Guidebook for Houston
Everything Else
George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida De Las AmericasWalkable from rental.
Warehouse Live
2600 St Emanuel StLIve music venue. Walkable from location.
Cute little city park with dog run. There are outdoor concerts, bingo nights, and movie nights throughout the Spring and Summer. There is a Greek food place that has decent food under a mist patio.
96 locals recommend
Market Square Park
301 Milam StCute little city park with dog run. There are outdoor concerts, bingo nights, and movie nights throughout the Spring and Summer. There is a Greek food place that has decent food under a mist patio.
Right across the street and has a walk in fee of around $10. It is a very loud place so you may want to grab some ear plugs that I provide in your room.
6 locals recommend
Be Fit Gym
1601 Rusk StRight across the street and has a walk in fee of around $10. It is a very loud place so you may want to grab some ear plugs that I provide in your room.
Location of the famous Houston Livestock and Rodeo. There is a convention center that hosts some of the largest meet-ups the city hosts. Also home to the Nutcracker Market which is holiday shopping out of control!
NRG Park station
Location of the famous Houston Livestock and Rodeo. There is a convention center that hosts some of the largest meet-ups the city hosts. Also home to the Nutcracker Market which is holiday shopping out of control!
Parks & Nature
Great park. Walkable from rental. Activities like Zumba, canoe rental, and carriage rides make this a popular spot on the weekends.
933 locals recommend
Discovery Green
1500 McKinney StGreat park. Walkable from rental. Activities like Zumba, canoe rental, and carriage rides make this a popular spot on the weekends.
New crown jewel of Houston parks. Long walking and biking paths along the Bayou interspersed with art, a dog park, a restaurant, and the location to watch the bats at dusk at Waugh Bridge. Highly recommended for a stroll if the weather is nice.
549 locals recommend
Buffalo Bayou Park
Memorial DriveNew crown jewel of Houston parks. Long walking and biking paths along the Bayou interspersed with art, a dog park, a restaurant, and the location to watch the bats at dusk at Waugh Bridge. Highly recommended for a stroll if the weather is nice.
Texas's largest urban park, here you will find a top-rated municipal 18-hole golf course, as well as facilities for tennis, softball, swimming, track, croquet, volleyball, in-line skating, cycling, and a popular three-mile running course. In addition to the many trails the park is host to several softball/baseball fields, as well as a soccer/football filed. The park is also host to Houston's annual Bayou City Art Festival. The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is located here too.
246 locals recommend
Washington Avenue
Washington AvenueTexas's largest urban park, here you will find a top-rated municipal 18-hole golf course, as well as facilities for tennis, softball, swimming, track, croquet, volleyball, in-line skating, cycling, and a popular three-mile running course. In addition to the many trails the park is host to several softball/baseball fields, as well as a soccer/football filed. The park is also host to Houston's annual Bayou City Art Festival. The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is located here too.
Entertainment & Activities
Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford StHome of the Astros. Walkable from location.
Toyota Center
1510 Polk StConcert and Rockets venue. Walkable from rental.
Dynamo and Dash soccer as well as concerts and events. Two blocks from rental.
293 locals recommend
BBVA Compass Stadium
2200 Texas AveDynamo and Dash soccer as well as concerts and events. Two blocks from rental.
NRG Stadium
NRG ParkwayHome of the Houston Texans Football team.
Many improvements have been made to make this one of the most animal friendly zoos. Habitats have either been remodeled to replicate natural environment or are scheduled to be made so in the next ten years.
1102 locals recommend
Houston Zoo
6200 Hermann Park DrMany improvements have been made to make this one of the most animal friendly zoos. Habitats have either been remodeled to replicate natural environment or are scheduled to be made so in the next ten years.
Food Scene
Great BBQ. When they sell out of items they close for the day. Worth getting there at lunch. Walkable from rental.
11 locals recommend
Pappa Charlies Barbeque
2012 Rusk StreetGreat BBQ. When they sell out of items they close for the day. Worth getting there at lunch. Walkable from rental.
Sports bar with surprisingly good food. Try the Bad-ass Chicken Pizza. Walkable from rental.
