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

Not Jus’ Donuts: More Sweets Than Meets the Eye

Just like its name suggests, Not Jus’ Donuts is a bakery that offers a whole lot more than your hole-in-the-middle breakfast treat. Whether you’re looking for a customized birthday cake for an upcoming party or a box of sweet treats to bring with you to the office, you’ll find every type of dessert at this friendly local bakery.

Stop in for breakfast and you’ll find sweet and savory creations like the decadent doughnut breakfast sandwich, or try something more traditional, like an egg croissant sandwich. Not Jus’ Donuts also offers its famous doughnuts by the dozen if you prefer something sweet in the morning. Order a customized cake for your next special occasion in the shape of a super hero, a glamorous handbag, or even a sports team's logo. You can also pick up a homemade pie to bring with you as a favor to your next get-together.

Not Jus’ Donuts
2020 Dowling St
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 951-9211
www.notjusdonuts.net
www.yelp.com/biz/not-jus-donuts-bakery-houston

Fitzgerald’s: A Houston Institution for Live Music Since 1977

Part dive bar, part music venue, Fitzgerald's has been a Houston institution since 1977. In fact, musicians and bands such as James Brown and The Romones have graced the stage here, and many locals are likely to tell you that Fitzgerald's was the site of their first show.

Downstairs, Fitzgerald’s hosts a stage and two full bars, one of which is located on the venue's sprawling back patio. Upstairs sits the venue's main stage, which regularly hosts music acts in a wide range of genres, from hip hop to indie rock. You can see what performers are on the docket by visiting the venue's website, then purchase tickets online.

Fitzgerald's hosts performances several days per week. Shows are open to people of all ages, but only of-ages guests are granted access to the bar.

Fitzgerald’s
2706 White Oak Drive
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 862-3838
www.fitzlivemusic.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fitzgeralds-houston

Doshi House Cafe: More Than Your Typical Coffee House

Doshi House Cafe serves an array of coffee, teas, and vegetarian bites. Regulars at this Houston coffee shop know that it uses only locally roasted Greenway beans and makes its own flavoring syrups in house. Stop by for a quick cup of joe to go, or sit down to savor a foamy cappuccino or cup of hot green tea.

Regulars praise the strong, globally inspired food menu, too, and recommend you pick up some lunch at Doshi House Cafe next time you've got a few minutes to spare. Try the curried vegetable panini, served with muenster on thick-sliced bread, or enjoy a fragrant bowl of coconut Thai soup that comes swimming with rice and greens. The Creole red beans and rice is a house favorite, with its hearty base and spicy broth spooned over the top. Everything at Doshi House is 100 percent vegetarian, too, so you can feel good about getting your RDA of veggies.

Doshi House Cafe
3419 Dowling Street
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 528-0060
www.doshihouse.com
www.yelp.com/biz/doshi-house-caf%C3%A9-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

Tout Suite Cafe: Hurry In for a Caramel Cupcake and a Vietnamese Sandwich

In French, “tout de suite” translates to “right away”, which is appropriate for a place that serves cupcakes so decadent, you’ll want to hurry in to try them. While Houston's Tout Suite Cafe is a combination bakery and cafe that specializes in cupcakes, that's not all that you’ll find on the expansive menu here. Salted caramel and tiramisu cupcakes mingle with Vietnamese steak sandwiches and avocados stuffed with quinoa and fried eggs, while cold-pressed juices and hot, fresh coffees are available to wash it all down.

The restaurant’s spacious interior has a stylish, industrial vibe, with long, communal tables, smaller cafe tables, and bare lights hanging from the ceiling. There are even benches covered in pillows where you can cozy up with your laptop to catch up on work!

Tout Suite Cafe is open daily.

Tout Suite Cafe
2001 Commerce St.
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 227-8688
www.toutsuite.co
www.yelp.com/biz/tout-suite-cafe-houston

Discovery Green: Jog, Canoe or Watch a Movie at This Scenic Green Space

Though Houston may be a sprawling metropolis, it provides ample opportunities for locals to get outdoors at parks like Discovery Green. This modern green space and community hub hosts beautiful gardens, playgrounds for the little ones, and an ever-changing array of inspirational outdoor art installations.

The park’s large pond is often used for canoeing around Houston’s beautiful cityscape, while in the winter, it doubles as an outdoor ice rink for visitors of all ages to enjoy. There are sprawling green spaces where people can play catch or enjoy a picnic, walking paths for those who want to get a bit of exercise, and even a dog park where you can take your furry friend. Discovery Green contains a few different restaurants on its grounds, and there are also areas where the park hosts live music performances, outdoor movies, and festivals during the summer months.

For a full list of happenings at Discovery Green, visit the park’s website!

Discovery Green
1500 McKinney
Houston, TX 77010
(713) 400-7336
www.discoverygreen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/discovery-green-houston

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

Theater Under the Stars: Light Up the Night With Live Theater

Take in a show preformed by the impressive company Theater Under the Stars at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Originally founded in 1969 in the open-air theater of Miller Park, this innovative company has grown into its now-permanent location under a sea of sparkling fiber optic stars, adding a magical atmosphere to each show produced.

Performing popular musicals such as Man of La Mancha, Evita, Jekyll and Hyde, and Flashdance, the talented actors and actresses draw a large crowd at each show. Theater Under the Stars has also expanded to include TUTS Underground, an intimate theater of 500 seats that produces shows that are slightly more counter-culture. Take advantage of the Cuisine & Culture package that includes a three-course dinner from one of four participating restaurants along with orchestra setting for a show at either venue. With so many options from one company, theater lovers of all stripes will appreciate all TUTS has to offer.

Theatre Under the Stars
800 Bagby Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 558-2600
www.tuts.com
www.yelp.com/biz/theatre-under-the-stars-houston

Southside Espresso: Sip Your Daily Perk-Me-Up

It's easy to miss tiny Southside Espresso–it's tucked behind other shops in a Montrose plaza–but regulars say this little coffee house is definitely worth seeking out. Southside Espresso offers everything you need to start your day off right. Order a double shot of espresso, either straight up or mixed with a bit of foamy, steamed milk, then grab a chocolate croissant or blueberry muffin for the road.

Southside Espresso is also a good place to linger if you've got the time. Free Wi-Fi makes it easy to catch up on email or get a bit of work done, while the shop's specialty drinks, like the sweet potato latte or cardamom and clove spiked latte, are ideal for slow, leisurely sipping. A variety of house-made syrups complete the shop's flavor possibilities, and a line-up of beers and wines rounds out the evening possibilities at this hotspot.

Southside Espresso
904 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 942-9990
southsideespresso.com
www.yelp.com/biz/southside-espresso-houston

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