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

iT’Z Houston: Playtime For People of All Ages

If you’re struggling to find fun, creative ideas for a child’s upcoming birthday party or other special occasion, iT’Z Houston might just be the answer! This fun-filled play place is a combination arcade, upscale bowling alley, pizza buffet, and much more, which makes it a great time for visitors of all ages.

The colorful restaurant features a full-service bar for of-age guests to enjoy a beer or a cocktail while watching the big game, while the all-you-can-eat pizza buffet provides an affordable lunch for the whole family. There are an impressive number of seating options throughout the wacky, brightly lit dining area, and the restaurant opens up into the futuristic bowling alley, complete with leather sofas and glowing neon lights.

The arcade is a wonderland for kids of all ages, while the private party room, bumper cars, and amusement park rides are just the icing on the cake at this Houston facility.

iT’Z Houston
18355 Tomball Parkway
Houston, TX 77070
(832) 678-2151
www.itzusa.com/itz-houston-home

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

Admire the Impressive Latte Art at Catalina Coffee

With its friendly service, premium espresso drinks, and impressive latte art, you’ll find a lot to love at Houston’s Catalina Coffee. Stop in to this local favorite for your morning java or an afternoon pick-me-up and you’ll instantly be hooked on the shop’s unique combination of hip atmosphere and friendly ambiance.

Prices are affordable when compared to similar coffee shops, and the menu of drip brews, strong lattes, and traditional cappuccinos are expertly crafted in a way that will impress even the most knowledgeable coffee lover. Pair your drink with a savory treat or a fresh baked pastry and start your day off on the right foot. There is ample parking outside of the cafe, and the convenient location in Houston’s arts district makes it an easy pit stop when you’re running errands or doing some shopping in the area.

Catalina Coffee is open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends.

Catalina Coffee
2201 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-8448
www.catalinacoffeeshop.com

Track 21 Indoor Karting & More: Start Your Engines, Reserve at Garden Oaks!

If you consider yourself fun-loving and perhaps a bit competitive, you’ll love Track 21 Indoor Karting & More. This indoor go-kart facility hosts well-maintained tracks for both kids and adults, complete with sharp turns and thrilling straightaways where the race gets really intense. Visitors of all ages can rent their own go-karts, or if you’re a more experienced driver, you can even see what it feels like to be a professional racecar driver on the F-1 track.

Once your group is all tapped out from car racing, hop on over to the full laser tag course for even more fun. With 8,000 square feet and two stories of futuristic fun, this laser tag course might be one of the most impressive in the area.

To book a private party at Track 21 Indoor Karting & More, visit the facility’s convenient website.

Track 21 Indoor Karting & More
4815 Highway 6 N
Houston, TX 77084
(281) 200-2600
www.track21houston.com

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

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

Battlefield Houston: A Houston Laser Tag Arena

Don't let its name fool you: Battlefield Houston is actually a place for fun to be had. Proudly billing itself as the largest indoor laser tag center in the country, players have sensors on their heads (no vests) and are tasked with completing specific tactical missions—with the ultimate goal of crushing the opponent, of course!

Unlike your typical course, players encounter ramps, stairs, and other challenges that make the hour-long play both thrilling and exhilarating. The center offers a number of party packages, welcomes walk-ins for open play, and it has a mobile armory, as well. The really adventurous can choose to attend a "lock-in" and spend the night and following morning engaging in a number of planned mini games.

Reservations are recommended at Battlefield Houston, and they can be made online.

Battlefield Houston
11755 West Little York Road
Houston, TX 77041
(713) 409-1990
www.battlefieldhouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/battlefield-houston-houston

Sip, Savor, Repeat at Boomtown Coffee in Houston

Boomtown Coffee is a hip and friendly coffee shop that’s well-liked by coffee aficionados, but just as welcoming for those who don’t know a thing about their morning brew. If you like good coffee in an unpretentious atmosphere, you’ll love this bright and sunny café that contains its very own artisan coffee roaster on site. All of Boomtown's unique coffees are sourced from responsible growers and importers and roasted right in the shop to ensure the freshest, most flavorful cup possible.

If you get hungry while visiting, Boomtown Coffee also offers a complete menu of café favorites, including daily quiche, breakfast tacos, and homemade granola for breakfast, hearty soups, and croissant sandwiches for lunch and many vegan and vegetarian options for those with restricted diets.

Whether you’re meeting a friend or catching up on work, Boomtown Coffee is a great place to get caffeinated.

Boomtown Coffee
242 W. 19th Street
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 862-7018
www.boomtowncoffee.com

Willowbrook Mall: Add Some Shopping to Your Weekend Plans

If you’re an avid shopper in the Houston area, you know that there’s certainly no shortage of shopping destinations. The Willowbrook Mall is one of the city's most popular places to indulge in a bit of retail therapy, as it has a modern, convenient layout and a wide selection of shops for any type of interest. From trendy teen clothing stores like Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters to department store staples like Dillard's and Macy’s, clothing retailers appeal to shoppers of all ages and styles. The mall also contains home goods stores, gift shops, and even stores for books and music.

Hungry shoppers can grab lunch at one of the diverse eateries in the food court, and there are smaller food kiosks throughout the mall’s corridors, as well. Although it's known to get a bit crowded on the weekends, Willowbrook Mall is a reliable Houston shopping destination.

Willowbrook Mall
2000 Willowbrook Mall
Houston, TX 77070
(281) 890-8000
www.shopwillowbrookmall.com
www.yelp.com/biz/willowbrook-mall-houston

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