Ultimate Guide to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Accommodation & Transportation
Here's the thing nobody tells you. If you're coming to Houston in March for a surgery, a treatment cycle, or to sit with someone you love in the hospital, the rodeo probably isn't on your mind at all. Then you try to book a hotel and wonder why everything near the medical center is either sold out or priced like a concert ticket.
That's the rodeo. It's the largest livestock show and rodeo in the world, and the 2026 run pulled in more than 2.6 million visitors. NRG Park and the Texas Medical Center are neighbors on the same rail line, so for three weeks every March, patients, caregivers, medical staff, and cowboy-hat-wearing fans are all competing for the same beds and the same roads.
Whether you're planning to catch a show between appointments or you're just trying to get to your 8 a.m. scan on time, these Houston rodeo travel tips will help you figure out where to stay, how to get around, and how to keep the whole thing from adding stress to an already big trip.
When Is the Houston Rodeo in 2027?
The 95th Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs for 20 days, from Tuesday, March 2 through Sunday, March 21, 2027, at NRG Park. The World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest comes first, Thursday, February 25 through Saturday, February 27, on the same grounds.
Most nights, one ticket gets you a rodeo performance followed by a concert inside NRG Stadium. The livestock shows, carnival, shopping, and food spread out across the rest of the park during the day. The full concert lineup and nightly start times usually come out over the winter, so keep an eye on RodeoHouston's official site as your dates get closer.
If your treatment or rotation dates overlap with late February through the third week of March, plan as if the rodeo is part of your trip, even if you never set foot inside the stadium.
How Does the Rodeo Affect Texas Medical Center Patients and Caregivers?
You don't have to buy a ticket to feel the rodeo. NRG Park sits just south of the Texas Medical Center, and the roads connecting them get busy fast. Kirby Drive, Main Street, Fannin, and the 610 Loop all back up on show nights and weekends, and rideshare prices tend to jump when a big concert lets out.
What changes around the medical center in March
Hotels near both NRG and the TMC fill up and raise rates. Trains on the METRORail Red Line get more crowded, especially in the late afternoon and after concerts. Drive times that are normally ten minutes can double. None of this should keep you from your care, but it does mean building a little cushion into your schedule.
If you're being treated at MD Anderson, Houston Methodist, or another hospital in the medical center, staying within walking distance or a short ride of your building takes most of the rodeo headache off the table. That's the whole idea behind our Texas Medical Center housing, MD Anderson housing for patients, and Houston Methodist housing options. Many families start by searching for MD Anderson hotels for patients or hotels near Houston Methodist Hospital, then realize that during rodeo weeks, a furnished apartment a few blocks away is easier to get and much easier to live in.
Where to Stay During the Houston Rodeo
Where you should stay really depends on why you're here. A family in town for a child's surgery has very different needs than a vendor crew working the grounds for three weeks. Here's how to think about it.
If you're in Houston for medical care
Stay near your hospital, not near the rodeo. You'll want a quiet place to rest, a kitchen so you're not living on takeout, and a short, predictable trip to your appointments. Our patient and family housing and caregiver housing are set up for exactly that, with fully furnished apartments at properties like The Maroneal and Stella at the Medical Center.
If you're comparing short-term rentals near MD Anderson in Houston, look closely at what's actually included. A 1-bedroom apartment in the medical center with utilities, Wi-Fi, and a stocked kitchen is a very different stay than a bare listing you have to set up yourself. Traveling with your dog? Ask about pet-friendly apartments in the medical center right away, because those are the first to go in March.
And here's something worth knowing: our patient rates stay the same all year, rodeo season included. The spike you see at nearby hotels doesn't apply to patients staying with us. If your treatment will run longer than a few weeks, into extended-stay look at extended stay housing, and if a hospital social worker is helping coordinate your trip, they can reach us through our social workers and case managers page.
If you're here for the rodeo itself
Vendors, livestock exhibitors, event crews, and families making a week of it usually search for apartments near NRG Stadium first. So which short-term stays are best near stadium areas? Usually the ones tucked between NRG Park and the medical center, where you get a quick ride to the grounds without paying stadium-side hotel prices.