58 locals recommend
Lucky's Pub
1800 Texas AvenueSports bar with surprisingly good food. Try the Bad-ass Chicken Pizza. Walkable from rental.
Consistently named one of Houston's best Vietnamese restaurants. No alcohol served but you can bring your own wine. Walkable from rental.
76 locals recommend
Huynh Restaurant
912 St Emanuel StConsistently named one of Houston's best Vietnamese restaurants. No alcohol served but you can bring your own wine. Walkable from rental.
Pizza Hut
906 St Emanuel StTake out and delivery. Walkable from rental.
Coffee place with good food. Great deserts. Sketchy area so best to drive.
167 locals recommend
Tout Suite
2001 Commerce StCoffee place with good food. Great deserts. Sketchy area so best to drive.
Popular Vietnamese place. Large menu and large portions. Decor and food better than what the place looks from outside. Good place to go if in a hurry. Short drive from rental.
31 locals recommend
Kim Son
2001 Jefferson StPopular Vietnamese place. Large menu and large portions. Decor and food better than what the place looks from outside. Good place to go if in a hurry. Short drive from rental.
Highly recommended for it's food and value. Short drive. Was lunch only for many years but is now open in evenings. Check online for hours before going.
22 locals recommend
District 7 Grill Midtown
501 Pierce StHighly recommended for it's food and value. Short drive. Was lunch only for many years but is now open in evenings. Check online for hours before going.
Homemade gourmet hot dogs (Pheasant, duck, bison...) Nationally recognized. Outdoor eating only. Massive amounts of beer on draft. Short drive away from rental.
120 locals recommend
Moon Tower Inn
3004 Canal StHomemade gourmet hot dogs (Pheasant, duck, bison...) Nationally recognized. Outdoor eating only. Massive amounts of beer on draft. Short drive away from rental.
Where Martha Stewart eats when she comes to town. Good Tex-mex. High end prices. Usually a wait for a table.
265 locals recommend
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
2704 Navigation BlvdWhere Martha Stewart eats when she comes to town. Good Tex-mex. High end prices. Usually a wait for a table.
One of the many famous Lorenzo's Tex-mex restaurants. Good prices. Large portions. Fun atmosphere.
97 locals recommend
El Tiempo Cantina - Navigation
2814 Navigation BlvdOne of the many famous Lorenzo's Tex-mex restaurants. Good prices. Large portions. Fun atmosphere.
High end restaurant with bar. Located within the park. Good place to sit on patio and have a snack and drink while people watching. Walkable from rental.
36 locals recommend
The Grove
1611 Lamar StHigh end restaurant with bar. Located within the park. Good place to sit on patio and have a snack and drink while people watching. Walkable from rental.
Great food in the higher price range but still good value. Known for their Battered Asparagus.
15 locals recommend
Hearsay on the Green
1515 Dallas StGreat food in the higher price range but still good value. Known for their Battered Asparagus.
Tex-mex. Good food but priced above other Pappasito's since it is in the Hilton.
201 locals recommend
Pappasito's Cantina
2515 S Loop WTex-mex. Good food but priced above other Pappasito's since it is in the Hilton.
Listed a few years back as the best place to meet a millionaire (that title has now moved to Brasserie 19.) Top notch food and people watching. Live music at times in the bar.
77 locals recommend
Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse
1510 Texas AveListed a few years back as the best place to meet a millionaire (that title has now moved to Brasserie 19.) Top notch food and people watching. Live music at times in the bar.
Amazing food and drinks. And a nice burlesque show that is a dinner only show. Try the pot roast. Reservations are highly recommended.
35 locals recommend
Prohibition Theatre
2118 Lamar StreetAmazing food and drinks. And a nice burlesque show that is a dinner only show. Try the pot roast. Reservations are highly recommended.
Middle-of-the-road BBQ but handy with a drive thru and nice if a quick meal is needed as it is counter service.
103 locals recommend
Pappas Bar-B-Q
1217 Pierce StMiddle-of-the-road BBQ but handy with a drive thru and nice if a quick meal is needed as it is counter service.
Great steaks and seafood. Nice to take someone you want to impress for work or that special night out.
