Treat Yourself to Cute Confections at Fluff Bake Bar

Fluff Bake Bar is a cute, local bakery that creates some of the most in-demand sweets in Houston, offering a creative take on classic desserts like cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, and the namesake fluffernutters. Order a custom cake for a birthday or wedding from this stylish sweet shop and you’ll find a very large assortment of icing styles, cake flavors, and artistic designs to go on top. For a smaller, individual-sized cake, the shop’s cupcakes come in unique flavors like black velvet, Veruca Salt, and PB&J, and they’re even available by the dozen if you want to share with friends.

Fluff Bake Bar’s delicious delicacies are available at many popular coffee shops and cafes around town, but if you want the full experience, stop in to see the sights (and smells) at the stylish, welcoming bakery.

Fluff Bake Bar is open Tuesdays through Thursdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to midnight, and Sundays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Fluff Bake Bar
314 Gray Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 522-1900
www.fluffbakebar.com

Warehouse Live: Rock Out at This Intimate Performing Arts Venue in Houston

There’s no shortage of live music venues in Houston, but Warehouse Live might be one of the best. Occupying a converted warehouse, this intimate venue has a cool and atmospheric vibe, with LED chandeliers, cozy booths, and cafe tables where guests can relax and enjoy music by their favorite bands. Of-age guests can even enjoy a libation from the full bar.

The stage is easily visible from anywhere in the room, and it's well lit so that every performance feels up-close-and-personal. An eclectic list of performers takes the stage here, from rockers like Ben Folds to the Rebirth Brass Band and even live radio shows like The Moth. Warehouse Live is also known to host private events, fashion shows, and comedians.

Regulars recommend arriving early, as parking is limited. Check the venue’s website for a full schedule of upcoming shows!

Warehouse Live
813 St Emanuel Street
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 225-5483
www.facebook.com/warehouselive
www.yelp.com/biz/warehouse-live-houston

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

Discover Your New Favorite Artist at Off the Wall Gallery

Located on the first floor of The Galleria, Off the Wall Gallery is a high-end art gallery specializing in what owner Mimi Sperber calls "Urban Eclecticism." This genre of art is a blend of artistic elements believed to nourish "today's urban souls."

Family-owned and -operated for over three decades, Off the Wall houses 4,600 square feet of original art, sculpture, and prints by mid-level career from all over the world. Expert staff is on hand to introduce collectors and novices to their favorite new artists, and the gallery frequently plays host to temporary exhibits, as well. Past exhibits have displayed pieces by famous artists like Dali, Matisse, Picasso, Manet, and Renoir.

Situated near Neiman Marcus, Off the Wall Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Off the Wall Gallery
5015 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 871-0940
www.offthewallgallery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/off-the-wall-gallery-houston

Take a Ride on the Railroad at the Hermann Park Conservancy

For nature lovers in Houston, there are few places more fun and fascinating than the Hermann Park Conservancy. This large park is packed full of outdoor attractions that everyone in your family will love to explore, or if you prefer to simply relax in the grass, you’ll find lots of places to do that as well.

Start your visit by purchasing an all-day ticket for the Hermann Park Railroad, a train that winds its way around all of the park’s major attractions. Tickets are just over $6 to ride all day long, or you can purchase single ride passes if you know where you’re going. Next, rent a paddle boat on the crystal clear lake or rent a bike to pedal your way around the park’s numerous trails. There is a small zoo on the park’s grounds, a Japanese garden, and even the Miller Outdoor Theatre, which shows Shakespeare performances all summer long.

Hermann Park Conservancy
1700 Hermann Drive
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 524-5876
www.hermannpark.org

Climb Your Way to Fitness at the Texas Rock Gym

For adventurous Houston residents looking for a workout that’s more exciting than an hour on the treadmill, try your hand at the Texas Rock Gym. This state-of-the-art facility contains sturdy climbing walls perfect for indoor rock climbing or even daring bouldering, which is similar to rock climbing but done without a rope. The routes change very often so that there’s always a new experience for frequent visitors, and if you’re a first-timer, the gym’s experienced staff of trainers are always on hand to show you the ropes—quite literally.

You’re free to bring your own climbing gear if you already own some, but if you don’t, you can also rent everything you’ll need from the pro shop at Texas Rock Gym. With its convenient location and frequent price specials on certain days of the week, everyone will feel welcome in this fun, friendly climbing gym.

Texas Rock Gym
1526 Campbell Road
Houston, TX 77055
(713) 973-7625
www.texasrockgym.com

Foelber Pottery: Sculpt New Memories With Family and Friends

If you’ve always wanted to take a spin on a pottery wheel, Foelber Pottery Gallery & Studio offers classes that will give you a chance to do just that. This friendly, welcoming pottery studio welcomes aspiring sculptors of all ages, from the youngest children to inexperienced adults and even longtime, experienced artists.

Enter the arched doorway of the tree-shaded building and you’ll find a large, open gallery area displaying beautiful sculptures created by on-site artists. There are frequent exhibits and gallery openings featuring local sculptors, as well as outdoor festivals during the fall. If you want to try your hand at creating your own pottery, Foelber Pottery also hosts classes taught by experienced artists and private parties that make fun bonding activities for your friends or family.

For a complete list of upcoming events at Foelber Pottery or to sign up for a class, visit the studio’s website.

Foelber Pottery
706 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-1703
www.foelberpottery.com

Ten Thousand Villages: Shop Globally-Sourced, Fair-Trade Crafts in Houston

You know you've got something special when you can combine beautiful artisan-made items with the satisfaction of knowing that your purchases are supporting ethical, sustainable production. And that's exactly what you'll get at Ten Thousand Villages, a national retailer with a location here in Houston.

As you browse around the store, you'll see huge variety in the style of items produced in different nations from around the globe. Admire an African stoneware place setting or a Guatemalan sculpture crafted out of salvaged aluminum scraps. Run your fingers across the fine beadwork adorning a brightly colored table runner, or select a fruit basket woven out of rushes. Feel free to inquire about the origins of any object that interests you as the staff at this shop are typically very knowledgeable about the craftwork that goes into each object, as well as the challenges faced by the communities where the items are produced.

Ten Thousand Villages
2424A Rice Boulevard
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 533-1000
www.tenthousandvillages.com/houston
www.yelp.com/biz/ten-thousand-villages-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

Cool Off With a Mangonada at Mango Beach in Houston

If you’ve never tried a traditional Mexican Mangonada, you’re in for a real treat at Houston’s Mango Beach. The Mangonada is an orange and mango slush topped with chamoy and chile lime salt, creating a delicious sweet and salty taste that is also very refreshing. These are by far the most popular items at Mango Beach, a popular sweet spot where locals often go to beat the Texas summer heat. In addition to Mangonadas, you’ll find savory lunch options like elote (a cheese-covered Mexican street corn) and hot Cheeto pie. There are a number of other types of blended fruit desserts and sno-cones, and you can add vanilla ice cream on top of any item to make it even more delicious.

Mango Beach is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily throughout the spring and summer. There are limited hours during the fall and winter months.

Mango Beach
2304 White Oak Drive
Houston, TX 77009
(713) 900-7500
www.facebook.com/pages/Mango-Beach/109741795756927

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