Houston is the fourth largest city in Texas. Together with its dynamic culinary, science, and arts scene and beautiful parks, Houston is a sight to behold. I was invited by Travel Texas to spend a fun-filled weekend. I wish my trip was longer because there is so much to see, do and eat! I hope to return but below is my guide on how to spend a perfect weekend in Houston.
When to visit: As it is located in the southern part of the US, Houston can experience hot temperatures. My visit took place at the end of March which is during their spring season. The temperatures ranged from a low of 60 degrees in the morning to a high of 85 degrees during the day. As someone who does not play well with humidity, I was pleasantly surprised that I very rarely broke a sweat. The warm temperatures were accompanied by a cool and refreshing breeze. I would definitely recommend visiting in March, April, and May to avoid extreme temperatures.
Day 1
Breakfast
Start the day with a delicious breakfast at Bloom and Bee located in the Post Oak Hotel. I had the buttermilk pancakes topped with fresh fruit, whipped cream, and powdered sugar while Danny had the Post Oak Breakfast which consisted of an omelet, bacon, and breakfast potatoes. I also loved the décor and ambiance of the restaurant. It was a bit too feminine for Danny’s taste but I highly recommend it for a girl’s brunch! They have indoor and outdoor seating and the restaurant is located by the ultra-chic pool area.
Travel Around The World
Explore the beautiful temples that instantly transport you to other countries. Two highlights of my trip were the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and the Teen How Taoist Temple*. The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a traditional Hindu temple (mandir) that was hand-built during the early 2000s. This hidden gem is constructed from intricate limestone and marble made in Turkey and Italy. I honestly think this may be Houston’s most instagrammable spot. The Mandir is free to visit every day but check out their website for the most up-to-date information – The Teen How Taoist Temple is another must-visit! Decorated with splashes of delicate red and gold and beautiful statues, this Taoist temple is perfect. As someone who is obsessed with details, I was definitely amazed by the structure of the temple.
**Please be mindful that both are places of worship. Please be respectful when visiting each place and refrain from conducting any activity that may be disrespectful.
Lunch
I don’t think any trip to the south is complete without a tasty plate of southern BBQ. While driving around we found the famous “The Pit Room.” I had high hopes for this restaurant as the line was huge and it did not disappoint. Once you are able to order, the food is served cafeteria-style where you move to different stations (meat, sides, and condiments). I had ½ lb of chicken while Danny tried the ½ pound of brisket. We also tried the sausage, elote, mac and cheese, and pickled vegetables. Everything was delicious and of course, filling! The brisket left us wanting more and the chicken was seasoned and cooked very well. It literally fell off the bone! They have indoor and outdoor seating that you can choose at your leisure.
Water Wall
By this time the sun is at its peak and the humidity is high. I recommend heading to the Water Wall for a refreshing visit. This man-made waterfall is one of the prettiest spots in Houston! If you get too close to the water you will get misted on but it sure sounds like a treat during the hotter season. It is a pretty popular spot so if you are going for photos, I highly recommend visiting in the early morning. The water turns on at exactly 8:00 AM every day.
Murals
Houston is known for its striking art scene and one activity I really enjoyed was mural chasing! There are so many photo opportunities amongst these beautiful murals. My favorites were the Elephant Mural by El Gato Coffeehouse and the Houston is Inspired.
Dinner
I decided to check out the newly owned Flora restaurant. Flora is located along Buffalo Bayou Park and sits in an enclosed glasshouse. There is also outdoor seating and the menu offers delicious Mexican cuisine. The beautiful ceiling decorated with over 40 suspended chandeliers creates a romantic oasis. We tried their daiquiri and margarita – both very refreshing. For dinner we had their Chicken Fideo Soup, Gratify Ceviche, and Chicken (and Shrimp) served with refried beans and rice. I thought everything was cooked perfectly and seasoned well.
Day 2
Breakfast
I found the cutest gourmet breakfast restaurant called EggHaus Gourmet. I love the chic floral wallpaper and cute croissants and drinks that they serve. I definitely recommend their blueberry lemonade, rose croissant, and breakfast tacos. I can confidently say this is one restaurant that has great décor and equally great food!
The Museum of Fine Arts
Houston is known for its arts and science scene and you can easily spend hours getting lost in it. I decided to check out the Museum of Fine Arts and loved every minute of it. The museum is one of the largest in the United States, with around 70,000 pieces of art. It is divided into three main buildings each focusing on different collections and time periods. I found it really cool that visitors can navigate to each building through a neon-lit tunnel found at the bottom of the buildings. You do not need to step outside, especially during the hotter months! While you’re at it take a walk to the Glassell School of Art to marvel at the unique architecture inside. The School serves as the teaching portion of the Museum but visitors are welcome to take photos. Be sure to check out their rooftop garden as well. On the same campus is the Cloud Column which is a stainless steel art sculpture. It reminds me of the Bean sculpture in Chicago! Just a few steps away is the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. While I didn’t have a chance to visit, it is a beautiful 12-acre garden with plenty of photo opportunities. It also houses a gorgeous colonial-style mansion with an art collection.
Lunch
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to find another BBQ spot! This time we headed to Brookstreet BBQ – “The Montrose House.” As you may have guessed, The Montrose House was a house that has been converted into a restaurant. I liked the relaxed ambiance, especially after spending hours in the Museum. You can order through their drive-thru option or should you choose to dine, there are plenty of seating options inside and outside. We loved eating lunch on the balcony overlooking the street while enjoying the cool spring breeze. The food was served cafeteria style with a similar menu to the Pit Room. We tried the chicken, pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese, potato salad, and jambalaya rice. Everything was certainly delicious but I don’t think it blew me away like The Pit Room.
Hermann Park
We spent the rest of the day exploring Hermann Park before heading to dinner. There are a few points of interest that you can explore and take beautiful photos. My favorites were:
- The Japanese Garden
- Friendship Pavilion
- Mecom Rockwell Colonnade
- McGovern Centennial Gardens
Dinner and Dessert
We decided to venture our way in the chic and upscale River Oaks District to have dinner at Le Colonial. Le Colonial offers Vietnamese-style food with a French aesthetic. The restaurant’s exterior is garnished with cute Parisian-style café seating with light undertones. Inside is quite the opposite as it is decked out with sophisticated wood and leather accents. I loved the décor of the restaurant and it reminded me of New Orleans. We were still full from lunch so didn’t order as much as we wanted to however Danny had the glazed pork ribs which were delicious. It was satisfying to see the meat falling off the bone. I had the pan-seared chicken dumpling which was tasty and filling. We then tried the spicy chicken stir fry and rice – cooked to perfection. I paired my dinner with a lovely glass of Riesling and Danny had a refreshing margarita. If you have room left for dessert, I recommend heading to Amorino Gelato for a tasty and pretty treat. I love the rose-shaped cone. Amorino is quite popular during the day so I recommend visiting after dinner to end the day! I hope you enjoyed this travel guide.
This post was in partnership with Travel Texas. All opinions are my own.