Our NRG area housing and rodeo season housing pages cover the options, and if you're bringing the whole family, our guide to family lodging for the Houston rodeo walks through what to look for. Companies sending a team can also check out corporate housing.
If you work or train in the medical center
Nurses, travel clinicians, and students on rotation don't get to take the rodeo off. If your contract or rotation starts in March, look at medical staff housing or clinical rotation housing near the TMC so you're not stuck in rodeo traffic before a 7 a.m. shift.
What is a good temporary housing option for medical patients?
For a night or two, a hotel is fine. For anything longer, most people find a furnished apartment makes life a lot easier. You get a full kitchen, in-unit or on-site laundry, separate space if someone needs to sleep while someone else is up, and a quieter building away from the crowds.
When you're comparing short-term furnished apartments in the Houston Medical Center, look for three things: a quiet building, easy transportation to your hospital, and a kitchen you'll actually use. You can see what comes with each apartment on our what's included page.
When should you book?
If you're wondering where to find the cheapest short-term rentals during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the honest answer is timing. Book earlier than you think. Rodeo demand starts showing up in housing searches months ahead, and the best spots near both NRG and the medical center go first.
We broke down the full timeline of when to book housing for the Houston rodeo. One heads-up: we handle short-stay requests during rodeo dates individually the week before check-in, based on what's still available, so if your dates are short and flexible, reach out early and we'll keep you posted.
How to Get to the Houston Rodeo: Transportation Tips
Getting to NRG Park trips up most first-timers. Here are the easiest ways to do it, starting with the one we recommend most.
Take the METRORail Red Line
The Red Line runs from downtown through the Museum District and the Texas Medical Center, then on to the Stadium Park/Astrodome station right at NRG Park. If you're staying anywhere near the medical center, this is by far the simplest option. No parking, no traffic, and you can hop off on the way back at the stop closest to your apartment.
For hospital trips, the free TMC shuttle connects many buildings and garages inside the medical center, so between the shuttle and the rail you may not need a car at all. That's also why apartments with a shuttle to the medical center are worth asking about. Check schedules and service alerts on METRO's website before you go, since trains run more often during the rodeo but also get packed after concerts.
Houston rodeo parking
If you're driving, NRG Park's public lots, including the Yellow Lot, the 610 Lot, and the OST lot, ran $25 per vehicle in 2026, and all rodeo lots are cashless. You can buy parking ahead of time through the "Plan Your Visit" section of the RodeoHouston site, which we'd strongly suggest on weekends and big concert nights. Free trams run by rodeo volunteers carry guests between the lots and the grounds, so you're not stuck with a long walk.
Park and Ride shuttles
Park and Ride lots let you leave your car away from the stadium and take a shuttle in. In 2026, the OST lot at 2103 South Braeswood cost $25 to park, included a free shuttle to NRG Park, and had accessible parking. The last shuttle back to the satellite lots left around 1 a.m. on weeknights. Other lots, like the one in The Woodlands, run on their own schedules, so double-check times on the RodeoHouston Park and Ride page once the 2027 details post.
Rideshare and drop-offs
Uber and Lyft work, but expect surge pricing and slow pickups after concerts. In recent years, the designated rideshare and taxi area has been at Gate 9 off Kirby Drive, and Kirby has closed to through traffic in the evenings. If you're meeting a driver after a show, walking a few blocks away from the stadium before requesting a ride can save you time and money.
Getting to your hospital appointments during rodeo season
This matters most for patients. On show days, give yourself an extra 15 to 30 minutes to get to appointments, especially in the late afternoon and on weekends. Morning appointments are usually easier. If you can, ask your care team whether any procedures or scans can be scheduled for weekday mornings during rodeo weeks. And if you're staying close enough to walk or take a quick Red Line ride, most of this worry goes away.
Houston Rodeo Tips for Patients and Caregivers Who Want to Go
Plenty of families build a rodeo afternoon into a long treatment stay. It can be a real lift, especially for kids who've been spending a lot of time in waiting rooms. A few things make it easier.
Is the Houston rodeo accessible?
Yes. RodeoHouston offers accessible parking, which is first-come, first-served with valid credentials, and the free trams help if walking long distances is tough. The grounds are big, so if you or your loved one uses a wheelchair or tires easily, plan a short visit around one or two things you really want to see rather than trying to do it all.