70 locals recommend
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
5839 Westheimer RdGreat steaks and seafood. Nice to take someone you want to impress for work or that special night out.
Nice place for breakfast or brunch. Limited menu but food is good. Also a great place for a glass of wine or cup of coffee after work.
130 locals recommend
Boomtown Coffee
242 W 19th StNice place for breakfast or brunch. Limited menu but food is good. Also a great place for a glass of wine or cup of coffee after work.
Love to dance? This place has live music and an active dance floor. The food is okay - nothing special - but ones goes mainly for the music and chance to shake a groove thing.
34 locals recommend
Sambucca Houston
909 Texas AveLove to dance? This place has live music and an active dance floor. The food is okay - nothing special - but ones goes mainly for the music and chance to shake a groove thing.
Interesting Mexican food dishes. Tons of infused tequilas. Nice place to sit on the balcony and enjoy a blueberry jalapeno cilantro margarita.
21 locals recommend
El Big Bad
419 Travis StInteresting Mexican food dishes. Tons of infused tequilas. Nice place to sit on the balcony and enjoy a blueberry jalapeno cilantro margarita.
Bombay Pizza Co.
914 Main StAmazing fusion pizza.
Nice South American themed restaurant. Be sure to try the Aioli Fries.
8 locals recommend
The Springbok Is Now BirdDog Saint
711 Main StNice South American themed restaurant. Be sure to try the Aioli Fries.
Large selection of beer and knowledgeable waitstaff to help you choose. Loud inside and crowded, but if you want a late bite and are adventurous, try the Hippy Hollow sandwich.
61 locals recommend
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
705 Main StLarge selection of beer and knowledgeable waitstaff to help you choose. Loud inside and crowded, but if you want a late bite and are adventurous, try the Hippy Hollow sandwich.
Better Sushi than Azuma's. Not as good as Uchi. Priced accordingly.
Crave Sushi Catering and Delivery
2900 Travis StBetter Sushi than Azuma's. Not as good as Uchi. Priced accordingly.
Good suchi. A little over priced. Very handy to downtown activities.
7 locals recommend
Azuma Downtown
909 Texas AveGood suchi. A little over priced. Very handy to downtown activities.
Nice little coffee place in the lower level of the Rice Lofts (formerly the Rice Hotel where JFK spent his last night.)
13 locals recommend
Minuti Coffee
909 Texas AveNice little coffee place in the lower level of the Rice Lofts (formerly the Rice Hotel where JFK spent his last night.)
Great lunch spot in the Heights. Seasonal menu and award winning chef.
10 locals recommend
Zelko Bistro
705 E 11th StGreat lunch spot in the Heights. Seasonal menu and award winning chef.
A chef and restaurant that has made the top lists of countless food publications. Spendy but worth it. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended.
61 locals recommend
Underbelly
1100 Westheimer RoadA chef and restaurant that has made the top lists of countless food publications. Spendy but worth it. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended.
Italian food at it's best. Dress code and reservations as this is a high end spot. Great Sunday brunch.
7 locals recommend
Tony Mandola's Gulf Coast Kitchen
1212 Waugh DrItalian food at it's best. Dress code and reservations as this is a high end spot. Great Sunday brunch.
Best seafood place in Houston. Ran by Iron Chef contestant Bryan Caswell. One of my favorite places.
35 locals recommend
Reef
2600 Travis StBest seafood place in Houston. Ran by Iron Chef contestant Bryan Caswell. One of my favorite places.
Two restaurant concepts under one roof and both done extremely well. 2013 10 Best New Restaurants according to Bon Appetit. Houston hot-spot. Reservations recommended.
19 locals recommend
The Pass & Provisions
807 Taft StTwo restaurant concepts under one roof and both done extremely well. 2013 10 Best New Restaurants according to Bon Appetit. Houston hot-spot. Reservations recommended.
Multiple tasting menues only. Reservations only. And well in advance. This is the hardest place in town to get into but worth it.
75 locals recommend
Oxheart
1302 Nance StMultiple tasting menues only. Reservations only. And well in advance. This is the hardest place in town to get into but worth it.
Headed to the park for a picnic? Pick up food here at this gourmet sandwich shop. Also good dinner menu.
