Watch Pro Architects Shape Seaside Masterpieces at the AIA Sandcastle Competition

The AIA Sandcastle Competition isn't your average day on the beach. The fundraiser benefits the local branch of the American Institute of Architecture (AIA) and the Architecture Center of Houston, so its participants come from architectural firms around the city. They take their professional expertise and create truly spectacular structures out of the sand.

Head to East Beach in Galveston on Saturday, August 25th to witness these masters at work. They start to brainstorm ideas and sketch out blueprints for their sandcastles months in advance, so expect to see sandy masterpieces. The teams begin building at 10 a.m. and have five hours to finish before the judges make their rounds. They'll dole out the Golden Bucket Award to the most worthy team, as well as other honors in categories such as Best Traditional Sandcastle and Best Houston-centric Castle. Admission to this event is free.

Public Domain/Pixabay/MichaelGaida

Fat Cat Creamery: Locally Sourced, Sustainably Crafted Ice Cream

Milk and heavy cream from Mill-King Creamery, eggs from Ole Dad Farms, and figs and citrus fruits from The Barry Farm form the foundation for the artisan ice cream at Fat Cat Creamery. The team at Fat Cat Creamery supports its fellow local businesses not only out of a sense of camaraderie, but also because it's better for the earth, and they're committed to sustainability. That's why they also use recycled, compostable packaging and eco-friendly spoons.

Come to Fat Cat Creamery to savor a scoop of the small-batch ice cream. Its year-round gourmet flavors include the Cat's Meow Mexican Vanilla, Waterloo Strawberry Buttermilk, Amaya Coffee & Cream, beer-infused Milk Chocolate Stout, and dairy-free Chai Tea Coconut. But in addition, the staff constantly crafts seasonal flavors. They change all the time, but you might see options like Salted Butter Caramel or Bourbon Pecan Pie.

Houston Restaurant Weeks Have Returned

For every meal you enjoy during Houston Restaurant Weeks 2018, the Houston Food Bank is able to dish out at least nine meals to local people and families in need. That's because each participating eatery donates a portion of the proceeds from Houston Restaurant Weeks to the food bank, anywhere from $3 to $7. And these seemingly small donations can generate as many as 21 meals each.

Plus, the benefits of taking part in Houston Restaurant Weeks extend to customers like you, too. From August 1st through Labor Day, restaurants around Houston will offer set prix fixe, multi-course menus that allow you to sample their cuisine for an affordable price, starting at $20 for lunch and $35 for dinner. In the past, eateries such as Antica Osteria, Kirby's Prime Steakhouse, and Prohibition Supperclub & Bar have all participated. So pick your restaurant, peruse the menu online, and do some good as you do date night during Houston Restaurant Weeks.

Don’t Miss the Free Houston Shakespeare Festival From July 27th to August 5th

The Professional Company at the University of Houston hosts the Houston Shakespeare Festival each year in order to bring the most famous works of the Bard to the masses. This free theater series unfolds at the Miller Outdoor Theatre most nights from July 27th to August 5th with alternating productions of Hamlet and Comedy of Errors.

Pick your show and come to the theater a little before 8:15 p.m. when the play begins. If you choose Hamlet, gear up for an evening of twists and turns. The classic play follows its namesake protagonist as he returns from the university to discover his mother has married his uncle and there's a ghost haunting his home. He unravels the corruption of the court and ends up in a life-or-death predicament. Comedy of Errors, on the other hand, keeps things light with a silly storyline that involves two sets of identical twins and multiple instances of mistaken identity.

Head to Postino Heights for Happy Hour

Postino Heights just debuted in April, but local imbibers are already starting to generate some buzz for the wine bar and restaurant. It's quickly becoming a popular place for happy hour thanks to its top-notch wine list and roster of craft beers. You can grab a glass from famous wine-producing nations like Italy and France or enjoy a sip from Napa Valley in California.

Either way, pair your chosen libation with a few of the contemporary bites on the menu. Share some tapas like the pub board with soft pretzels, chorizo, and aged cheddar cheese or a bruschetta board with brie and apples, fresh mozzarella and tomato, and smoked salmon with pesto. Then try one of the paninis, perhaps the lavish Nine Iron. It features strips of crispy sugar-cured smoked bacon with grilled chicken, fresh burrata mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and Dijonnaise.

