What are the best five things to do on a romantic trip to Houston?
There are plenty of ways to find romance in this city. From breathtaking wild flowers to a fabulous opera performance, it is hard not to find some parts of Houston romantic. Here are five ways to romance your Houston honey:
1. Take in Memorial Park: Pack a picnic and head over to the city’s largest urban park. With 1,500 acres to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for two. Active couples can take an afternoon walk on the gravel jogging path that loops the park. Picnickers beware: Don’t lay your blanket on any ant mounds. Houston has a large population of fire ants and their bites are a sure-fire mood killer.
2. See an opera or a ballet: Nothing says romance like a night out at the theater. The Houston Grand Opera often has international stars grace is stage. The black tie performances give you a chance to dress up for a night out. Far from boring, the Houston Grand Opera will keep you on the edge of your seat, if only for the notes that the performers hit. You may not think it, but the Houston Ballet Company is hailed as one of the best in the nation. We suggest picking out a holiday show to take that special someone to. Both are located downtown.
3. Stroll at Hermann Park: Located in the Museum District, this historic 445-acre space has everything you need for love: large lawns, gardens and an idyllic lake for paddle boating. As you walk toward the lake, you’ll be guided a path lined by beautiful trees and plenty of nature. Head over to the right side of the lake to the walking bridge where you can watch the plethora of turtles gliding through the water.
4. Stop and Smell the Bluebonnets: The Texas state flower blooms in spring, making way for picturesque views and celebrations throughout Houston. Take in the beautiful sight on Highway 290, which gets completely bordered by bluebonnets - you’ll notice cars pulled to the side every other mile to take pictures in the breathtaking fields of wildflowers. If you keep heading west on 290, you’ll make it to Chappell Hill, which is home to the official bluebonnet festival each April.
5.Take a horse drawn carriage ride: You’ll find several of these romantic rides downtown. Hop on one and take a hand-in-hand ride as you soak in the Houston sites. Of course, nothing says Texas like a horse drawn carriage. We suggest you arrange a ride after rush hour, so you don’t have cars honking in your ear, interrupting your conversation with that special someone.
-
18 hours agoLeah Walker answered the question:
What are the best fine-dining restaurants in Houston?
Brennan’s:
Texas Creole is such a thing and Brennan’s of Houston has mastered it. No relation to Brennan’s in New Orleans, this Houston staple is instead the sister restaurant to the grand dame of New Orleans restaurants, Commander’s Palace. Located in Midtown, Brennan’s has been a fine dining staple in Houston since 1967. The atmosphere is sophisticated with its crystal chandeliers, elegant table settings, and attentive staff, yet it’s very welcoming at the same time. The menu is filled with perennial favorites such as turtle soup, pecan crusted gulf fish, and bananas Foster. A variety of surf and turf options fill the menu along with creative specials and side dishes. Not just for lunch and dinner, Brennan’s jazz brunch on Saturdays and Sundays is one of the most acclaimed in the city. Their courtyard is also a great place to grab an after-work or pre-dinner cocktail.
Vic & Anthony’s:
Owned by the Galveston-based Landry’s group, Vic & Anthony’s is the quintessential great steakhouse. The elegant dark woods, clean lines, and unfussy interior add to its warm feel. Vic & Anthony’s has an extensive wine list and offers only the best cuts of prime beef, lamb, and veal. The menu also includes the freshest seafood featuring favorites such as oysters, crab, shrimp, and fish. Open for dinner seven days a week and lunch on Fridays, Vic & Anthony’s is easily one of the best restaurants in Houston.
-
18 hours agoLeah Walker answered the question:
What are the best fine-dining restaurants in Houston?
Brennan’s:
Texas Creole is such a thing and Brennan’s of Houston has mastered it. No relation to Brennan’s in New Orleans, this Houston staple is instead the sister restaurant to the grand dame of New Orleans restaurants, Commander’s Palace. Located in Midtown, Brennan’s has been a fine dining staple in Houston since 1967. The atmosphere is sophisticated with its crystal chandeliers, elegant table settings, and attentive staff, yet it’s very welcoming at the same time. The menu is filled with perennial favorites such as turtle soup, pecan crusted gulf fish, and bananas Foster. A variety of surf and turf options fill the menu along with creative specials and side dishes. Not just for lunch and dinner, Brennan’s jazz brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, is one of the most acclaimed in the city. Their courtyard is also a great place to grab an after-work or pre-dinner cocktail.
