Reach New Heights of Fitness at the Texas Rock Gym

With discounts on certain days of the week and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, you won’t find many better climbing facilities than Texas Rock Gym. This unique and colorful gym is equipped with sturdy rock walls and padded floors throughout, and it offers both bouldering and top roping for all kinds of climbers.

Whether you’ve been rock climbing before or you’re embarking on your first climb, there are skilled instructors who are always on hand to offer as much or as little support as you need. The routes on each wall change frequently so there’s always a new climb to try, and each one uses different parts of your arms, core, and legs to give you a killer full-body workout. You can rent the essential equipment or bring your own if you’re a more experienced, frequent climber.

Texas Rock Gym
1526 Campbell Road
Houston, TX 77055
(713) 973-7625
www.texasrockgym.com

Connie’s Frozen Custard: Cool Off With a Coney Island Tradition

Connie’s Frozen Custard is an American tradition that was first established in Coney Island more than 65 years ago. Today, the Houston location brings the cool, frozen treat all the way down to Texas, offering a wide selection of freshly made custards created using fine ingredients and fresh fruit toppings. You’ll only find classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla at Connie’s, but the wide selection of cookies, candies, and other “concretes” to use as toppings make it easy to customize your dessert to your specific cravings.

Connie’s is easy to find because of its old-fashioned ice cream cone sign and its sunny yellow exterior, and you’ll almost always find customers enjoying ice cream on the benches outside. The most difficult thing about a visit to Connie’s is trying to choose between the ice cream sandwiches, custards, and sundaes, but most people would say that’s a pretty good problem to have!

Connie’s Frozen Custard
12545 Jones Road
Houston, TX 77070
(281) 469-3444
www.conniesfrozencustard.com
www.yelp.com/biz/connies-frozen-custard-houston

Houston Shopping at Memorial City Mall

If you haven’t been to Memorial City Mall in Houston lately, you’re missing out. This large mall has recently gone through a renaissance, transforming it from a rundown to a favorite in town. Many shoppers prefer this mall over the Galleria for its convenient location, parking, and fewer crowds. Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears and Target are anchor stores, but there is a wide range of contemporary shopping options, including everyday favorites like Ann Taylor Loft, Express, and Foot Locker. The mall boasts plenty of specialty stores, like Apple, Build-A-Bear, Pandora, Sephora, and Teavana.

The food court has been recently updated, too, with numerous selections for a quick bite to eat. Options range from good ol’ American Chick-Fil-A to Sarku Japan. If you need a full service spot to refuel, California Pizza Kitchen and The Cheesecake Factory are shoppers’ favorites. Kids love the whimsical play area that includes a carousel and train that takes little shoppers on a ride through the mall.

Memorial City Mall
900 Gessner Road
Houston TX 77024
(713) 464-8640
www.memorialcitymall.com
www.yelp.com/biz/memorial-city-mall-houston

Sample Mexican Sweets at El Bolillo Bakery

Mexican cuisine is almost as well known for its unique desserts and pastries as it is for its tacos and burritos, and you can take a taste of these indulgent treats in Houston at El Bolillo Bakery. Mexican sweetbreads are made fresh each morning and make the perfect breakfast when paired with a hot cup of coffee, while the tres leches and customizable occasion cakes are ideal for birthday parties and other events.

There are a number of authentic Mexican cookies and pastries that you can mix and match to create your own bulk order, and if you’re looking for something a bit closer to home, El Bolillo Bakery even offers classic sugar cookies and other types of American baked goods.

While this popular bakery can get quite busy at peak hours, its friendly and knowledgeable employees always keep things running like a well-oiled machine.

El Bolillo Bakery
2421 South Wayside Drive
Houston, TX 77023
(713) 921-3500
www.elbolillo.com

Pick Up Fresh-Roasted Beans in Micro Brews at Katz Coffee

For true coffee lovers in the Houston area, any old grocery store beans just won’t do. That’s why so many area residents adore Katz Coffee, a micro roaster that consistently churns out fresh coffees, some of which are only a few hours old when you purchase them.

Stop in to this off-the-beaten-path roaster and you’ll instantly get hit with the intoxicating aroma of premium beans roasting right on site. Katz sources coffee beans from responsible, sustainable sources all over the world, and once received, they roast them in their Houston warehouse and ship them to coffee shops all over the area.

If you go straight to the source, however, you can meet the knowledgeable, coffee-loving minds behind the brews and even pick up bags of beans in bulk. Check out delicious batches like the popular Jumping Mouse blend, Bavarian Chocolate for those who prefer flavored coffee and even Velvet Espresso to make your own latte at home.

Katz Coffee
1003 W 34th St
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 864-3338
www.KatzCoffee.com

Thompson’s Antique Center of Texas: Vintage Pieces Ranging From Furniture to Fishing Tackle

From furniture to fishing tackle, Thompson's Antique Center of Texas boasts an all-encompassing inventory. It plays host to 17 aisles' worth of collectibles and antique items from more than 100 different dealers. Explore the massive 108,000-square-foot space in search of your next treasure.

Start your own coin collection with some of the collectible pieces at Thompson's Antique Center of Texas. Grab a new end table or comfy chair to accentuate your living room. Embellish your neck or wrists with a piece of vintage jewelry. You can also pick up a new hat or top, sift through various pieces of artwork, and even buy a few books. Thompson's Antique Center of Texas also boasts a collection of dish sets, so you should be able to find one that suits your taste at the store. If you're buying any item as a gift, Thompson's staff will be happy to wrap it for you—and they always take great care to keep the piece in perfect condition.

Thompson's Antique Center of Texas
9950 Hempstead Road
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 688-4211
antiquecenteroftexas.com
www.yelp.com/biz/thompsons-antique-center-of-texas-houston-2

Gus Wortham Park Golf Course: Tee Off for a Low Price

Houston boasts a number of beautiful, well-maintained golf courses, but the Gus Wortham Park Golf Course stands out from the rest. This affordable course costs less than some of the others in the area, but its picturesque view of the Brays Bayou and its professional grade course makes a game here feel like a splurge.

The City of Houston golf operations staff maintains the public course, and its wide-open layout makes it accessible for golfers of all skill levels. There are three consecutive par-five holes on Gus Wortham Park’s front nine, as well as shorter yet more challenging par four holes throughout the rest of the course. The new addition of electric golf carts makes zipping from hole to hole easier than ever before, while renovated bunkers and a full driving range for practicing are only a few of the most recent improvements at the course.

Book a tee time at Gus Wortham Park Golf Course by calling the facility today!

Gus Wortham Park Golf Course
7000 Capitol Street
Houston, TX 77011
(713) 928-4260
www.houstontx.gov/municipalgolf/guswortham.html
www.yelp.com/biz/gus-wortham-golf-course-houston

Don’t Skip a Slice of Tres Leches at Alma’s Cakes in Houston

Whether you’re looking for a tasty dessert for an upcoming birthday party or a large cake for the wedding of your dreams, Alma’s Cakes is a dependable choice in the Houston area. This beloved bakery made its debut in 1999, and it quickly earned a loyal following through custom cakes and its delicious tres leches cake, the signature offering of the bakery's founder and lead baker, Alma.

At this family-owned bakery, you can order a cake in almost every theme imaginable, from poker-themed cakes decorated with cards and poker chips to fondant baby shower cakes covered in cartoon birds and bassinets. In addition to the famous cakes, you’ll find freshly baked pies, Mexican pastries, and sweet breads made from fine ingredients. Don't skip a slice of the caramel pecan roll!

Alma’s Cakes is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Alma’s Cakes
7802 Fallbrook Drive
Houston, TX 77086
(281) 580-5022
www.msalmas.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Almas-Cakes/235959287943

Raise a Glass to a Romantic Evening Out at Cork Cafe

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a beer fanatic, you'll find something to please your palate at Houston’s Cork Cafe. This wine and beer bar is equally laid-back and elegant, with a list of high-quality wines and craft beers that's so lengthy, you may have a hard time choosing the perfect glass. However, the knowledgeable staff is always on hand to offer a recommendation or to explain the intricacies of each unique option. There are wine bottles and glasses lining just about every square inch of the walls, and Cork Cafe even offers elegant bar bites, like baked brie and artisan flatbreads, to pair with your beer or wine.

Cork Cafe’s handsome interior is stylish and comfortable, with intimate two-seater tables and tall stools along the wine bar. A dark, neutral color palette and glowing light fixtures make everything feel quite romantic, which is likely why Cork Cafe is such a popular date night destination.

Cork Cafe
25712 Highway 290
Cypress, TX 77429
(281) 758-1682
www.corkcafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cork-cafe-wine-and-beer-cypress-3

Shop Artisan Crafts at the First Saturday Arts Market

Art fans in the Houston area love visiting the First Saturday Arts Market, a family-friendly event that features works from some of the area’s best visual artists. This outdoor market is held in the charming Historic Houston Heights neighborhood, and it features live music, food trucks, and grassy areas for lounging before or after you explore the stunning works of art.

Wander through the market and you’ll find white, tented booths filled with works by almost 50 different artists, including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and even handmade artisan crafts. All of these items are available for purchase at reasonable prices, so this makes a great place to visit if you’re looking to fill you walls with local art. Stop by to have an affordable lunch, check out live, local music and maybe even bring home a new painting to hang on your wall.

First Saturday Arts Market
540 W. 19th Street at Lawrence Street
Houston, TX
(832) 273-4798
www.firstsaturdayartsmarket.com

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