Seeing Houston like a local
Food scene
Whole Foods Market
11041 Westheimer RdGreat take out, great browsing, easy to walk to.
Trader Joe's
11683 Westheimer RdGreat take out and fun snacks.
best Bagels in Houston ( a city not exactly known for its bagels)
20 locals recommend
The Hot Bagel Shop
2015 S Shepherd Drbest Bagels in Houston ( a city not exactly known for its bagels)
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
2704 Navigation Blvdthis is the original location
Barnaby's Cafe
414 W Gray StNearby local favorite - diner type food
Carrabba's
1399 S Voss RdVery good Italian and Close by.
Downtown. Wonderful middle eastern grocery store and food court. interesting to wander and check out exotic offerings.
136 locals recommend
Phoenicia Specialty Foods
1001 Austin StDowntown. Wonderful middle eastern grocery store and food court. interesting to wander and check out exotic offerings.
Great place to explore. Interesting food from many places. good cheese selection, fresh baked bread. Great take out and hosts various cooking classes. Go early in the morning and avoid the crowds.
110 locals recommend
Central Market
3815 Westheimer RdGreat place to explore. Interesting food from many places. good cheese selection, fresh baked bread. Great take out and hosts various cooking classes. Go early in the morning and avoid the crowds.
The Buffalo Grille
4080 Bissonnet StGreat for Brunch and very nearby.
Sightseeing
Great place to walk or run, the new board walk thru the woods is lovely.
233 locals recommend
Memorial Park
6501 Memorial DrGreat place to walk or run, the new board walk thru the woods is lovely.
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
4501 Woodway DrBeautiful place to walk
Station Museum of Contemporary Art
1502 Alabama StFun exhibits and interesting events
winds thru part of downtown. Great place to walk or run. But to really explore the park - Rent a bike from any number of commuter bike locations and ride the park so that you can see all of it.
549 locals recommend
Buffalo Bayou Park
Memorial Drivewinds thru part of downtown. Great place to walk or run. But to really explore the park - Rent a bike from any number of commuter bike locations and ride the park so that you can see all of it.
There is one nearby on Voss, but I like the one on Montrose better, ----- great art supply store.
11 locals recommend
Texas Art Supply
2001 Montrose BlvdThere is one nearby on Voss, but I like the one on Montrose better, ----- great art supply store.
look for the Matisse bronzes in the back and visit the MFA while you are there.
15 locals recommend
Cullen Sculpture Museum
Calumet Streetlook for the Matisse bronzes in the back and visit the MFA while you are there.
take a class or sign up for a lecture while you are in town. School is connected to the MFA.
13 locals recommend
The Glassell School of Art
5101 Holcombe Blvdtake a class or sign up for a lecture while you are in town. School is connected to the MFA.
Mercer Botanic Gardens
22306 Aldine Westfield RdIf you like botanical gardens, which I do, see Mercer!
Designed to house Rothko commissioned paintings. these are some of his last paintings.
164 locals recommend
Rothko Chapel
3900 Yupon StDesigned to house Rothko commissioned paintings. these are some of his last paintings.
Great Museum and always free. Lovely space and architecture. There are several other small museums related to the Menil in the immediate vicinity (print, light, Cy Twombly).
491 locals recommend
The Menil Collection
1533 Sul Ross StGreat Museum and always free. Lovely space and architecture. There are several other small museums related to the Menil in the immediate vicinity (print, light, Cy Twombly).
Cy Twombly Gallery
1501 Branard StLove the space and never crowded
If you like gardening, this is a great place to wander around and check out native plants.
8 locals recommend
Buchanan's Native Plants
611 E 11th StIf you like gardening, this is a great place to wander around and check out native plants.
Smither Park
2441 Munger StFunky folk art and definitely off the beaten path, but fun to see.
Artist studios are open. You just wander thru, chat with the artist, see their work. A fun way to spend the afternoon. There are several buildings that house a number of art studios.
Sawyer St. Art Market 2nd Saturdays
1502 Sawyer StreetArtist studios are open. You just wander thru, chat with the artist, see their work. A fun way to spend the afternoon. There are several buildings that house a number of art studios.
Infrequent exhibits in the Silo portion of the building. But if there is something going on, the space is incredible - a gallery in what was old rice silos.......
18 locals recommend
The Silos at Sawyer Yards
1502 Sawyer StInfrequent exhibits in the Silo portion of the building. But if there is something going on, the space is incredible - a gallery in what was old rice silos.......
it covers and entire city block. It has wine, beer, liquors from all over the world. There are weekend tastings. Imported food to pair with wines. Sales staff is very knowledgeable.
116 locals recommend
Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods
1011 Westheimer Rdit covers and entire city block. It has wine, beer, liquors from all over the world. There are weekend tastings. Imported food to pair with wines. Sales staff is very knowledgeable.
Love this space. There are special musical events at times, but I like it better in silence.
126 locals recommend
Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern
105-B Sabine StLove this space. There are special musical events at times, but I like it better in silence.
Art Car Museum
140 Heights Blvdfun and funky. the have shows and exhibits
Joshua's Native Plants & Garden
502 West 18th StreetLove this nursery!
Neighborhoods
Houston's older high end neighborhood. Beautiful homes and grounds. Drive or bike thru in March for Azalea season when the whole area is pink or in December for holiday lights.
124 locals recommend
River Oaks
Houston's older high end neighborhood. Beautiful homes and grounds. Drive or bike thru in March for Azalea season when the whole area is pink or in December for holiday lights.
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Check "Meet Up" to see what is going on for your interests
There is usually someone leading gallery tour, historic walking tour, or film lecture or whatever you might be interested in.
Don't miss
Rent a bike
There are bike stations all over town where you can rent standard or E-Bike. Rent a bike and ride one of 150 miles of trails (stay off the Road - Houston drivers are crazy). Love to ride Buffalo Bayou Park (great urban park)
Don't miss
March: The Azalea Trail
You don't have to go on the official tour, Rent a bike or drive through River Oaks. Everything is blooming for spring!
Don't miss
February
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Largest rodeo in the world, trail riders ride into town on horse back for a parade.
You can just visit the livestock show and skip the rodeo if you don't have time. Incredible animals.
Don't miss
April - Art Car Parade
Grass roots folk art car parade.