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

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

Strengthen and Lengthen at YogaOne Studios Midtown

One of five YogaOne Studios throughout Houston, YogaOne Studios Midtown was established in 2008 to offer a range of yoga classes in a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere. In fact, the YogaOne mission is "to co-create a positive space, filled with positive people, that is positively life changing through the practice and path of yoga."

Here, new and experienced yogis practice their positions within two modern studio spaces, each of which reflects the company's eco-friendly ethos through sustainably sourced bamboo flooring, no-VOC paints, and a BYORWB (Bring Your Own Reusable Water Bottle) policy. Instruction is offered in flow-based styles of yoga and hot yoga, the latter of which is bolstered by a custom heating system.

A single drop-in class at YogaOne Midtown will cost you $18, while class packages offer quantity discounts. Regulars recommend taking advantage of the $30 for 30 days pass, an introductory offer that entitles new yogis to test out an unlimited number of classes over a one-month trial period. For more info, check out the YogaOne Studios class schedule.

YogaOne Studios
3030 Travis Street
Houston, TX, 77006
(713) 522-0876
www.yogaonehouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yogaone-studios-houston-3

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

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

Pinot’s Palette: A BYOB Art Studio in Houston

You're probably already familiar with the premise of those paint-your-own pottery studios, but did you know that an adults-only version exists here in Houston? It's called Pinot's Palette, and the idea behind this "BYOB art entertainment studio" is a little different from the competition.

First, amateur painters are invited to enroll in a painting class from Pinot's Palette's online schedule which also displays the exact painting that will be attempted (no talent required!) during each two- or three-hour class. Then, the student simply shows up to the studio approximately 30 minutes before the class's start time; Pinot's Palette supplies all the necessary materials. However, the real draw of these classes, which are more akin to a social outing than a serious art class, is the fact that participants are encouraged to bring along a bottle of wine and some snacks—in addition to an eagerness to have a fun night out with friends.

Pinot's Palette's classes range in price from $39 to $49. This Houston studio is also a popular spot for parties and other special events.

Pinot’s Palette
2406 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-4769
www.pinotspalette.com/Montrose
www.yelp.com/biz/pinots-palette-houston-4

Ben’s Beans: Bona Fide Brews and More

The funky atmosphere of Ben’s Beans in downtown Houston provides patrons with an extra mood boost to go along with their cup of joe. Brightly colored walls covered in local artwork enclose this cozy coffeehouse, giving it a warm touch not found in sterile, overly hip cafes. The welcoming attitude of Ben’s is just one reason to love this cafe, but the large selection of locally roasted brews are another.

Java enthusiasts will appreciate the knowledgeable baristas at Ben’s, while casual coffee drinkers will love the many different flavor options, teas, and hot cocoas available. Also serving food, Ben’s is a great place to pick up a hot or cold sandwich for lunch or treat yourself to a freshly baked pastry. The spacious parking lot and free Wi-Fi make Ben's location a convenient choice for patrons seeking a temporary workspace.

Ben's Beans
1302 Dallas Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 654-8856
www.facebook.com/pages/Bens-Beans/130312383728807
www.yelp.com/biz/bens-beans-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

Rich Gelato Is Served Atop Brioche Buns at SweetCup in Houston

After traveling through Italy during her honeymoon, the founder of SweetCup returned to the U.S. with a new purpose: to bring the authentic Italian gelato cafe experience to Houston. Her cafe, SweetCup, opened in February 2012, bringing with it authentic elements ranging from its all-natural gelato to its freshly brewed espresso that makes use of locally roasted beans.

At SweetCup, gelato is prepared in small batches on a daily basis. Flavors vary by season, but past highlights have included peanut butter stracciatella, caramelized banana, and bourbon caramel alongside everyday favorites such as bacio and zabaione. Order your gelato atop a warm brioche bun or enjoy it "affogato" style, topped with two shots of fresh espresso. Regulars note that the sorbetto here is also not to be missed, especially when the flavors highlight summertime fruits and berries.

SweetCup is open Tuesdays through Sundays.

SweetCup
3939 Montrose Boulevard
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 942-2226
www.sweetcupgelato.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sweetcup-houston

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