The Houston Zoo: Take a Tour of the Animal Kingdom

If you’re looking for a fun, year-round activity that the whole family will enjoy, a visit to the Houston Zoo is a dependable choice. This spacious zoo is well laid out to create an enjoyable walking route through all of the various animals’ areas, and it offers a close-up look at everything from the creepy, crawly reptiles to the large elephants and giraffes. The paved paths are lined with shady trees and greenery to make a hot Texas afternoon a bit more bearable (no pun intended), and there are a number of indoor animal houses that enable you to tour the zoo even during bad weather.

If you have small children, the Houston Zoo also features a Kids’ Zoo that includes a petting zoo, animal-themed play areas, and playful sea otters that always seem to put on a show of their own.

The Houston Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Free parking is available on Hermann Park Drive, but note that these free lots fill up quickly!

Houston Zoo
6200 Hermann Park Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 533-6500
www.houstonzoo.org
www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g56003-d266874-Reviews-Houston_Zoo-Houston_Texas.html

Break a Sweat at Memorial Athletic Club & Aquatic Center

Memorial Athletic Club & Aquatic Center is a unique facility that's pretty popular among Houston locals. First of all, there's no contract required to join this gym. Second, the gym features a "MAC for Women" area exclusively set aside for women who prefer to work out in an all-female environment. With your membership you'll also get two free appointments with a fitness instructor, whose goal will be to help you develop a fitness program that is custom-designed to fit your life and personal fitness goals.

Want to develop strength and sculpt your muscles? Head to the weight room, which features both free weights and machines. Interested in an upbeat Aumba or dance class to help get your heart rate up? This gym's got plenty of those, too. And if swimming is something you enjoy, don’t forget the gym’s aquatic center, which offers both indoor and outdoor pools.

Memorial Athletic Club & Aquatic Center
14690 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77079
(281) 497-7570
www.fitmac.com
www.yelp.com/biz/memorial-athletic-club-and-aquatic-center-houston

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

Children’s Museum of Houston: Making Playtime an Adventure in Learning

The Children’s Museum of Houston is a fun-filled museum designed especially for the little ones, but that doesn’t mean adults won’t enjoy it, too. This self-described “playground for your mind” features a number of hands-on exhibits that teach kids about science and how the world works, and they’re always bright, colorful and tailored toward children.

The How Does it Work? exhibit, for example, is a room filled with a mishmash of smaller exhibits like the Communication Speedway that shows how messages travel through fiberoptic wires. The Science Station is a 3D model of many of the most important scientific concepts, while the Building Zone provides hours of construction fun for the smallest architects and builders. The fast-paced Cyberchase is a game that turns kids on to the mathematics involved in computer programming.

Perhaps best of all, the Children’s Museum of Houston offers affordable admission and ample parking outside.

Children’s Museum of Houston
1500 Binz Road
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 522-1138

www.yelp.com/biz/the-childrens-museum-of-houston-houston
www.cmhouston.org

Sip Your Latte on the Patio at Inversion Coffee House

Inversion Coffee House drew its name from Houston’s famous Inversion House, which was created by the Art League of Houston in 2005. The temporary art installation featured a 30-foot opening in the side of the building’s exterior, with whitewashed wood arranged in a tornado shape that looked like the building was swallowing itself whole.

Although the art piece has since been demolished, Inversion Coffee House preserves its memory through its name, as well as by displaying many art pieces inside. The interior is cozy yet industrial, with rustic wood, exposed metal ductwork, and lots of eclectic seating options. There is even a beautiful patio area outside where guests can enjoy their coffee on sunny days.

The menu includes premium brews, handcrafted lattes with no shortage of foam art, and unique drinks like green tea lattes. Doughnuts and pastries pair perfectly with a hot drink, and the friendly atmosphere is likely to make you want to come back for more.

Inversion Coffee House
1953 Montrose Boulevard
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-4866
www.inversioncoffeehouse.com
www.yelp.com/biz/inversion-coffee-house-houston-3

Olde Towne Kolaches & Bakery: From Classic Czech to Tex-Czech Kolaches

Classic Czech kolaches start with the basics at Olde Towne Kolaches & Bakery: eggs, butter, and no preservatives. Bakers shape the handcrafted dough into pillowy pastries and fill them with a healthy dollop of fruit filling. Apple, peach, cherry apricot, and poppy seed are all available.

Bakers don't stop at traditional kolaches, though. They also craft a new type of baked good: the Tex-Czech kolache. Unlike the sweet Czech pastries, Tex-Czech kolaches come filled with ingredients like bacon, ham, sausage, beef chicken, eggs, and even jalapenos. Customers are welcome to grab just a few of the small kolaches, but they can also stock up with a couple dozen and take them home for a party or gathering.

If you aren't up for a kolache of any sort, try one of Olde Towne Kolaches & Bakery's other decadent treats. From gooey cinnamon rolls and fruit strudels to pecan sticky buns and scones, Olde Towne Kolaches & Bakery has its customers covered.

Olde Towne Kolaches & Bakery
8821 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77063-3625
(713) 781-7155
www.otkbakery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/olde-towne-kolaches-and-bakery-houston

What’s Your Favorite Class at YogaOne Studios?

Along with yoga's rising popularity in recent years has come a proliferation of classes featuring different styles of yoga, and it can sometimes be hard to find a studio that offers your preferred yoga style. That's where YogaOne comes in: this yoga studio's Bellaire location offers just about everything, from bikram-style hot yoga and vinyasa flow to forrest yoga, so no matter what you're looking for, you can probably find it here.

What's more, since the folks at YogaOne understand how important it is to find an instructor you connect with and a class that fits your needs, newcomers to the studio can get a heavily discounted 30-day trial membership that allows you to try over 350 classes taught by several dozen instructors at any of YogaOne's five locations. Yelp reviewers say the Bellaire staff is especially friendly and motivational, so whether you're new to yoga or a seasoned yogi, you'll likely find yourself welcome here.

YogaOne Studio
5427 Bellaire Boulevard
Bellaire, TX 77401
(281) 888-7724
www.yogaonehouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yogaone-studios-bellaire

Fresh Air and Professional Performances: Miller Outdoor Theatre

Outdoor concerts and high-end theatrical performances fill the air at Miller Outdoor Theatre, located within Hermann Park in Houston. Sponsored by the theather Board of Directors, the venue receives its funds from both private and public donors, affording it the ability to bring culture to the community free of charge.

The largest theater of its kind in the country, Miller Outdoor Theatre's eight-month season spans everything from dance, jazz, and ethnic music to musical theater, Shakespeare, and films. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and relax, have a picnic, and enjoy yourself at the 7.5-acre venue with room for up to 4,500 people. The season usually presents approximately 130 or more performances and have included Beauty and the Beast, The Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats, and 42nd Street to name a few. Go online the theater's website for the current calendar of events and for additional information on upcoming ones.

Miller Outdoor Theatre
6000 Hermann Park Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(281) 373-3386
www.milleroutdoortheatre.com
www.yelp.com/biz/miller-outdoor-theatre-houston

Nothing Bundt Cakes: Treat Yourself to Something Sweet

The folks at Nothing Bundt Cakes know that few things in life are better than savoring a bite of sweet, delicious cake made with fresh eggs and real butter, so that's exactly what this Sugar Land bakery specializes in making. You'll find plenty of full-sized, 8- and 10-inch bundt cakes, which can be frosted and decorated however you like (they can even be stacked into a custom tiered cake for special occasions).

But the real specialties of Nothing Bundt Cakes are its single-serving "bundtlets" and bite-sized "bundtinis," each of which are sold by the dozen and come in your choice of 10 different flavors. Try ordering a dozen or two for your next party in a variety of flavors like red velvet (made with real buttermilk), pecan praline (studded with candied pecans), and classic chocolate (ask for chocolate chips to be added to the batter for an extra-decadent version).

Nothing Bundt Cakes
1531 Highway 6
Sugar Land, TX 77478
(281) 491-2253
www.nothingbundtcakes.com/bakery/tx/sugar-land
www.yelp.com/biz/nothing-bundt-cakes-sugar-land-2

British Isles: The Shortest Distance Between Houston and London

Anglophiles and expats alike flock to British Isles to stock up on edibles, collectibles, and gifts. This Houston area shop specializes in imports directly from Britain. You'll find jars of marmalade and chutney, as well as biscuits, cakes, and crackers, all of which make excellent additions to your afternoon tea. You can also stock up on royal family collectibles and coveted Royal Worcester porcelain pieces, each hand-painted and carefully gilded.

British Isles is also a great place to pick up a gift for someone special. Purchase a set of china tea cups for a particularly proper friend, or splurge on an exquisite piece of modern glassware for an artistically-inclined pal. Kids will especially appreciate a bit of imported chocolate or candy, as well as the adorable Paddington Bear and Peter Rabbit plush toys. Whatever you intend on purchasing, be sure to allot yourself plenty of time, because chances are good that you'll lose track of time browsing through British Isles's charming stock.

British Isles
2366 Rice Boulevard
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 522-6868
britishislesonline.com
www.yelp.com/biz/british-isles-houston

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