Houston is a multifaceted city that’s big but friendly, cultural and casual, hospitable while getting down to business. It’s the Bayou City. It’s Space City. To borrow some lyrics, it’s a little bit country and a little bit rock ’n’ roll. And come Feb. 1, Reliant Stadium in the fourth largest U.S. city will provide the venue for Super Bowl XXXVIII. So what happens when super-size sports meets Texas braggadocio? A whole lot of fun. Just take a look.

ASSOCIATE CLUB BRAGGIN’ RIGHTS
At the aquatic driving range at April Sound Country Club, you can hit golf balls into Lake Conroe. It’s more fun than dancing the Texas two-step.

Test your skill at sinking a long putt on the newly leveled greens at Bay Oaks Country Club. A recent $1 million golf course renovation improved the greens on the fifth and 10th holes and added new tees, traps, and trees throughout the 18-hole Arthur Hills-designed course.

The Super Bowl Celebrity Charity Golf Classic at the Club at Falcon Point on Jan. 30 will benefit the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

The refreshing "Quencher," a drink specialty at the Clubs of Kingwood at Atascocita, is a must-have when you’re deep in the heart of Texas, where winters tend to be balmy and warm. This concoction is made with vodka, rum, various fruit juices, and lemonade. Ask the club to call a taxi.

Enjoy the "Living Forest" — complete with deer and blue heron habitats — that surrounds the golf course at the Clubs of Kingwood at Deerwood.

Bring your appetite to the Super Bowl watching party at the Clubs of Kingwood at Kingwood. The party, with plenty of lip-smackin’ traditional tailgating treats, kicks off three hours before the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.

Location is everything. The Downtown Club at Houston Center is within walking distance of major downtown attractions, including Main Street Square, the downtown transit center, which provides a direct route to Reliant Stadium on the Metro buses and the city’s new light-rail system

The Downtown Club at Met lays claim to the biggest salad bar in Texas. With more than 100 food choices, diners might consider using a 10-gallon hat instead of a plate.

Enjoy the impressive 49th floor view of Houston and its surrounding areas from the Downtown Club at Plaza. Might be an appropriate time to hum a few lines of "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You."

NFL player sightings are distinct possibilities at the Greenspoint Club. The AFC Championship team will be staying at the adjacent Wyndham Greenspoint hotel.

The giant and tasty Reuben sandwich at Hearthstone Country Club is bigger than any championship belt buckle that can be won at the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The best gumbo in town is served at the Houston City Club. Born-and-bred Cajun, Chef Jon Hebert is even willing to divulge a couple of his personal culinary secrets: Create a perfect dark roux and add just the right amount of okra.

The University Club of Houston is the gateway to the Houston Galleria, which boasts some of the best shopping in the Lone Star State. The likes of Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Ralph Lauren, Neiman Marcus, and Cartier hitch their wagon at the Galleria.

Check your cowboy boots at the door because the WestLake Club is the only Associate Club in the city with four international squash courts — and the competition is tougher than rawhide.

Make your tee time right away at Willow Creek Golf Club because, during Super Bowl weekend, the club is offering complimentary cart fees for Associate members.

ESSENTIALS OF HOUSTON SIGHTSEEING
Galveston Island. Stroll along the beachfront strand and let the salty air of the Gulf of Mexico blow through your hair. Galveston is 50 miles southeast of downtown Houston.

Johnson Space Center Houston. Take a journey through space at NASA’s Houston home, about 25 miles south of downtown in the NASA/Clear Lake area. Open daily.

Katy Mills Mall. A 1.3 million-square-foot shopping mall with more bargains than there are stars in the Texas sky. Factory outlets for Saks Fifth Avenue, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Wilsons Leather, and Nautica are just some of the brand names that can be found at Katy Mills. Located 25 miles west of downtown on Interstate 10.

Kemah Boardwalk. A carnival-like atmosphere on the banks of Galveston Bay, 20 miles southeast of downtown Houston, the Kemah Boardwalk is a festive area featuring restaurants, shops, and a hotel.

Memorial Park. A favorite outdoor spot for Houstonians, Memorial Park is home to six miles of jogging and walking paths, mountain bike trails, tennis courts, playing fields, a municipal golf course, and the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. The park is located west of downtown, bounded by Interstate 10, West Loop 610, Crestwood, and Buffalo Bayou.

Montgomery, Texas. The birthplace of the Texas flag, Montgomery boasts a historic past in a quaint Texas town.

Museum District. Encompassing the realms of art, history, science, and nature, the Houston Museum District includes the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Jung Center of Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Rothko Chapel, and more. For a detailed map of the downtown district, visit www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org/map.htm.

Theater District. Houston is one of only five cities in the United States with permanent professional resident companies in all of the major performing arts disciplines — opera, ballet, music, and theater — all of which are located in the 17-block theater district in downtown.

THE HOUSTON SOCIETY: AT YOUR SERVICE
Need a ticket? Want the latest scoop about Super Bowl week activities? The Houston Society offers a variety of services to traveling Society members.

For more information, call Ann Crawford at 713.225.1800 or log on to the Society’s Web site (www.houstonsociety.com). Here is a partial calendar of upcoming events.

Society for the Performing Arts. Katia and Marielle Labèque at Jones Hall on Jan. 9 at 8 p.m.; the Sean Curran Company at the Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater on Jan. 16 at 8 p.m.

Houston Symphony. Scheherazade at Jones Hall on Jan. 10 at 8 p.m; Graf and Bruckner at Jones Hall on Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.

Houston Rockets. Club level and luxury suite tickets available to Society members. For more information, or to purchase game tickets, call the Society. The Sacramento Kings will be in town Jan. 28 and the New Jersey Nets hit the hardcourt at the Toyota Center on Jan. 31.

Houston Grand Opera. The Magic Flute on Feb. 13.

HELPFUL WEB SITES
Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau: www.houston-spacecityusa.com
Super Bowl XXXVIII Information: www.superbowlxxxviii.org