Public Domain/Pixabay/cktrick

Try the Avocado Fries at the Newly Opened Doberman’s Bar & Grill

Even though Doberman's Bar & Grill just opened in April, its impressive lineup of craft beer and creative Southern bites have already earned it a loyal following among locals. They highly recommend that, whether you come for happy hour or brunch, you start with the avocado fries. They're slices of avocado rolled in panko crumbs and baked to golden-brown and crispy.

Pair your avocado fries with a pint of locally sourced craft beer from the bar and savor the combination while you peruse the rest of the menu. For the main course, dig into a juicy Angus beef or brisket burger loaded with extras like cheddar cheese, seared onions, tomatoes, lettuce, bacon, and chipotle mayo. Try the fried ribs seasoned with lemon pepper, Cajun seasonings, and a dry rub. Or slurp down some "French Kiss" oysters, a fan favorite. They're chargrilled with Cajun-parmesan shrimp and spinach.

Truck Yard Is Quickly Becoming a Houston Institution for Beer Lovers of All Ages

You can't actually ride the Ferris wheel at Truck Yard just yet, but be patient. When the beer garden opened in May with the glowing Ferris wheel slowly spinning, the owner promised that customers would be able to climb aboard just as soon as they had the right insurance—and he fully intends to stick to that promise. For now, the carnival ride serves as a moving piece of scenery just beyond the fringes of this hip junkyard-inspired beer garden.

The mismatched lawn furniture, Airstream food trucks, and menus crafted out of license plates somehow create a cohesive aesthetic at Truck Yard and contribute to a laid-back atmosphere where all feel welcome. The bar pours a rotating lineup of locally brewed beers and artisan cocktails on draft while the kitchen churns out its signature cheesesteak sandwiches. In addition, Truck Yard welcomes at least three Houston food trucks each day to dole out their unique fares.

Freedom Over Texas Celebrates America’s Birthday With Live Music on July 4th

If you've ever heard country crooner Chris Young's smash "I'm Comin' Over," you're going to want to come on over to Freedom Over Texas this Fourth of July. Each Independence Day for more than 30 years, the city of Houston has hosted live music and fireworks on Buffalo Bayou—2018 will be no different.

Chris Young is headlining the festival on the main stage, just one of four stages scattered throughout Sam Houston and Eleanor Tinsley Parks. He recently received the honor of a spot in the Grand Ole Opry and has enjoyed countless Number 1 hits and award nominations. Before he takes the stage, Cupid & the Dance Party Express will open up the evening along with The Mavericks. Tickets are just $8 and include unlimited access to the fun, which culminates in a fireworks display around 10 p.m.

Public Domain/Pixabay/Pexels

Eat, Dance and Be Merry at the The Great Texas Mosquito Festival

Legend has it that Willie the Mosquito first dreamt up The Great Texas Mosquito Festival in the summer of 1981 as he watched humans frolic and play in the warm southern sunshine. Those humans took things from there, hosting the first Mosquito Festival with live music, rides, and lots of Texan comfort food. Come to the 37th Annual Great Texas from July 26th to 28th at the Clute Parks and Recreation Department to check out the fun.

Starting on Thursday, visit the petting zoo, take a spin on the carnival rides, and check out Willie's Home Run Party to play games and win prizes. Then on the 27th, taste-test bites from some of the area's best professional and novice chefs at the BBQ and Fajita Cook-Off before dancing to the up-tempo tuns of the Spazmatics starting at 8:30 p.m. The festival closes out on Saturday with a jam-packed schedule of mosquito-calling, haystack diving, and, of course, more live music and hot food. Tickets start at $1 on Thursday night and $15 for adults on Friday and Saturday.

Bring Dad to K1 Speed Houston for Some Father’s Day Fun

If you're looking for a fun and unique way to spend some time with your dad this Father's Day, bring him to K1 Speed Houston. The indoor go-kart racing track offers ample opportunities for some friendly competition between you and Dad, as well as any siblings you invite along.

The karting tracks take up a whopping 50,000 square feet, making them some of the biggest anywhere in the country. So there's no shortage of entertainment at K1 Speed Houston. Climb inside one of the electric go-karts and zip around the track at speeds reaching up to 45 miles per hour, then check out your stats on one of the plasma screen TVs. When it's your turn to sit out, watch other competitors speed around the tracks and keep an eye on their data as it splashes across the screens in front of you.

Public Domain/Pixabay/jarmoluk

Pin It on Pinterest