Guidebook for Houston
Sightseeing
Exactly what it sounds like: a house made of beer can. Houston has a great folk art scene, and this is an iconic member. Walking distance.
75 locals recommend
Beer Can House
222 Malone StExactly what it sounds like: a house made of beer can. Houston has a great folk art scene, and this is an iconic member. Walking distance.
The annual Art Car parade shows off the creativity of Houstonians and their love of cars. This museum showcases some cars that have been transformed from your average sedan into crafted art pieces.
130 locals recommend
Art Car Museum
140 Heights BlvdThe annual Art Car parade shows off the creativity of Houstonians and their love of cars. This museum showcases some cars that have been transformed from your average sedan into crafted art pieces.
An urban bat colony. At dusk, up to 300,000 bats head out for their nightly feedings.
77 locals recommend
Waugh Drive Bat Colony
Waugh DriveAn urban bat colony. At dusk, up to 300,000 bats head out for their nightly feedings.
Arts & Culture
One of the best museums in town is also the cheapest (free!) Impressionist, modern, and ancient arts are some of the highlights here. Or bring a blanket and enjoy the peaceful surrounds.
491 locals recommend
The Menil Collection
1533 Sul Ross StOne of the best museums in town is also the cheapest (free!) Impressionist, modern, and ancient arts are some of the highlights here. Or bring a blanket and enjoy the peaceful surrounds.
Dinosaurs, IMAX, planetarium, and butterflies
863 locals recommend
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park DrDinosaurs, IMAX, planetarium, and butterflies
Entertainment & Activities
For a casual night out, this complex has an Edwards Movie Theater (w/ IMAX!), Dave & Busters, Improv Comedy, and a bunch of casual eateries.
24 locals recommend
Marq-E Entertainment Center
7620 Katy FwyFor a casual night out, this complex has an Edwards Movie Theater (w/ IMAX!), Dave & Busters, Improv Comedy, and a bunch of casual eateries.
A peaceful oasis in the city. Enjoy a calming stroll through the Arboretum or explore the local biomes in the Eastern Glades. You'll also find tennis, golf, mountain biking and a jogging trail. Check the calendar for festivals and activities.
233 locals recommend
Memorial Park
6501 Memorial DrA peaceful oasis in the city. Enjoy a calming stroll through the Arboretum or explore the local biomes in the Eastern Glades. You'll also find tennis, golf, mountain biking and a jogging trail. Check the calendar for festivals and activities.
Shopping
Manready Mercantile
321 W 19th StMenswear and home goods made in the USA
Jubilee in the Heights
325 W 19th StWomen's fashion and accessories and home goods
This massive mall has it all. Top designers (McQueen, D&G) and everyday stores like Macy's and J. Crew are here. Fuel up the Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack or more gourmet spots like Yatchuta or Oceanaire. There's even a skating rink where Tara Lapinski once practiced.
1869 locals recommend
The Galleria
5085 Westheimer RdThis massive mall has it all. Top designers (McQueen, D&G) and everyday stores like Macy's and J. Crew are here. Fuel up the Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack or more gourmet spots like Yatchuta or Oceanaire. There's even a skating rink where Tara Lapinski once practiced.
This nearby shopping area has great boutiques, casual cafes, trendy restaurants, and classy bars. A great place to spend a few hours and wander about.
19 locals recommend
M-K-T
600 N Shepherd DrThis nearby shopping area has great boutiques, casual cafes, trendy restaurants, and classy bars. A great place to spend a few hours and wander about.
Favorite Restaurants
This has some of your favorite foods, taken up a notch. Enjoy some sliders on the upstairs deck.
39 locals recommend
Urban Eats
3414 Washington AveThis has some of your favorite foods, taken up a notch. Enjoy some sliders on the upstairs deck.
Great food in an intimate atmosphere. Share a bottle of bubbly at brunch!
113 locals recommend
MAX's Wine Dive
4720 Washington AveGreat food in an intimate atmosphere. Share a bottle of bubbly at brunch!
Small neighborhood restaurant with a southern influence. Great food and wine.
6 locals recommend
Elliot's Table
465 T C Jester BlvdSmall neighborhood restaurant with a southern influence. Great food and wine.
Some of the best BBQ in Texas is served here. The wait in line is worth it for the tender brisket and savory sausage.
61 locals recommend
Truth BBQ
110 S Heights BlvdSome of the best BBQ in Texas is served here. The wait in line is worth it for the tender brisket and savory sausage.
Just across Washington is one of Houston's favorite Mexican restaurants. Famous for their fajitas and margaritas, it's hard to go wrong here!
123 locals recommend
El Tiempo Cantina - Washington
5602 Washington AveJust across Washington is one of Houston's favorite Mexican restaurants. Famous for their fajitas and margaritas, it's hard to go wrong here!
This casual restaurants has plenty of tasty sandwiches and salads. Reward yourself afterwards with some ice cream at the Cloud 10 Creamery nearby.
56 locals recommend
Local Foods Heights
714 Yale StThis casual restaurants has plenty of tasty sandwiches and salads. Reward yourself afterwards with some ice cream at the Cloud 10 Creamery nearby.