Vic & Anthony’s:
Owned by the Galveston-based Landry’s group, Vic & Anthony’s is the quintessential great steakhouse. The elegant dark woods, clean lines, and unfussy interior add to its warm feel. Vic & Anthony’s has an extensive wine list and offers only the best cuts of prime beef, lamb, and veal. The menu also offers the freshest seafood featuring favorites such as oysters, crab, shrimp, and fish. Open for dinner seven days a week and lunch on Fridays, Vic & Anthony’s is easily one of the best restaurants in Houston.
-
20 hours agoLeah Walker answered the question:
What are the best food gifts to buy in Houston?
Buc-ee’s:
This Texas-based chain of convenience stores doesn’t just sell gas, chips, and Cokes. Stop into Buc-ee’s for a variety of Texas-made items. Specialty products such as hot sauces, marinades, jams, and pickled vegetables line the shelves. In-house made items like fudge, cookies, kolaches, and jerkey are also available. There are several locations around the Houston area, as well as Austin and San Antonio.
Hebert’s Specialty Meats:
Louisiana doesn’t have the monopoly on great Cajun food, it can also be found in Hebert’s three Houston locations. This import from Louisiana has Cajun staples such as gumbo, etouffee, and boudin. Delicious crawfish pies, turduckens, stuffed chickens, and Cajun-spiced steaks, catfish, and pork are also top picks. Stop in around lunchtime where a pre-cooked meal of the day is available. Most items can be purchased already frozen and thus can be packed in a carry on or loaded in a cooler of ice for the road trip home. Hebert’s also accepts online orders and ships anywhere in the USA.
-
1 day agoLeah Walker answered the question:
What are the best parks in Houston?
Discovery Green:
This twelve-acre park sits on the edge of downtown and was created by the City of Houston and the non-profit group, Discovery Green Conservancy. Kids flock to the John P. McGovern Playground. During Houston’s hot summers, the most fun and laughter can be found near Gateway Fountain. This is the spot where children of all ages beat the Texas heat. Kinder Lake is a man-made lake that features a water garden and a pier with tables and chairs. In the winter, Kinder Lake is frozen and turned into an ice rink. Oak trees form a canopy over the limestone path known as Brown Foundation Promenade. Dog runs, jogging trails, indoor and outdoor reading rooms, and even a branch of the Houston Library are found throughout Discovery Green. Free entertainment abounds in the form of concerts, family and date night movies, exercise and dance classes, and a monthly flea market.
Memorial Park:
Memorial Park is located west of downtown near the Galleria. It’s a 1,500-acre park that features a nearly three-mile jogging/ walking trail, tennis facilities, and opportunities for hiking and biking, One of Houston’s best public golf courses, a swimming pool, and fitness facility are also found in the park. The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is 156-acres and contains five miles of nature trails for visitors to explore.
Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park:
Located next to the Galleria in the shadows of 64-story Williams Tower, Waterwall Park is also known as the Williams Waterwall. The main attraction of this nearly three-acre park is the 64-foot, semi-circular water fountain. With it’s numerous surrounding oak trees and expanse of green grass, this park is a great photo opportunity and place to relax to the sound of the water falling.
-
3 days agoLeah Walker answered the question:
Where is the best shopping in Houston?
Everything’s bigger in Texas and that includes the shopping malls. In Houston, the Galleria is king when it comes to retail therapy. With 400 stores and restaurants found in 2.4 million square feet of space, if the Galleria doesn’t have what you’re looking for then it’s probably not necessary. Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and not one, but two Macy’s, anchor the mammoth shopping center. High-end designers like Gucci, Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Tory Burch, and Valentino, as well as jewelry stores such as Cartier, Bvlgari, and DeBeers, all have stores in the Galleria. Never fear, there are also more budget-friendly shops such as Ann Taylor, Gap, J. Crew, Urban Outfitters, and Zara. Find your inner geek at Apple, Brookstone, and Microsoft. If shopping is your thing, then the Galleria is the place to be. One could be there from open to close and still not see all there is. -
On June 8Mai Pham answered the question:
What is the best time to visit Houston?
Every year, I tell my friends the same thing: come to Houston in the Spring or Autumn, when the sun shines brightly, but the heat isn't so stifling. Late February through mid-April are great months to visit Houston, not just because of the weather, but because of all the festivities that pack themselves into those months -- the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, numerous local throwdown events, beer festivals, International Festival, Japan Festival and so much more happen when the weather is good.
