Theresa & Matthew
Things To Do
Karma Kolache & Dessert
All three recommended hotels include a complimentary breakfast, but you have to try "kolaches" for breakfast one day! The word kolache is derived from the Czech word, kola, meaning “wheels” or “rounds,” referring to the shape of the pastry. Arriving in Texas along with the thousands of immigrants from Czechoslovakia in the 1800s, the kolache is a staple of the Czech, and today, Houston food culture. Grab a homemade kolache and a fresh donut at our favorite bakery, Karma Kolache & Dessert.
Yummie
Vietnamese street food and boba tea shop with the BEST Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee) in all of Houston (according to Matthew)! Rich Vietnam Robusta bean French press coffee with a bit of sweetened condensed milk.
CoCo Crêpes, Waffles & Coffee
Theresa's favorite place for sweet and savory crepes, waffles, gelato and coffee.
Salata
The Chipotle of salad places. Beats the socks off Panera in terms of price and freshness for a healthy meal.
Torchy's Tacos
Started as a food truck in Austin, now with locations across Texas. Good place for foodie-style tacos and a Shiner Bock or Margarita.
Los Tacos al Pastor
Cheap and delicious street tacos! Breakfast tacos, quesadillas, and tortas too!
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Our favorite place for burgers and the best $5 happy hour margaritas between 3-6pm.
Pho Q Long
Vietnamese restaurant. Regular Sunday brunch place for Theresa's family. Try Pho (beef broth soup) or Bahn Mi (French bread sandwich) if you haven't before!
Chuy's
Our favorite, family-friendly Tex-Mex chain!
Little Woodrow's Tomball
[21+] Fun bar with plenty of drink specials, TVs, a huge patio, yard games, pizzas, hot dogs, and bar snacks.
Tejas Chocolate+Barbecue
Well regarded local BBQ place in Tomball. Closed on Sunday and Monday.
Saint Arnold Brewing Company
This is the oldest craft brewery in Houston. A place that local Houstonians--both hipsters and old timers--are proud of. Wide selection of beers, unique taproom and large patio offering views of downtown.
NASA Space Center
Space Center Houston is a science museum that serves as the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. It's the #1 tourist attraction in Houston, and ironically neither Theresa or I have ever been there, lol. Entrance tickets cost $25.
Memorial Park
Need a break from the Houston highways, strip malls, and parking lots? Memorial Park is one of our favorite places and is 15,000 acres of woodlands. It's home to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. There are enough walking paths, hiking trails, and picnic areas to last you the weekend.
Discovery Green
Discovery Green is an 12 acre park with live music, public art, restaurants, playgrounds, and a pond for kayaking in Downtown Houston. Bustling gathering space for folks going to events at Minute Maid Park, the Toyota Center, or George R Brown Convention Center.
East Beach
You made it this far south already... what's an hour and a half drive for some beach vibes? Head out to Galveston to feel sand between your toes and to take in one of the most average beaches in the US. *Disclaimer: Water is not always as blue as it appears in the picture.
Buffalo Bayou Park
Proof that floodplains can be pretty. Stretch of greenspace with bike and walking trails, shaved ice vendors, and great views of downtown Houston.
POST Houston
POST Houston is the redevelopment of the historic Barbara Jordan Post Office in the city’s downtown Theater District. The building is now home to one of the world’s largest rooftop parks and farms, a concert venue, restaurants, bars, an international market hall, and flexible co-working space. The recent development of POST aims to reinvigorate the city’s north downtown neighborhoods with a mixed-use environment combining arts, entertainment, creative workspaces, dining and retail.
The Galleria
Minnesotans have the Mall of America. Houstonians have The Galleria. Featuring some affordable, but mostly upscale brand name stores, this is one of the few places in Houston you'll find a sheet of ice to skate on. The Galleria also has an indoor "sky" waterfall and an outdoor "Water wall." These are all touristy things that have made it on many "Things To Do in Houston" lists, so we felt obligated to add them here.
Kemah Boardwalk
The Kemah Boardwalk is a theme park approximately 30 miles southeast of Downtown Houston. The Boardwalk runs along the shores of Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, and is one of the biggest in the United States.