Pace yourself
Weekday daytimes are much calmer than nights and weekends. March in Houston can swing from cool mornings to warm, humid afternoons, so bring layers, water, and sunscreen. If you're recovering from surgery or going through treatment, it's worth a quick check with your care team about crowds, food, and how much activity makes sense right now.
What to bring
Comfortable boots or walking shoes, a light jacket for the evening, your phone charged for mobile tickets and cashless parking, and any medications you'll need while you're out. Check RodeoHouston's current bag policy before you go so you don't get turned away at the gate.
A Simple Rodeo Day for Families in Town for Treatment
Picture this. You wrap up a morning appointment at the medical center, head back to your apartment for lunch and a rest, then hop on the Red Line around 3 p.m. You spend a couple of hours seeing the livestock barns and grabbing something to eat, then catch the rodeo and head home before the concert crowd lets out. You're back in your own space, with your own kitchen, before the roads even start clearing. That's the sweet spot for a lot of families, and it's a lot easier when you're staying close by.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Houston rodeo in 2027?
The 2027 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs from Tuesday, March 2, through Sunday, March 21, at NRG Park in Houston. The World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest happens just before, from February 25 to 27, 2027.
Where should I stay for the Houston rodeo if I have appointments at the Texas Medical Center?
Stay close to your hospital rather than close to NRG Park. A furnished apartment near the Texas Medical Center keeps your trip to appointments short and predictable, and you can still reach the rodeo in a few minutes on the METRORail Red Line.
Do housing prices go up near the Texas Medical Center during rodeo season?
Hotel prices near the medical center and NRG Park usually climb during the rodeo. At Medical Accommodations, patient rates stay the same year-round, so patients and their families don't pay rodeo-season pricing.
What's the easiest way to get to the Houston rodeo without driving?
The METRORail Red Line is the easiest option. It runs through downtown, the Museum District, and the Texas Medical Center, and stops at the Stadium Park/Astrodome station right at NRG Park, so you skip parking and most of the traffic.
How much does parking cost at the Houston rodeo?
Public parking at NRG Park was $25 per vehicle in 2026, and every rodeo lot is cashless. Buying parking in advance through the RodeoHouston website is the safest bet on weekends and concert nights. Check the official site for 2027 prices.
Will rodeo traffic make me late for a hospital appointment?
It can if you don't plan for it. Traffic on Kirby, Main, Fannin, and the 610 Loop gets heavy on show days, so add 15 to 30 minutes to your travel time, favor morning appointments when possible, or stay within walking distance of your hospital.
Is the Houston rodeo wheelchair accessible?
Yes. RodeoHouston has accessible parking on a first-come, first-served basis with valid credentials, plus free trams that carry guests between parking lots and the grounds. Plan a shorter visit if walking or long days are hard right now.
Is there free housing for MD Anderson patients during rodeo season?
Yes. Programs like the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge and Joe's House offer free or low-cost lodging for patients, but space is limited and fills quickly in March. Ask MD Anderson's travel services team early and keep a backup, like a furnished apartment near the Texas Medical Center.
What is a good temporary housing option for medical patients in Houston?
For stays longer than a few nights, a short-term furnished apartment near the Houston medical center is usually the most comfortable choice. You get a kitchen, laundry, and a quiet place to recover, plus a short trip to MD Anderson, Houston Methodist, or other TMC hospitals.
When is the best time to book housing for the Houston rodeo?
As early as possible, ideally several months before March, places near NRG Park and the Texas Medical Center fill first, and the cheapest short-term rentals during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo are usually gone by early February.
Can I book a short stay near NRG Park during the rodeo?
Yes, but availability is tight. At Medical Accommodations, short-stay requests during rodeo dates are reviewed the week before check-in, based on what's still open, so it helps to reach out as early as possible.
Planning a March Stay in Houston? Let's Make It Easy
Whether you're here for treatment, for work, or for a few nights of barrel racing and barbecue, you shouldn't have to fight rodeo crowds just to get some rest. At Medical Accommodations, our team knows this season inside and out, and we're happy to help you find a spot that fits your dates and your hospital.
Give us a call at 888-900-2559 or 713-298-3073, or request housing online, and we'll get back to you with what's available.
