Next week I am going to be in Houston to speak at the Mom 2.0 Summit. I’m very excited to go although I don’t think I’m that great of a public speaker so we’ll see how that part goes. Lots of my favorite people will be there and I’m excited to have an entire weekend to talk about blogging! It still isn’t too late to sign up.
I’m also very excited to see Houston because I’ve never been there {airports don’t count right?). I don’t think I’ll have a lot of time to explore but if you were only going to see/do/eat one or two things in Houston what would you do? What is not to be missed?
photo via jeremey.
CLH
February 12, 2009
Definitely don’t miss the Rothko Chapel, and give yourself enough time there to really be still and take it all in.
And Austin’s Continental Club has an outpost in Houston if you want a beer and some live, local music.
ANNE
February 12, 2009
I loved the Space Center, but I’m a nerd like that.
Kimberly
February 12, 2009
The Rothko Chapel is absolutely my favorite spot to visit in Houston. If you only have time for one stop, this is a must.
I *Heart* You
February 12, 2009
The museum district and Rothko are cool. A far as restaurants there are a billion. Dinner or brunch at Benjy’s on Washington, Shade on 19th street in The Heights for a great lunch, Reef in Midtown for some fancy seafood, The Ragin Cajun on Richmond for some good ol’ Southern crawfish, Goode Co. Bar-B-Que and for some ribs and a beer at the Armadillo Palace across the street, Chuy’s for Tex-Mex, PH Design on Shepherd for cute cards and paper, a cocktail and a movie at the River Oaks movie theatre, Sloan Hall and Kuhl-Linscomb for 10 million expensive gorgeous things you never knew you couldn’t live without.
Houston is my hometown! Hope you enjoy your stay!
Aharon Hill
February 12, 2009
Yet another reason that I am lamenting domino magazine’s fate is their city shopping guides. http://www.dominomag.com/resources/guide/houston/shop_houston
e.bane
February 12, 2009
Wow, there are so many things to do here. If it is a nice day, then I like going to Hermann Park, feeding the ducks, visting the butterfly museum, maybe take in a show under the stars (stay away from the zoo-parking is out for another month) or Memorial Park and the Arboretum. Rice University has some really neat architecture to look at and photgraph. Likewise, the Heights is alot of fun to drive around and ogle. The new Discovery Green downtown is pretty fun, as is Chinatown on the west side of the loop. If you want to wander and look at fabric, High Fashion is fun. If you want to wander and look at wine, Spec’s downtown is fun. If you want to look at fun clothes, don’t miss Lot 8 in the Village. Vintage shopping is best done at Bluebird circle or in the Montrose area-cap off with a slice of cake from Empire Cafe. And, of course, Central Market and the lovely freebies-I hear this weekend is chocolate weekend. Alot of folks also like running or biking by the bayou, but that’s not my favorite. We do have TONS of great restaraunts to choose from. Have fun, welcome to our town.
CheyneCuts&Collects
February 12, 2009
MUSEUMS.
and beware the wet air!
CheyneCuts&Collects
February 12, 2009
MUSEUMS.
and beware the wet air!
Stephanie
February 12, 2009
I love the Rothko Chapel and the Menil Collection–they are very close to each other so you could visit both on the same afternoon. Nearby there is the best climbing tree you’ve ever seen. Make sure you give it a whirl and take a picture.
I also love the South American/Central American restaurant Churrascos on Westheimer Ave. The cowhide exterior is tres bizarre but the food is delicious.
Laura
February 12, 2009
Benjy’s restaurant in Rice Village — http://www.benjys.com/. I have a feeling you’ll really like it, and if you are able to make to brunch on the weekend I highly recommend it. (try to get there early or have a reservation) Seriously yummy!
Liss @ Ordinary Exultations
February 12, 2009
The weather has been beautiful here, so something outside and downtown! Check out Memorial Park or the new Discovery Green near the George R. Brown convention center. The museum district is fun to just walk around.
My favorite place to eat downtown is Coco’s on West Gray. It’s a crepe place. I recommend the nutella and strawberry dessert crepe. They also have savory crepes and flavored tea. Yum!
Laura
February 12, 2009
Someone suggested the Benjy’s on Washington but I think the one in Rice Village would be good if you are planning to go to Rice Village (which includes Lot 8) or the museum district. The one on Washington would be better if you were planning to head into the Heights afterwards, though. I also agree on Chuy’s (located on Westheimer)for Tex-Mex or Cafe Red Onion on Kirby near 59 (latin fusion, map here: http://www.caferedonion.com/kirby.html) and that the Heights is a neat area to visit. Weather has been gorgeous lately so Hermann Park, the zoo, museums would be great because they’re within walking distance of each other and near the light rail which would take you back downtown.
DangAndBlast!
