Although Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, most people do not think of visiting this southern city. When travelers think of great American cities for a weekend away they immediately think of heading to New York City for the great shopping or Los Angeles for the great weather or Miami for the great parties but Houston as all that and then some. There is something cool happening here that you cannot experience anywhere else. Houston is often overshadowed by the state capital of Austin but Houston has a strange wonderfulness that Austin seems to have lost with its gentrification and hipster-fication. Just remember, everything really is bigger in Texas.
What to do?
Houston has some of the best museums in the country, head over to the museum district to check out the Museum of Fine Arts and the Contemporary Arts Museum. If you are in the mood for theatre or the ballet, Houston has you covered with more shows and seats than almost any othere US city (except NYC). But let’s get down to thinks more Texan – hit the Houston Livestock and Rodeo show in the spring or hitting up the Great Texas Mosquito Festival in the summer. And don’t forget the Houston Space Center.
Where to eat?
Head over to the Pearland area if you want to taste some of the best barbecue you have ever head at Killen (named in 2015 as one of the best new restaurants in the US by GQ magazine). Or hit Gatlin’s for more down-home style BBQ. Pax Americana is known for great modern American cuisine in Houston – you won’t leave disappointed. And you can’t go to Texas without experiencing a little Mexican via Caracol, known for its amazing Mexican seafood. The ceviche will change your life.
Where to shop?
Head over to Houston Heights for some great local shopping; the streets are filled with small boutiques, cafes and galleries. For great menswear head over to the Houston location of Stag or the independent boutique known as Mortar.
Where to drink?
If you have ever been to The South, then you know that they know how to make great cocktails. Houston offers many great options from Anvil Bar & Refuge to Julep. For a great Bloody Mary head over to dive bar Under the Volcano but if island style drinks are more your thang, head over to Double Trouble Caffeine & Cocktails. And you can’t go to Houston without saying you visited Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirits Lodge.
Where to stay?
Houston’s has many swank hotels to hang your newly purchased cowboy hat in. Check out the Four Seasons Hotel Houston or the St. Regis Houston for the height of luxury. If you want something more relaxed check out Hotel Zaza, often referred to as Houston’s answer to the Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas – you get the gist.
For more info on Houston, head over to Travel Texas.