During the fall months, mid-September to early November are also great months to visit. The temperatures cool down, sometimes you get a breeze, people take advantage of their patios and dine at night alfresco. October also marks the beginning of the performing arts season, with plenty of concerts, plays, opera, ballet, musicals and much more to enjoy. -
On June 7Mai Pham answered the question:
What’s happening this weekend in Houston?
This weekend, catch a performance of Journey with the Masters by the Houston Ballet, which plays Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8 in the evening at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
On Saturday or Sunday morning, go to the Urban Harvest Farmer's Market (located at 3000 Richmond) to browse the fresh produce stands and take in a food demonstration by local chefs, or pick up fresh artisanal pickles, jams, and other artisanal foodstuffs.
If beer is your pleasure, check out the Houston Beer Fest on Saturday, June 8, from 1:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday Night, buy tickets to the Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase in celebration of Wine & Food Week in The Woodlands.
Sunday night, visit Blacksmith Coffee at 7 p.m. for their "Second Sunday Throwdown," a barista throwdown and coffee-filled event where local baristas gather to show off their skills. -
On June 7Mai Pham answered the question:
What are the best clothing boutiques in Houston?
Every fashionista needs a place to find that unique piece of clothing that will make her followers ooh and ah. Tootsie's in the West Ave complex offers a wonderful selection of designer dresses, accessories, shoes and ready-to-wear. For specific designer labels, head to the individual boutiques of top brand names like Versace, Prada, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Tory Burch, Armani and Kate Spade. Chain boutiques like Anthropologie and Francesca's are always perfect for someone who likes to wander--find their shops in Highland Village and CityCentre, while small shops like Duo and Coquette are always great for those hip, edgy finds. Bravo Project Runway winner Chloe Dao also has private boutique in the Rice Village area, named Dao by Chloe Dao.
Men's fashion boutiques include places like Mortar, The Class Room, Billy Reid, Q Custom Clothier and Rye 51. -
On June 7Mai Pham answered the question:
What are the best clothing boutiques in Houston?
Every fashionista needs a place to find that unique piece of clothing that will make her followers ooh and ah. Tootsie's in the West Ave complex offers a wonderful selection of designer dresses, accessories, shoes and ready-to-wear.
Houston is lucky to have full representation by some of the most famous international brands -- Versace, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Tory Burch, Armani and Kate Spade all have locations in Houston.
Chain boutiques like Anthropologie and Francesca's are always perfect for someone who likes to wander--find their shops in Highland Village and CityCentre, while small shops like Duo and Coquette are always great for those hip, edgy finds.
And Bravo Project Runway winner Chloe Dao also
Men's fashion is also on the rise with shops like Mortar, The Class Room, Billy Reid, and Rye 51. -
On June 7Mai Pham answered the question:
What are the best places to buy shoes in Houston?
For your Laboutin fix, head to Nieman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, or Nordstrom. Mr. Laboutin has even made personal appearances in Houston to autograph his priceless beauties. Other stores selling designer shoes -- think Jimmy Choos and Gucci -- include Elaine Turner in the Rice Village, Joseph in The Galleria, and Gregory's in Highland Village. In the new West Ave complex in Upper Kirby, boutique powerhouse Tootsie's also carries a large selection of beautiful footwear for discerning fashionistas. -
On June 5Mai Pham answered the question:
What is Houston’s restaurant scene like?
With more than 8,000 restaurants in Houston, the restaurant scene here is a bustling, eclectic mix of everything from fast-casual to high-end fine dining. You'll marvel at the number of Tex-Mex options available throughout the city, ponder the steakhouse choices, drive endlessly along Bellaire Boulevard to encounter Asian scene, find Greek and Mediterranean staples long Montrose, take a bite out of Korean kim chi along Longpoint in the Spring Branch area, and then come back around to find award-winning restaurants on Westheimer Road in the lower Westheimer area. Then there are the burger joints -- from gourmet to hole-in-the-wall, and pizzas ranging from the thick crust to thin, along with barbecue created by craftsman who have spent their lives learning the art of smoke. Houston is a restaurant city, and we're proud of it. -
On June 5Mai Pham answered the question:
What is the weather like right now in Houston?
June is pretty hot and muggy in Houston. Humidity levels are high, and the sun is shining practically every day. Occasionally, there will be thunderstorms, usually a welcome respite to dispel the gradually mounting heat. Temperatures tend to sit somewhere in the high 90's, approaching 100-plus degree weather towards the end of the month. -
On June 5Mai Pham answered the question:
What are the best restaurants in Houston?
