Houston, Texas

Houston is a diverse city that celebrates the arts, has wonderful food, great parks and unique sites.

Stay

Marriott Marquis - Located downtown, featuring a Texas-shaped lazy river, the largest rooftop pool in Texas.

The Houstonian - A luxurious experience in the Memorial park area with a first class Spa and outdoor hiking area.

Hotel Zaza - In the Museum District this boutique hotel has a relaxing poolside bar and is in an historic building.

Hotel Icon - A 1911 bank building in downtown converted into a luxury hotel with tons of character and welcoming staff.

Eat

Roost - Chef Kevin Nadri's small and wonderful neighborhood gem. Seasonal menu usually includes famous fried cauliflower, bread service and not to be missed donut holes for dessert. Happy hour 4-6:30 daily with half priced bottles of wine.

Liberty Kitchen - Two locations include the upscale Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette in River Oaks and the casual Liberty Kitchen Oyster Bar in the Heights.

Goode Company BBQ - The Kirby Drive location has all the fixin's of a great Texas barbecue joint. You can eat on the covered porch on picnic tables, eat indoors, or call ahead and pick up to go. 

Tiny Boxwoods - A pretty little spot nestled in a local plant nursery. It is a great spot for a weekday breakfast or early on the weekend. Tables and parking are limited.

Tiny's No. 5 - A larger version of Tiny Boxwoods. It's a nice spot for any meal or for a drink. This location is in a neighborhood and is a very special spot.

Uchi - This place is for adventurous eaters. Go at 5 for Happy Hour and trust the waitstaff to pick out wonderfully delicious small plates. Reservations suggested.

The Red Lion Pub - A comfortable pub with nightly specials, comfortable booths and outdoor seating. Seen on The Food Network.

Play

Museums

Museum of Fine Arts - The main campus and Sculpture garden art in the museum district. The James Turrell artwork the hall between two buildings is worth the trip. They also have a nice cafe for a snack or lunch.

Natural Science Museum - Museum, planetarium and Butterfly Center.

Lawndale Art Center - Contemporary art space in the museum district.

The Station Museum - Free, well curated contemporary exhibitions. 

The Menil Collection - A once private contemporary collection is now a campus of amazing art works. This is a Houston treasure. Take time to dine in the Bistro Menil

Go Under Ground - Great for hot or rain days.

Downtown Tunnels - See a different side of downtown Houston and have lunch while you’re there.

The Cisterns - Along Buffalo Bayou park is a Houston’s historic water system and art installation space.

Date Night Ideas

Houston Axe Throwing - Yes, you can learn to throw axes! It’s fun and requires no experience.

Joystix - A vintage video game and pinball store that opens it’s doors two Friday nights a month to the public on PacMan Fever Fridays. Show up early and grab a drink at the adjoining Eighteen Twenty Lounge and get in line for the first choice of games.

Lucky Strike Bowling - Upscale bowling with a bar, food and plasma TVs, in the heart of downtown.

Top Golf - A premium driving range that includes a nice bar with decent food. You don’t need to be a pro to hit a ball off of this sky high driving range.

Rooftop Cinema Club - Pull up a deck chair and watch a movie under the start on this Galleria area rooftop.

Sweet treats

Cloud 10 Creamery - Unique and yummy ice creams and sorbets.

Melange Crepes - You can order either a crepe filled with either a “mélange a deux” (two ingredients) or “mélange a trois” (three). Crepes are filled with both sweet and savory locally sourced ingredients.

Chocolate Bar - A candy store and dessert bar full of the smell of chocolate. Stop in late night for a sweet treat and pick up discounted hand dipped fruit after 7.

Local Brewery tours and Beer Gardens

Saint Arnold, Karbach or Buffalo Bayou Brewery

Get Outside

Outdoor Art 

Skyspace - Artist James Turell’s Twilight Epiphany is acoustically engineered to host musical performances and to act as a laboratory for music school students on select days after sunset. Constructed of grass, concrete, stone and composite steel, the structure is equipped with an LED light sequence that projects onto the ceiling and through an aperture in the 72-foot square knife-edge roof just before sunrise and at sunset. While you’re on Rice University campus check out all of the public art.

The Orange Show - A folk-art environment and a monumental work of handmade architecture - located in Houston's East End.

The Beer Can House - A family home that was transformed in 1968 when John Milkovisch began inlaying thousands of marbles, rocks in concrete and coving it in about 50,000 beer cans.

Houston Murals - You will find murals all over areas around downtown, they are constantly emerging.

Parks

Discovery Green - An amazing park in the heart of downtown Houston with an impressive amount of events and art exhibits.

Memorial Park - Jog, walk, golf and explore Houston’s 1,464.24-acre park.

Buffalo Bayou Park - This newly renovated park stretches along the bayou just West of downtown and has multiple locations for bike rentals.

Bethel Church Park - An historic church was saved after a fire and is now a beautiful park.

Smithers Park - This whimsical green space features an amphitheater, memory wall, meditation area, covered pavilion, swings and an interactive sculpture, each adorned with elaborate mosaic work created out of recycled and found materials by local artists.

Annual Events

FEB - Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - An annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community. See great concerts and experience this one of a kind Houston experience.

APR - The Houston Art Car Parade - The highlight of a three-day celebration of the drive to create, Art Car Weekend. This community celebration is a fantastic way to experience the great people of Houston and its guests from around the country.

NOV International Quilt Festival - The Brown Convention Center is filled with a huge exhibit of quilts from around the world and venders of quilt making supplies. Festival goers can attend classes, lectures and luncheons, or just spend days looking at amazing quilts.

DEC - Lights in the Heights - Streets are closed so visitors can walk the holiday lights, while bands play and holiday parties are thrown.

Close by

Alamo Draft House Cinema - Located West of Houston in the suburban town of Katy, this theater is the best way to see first run movies with a fun restaurant menu and themed drinks, it’s worth the drive.