33 locals recommend
Local Foods
2555 Kirby DrHeaded to the park for a picnic? Pick up food here at this gourmet sandwich shop. Also good dinner menu.
Kiran's
2925 Richmond AveAmazing fusion Indian-French-American food.
Indika
516 Westheimer RdBest Indian food in town. Nice place.
Great seasonal menu. Known for wine guru Shepard Ross's wine parings.
11 locals recommend
Glass Wall Restaurant
933 Studewood StGreat seasonal menu. Known for wine guru Shepard Ross's wine parings.
Dolce Vita Pizzeria Enoteca
500 Westheimer RdCharming Italian food restaurant. Good date spot.
One of my favorite places with farm-to-table food. They take no reservations but there are fun places to hang out close by as they give you a beeper for when your table is ready.
135 locals recommend
Coltivare Pizza & Garden
3320 White Oak DrOne of my favorite places with farm-to-table food. They take no reservations but there are fun places to hang out close by as they give you a beeper for when your table is ready.
Hands down my favorite place to hang out on a pretty day. Good seasonal menu. Lovely outdoor patio. Great people watching. And they are dog friendly!
62 locals recommend
Backstreet Cafe
1103 S Shepherd DrHands down my favorite place to hang out on a pretty day. Good seasonal menu. Lovely outdoor patio. Great people watching. And they are dog friendly!
Over the top pretentious, but it was on Forbes list for where to meet a millionaire. There is better food in Houston but no where is there a better place to compare plastic surgeons handwork.
54 locals recommend
Brasserie 19
1962 W Gray StOver the top pretentious, but it was on Forbes list for where to meet a millionaire. There is better food in Houston but no where is there a better place to compare plastic surgeons handwork.
Nice tapas place. Live music on many nights. Great patio for outdoor dinning.
33 locals recommend
Batanga
908 Congress StNice tapas place. Live music on many nights. Great patio for outdoor dinning.
Star Pizza
77 Harvard StOne of the better pizza places in town.
Loud and often packed, this is a fun little bar in the Phoenicia Foods Market. Good pizza. Live music some nights. Steak for $13 on Tuesday and Thursday.
33 locals recommend
MKT Bar
1001 Austin StLoud and often packed, this is a fun little bar in the Phoenicia Foods Market. Good pizza. Live music some nights. Steak for $13 on Tuesday and Thursday.
Nice neighborhood bar with killer Frito pies topped with jalapenos. Parking can be hard at busy times.
96 locals recommend
Onion Creek Coffee House, Bar and Lounge
3106 White Oak DrNice neighborhood bar with killer Frito pies topped with jalapenos. Parking can be hard at busy times.
80 beers on tap and great people watching. Parking can be rough.
104 locals recommend
The Hay Merchant
1100 Westheimer Rd80 beers on tap and great people watching. Parking can be rough.
Baba Yega
2607 Grant StWell loved brunch spot. Good food.
I recommend any of the Barnaby's and Baby Barnabys. Good food at a reasonable cost. And dog friendly.
257 locals recommend
Barnaby's Cafe
414 W Gray StI recommend any of the Barnaby's and Baby Barnabys. Good food at a reasonable cost. And dog friendly.
Food can be hit or miss but has gotten better with time. Nice place to stop in for a quick bite or drink while exploring downtown.
16 locals recommend
Bovine & Barley
416 Main StFood can be hit or miss but has gotten better with time. Nice place to stop in for a quick bite or drink while exploring downtown.
$31 brunch and always packed. Great food. Well respected and nationally recognized chef/owner.
160 locals recommend
Hugo's
1600 Westheimer Rd$31 brunch and always packed. Great food. Well respected and nationally recognized chef/owner.
Tiny Boxwoods
3614 W Alabama StOne of the best patio brunch or lunch spots. Great outdoor dinning.
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the Woodrow's chain of pubs. They have food on the patio at times. Walkable from rental.
54 locals recommend
Little Woodrow's Eado
801 Walker StOne of the Woodrow's chain of pubs. They have food on the patio at times. Walkable from rental.
Unique neighborhood bar. They have food on the patio at times. Walkable from location.
