Guidebook for Houston
Food Scene
Shipley is a must when visiting Houston. A local tradition, this is one of the many locations in the city, offering fresh from the oven old-school slow rise doughnuts, pastries and the traditional kolaches (sweet bread stuffed with meat, usually sausage, and sometimes other ingredients). Many tout Shipley's as the best doughnut recipe in the area, though most notice subtle differences in texture and style from location to location. This one just extended hours to 5PM, but if you're hankering for a doughnut after hours, Uber over to the North Main Street location, for 24-hour drive through service!
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Shipley Do-Nuts
3932 N Main StShipley is a must when visiting Houston. A local tradition, this is one of the many locations in the city, offering fresh from the oven old-school slow rise doughnuts, pastries and the traditional kolaches (sweet bread stuffed with meat, usually sausage, and sometimes other ingredients). Many tout Shipley's as the best doughnut recipe in the area, though most notice subtle differences in texture and style from location to location. This one just extended hours to 5PM, but if you're hankering for a doughnut after hours, Uber over to the North Main Street location, for 24-hour drive through service!
Catalina is my favorite latte in Houston. They know how to actually steam the milk so it's the right texture, not just scalding hot milk. Run by hipsters up to date on all the latest cold brew science, they also sell beans of their coffee and espresso, with educated baristas to explain the flavor profiles of each. While there's no wifi (which I've mentioned), they do have awesome sticker and post cards for free at the counter, showcase different local artists' work on the walls, and have one of the best selections of fliers and event cards for local arts and music scenes. With tasty treats and some good views of the city from the back, this is a semi-hidden treasure.
85 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Catalina Coffee
2201 Washington AveCatalina is my favorite latte in Houston. They know how to actually steam the milk so it's the right texture, not just scalding hot milk. Run by hipsters up to date on all the latest cold brew science, they also sell beans of their coffee and espresso, with educated baristas to explain the flavor profiles of each. While there's no wifi (which I've mentioned), they do have awesome sticker and post cards for free at the counter, showcase different local artists' work on the walls, and have one of the best selections of fliers and event cards for local arts and music scenes. With tasty treats and some good views of the city from the back, this is a semi-hidden treasure.
Late night tacos! Velvet is a fusion taco place with a flare for the unconventional. While coconut curry queso might sound daunting and foreign, like Velvet's other concoctions, this is an amalgam of complex subtlety, that still hits the gooey-cheesy craving. I love their vegetarian options, and especially THEM TOTS!
137 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Velvet Taco
4819 Washington AveLate night tacos! Velvet is a fusion taco place with a flare for the unconventional. While coconut curry queso might sound daunting and foreign, like Velvet's other concoctions, this is an amalgam of complex subtlety, that still hits the gooey-cheesy craving. I love their vegetarian options, and especially THEM TOTS!
If you don't know what a kolache is, you need them in your life. You'll find them at other cafes and bakeries around the city, too, but Kolache Factory has them down to a science. Their sweet dough stuffed with tasty combinations of meats, cheeses, peppers, veggies and potatoes, as well as sweet cheese and fruit topped will satisfy any morning craving. They're only open till the early afternoon, and also serve other pastries, as well as semi-local coffee (but we usually go to the Starbucks next door).
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Kolache Factory
5763 San Felipe StIf you don't know what a kolache is, you need them in your life. You'll find them at other cafes and bakeries around the city, too, but Kolache Factory has them down to a science. Their sweet dough stuffed with tasty combinations of meats, cheeses, peppers, veggies and potatoes, as well as sweet cheese and fruit topped will satisfy any morning craving. They're only open till the early afternoon, and also serve other pastries, as well as semi-local coffee (but we usually go to the Starbucks next door).
Because green chili queso and fried chicken in a taco. Torchy's is an Austin TX -founded chain with a few locations around town, offering more Tex than Mex tacos with bold flavors, ingredients and attitude. Get everything "trashy" to swap the rabbit food for more cheesy goodness, and pick up a trendy T shirt with their damn good baby-devil motif. They also have some pretty great vegetarian options, outdoor seating, and margaritas, NOM!
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Torchys Tacos
2411 S Shepherd DrBecause green chili queso and fried chicken in a taco. Torchy's is an Austin TX -founded chain with a few locations around town, offering more Tex than Mex tacos with bold flavors, ingredients and attitude. Get everything "trashy" to swap the rabbit food for more cheesy goodness, and pick up a trendy T shirt with their damn good baby-devil motif. They also have some pretty great vegetarian options, outdoor seating, and margaritas, NOM!
