We've never been, but the rodeo will indeed be in town from February 27 to March 18. You can check out the website for more info on it if you feel like getting REAL Texan.
Doshi House is so good!! Lots of fun coffees and non-dairy options. If it's hot in March (you never know), get an iced Hawaiiano, which is made with coconut milk. Or a pistachio latte! Or do whatever moves you. It's all great. If you wanted something sweet after, check on Instagram or Facebook to see if Crumbville is open. It's a bakery that's about a block away, the owner is so friendly, and they also have a ton of vegan options!
Great Cuban tacos! Go for breakfast and get the egg cuban tacos. Get a cup of their spiced coffee, but ask the cashier to put a splash of horchata in the bottom before they give you your cup (pro tip). There's also a margarita drive-thru a block away if you feel like starting your day out on a very particular note. They give it to you with tape over the straw hole, so it's a "closed" container. Welcome to Texas!
If you are not from Texas, you should go to Torchy's. There are a bunch of locations in Houston, but the one on 19th serves liquor <<clutch. Get the Fried Avocado taco, the Brushfire, or the Independent. Or get the Trailer Park (ordered "trashy") if you feel like being really disgusting. They also have a secret menu: https://austin.com/torchys-secret-menu/
Two locations, both equally confusing. Walk in and grab one of the metal trays and a pair of tongs from the stand by the door. Then walk around and load up your tray with all sorts of colorful Mexican pastries. One of the coffee roasters in town makes a special blend for them with spices and brown sugar, and it's great! Get the conchas, dulce de leche churros, that thing that looks like a roll stuffed with cream cheese and jalapenos, and a slice of tres leches. The tres leches options aren't labeled, which is intimidating, but I promise the caramel one is great.
Amazing amazing bakery. She was on Top Chef (and won)! Get the Couch Potato cookie <3 and also everything else. She hosts a bake sale almost every Saturday morning, where she makes a special menu with a guest chef. You can check the menu in advance on her instagram!
Go to any El Tiempo and you will not be disappointed. Their margaritas are STRONG, but you should definitely get one. The veggie fajitas are actually good instead of being a sad pile of limp onions and peppers. They also have a very firm grasp of dietary restrictions, which is exhilarating. If you do get the fajitas (any of them, they have several options), the 1/4 pound is more than enough for one person. Also it comes with a small metal tub of melted garlic butter. Do not lift it with your hands, it's too hot! Use your fork to cradle the bottom and put your knife into the center of the tub to help tip it over <<result of much trial and error
There are two locations (the one on Richmond is being remodeled), and they're both excellent. The falafel sandwich (with extra hot sauce and garlic sauce) and the shish tawook are great! Also there's hookah, if you're into that.
Pepper Twins is so so so delicious, and they will do their ma po tofu with no pork! <3 Everything is great.
There are two locations: the one on Westheimer is nicer and closer to downtown, the one on Bellaire is the original. Get the House Special Cold Noodle, Eggplant in Spicy Garlic Sauce, Red Oil Dumplings, or the Spicy Sichuan Chicken. There's no website, so you know it's legit.
I enjoy the rush that comes with being the only non-Indian person at an Indian restaurant. If you do too, Shiv Sagar should be on your list. It's South Indian and all vegetarian, BUT DO NOT LET THAT DETER YOU, OMNIVORES. Order at the counter, but make sure you've selected a table beforehand, because they'll ask where you're sitting. Get the chole bathura, mysore masala dosa, and any of the chaat options.
A bar in Midtown that immediately nailed the "being cool" thing. They have a full bar and a ton of beer options. It's mostly outdoor seating, with picnic tables and hammocks for you to recline in while you sip your beer. If you get too buzzed, they very conveniently share their outdoor space with a pizzeria next door, and they'll bring your pizza over to you, which is pretty close to perfect.
Great for our runner friends or those who fancy a bike ride along the bayou. The trails are well lit and set far away from the road, and there are a bunch of cool art installations throughout the park. Don't let the children make you feel weird about using their fun music playground at the end of the park near Sabine Street.
There's a lot going on with the Menil. The museum itself is free and a nice place to wander around. The park outside is very popular for those doing yoga or meditating. Check out the Rothko Chapel, the Byzantine Chapel, and the Cy Twombly Gallery, all of which are part of the "collection." All free!
This is good address to navigate to, but the whole of Hermann Park is fun to explore. There's a golf course, a zoo, a pond with paddle boats, a bunch of gardens, and trails for running. And it's close to a bunch of the museums if you were so inclined!
Our hood! The market is on Sunday mornings, and it's fun to slowly meander through. You could also pop in and get brunch at Ninfa's or El Tiempo!
Rent a B-Cycle from one of the many stations and troll around town! There are also a bunch of bike paths to connect everything, so you don't have to worry about being on the road with cars if that scares you. You can ask Doug all about it: https://bikehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/3.22.2016_BHMap_Metro3_pg2.pdf
Not really a "museum," it's actually a huge warehouse with a different mural on each of the doors. Not really a destination (full disclosure), but if you're over here getting food at El Tiempo or the like, it's a fun stop!
8th Wonder is one of the best outdoor spaces in Houston to check out the local suds. Check out the East End brewery modeled after Houston's Astrodome and enjoy Houston themed beers from the Vietnamese Coffee Porter "Rocket Fuel" to the thirst quenching "Haterade."