32 locals recommend
Neil's Bahr
2006 Walker StUnique neighborhood bar. They have food on the patio at times. Walkable from location.
Around the Corner
1510 Hutchins StCute new neighborhood bar. Short drive.
Brewery with adjacent bar. Check hours before going as it closes at midnight and isn't open every day. Often has food truck. Walkable from rental.
253 locals recommend
8th Wonder Brewery
2202 Dallas StBrewery with adjacent bar. Check hours before going as it closes at midnight and isn't open every day. Often has food truck. Walkable from rental.
The D & W Lounge
911 Milby StUnique neighborhood dive bar. Favorite with locals.
EaDo's
2024 Rusk StSmall bar that is still finding itself. Walking distance from rental.
Hidden bar that is very worth finding. Enjoy a drink and small bite on the patio looking at Texas's tallest building. Located in the Historical Rice Hotel building.
6 locals recommend
Lawless Spirits & Kitchen
909 Texas AveHidden bar that is very worth finding. Enjoy a drink and small bite on the patio looking at Texas's tallest building. Located in the Historical Rice Hotel building.
Award winning tequila bar. This is a great place to try tequila tasting (where you sip and don't shoot.) Make sure to look at the ceiling when first entering the place.
54 locals recommend
The Brewery Tap
310 Main StAward winning tequila bar. This is a great place to try tequila tasting (where you sip and don't shoot.) Make sure to look at the ceiling when first entering the place.
Know for an owner with a bad temper, this place would be a miss if it wasn't you having to be in the "In-crowd" to know where it is. There is no sign and it sits at the top of a dark stairway.
52 locals recommend
Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge
308 Main StreetKnow for an owner with a bad temper, this place would be a miss if it wasn't you having to be in the "In-crowd" to know where it is. There is no sign and it sits at the top of a dark stairway.
For every drink, you get a ticket to vote for which charity gets 100% of the profits from that month. Neat building. Check out the ceiling.
62 locals recommend
OKRA Charity Saloon
924 Congress StFor every drink, you get a ticket to vote for which charity gets 100% of the profits from that month. Neat building. Check out the ceiling.
It wouldn't be a Southern location without ice houses and this is the best of them. Open since the 1920's.
64 locals recommend
West Alabama Ice House
1919 W Alabama StIt wouldn't be a Southern location without ice houses and this is the best of them. Open since the 1920's.
13 celsius
3000 Caroline StMy favorite wine bar. Great wine list. Neat people.
Located in Houston's oldest building, this is a favorite of downtown locals.
59 locals recommend
La Carafe
813 Congress StLocated in Houston's oldest building, this is a favorite of downtown locals.
Leon's Lounge
1006 McGowen StOldest bar in Houston. Nice atmosphere and nice staff.
Not the best part of town but such a great frozen drink menu and eclectic decor. And the Waffles and Chicken are stellar.
39 locals recommend
Voodoo Queen Daiquiri Dive
322 Milby StNot the best part of town but such a great frozen drink menu and eclectic decor. And the Waffles and Chicken are stellar.
Hand carved ice and home made syrup. If you go early it will be empty. If you go late good luck getting a seat.
19 locals recommend
Moving Sidewalk
306 Main StHand carved ice and home made syrup. If you go early it will be empty. If you go late good luck getting a seat.
Essentials
Gourmet grocery store. Wonderful prepared foods made on site. Nice selection of unique wines on the second floor. Great place to grab lunch as there is a table area to sit at that has Wifi.
136 locals recommend
Phoenicia Specialty Foods
1001 Austin StGourmet grocery store. Wonderful prepared foods made on site. Nice selection of unique wines on the second floor. Great place to grab lunch as there is a table area to sit at that has Wifi.
Sightseeing
This is a working ranch that allows tourists. It is a good stop if you are on your way to Brazos Bend State Park to check out the alligators.
11 locals recommend
George Ranch Historical Park
10215 FM 762 RdThis is a working ranch that allows tourists. It is a good stop if you are on your way to Brazos Bend State Park to check out the alligators.
Fun for the family and anyone interested in Aerospace and travel beyond. Best to go on weekday if you don't have children.
426 locals recommend
Johnson Space Center
2101 E NASA PkwyFun for the family and anyone interested in Aerospace and travel beyond. Best to go on weekday if you don't have children.