A Texas local franchise, you'll see other Creek Group country themed bars and restaurants around town. This one attracts the millenial/young professional crowd during happy hour and on the weekends, and a more family-oriented crowd around dinner time during the week, with favorite hot sandwiches and sliders.
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Canyon Creek
6603 Westcott StA Texas local franchise, you'll see other Creek Group country themed bars and restaurants around town. This one attracts the millenial/young professional crowd during happy hour and on the weekends, and a more family-oriented crowd around dinner time during the week, with favorite hot sandwiches and sliders.
Brenner's is a relaxed but upscale steakhouse, with a killer brunch, and beautiful views of the bayou. It's great for events and groups.
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Brenner's on the Bayou
1 Birdsall StBrenner's is a relaxed but upscale steakhouse, with a killer brunch, and beautiful views of the bayou. It's great for events and groups.
Los Tacos Nopales! If you've never had prickly pear cactus in tacos, Houston is a great place to try them, and Laredo is my favorite place to get them. Authentic Mexican tacos and plates with a bright outdoor seating area.
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Laredo Taqueria
915 Snover StreetLos Tacos Nopales! If you've never had prickly pear cactus in tacos, Houston is a great place to try them, and Laredo is my favorite place to get them. Authentic Mexican tacos and plates with a bright outdoor seating area.
El Tiempo has some of the best queso in the city. It's classy but comfy, very Tex but authentic Mex, and has fresh, tasty dishes that never fail to fill bellies. Good vegetarian dishes and margaritas too.
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El Tiempo Cantina - Washington
5602 Washington AveEl Tiempo has some of the best queso in the city. It's classy but comfy, very Tex but authentic Mex, and has fresh, tasty dishes that never fail to fill bellies. Good vegetarian dishes and margaritas too.
Turtle Races. Yup. Turtles. Racing. You can "bet" on them to win free sponsor drinks, and go nuts with the rest of the crowd over the little guys, as they slowly meander toward victory or defeat, and poke fun at the innuendo-laced event, every Thursday night through the summer.
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Little Woodrow’s Midtown
2306 Brazos StTurtle Races. Yup. Turtles. Racing. You can "bet" on them to win free sponsor drinks, and go nuts with the rest of the crowd over the little guys, as they slowly meander toward victory or defeat, and poke fun at the innuendo-laced event, every Thursday night through the summer.
A classic Texas Steakhouse, this little outpost of the chain is at the entrance to the Memorial Golf course, and is open to the public, walkable from the same parking as that for the nearby sports fields, tennis courts and jogging paths. Get a thick and rich chocolate shake with your classic steak & fries, or juicy loaded burger, before finishing your walk in the park.
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Becks Prime
115 W 19th StA classic Texas Steakhouse, this little outpost of the chain is at the entrance to the Memorial Golf course, and is open to the public, walkable from the same parking as that for the nearby sports fields, tennis courts and jogging paths. Get a thick and rich chocolate shake with your classic steak & fries, or juicy loaded burger, before finishing your walk in the park.
Parks & Nature
Tucked away from the noise of Washington, in the quiet neighborhoods of Rice Military, Nellie Keyes Park is home to a small dog-friendly park, a local free compost collection, and a community veggie garden with fruiting trees and shrubs around the outside. It's a modest little garden, and not one that many pass on their way, as it's at a sort of strange spot. But it's a nice pause on your bike ride, to sit and chat with some local volunteers in the gardens, especially on Saturday mornings.
Nellie Keyes Park
801 Lester StTucked away from the noise of Washington, in the quiet neighborhoods of Rice Military, Nellie Keyes Park is home to a small dog-friendly park, a local free compost collection, and a community veggie garden with fruiting trees and shrubs around the outside. It's a modest little garden, and not one that many pass on their way, as it's at a sort of strange spot. But it's a nice pause on your bike ride, to sit and chat with some local volunteers in the gardens, especially on Saturday mornings.
Memorial Park is a major hub for the athletic, the outdoorsy, and those just looking for an easy stroll. Home to soccer, baseball, and rugby fields, as well as tennis courts, a small gym with a pool, a few playgrounds, a juice bar, a full golf course, a Becks Prime restaurant, hiking trials, mountain biking trails, jogging trails multiuse paths, and bodyweight equipment, there's always something to see or do. Many major events, such as the Bayou City Arts Festival, are held in Memorial park and the Arboretum and Nature Center, which are both open year round, and are free to explore. The running trails are well lit, and open late. There is free parking as available.
