How to be a Tourist in Your Own City: Houston Edition
I think people confuse the word vacation with travel. You don’t have to pack a suitcase or get on a plane to enjoy your vacation. The word vacation literally means to relax for a period of time so if you’re in need of a good vacation but you don’t feel like leaving your hometown, here’s some different ways on how to be a tourist in your own city (the Houston edition.)
Planning
Like any good tourist, first you had to plan out your vacation. It is important to pick a day where you have absolutely nothing to do and can spend all day doing whatever you want, unbothered. Next, make a list of everything you’ve been wanting to do, wanna eat at that new restaurant that you never have time to try? Do it. Want to get all dressed up and take cute pics to remember the day? Do it! Now if you only have one or two things on that list but you still want to feel like a tourist in your city, no worries. I got the perfect sets of itinerary for you to try
The “chill Sunday” Itinerary
This is for the people that are more introverted but still want to have a fun relaxing day, whether it’s by yourself or catching up with your favorite person.
Brunch at Sunday Press
Start your day off right with a good meal. Sunday Press has so many different food options from yummy pastries to delicious breakfast and lunch food. They also have coffees, signature drinks, cold press juices and more, there’s definitely something here for everyone!
Farmers Market Sundays in Rice Village or the Heights
Every Sunday there’s a farmers market hosted in Rice Village or in the Heights, it starts at 9 and ends at 1. They always have the coolest venders at both locations, their instagram pages post what venders will be there every weekend so make sure to check it out here if you’re wanting to go! This is one of the best ways to spend a Sunday morning and feel like you’re in a whole different city.
Grab coffee or a cute pick-me-up
By now you probably need a coffee or fun drink, lucky for you there’s dozens of coffee shops and smoothie places in the area. Some of my favorites in the Heights are La La Land, JuiceLand (for smoothies) and Tenfold is a local favorite! You really can’t go wrong with any of these places.
Shopping on 19th St
19 TH Street in the Heights has some of the most unique boutiques and shops! The street has an old fashioned theater that gives the whole street an entirely different, vintage aesthetic than we are used to in Houston. They also have a restaurant, ice cream shop, book store, record shop, coffee shop, hair salon and even a cigar lounge on 19th ST! Walking this street will make you feel like you’ve traveled somewhere completely new.
Color Me Mine
After a chill day of walking and shopping, end the day with a fun craft at Color Me Mine! You can paint anything from their huge selection of pottery ranging from cups and plates to other cool trinkets! This is not only a fun way to bond with friends but also a relaxing way to express yourself.
The “wellness girly” itinerary
For the girls who are in their “wellness era” but still want to have fun while feeling great. Whether you like physical activity dates or are the type of person who wakes up early on vacation to go work out, this one’s for you.
Coffee and Pilates at Duo
This coffee shop is the best of both worlds! They have a Pilates studio in the coffee shop and they have a variety of classes you can take besides Pilates including boxing, cycling hiit workouts.
Brunch at Mamaka Bowls
This place is know for their yummy smoothies and bowls! Their outdoor seating is perfect for a pretty day and they even have swings you can sit on while you enjoy your bowl.
Walk and enjoy the views of Buffalo Bayou Park
Buffalo Bayou Park is one of Houston’s prettiest parks, you can walk or bike and enjoy the downtown skyline views. This park also has dog parks if you want to bring your four legged bestie and my favorite, Kayak Tours!
Linner (lunch/dinner) at True Foods Kitchen
True Foods Kitchen has a variety of healthy food choices that are both good for you and delicious. All of their food is 100% seed oil free and they pride themselves on using whole and real ingredients you’ll love. They have everything from pizza to burger and my favorite, the bowls. With a range of options like that, there’s something for everyone.
Pickleball at Elite
If you’ve played Pickleball before, you’ll love this course! It’s completely indoor and air-conditioned, you’re also able to reserve any court you want all to yourself, for the time amount you want. If you’ve never played before, it’s easy to learn and so fun! It’s similar to tennis but much more beginner friendly. You’ll definitely have fun playing while getting your steps in.
The “i just got paid” Itinerary
This one is for the type of person who has no budget when they go on vacation, the ones who worry about checking their bank account when they get home. Going strictly off of vibes.
Brunch at Little Hen
Eating at this place will make you think you stepped into the world of Bridgerton. The scenery inside and outside of this restaurant is full of photo spots that are totally instagram worthy, and their food is even photogenic. Aside from everything being so aesthetically pleasing the food is delicious and is the perfect place to have afternoon tea or brunch!
Pottery at Smashed Studio
If you’ve ever wanted to take a pottery class, this is your place. They have a range of options you can choose on what to make. The Class I took was a group class and the instructors were really nice with assisting us on how to make each item. Very beginner friendly so don’t worry if you’ve never taken a class before. You can also paint your work once the class is over or pay them to paint it for you. This is one of the funnest classes you’ll ever take.
Coffee at Mercato and Co
This place will transport you from Houston to Italy. Mercato and Co is more than just a coffee shop, it is also an Italian cafe with a gourmet grocery shop! This place is so unique and their coffee and match lattes are divine. You can order a cheese board, a sandwich, a pastry, you name it. If you’re wanting a to grab a quick bite with your coffee you have to try this place.
Post Houston Lunch and a Show
Post Houston has a mall style food court with so many different options of delicious food. From tacos to Italian and meditation food, there’s definitely a little bit of everything here. it’s so good you’ll want to try everything! However, my favorite part of Post Houston is the Rooftop views, once you’re on the roof you have the best view of all of Downtown Houston. Definitely recommend checking this place out!
Movies at Ipic
Lastly, this luxury restaurant-and-movie theater is the perfect place to close out your day. At Ipic you’ll have an intimate dine in theater experience with leather reclining chairs, seat warmers, pillows and blankets. They have a full bar and restaurant outside the actual theaters so you can order anything from their kitchen while you’re enjoying your movie. After trying Ipic, you’ll never be able to watch a movie the same way.
That concludes my How to be a Tourist in Your Own City: Houston Edition for now but hopefully you found something fun to do in the city you live in. You can do one of these itineraries or combine different things from each of them, it’s all up to you! I will for sure add more in the future, including a budget friendly version so make sure to subscribe to be one of the first ones to see it.
If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed and/or learned something from this post! Comments are always welcome! What would you like to see more of? Any questions? What did you love, hate, feel inspired by? Let me Know (:
