We hope everyone has a safe and happy day as we celebrate America's Independence. Happy 4th of July!

The convenient location of Houston’s Memorial Park in the River Oaks neighborhood makes this a popular spot for exercise enthusiasts and picnickers alike. Most come for the many trails for hiking, jogging, and biking. The three mile loop is popular for runners, but there are over thirty miles that meander through woods. The large space provides plenty of room for visitors to spread out, so you don’t feel cramped. Although it may draw a crowd, parking is hardly ever an issue.

Other facilities include sand volleyball, tennis and basketball courts, as well as baseball and soccer fields, even a municipal golf course and indoor fitness center! Pack a picnic and enjoy the fresh air. There are plenty of picnic tables throughout the park, along with restrooms and water fountains. The playground makes a great family-friendly destination, and the whole park is dog friendly.

Memorial Park
6501 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77007
http://memorialparkconservancy.org
http://www.yelp.com/biz/memorial-park-houston

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/likeaduck

The backbone of traditional Italian is meat, so you might not expect to find vegetarian options at an Italian restaurant—let alone an entire menu. But Prima Pasta in Houston values only one thing above Italian tradition, and that is its clientele. So the eatery offers a vegetarian-friendly menu that still captures the spirit of Italian fare with dishes such as fettuccine Alfredo (a favorite among regulars), spaghetti with marinara, and veggie lasagna.

Of course, Prima Pasta also serves a meat-laden menu to its customers with some similar options. Try the Alfredo with grilled chicken or shrimp, the spaghetti with meatballs, or the lasagna with its classic ingredient, beef. No matter what you order—pizza, pasta, or classic entree—it will always be fresh, since chefs craft everything in-house every day. And the menu changes every week to incorporate a few new dishes, so while your tried-and-trued standards are always offered, so are some fresh options every time you visit.

Pasta Prima
6811 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 666-4047
www.primapastarestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/prima-pasta-houston-3

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jseita