follow these tips.
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Here are eight carnival hacks to get you through the fun and tiring day:
1. Getting to NRG Park
Getting to the rodeo is likely the biggest hassle of one’s visit.
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo offers a transportation guide with several options to make getting to NRG Park a breeze.
Some suggestions include METRORail, Park & Ride, or being dropped off by a driver.
Visitors can catch a ride on the METRORail for $2.50. For detailed information on times for specific stops, please visit the METRORail website.
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo offers shuttle service to NRG Center and NRG Arena from convenient parking locations.
Getting dropped off? Know where to go.
The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo has designated arrival locations for passenger drop-offs, ridesharing, taxis and limos.
2. Download the app
The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo introduced its carnival app in 2020.
Visitors now have the ability to purchase and transfer digital carnival tickets and manage their coupons through the app on their mobile device. By managing your tickets digitally, you never have to sift through your purse or pockets to find them or constantly ask a ride operator to check how many tickets are left or wonder if you even have enough to get on.
3. Get in cheap
If you have a ticket to attend the rodeo and concert, your admission to the carnival is included. If not, buy one. Sometimes you can find tickets being resold on sites like StubHub and VividSeats for less than the cost of grounds admission. This can save you some money, and you’d be able to attend the show.
If you opt to buy ground passes, visitors over the age of 13 will cost $15 each, $5 for children 3-12 years old, and children who are 2 years old or younger are free.
The rodeo also offers a $35 season pass that will get a visitor into the grounds through March 20.
4. Family Wednesday
Plan your visit for Family Wednesday.
The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo offers free NRG Park admission for children ages 12 years and younger and seniors ages 60 years and older until noon on Wednesdays.
Families can also save at the Junction Carnival, enjoying $2 rides and games from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
5. Half-price carnival books
Although half-price carnival books are no longer for sale through the rodeo committee, you can still find them online. Sellers might charge more than half-price, but still less than full price. The safest option for purchasing these discounted tickets is through a neighborhood selling group or marketplace on Facebook.
6. Review and organize your coupons
If you purchase a half-price carnival book, get your full use out of it. There’s nothing more frustrating than finding a “buy two deep-fried snacks, get the three free” coupon after the fact. The half-price carnival book also includes free ride and game vouchers.
7. Buy a fast pass
If you don’t want to spend the majority of your time waiting in line for rides, buy a fast pass. Most visitors don’t buy one so the wait time for those who do is essentially nothing. These are sold for $25 at RCS ticket booths.
8. Come prepared
Get the most out of your experience by coming prepared with spare clothes, empty refillable water bottles, and one nutritious snack for each child. By doing this you’ll save time and money by not having to hunt down a vendor that sells child underwear in case of an accident, purchasing a 20-ounce water for $5 or continuously buying sweet treats that won’t fill your appetite.