To find the best restaurants in Houston, one need not look any further than the Forbes Travel Guide logo. Houston is home to three restaurants that have earned a place among the company's coveted ranks: the Four Seasons Hotel Houston's onsite Four-Star restaurant, Quattro; Olivette, a Forbes Travel Guide Recommended restaurant located within The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa; and The Inn at Dos Brisas, the only Five-Star restaurant in the state of Texas. (It's technically located in Washington, Texas, about an hour's drive out of Houston — but it's definitely worth the drive.)
At Quattro, you'll find a menu filled with Italian American classics served in a modern and chic dining room. Olivette, on the other hand, is known for its contemporary American cuisine and warm Mediterranean décor. For the absolute best experience, though, a visit to The Inn at Dos Brisas is a must; the restaurant sources its tasting menu ingredients straight from the onsite farm that surrounds the restaurant. Texas flavor just doesn't get any fresher.
For modern, creative, absolutely stunning Japanese-inspired food creations, head to James Beard Award Winner Tyson Cole’s Uchi. Whether it’s a menu staple, like the beautifully simple hama chili, a sashimi-style appetizer of baby yellowtail, plump orange wedges, Thai chili and ponzu; the decadently rich bacon tataki of crisped sous-vide pork belly with sheets leaf-shaped dehydrated onion chips; or the refreshingly fragrant cantaloupe and elderflower frozen okashi dessert, Uchi never fails to wow. Reservations are a must if you want a table. Or, get there early to snag one of the sushi bar seats, where you can get a glimpse of the all the action behind the scenes while sipping your sake.
With a wine list boasting premier labels like Chateau Margaux, Screaming Eagle, and Gaja, James Beard-nominated chef Grant Gordon in the kitchen, and the charming Tony Vallone working the floor, the experience of dining at Tony’s is simply superlative. Table-side service of hand-made mozzarella topped with freshly shaved truffles, salt-crusted snapper delivered in flames on a silver platter, and delicate hand-made pastas made with water and flour imported from Italy are just a few of the reasons why dining at Tony’s is always a first class experience.
For the best sushi in Houston, with the best selection of daily specials — everything from live scallop, to Grade A uni (sea urchin) flown in from Santa Barbara, to Bluefin o-toro (fatty tuna) — get a seat at the sushi bar at Kata Robata. Then, sit back and relax with an eight or nine course omakase, or chef’s tasting, by James Beard-nominated, Starchefs Rising Star Chef Manabu Horiuchi. Make sure you ask him to throw in a seared foie gras and scallop sushi, an uni over amaebi (sweet shrimp) sushi, and the seared toro with daikon. Specialty items, like his chawanmushi hot egg custard, octopus carpaccio, or king crab spoons with uni, are also fantastic.
Roberto Castre's Latin Bites restaurant is good enough to rival some of Lima’s most famous chefs. Named Best Peruvian Restaurant two years in a row by the Houston Press, Eater Houston’s Chef of the Year 2011, and Culturemap's winner of the 2013 Last Chef Standing competition creates authentic, beautifully constructed dishes that are as delightful to look at as they are to taste. Start with a ceviche mercado, a trio of colorful causitas, and a creamy tiradito, followed by main courses of lomo saltado and pollo a la parilla. For dessert, indulge in a dessert of house-made caramel-filled alfajores or house-made specialty sorbets to top off what will assuredly be a fine meal.
James Beard Semi-Finalist Hugo Ortega is definitely one chef worth visiting in Houston. Though he oversees Backstreet Cafe, a neighborhood gem serving American fare in River Oaks, it's his eponymous Hugo's that is noteworthy for its authentic regional Mexican cuisine. Sample one of the traditional moles, like the mole de huitlachoche over juicy ribeye, or the mole poblano over braised duck, to get a true sense Mexican cooking at its most authentic.
Other award-winning restaurants around town include James Beard semi-finalist Chris Shepherd of Underbelly, who was also named one of Food and Wine's Best New Chefs; MF Sushi for sushi chef Chris Kinjo's exquisite omakase, or chef's tasting menus; Oxheart for chef Justin Yu's vegetable tasting menu; and The Pass, chef Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan's fine dining, tasting menu-only restaurant.
Finally, for an authentic Jewish deli experience, Kenny & Ziggy’s is the place to go for a piece of tasty nostalgia. Named Best Deli by the Houston Press staff and readership too many years to count, head there for everything from traditional chopped liver, to stuffed-to-the-hilt pastrami sandwiches, to some of the the best lox in the Southwest. The portions are always generous, and the food is always amazing.