There's usually a wait on the weekends, but it's worth it for out-of-this-world pancake options. There's a daily creation, or go for one of the classics. Creative cocktails as well. Insider's tip: You can join the waitlist via Yelp if you want to avoid the line.
179 locals recommend
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
3217 Montrose BlvdThere's usually a wait on the weekends, but it's worth it for out-of-this-world pancake options. There's a daily creation, or go for one of the classics. Creative cocktails as well. Insider's tip: You can join the waitlist via Yelp if you want to avoid the line.
Wonderful local coffee shop sure to please the most critical connoisseurs.
85 locals recommend
Catalina Coffee
2201 Washington AveWonderful local coffee shop sure to please the most critical connoisseurs.
Cheap Eats
You'll find some creative tacos here. Chicken Tikka Masala and the smothered tots are crowd favorites.
137 locals recommend
Velvet Taco
4819 Washington AveYou'll find some creative tacos here. Chicken Tikka Masala and the smothered tots are crowd favorites.
Grab a heaping bowl of steaming noodles here. A good variety of broths, including pork, chicken and vegan.
8 locals recommend
Samurai Noodle
1801 Durham DrGrab a heaping bowl of steaming noodles here. A good variety of broths, including pork, chicken and vegan.
This Cuban joint is a Houston staple. Grab some street-style tacos, cubano sandwich, and/or plantains. Open late.
40 locals recommend
El Rey Taqueria
233 N Loop WThis Cuban joint is a Houston staple. Grab some street-style tacos, cubano sandwich, and/or plantains. Open late.
You've might have had pho (Vietnamese soup) before, but not like this. You can taste the time and effort put into each bowl. Beef, chicken and vegan options are served. Adventurous eaters should try the bone marrow (if available!)
11 locals recommend
LES NOO'DLE
1717 Montrose BlvdYou've might have had pho (Vietnamese soup) before, but not like this. You can taste the time and effort put into each bowl. Beef, chicken and vegan options are served. Adventurous eaters should try the bone marrow (if available!)
Order one of their specialty pizzas, or create your own. And there's usually a special on Mondays (save $$ on food/wine). Plus there's a free Pac-Man machine!
19 locals recommend
Luna Pizzeria
3435 Kirby DrOrder one of their specialty pizzas, or create your own. And there's usually a special on Mondays (save $$ on food/wine). Plus there's a free Pac-Man machine!
Get caffeinated at this neighborhood coffee shop. Your favorite coffees and a wide selection of teas are served.
6 locals recommend
The Yellow Cup
6001 Washington AveGet caffeinated at this neighborhood coffee shop. Your favorite coffees and a wide selection of teas are served.
A casual counter service restaurant with comfort food favorites. Great breakfast options too.
67 locals recommend
Black Walnut Cafe
5510 Morningside DrA casual counter service restaurant with comfort food favorites. Great breakfast options too.
This Portland import slings doughnuts 24-7. Satisfy your sweet tooth at any hour.
41 locals recommend
Voodoo Doughnut
3715 Washington AveThis Portland import slings doughnuts 24-7. Satisfy your sweet tooth at any hour.
This former food truck takes the humble grilled cheese sandwich to new levels. Your patience is rewarded with a tummy full of goodness.
Twisted Grilled Cheese
5555 Washington AvenueThis former food truck takes the humble grilled cheese sandwich to new levels. Your patience is rewarded with a tummy full of goodness.
Expect a wait at this mecca for burger lovers. Extra crispy smash burgers are their specialties. Excellent fried and premium shakes complete the experience. Go. You won't regret it.
Burger Bodega
Expect a wait at this mecca for burger lovers. Extra crispy smash burgers are their specialties. Excellent fried and premium shakes complete the experience. Go. You won't regret it.
Pho Ben
Quality Vietnamese food for a fair price. Drop in for a quick and satisfying meal!
Bars
Casual hill-country themed bar has an expansive patio, and solid bar food and drinks.
20 locals recommend
Canyon Creek
6603 Westcott StCasual hill-country themed bar has an expansive patio, and solid bar food and drinks.
This neighborhood bar has great drinks, and a large patio. Food trucks are often on site. There's a drink special when the train goes by.
9 locals recommend
NettBar
4504 Nett StThis neighborhood bar has great drinks, and a large patio. Food trucks are often on site. There's a drink special when the train goes by.
A great place to see and be seen with an excellent drink menu. Trendy but not too trendy.
21 locals recommend
Handlebar
5219 Washington AveA great place to see and be seen with an excellent drink menu. Trendy but not too trendy.
TVs are all around this sports bar. But the party really starts after the game is over.
59 locals recommend
Clutch Bar
5334 Washington AveTVs are all around this sports bar. But the party really starts after the game is over.
Another great neighborhood bar with a large patio, great drink, and good bites.
32 locals recommend
Down the Street
5746 Larkin StAnother great neighborhood bar with a large patio, great drink, and good bites.
Houston's quintessential cocktail bar. The expansive has everything from the classics to more experimental fare. Not a place for vodka-Redbulls.
214 locals recommend
Anvil Bar & Refuge
1424 Westheimer RdHouston's quintessential cocktail bar. The expansive has everything from the classics to more experimental fare. Not a place for vodka-Redbulls.