Right in the heart of Texas, Houston is a dynamic city where Southern charm meets urban sophistication. Known as the Space City, Houston boasts a skyline punctuated by impressive skyscrapers and a sprawling network of diverse neighborhoods, each with its own unique character.
The city’s rich history is further reflected in its vibrant arts scene, world-class museums and historic landmarks. From the lush expanses of Hermann Park to the bustling activity of Discovery Green, Houston offers ample green spaces that provide a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Adding to Houston’s allure is its culinary scene, which is as varied as its population. Here, you can find everything from traditional Tex-Mex and world-famous barbecue to innovative fine dining that rivals any major metropolis. The city’s food culture is also a testament to its diversity with influences from every corner of the globe converging to create a unique gastronomic landscape.
Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts will also find plenty to cheer about with passionate fans supporting teams like the Astros (MLB), Rockets (NBA) and Texans (NFL) bringing a palpable energy to the city.
In any case, Houston’s sense of community is evident in its welcoming residents, who embody the resilience and friendliness that define this vibrant city. Despite the challenges of rapid growth and the ever-changing landscape, Houstonians remain proud of their city’s heritage and optimistic about its future.
Clearly, whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, Houston has an abundance of incredible and unique experiences to offer. So, to help you make the most of your time in this dynamic city, we’ve gathered insights and tips from locals on the best things to do in Houston. Here’s what they recommend:
1. Discover the Museum District
Pamela O’Brien, ASID, NAHB, TAB, GHBA, and PaperCity Design Award Winner for Pamela Hope Designs, suggests starting your day with a leisurely latte and pastries at Cafe Leonelli, which is located within the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
“The museum opens at 11, so you can simply walk right through to visit the museum’s international collections of modern and contemporary art,” she said. “Once you’ve seen enough, there is a tunnel system to take you across the street. You stay out of the weather and traffic and experience interesting light installations and more art during the short walk. You can visit two additional buildings based on your interests. There are always excellent traveling exhibitions, as well as important permanent collections of Asian, African, Islamic, and Native American art, along with plenty of ancient European and American works.”
Then, for lunch, O’Brien recommends splurging at Le Jardinier, which is also in the museum complex, or strolling down the street to the chic and cheeky Hotel Zaza for lunch at Monarch.
“You can walk off your lunch by visiting nearby Hermann Park and its gardens or peruse the Cullen Sculpture Garden,” she continued. “If you’d prefer to relax, consider a spa treatment at ZaSpa at Zaza. The nearby Rice Village area is great for afternoon shopping and will no doubt provide something tempting for dinner.”
2. Experience Space Exploration
David Ciccarelli, CEO of Voices, emphasizes the importance of visiting NASA’s Space Center to learn about the history of space exploration.
“First and foremost, visitors should check out NASA’s Space Center to learn about the history of space exploration and enjoy some interesting exhibits,” he said. “From there, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Natural Science are both great additions. The underground tunnels and Chase Observation Tower make for a great adventure, especially on those hot Houston days.”
For a quirky experience, Ciccarelli recommends the Beer Can House — which is made out of more than 50,000 beer cans — or the Art Car Parade if you’re visiting at the right time.
“Enjoy Mexican food at The Original Ninfa’s or some delicious BBQ at Truth Barbeque,” Ciccarelli said. “There’s no shortage of great places to enjoy!”
3. Explore the Montrose Neighborhood
Ha Malloy, content creator and founder of Heat and Heartbeat, highlights Montrose as a must-see.
“Montrose offers a unique and vibrant experience that’s distinct from other neighborhoods in Houston,” Malloy explained. “I love the atmosphere this area has to offer, and it is fun to explore both during the day and at night.”
Notably, the neighborhood is home to a mix of historic homes, bungalows and mid-century modern buildings. At the same time, it’s also the center of a diverse culinary scene with a wide array of restaurants, cafes, bars, and eateries to choose from, thereby catering to cravings from Tex-Mex to Vietnamese to Mediterranean.
“The neighborhood also has a lively nightlife with plenty of bars and clubs, where you can enjoy live music, cocktails and dancing.”
One of Malloy’s favorite aspects of Montrose is its colorful street art and murals:
“Taking a stroll through Montrose allows you to discover these vibrant works of art and capture some Instagram-worthy photos. Lastly, this lively place is filled with quirky boutiques, vintage stores, and independent shops offering unique clothing, jewelry and gifts. It’s a great place to browse for one-of-a-kind treasures, support local businesses, and find the perfect souvenir for you, family and friends!”
4. Explore Houston’s “Day Life”
Laurie Coton, CEO of Coton House Realty & Design, suggests spending a few days exploring Houston’s “day life”, ideally on a Friday and Saturday. “Nightlife seems to get all the attention, but it shouldn’t!” she said.
Coton recommends starting your Friday morning with a coffee at Pavon Coffee Den. “They have unusual yet delicious lattes- my favorite is the Vanilla Rose.” After enjoying your coffee, she suggests exploring the resale shops along Westheimer. “This is where I find unexpected inspiration and meet the most interesting people!”, Coton shared.
“In the afternoon, it’s Memorial Park; I either walk the trails or sit by the lake with my laptop and focus on contracts.”, she continued.
For a Saturday morning, she recommends visiting the Urban Harvest Farmer’s Market at St. John’s on Buffalo Speedway. “I plan for fresh flowers and delightful little snacks, but I always end up with something extra. Hive Bee Farm’s honey is one of my favorites!”, Coton said.
In the evening, she suggests starting with drinks on the patio at Blue Bar at Brenner’s on the Bayou, followed by seeing a play at The Alley Theater. “I am especially looking forward to The Glass Menagerie which debuts in the spring”, she shared.
5. Indulge in Houston’s Culinary Scene
Crystal Olenbush, a real estate expert at AustinRealEstate.com, believes Houston’s culinary scene truly shines.
“There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy while visiting our great city on business,” she said. “When I have clients in town, here are a few of my favorite things to show them.”
Olenbush recommends the Conservatory for a variety of food options in one place.
“Personally, I love experiencing the local influences at places like Xochi or Brenner’s on the Bayou,” she added. “The seasonal menus really showcase what the Gulf Coast has to offer.”
Or, for entertainment, Olenbush reports that Houston offers great options.
“Catching a show at the Houston Grand Opera or touring the Museum District are always crowd-pleasers,” she said. “The Menil Collection and Contemporary Arts Museum Houston offer a refreshing break from the ordinary. If you want to get outside, exploring places like Discovery Green or MacGregor Park is a nice way to take in our subtropical climate.”
6. Savor Diverse Food Offerings
Shanta Mauney of Mauney Business Consulting praises Houston’s food scene for its incredible diversity.
“Business travelers coming to Houston will be delighted to find some of the best restaurants, in my opinion, in the world,” she said. “The food scene is amazing with great Tex-Mex cuisine, barbecue, seafood, and eateries representing every culture imaginable from Indian, Vietnamese, and Filipino to French, Greek, Italian, Jamaican, Ethiopian and beyond!”
In particular, Mauney suggests including The Taste of Texas, The Breakfast Klub, and Pappasito’s on your list of places to meet and eat.
“If you’re working downtown, walk the underground tunnels, where you’ll find shops and more restaurants,” she shared. “Don’t miss the Phoenician Market. In the Museum District, book a conference room or meet for dinner and drinks at Hotel Zaza.”
Overall, Houston is a city that continually surprises and delights its visitors. With its rich cultural diversity, dynamic culinary scene and welcoming locals, it offers an endless list of unique experiences. Whether you’re here for a business trip or an extended stay, embrace the spirit of Houston and create your own memorable experiences.