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Washington Avenue Coalition / Memorial Park
Memorial Park is a major hub for the athletic, the outdoorsy, and those just looking for an easy stroll. Home to soccer, baseball, and rugby fields, as well as tennis courts, a small gym with a pool, a few playgrounds, a juice bar, a full golf course, a Becks Prime restaurant, hiking trials, mountain biking trails, jogging trails multiuse paths, and bodyweight equipment, there's always something to see or do. Many major events, such as the Bayou City Arts Festival, are held in Memorial park and the Arboretum and Nature Center, which are both open year round, and are free to explore. The running trails are well lit, and open late. There is free parking as available.
For those who like the outdoors, the well lit multi-use paths through Eleanor Tinsley Park are the very best way to see the City by foot or bike. Stretching all the way from the Cisterns and Market Square Park, downtown, to Shepherd and Kirby Drives on the edge of the River Oaks and Hyde Park neighborhoods, Eleanor Tinsley is home to attractions like Free Pres summer Fest and the city's Fourth of July celebration, local artists' sculptures and installments, multiple open spaces for activities, a volley ball pit, the Bat Bridge, a skate park, the Buffalo Bayou, and is part of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. And it's packed with picture perfect views of the skyline nestled between local plants.
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Парк Элеонор Тинсли
18-3600 Allen PkwyFor those who like the outdoors, the well lit multi-use paths through Eleanor Tinsley Park are the very best way to see the City by foot or bike. Stretching all the way from the Cisterns and Market Square Park, downtown, to Shepherd and Kirby Drives on the edge of the River Oaks and Hyde Park neighborhoods, Eleanor Tinsley is home to attractions like Free Pres summer Fest and the city's Fourth of July celebration, local artists' sculptures and installments, multiple open spaces for activities, a volley ball pit, the Bat Bridge, a skate park, the Buffalo Bayou, and is part of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. And it's packed with picture perfect views of the skyline nestled between local plants.
A small, dog-friendly, woodsy park with a covered basketball court, a baseball field and open space for outdoor activities, this little park is tucked away from the city, but easily accessible, for a quick walk in the trees.
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Cottage Grove Park
2100 Arabelle StA small, dog-friendly, woodsy park with a covered basketball court, a baseball field and open space for outdoor activities, this little park is tucked away from the city, but easily accessible, for a quick walk in the trees.
There's something humbling about watching a massive column of bats organize and ascend to the skies to hunt, as the sun goes down in the park. Every night at dusk, they wake up for breakfast. You'll see crowds begin to gather before sunset to wait out the little mammals's reveries, and learn from the occasional volunteers who use protective lenses on lights to show visitors how the bats sleep in the rafters of the specially-designed bat bridge. Pro-tip; once you've heard from the volunteers, cross to the North side of the bridge, and take the path down to the multi-use walk; there's a seating area below, a bit farther from the street, with a better view of the city skyline, and the bats.
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Колония летучих мышей на улице Уо
Waugh DriveThere's something humbling about watching a massive column of bats organize and ascend to the skies to hunt, as the sun goes down in the park. Every night at dusk, they wake up for breakfast. You'll see crowds begin to gather before sunset to wait out the little mammals's reveries, and learn from the occasional volunteers who use protective lenses on lights to show visitors how the bats sleep in the rafters of the specially-designed bat bridge. Pro-tip; once you've heard from the volunteers, cross to the North side of the bridge, and take the path down to the multi-use walk; there's a seating area below, a bit farther from the street, with a better view of the city skyline, and the bats.
Sightseeing
The Beer Can House is something special. Part of the Orange Show Collection, it was adopted as a historical site. As the name suggests, it's a little bungalow covered entirely in beer cans, with additional beer can artwork jingling up the front yard. Admission is $5, and hours are funky - the artists still live there - but if you're driving or biking through the are, it's worth a stop and a pic.
75 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Beer Can House
222 Malone StThe Beer Can House is something special. Part of the Orange Show Collection, it was adopted as a historical site. As the name suggests, it's a little bungalow covered entirely in beer cans, with additional beer can artwork jingling up the front yard. Admission is $5, and hours are funky - the artists still live there - but if you're driving or biking through the are, it's worth a stop and a pic.
Drinks & Nightlife
Revolver is one of the newer bars on the Washington Strip. Closer to Memorial Park, its big outdoor space, with lawn games like bean bags and horseshoes, can accomodate multiple parties while still feeling relatively secluded. It's a whiskey bar, with a country food menu - including items such as the "Bad Ass Brussels Sprouts," fried jalapenos, and chicken fried bacon - that also serves a mean cocktail and has the major local beers - Saint Arnold(, Karbach) and Shiner Bock.
