Houston Area Guidebook
Neighborhoods
LGBT+ friendly
Offbeat neighborhood known for its gay bars, vintage stores and eclectic mix of eateries, which range from quaint cafes to Mexican cantinas and Mediterranean bistros. It’s also home to hip indie art galleries and the octagonal Rothko Chapel, featuring huge abstract murals by its namesake artist. With its downtown skyline views, Eleanor Tinsley Park is a popular spot for picnics and sand volleyball.
117 locals recommend
Montrose
LGBT+ friendly
Offbeat neighborhood known for its gay bars, vintage stores and eclectic mix of eateries, which range from quaint cafes to Mexican cantinas and Mediterranean bistros. It’s also home to hip indie art galleries and the octagonal Rothko Chapel, featuring huge abstract murals by its namesake artist. With its downtown skyline views, Eleanor Tinsley Park is a popular spot for picnics and sand volleyball.
Where Beyonce grew up!
Museums nearby
Local eateries up and down Almeda
30 locals recommend
Greater Third Ward
Where Beyonce grew up!
Museums nearby
Local eateries up and down Almeda
Bike trail
Bayous
Northwest of Downtown sits a section of historic neighborhoods that date back to the late 1800s. Residents once flocked to the area to escape the big city, but today it’s home to diverse Houstonians that are drawn to its rich and character-filled architecture, mom and pop-type shops and funky restaurants.
Find something you never knew you wanted at one of 19th Street’s quaint boutiques. Thrift stores, antique havens, and cafes prove to be popular at the Heights-strip. Stop by for the “First Saturday Arts Market” on the first Saturday of each month for live music, crafts, plants and artwork
227 locals recommend
Houston Heights
Bike trail
Bayous
Northwest of Downtown sits a section of historic neighborhoods that date back to the late 1800s. Residents once flocked to the area to escape the big city, but today it’s home to diverse Houstonians that are drawn to its rich and character-filled architecture, mom and pop-type shops and funky restaurants.
Find something you never knew you wanted at one of 19th Street’s quaint boutiques. Thrift stores, antique havens, and cafes prove to be popular at the Heights-strip. Stop by for the “First Saturday Arts Market” on the first Saturday of each month for live music, crafts, plants and artwork
East Downtown
Jogging trails
Restaurants galore
Rice Village is known for its many small and eclectic shops and boutiques. Recent expansion in the area has also brought in high-end clothing stores and the nationwide retail venues.
379 locals recommend
Rice Village
2376 Rice BoulevardRice Village is known for its many small and eclectic shops and boutiques. Recent expansion in the area has also brought in high-end clothing stores and the nationwide retail venues.
Downtown is a bustling business hub and home to major attractions like the Houston Aquarium, with touch pools and a shark tank. It also has a vibrant theater scene, with the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts presenting musicals and dance shows. Large-scale sporting events and concerts take place at the Toyota Center. Local dining includes upscale grills, casual taquerias and sushi spots.
325 locals recommend
Downtown Houston
Downtown is a bustling business hub and home to major attractions like the Houston Aquarium, with touch pools and a shark tank. It also has a vibrant theater scene, with the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts presenting musicals and dance shows. Large-scale sporting events and concerts take place at the Toyota Center. Local dining includes upscale grills, casual taquerias and sushi spots.
Known for its popular bar and nightlife scene, the area also enjoys a thriving dining culture and a diverse range of retail and entertainment options.
304 locals recommend
Midtown
Known for its popular bar and nightlife scene, the area also enjoys a thriving dining culture and a diverse range of retail and entertainment options.
River Oaks is a leafy residential area with palatial homes and the River Oaks Shopping Center, known for its upscale stores and eclectic global restaurants. The art deco River Oaks Theatre shows indie and foreign films, and Rienzi, an opulent outpost of the Museum of Fine Arts, displays European paintings, miniatures and ceramics. Well-heeled clients indulge beauty services at the area's luxe spas and salons
124 locals recommend
River Oaks
River Oaks is a leafy residential area with palatial homes and the River Oaks Shopping Center, known for its upscale stores and eclectic global restaurants. The art deco River Oaks Theatre shows indie and foreign films, and Rienzi, an opulent outpost of the Museum of Fine Arts, displays European paintings, miniatures and ceramics. Well-heeled clients indulge beauty services at the area's luxe spas and salons
Sightseeing
Houston Museum District
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
3816 Caroline StThe Galleria
5085 Westheimer RdUpscale shopping vibes
Downtown Aquarium
410 Bagby StDiscovery Green
1500 McKinney StMemorial Park
6501 Memorial DrWalk or ride around the whole park!
Hermann Park
6001 Fannin StRice University
6100 Main StThe Menil Collection
1533 Sul Ross StThe Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Beck Building
1001 Bissonnet StTake pics by the waterfall and the iron building door next to the waterfall.
73 locals recommend
Waterwall
2800 Post Oak BlvdTake pics by the waterfall and the iron building door next to the waterfall.
Food scene
Axelrad Beer Garden
1517 Alabama St
Lucille's
5512 La Branch StTurkey Leg Hut
4830 Almeda RdThe Breakfast Klub
3711 Travis St
Theodore Rex
1302 Nance StBarnaby's Cafe
414 W Gray StBar 5015
5015 Almeda Rd
Karbach Brewing
2032 Karbach StSaint Arnold Brewing Company
2000 Lyons AveTruck Yard
2118 Lamar StVelvet Taco
4819 Washington AveThe Doshi House
3419 Emancipation AveClose coffee spot
a'Bouzy
2300 Westheimer RdCandente
4306 Yoakum BlvdBustling mexican food scene!
Legendary place for mexican food close to unit.
265 locals recommend
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
2704 Navigation BlvdLegendary place for mexican food close to unit.
El Tiempo Cantina- Richmond
3130 Richmond AveGreat fajitas and strong margaritas.
Davis Street at Hermann Park
5925 Almeda RdRodeo Goat
2105 Dallas StHouse-ground burgers!
Traveler advice
Getting around
Rideshare
Rideshare if visiting city attractions (Uber, Lyft, etc)
Don't miss
City golf courses
Gus Wortham, Memorial Park, Herman Park
Getting around
Grocery store
HEB is ~1.5 miles away if you need any quick groceries