February 12, 2009
Goode Co. BBQ is the one to have, although Pappas' is OK. (The entire Pappas chain of restaurants is pretty good, but not cheap.) You can always come visit me at the Texas & Local History branch of the library downtown! 🙂
Sarah
February 12, 2009
I*Heart*You said it best. I am a lifelong Houstonian and she hit all the great spots! But if it’s especially beautiful(which it is supposed to be!), Onion Creek (in the Heights) is the best lazy day with a great beer place. And if you’re looking for character, spend some time in the Montrose/Heights area. P.S. Depending on where you’re staying, you’ll need a car to most anywhere. Yes, the weather and the lack of public transit – Houston’s achilles heel.
Sara E. Cotner
February 12, 2009
And Amy’s Ice Cream!
Seriously. The. Best.
My favorite is Mexican Vanilla with cookie dough and cinnamon mixed in.
amy
February 12, 2009
The museums! Rothko Chapel is somehow amazing & the Menil Collection – right near each other. Lots of cool vintage/thrift shops somewhere downtown!
erin
February 12, 2009
I’m not from Houston, so I’m no expert, but when our company opened our Houston office two years ago, I got to spend my first weekend there. Our company’s founder was very familiar with the city by then, and she recommended we visit Kuhl-Linscomb. It was worth the trip. We don’t have anything like this place in New Orleans. It’s a high-end design and lifestyle store with a great mix of products – great for gifts too!
Let us know if you ever come to New Orleans. I’ll have lots of first-hand advice to share!
Mia
February 12, 2009
I fourth? fifth? the museum district. The area around Hermann Park, the museums and the fountain is my favorite area of Houston.
k8theriver
February 12, 2009
you don’t get elected student body president without good public speaking abilities.
Petit Elefant
February 13, 2009
Your comments are a great resource! I’m coming to Mom 2.0 as well and I can’t wait to meet you. And now it looks like I have some great Saturday night activities to choose from.
Kelly
February 13, 2009
Your commenters have it right.
Agree with the museum district recs. You have to eat either barbque or Mexican food. And yes, Kuhl-Linscomb is a delight.
airstreamdiva
February 13, 2009
Yay! Houston rocks!
some of these are repeats:
1. Fabric and home decor: High Fashion Home
2. food and alcohol wonderland: Specs
3. the zoo & Herman park.
4. eats: brasil (try the pizza, sit on the patio), empire cafe (try the dessert, sit on the patio), Original Ninfas (lines out the door on but they move fast… and the margaritas are incredible, also sit on the patio), Onion Creek for beer and…..patio. See a theme here? 🙂
5. Time for a show? go to the opera!
Have fun and enjoy our fair city in the best season to visit!
Claire
February 13, 2009
Hey Jordan
Now this is a topic I know about.
The Menil Collection is in my top 5 museums in the world. The Renzo Piano building is proof that great architecture does not have to be grand.
You should check out my alma mater, Rice University, the campus is beautiful and centrally located and is a very nice place to walk.
Shopping!
The couple that owns Brasil also own one of my very favorite boutiques anywhere, Raye, next door.
There is also a great cowboy junk shop near the original Barnaby’s cafe. He is only open a couple days a week. Ask around.
e.earnest
February 13, 2009
I’m so glad you’re coming to Houston!
The Museum District is a great place – and it backs up to Rice University / Rice Village – so you could spend your day taking in Rothko Chapel and all the other surrounding beauty.
If you’re thinking of something a bit more unconventional – I recommend checking out “The Orange Show” and the “Beer Can House” – both would make for great photos – and also can speak to you in ways similar to being silent in the Rothko Chapel. The Orange Show was built as a tribute to the orange – and the man who built it spent his life building this place – it’s quite impressive – and very carnival-esque. Today, a wonderful group keeps it glistening – the same group that puts on the Art Car Parade in Houston each year.
http://www.orangeshow.org
Jonathan, Bethany & Carter
February 13, 2009
Definitely check out the canals. We spend our honeymoon there and found some great restaurants “under” the city 🙂 have fun!
Jonathan, Bethany & Carter
February 13, 2009
Definitely check out the canals. We spend our honeymoon there and found some great restaurants “under” the city 🙂 have fun!
Anonymous
February 15, 2009
Just get Jenny, the bloggess to take you around town. Be careful though, I hear she a heavy drinker! 🙂
Kelley
February 17, 2009
Please don’t miss the Menil museum – it’s small – beautiful – free – and in the middle of everything. I can’t wait to hear how the trip went !
Patricia Zapata
February 20, 2009
It was great meeting you today Jordan! I didn’t realize that I have visited your blog before. Love it.
imelda
February 24, 2009
It was great meeting you Jordan! Did you enjoy Houston?
PS: Also loved that you used a friend of mine’s photo. I must point that out to Jeremey.