Revolver Houston
6502 Washington AveRevolver is one of the newer bars on the Washington Strip. Closer to Memorial Park, its big outdoor space, with lawn games like bean bags and horseshoes, can accomodate multiple parties while still feeling relatively secluded. It's a whiskey bar, with a country food menu - including items such as the "Bad Ass Brussels Sprouts," fried jalapenos, and chicken fried bacon - that also serves a mean cocktail and has the major local beers - Saint Arnold(, Karbach) and Shiner Bock.
They say "everything is bigger in Texas" and the Kirby Ice House definitely fits that phrase with a massive semi-covered outdoor space, rotating taco trucks, picnic tables, lawn chairs, twinkle lights, heat lamps for the chillier nights and misters for the hotter days. They boast a very "Texas" menu with steak, tacos, and the occasional crawfish boil.
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Kirby Ice House
3333 Eastside StThey say "everything is bigger in Texas" and the Kirby Ice House definitely fits that phrase with a massive semi-covered outdoor space, rotating taco trucks, picnic tables, lawn chairs, twinkle lights, heat lamps for the chillier nights and misters for the hotter days. They boast a very "Texas" menu with steak, tacos, and the occasional crawfish boil.
You don't need to know how to two step or line dance to fit into this inner city honky tonk; friendly patrons and regulars will be there to lead the charge, and show out-of-towners whats what. The drinks are the cheapest on Washington Ave, there's a taco truck outside, and there's a $5 mechanical bull among the country-themed decor, which also includes a few games, a back porch/deck, and a Crown Royale stage for parties.
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Daisy Dukes
5002 Washington AveYou don't need to know how to two step or line dance to fit into this inner city honky tonk; friendly patrons and regulars will be there to lead the charge, and show out-of-towners whats what. The drinks are the cheapest on Washington Ave, there's a taco truck outside, and there's a $5 mechanical bull among the country-themed decor, which also includes a few games, a back porch/deck, and a Crown Royale stage for parties.
A quieter new spot, with trivia and meme-themed attitude, this little gem is a great place to chill with a friend or two, get a hipster take on a classic cocktail, and check out the Whistle Stop food truck for late night munchies, just a short walk from the train tracks and bayou overlooking the city.
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Ladybirds
5519 Allen StA quieter new spot, with trivia and meme-themed attitude, this little gem is a great place to chill with a friend or two, get a hipster take on a classic cocktail, and check out the Whistle Stop food truck for late night munchies, just a short walk from the train tracks and bayou overlooking the city.
It's not just a bar, it's a BARCADE. Filled with free arcade games, and usually filled with people, this popular stop on the Washington Strip has outdoor spaces, and indoor booths, as well as a dance floor, music, and quick bartenders. Notice the Space Invaders on the walls?
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Kung Fu Saloon
5317 Washington AveIt's not just a bar, it's a BARCADE. Filled with free arcade games, and usually filled with people, this popular stop on the Washington Strip has outdoor spaces, and indoor booths, as well as a dance floor, music, and quick bartenders. Notice the Space Invaders on the walls?
Shopping
With over 375 stores, the Galleria is the largest mall in Texas and seventh-largest in the United States, and houses over 50 restaurants, Saks Fifth Avenue, and the first ice skating rink built inside a mall. The attached Westin plays host to all sorts of events, such as the LEGO Fiesta. There's also a movie theater.
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The Galleria
5085 Westheimer RdWith over 375 stores, the Galleria is the largest mall in Texas and seventh-largest in the United States, and houses over 50 restaurants, Saks Fifth Avenue, and the first ice skating rink built inside a mall. The attached Westin plays host to all sorts of events, such as the LEGO Fiesta. There's also a movie theater.
Arts & Culture
To memorialize fallen Houston City Police Department officers, the sculpture is peacefully tucked into a crook in the bayou, where intentional grass softens the edges of its stark figure, overlooking the best angles of both the city skyline and the Federal Reserve building, forever watching over Houston. Stop on your way downtown along the multi-use paths of Eleanor Tinsley park for some iconic pictures and local history.
Houston Police Officers' Memorial
1400 Memorial DrTo memorialize fallen Houston City Police Department officers, the sculpture is peacefully tucked into a crook in the bayou, where intentional grass softens the edges of its stark figure, overlooking the best angles of both the city skyline and the Federal Reserve building, forever watching over Houston. Stop on your way downtown along the multi-use paths of Eleanor Tinsley park for some iconic pictures and local history.