Enjoy espresso near Siena at Memorial Heights at Houston's Pura Coffee. This local cafe opened just a few months ago, but in its short time it has earned a number of fans and several positive online reviews. On the menu you'll find espresso drinks like shots, lattes, and cappucinos to go with tasty drip coffee. If you prefer tea, Pura has a number of options to try, and you can pair your drink with a snack like a fresh pastry. (Gluten free choices are available for those with dietary restrictions!)

The cafe space is open and welcoming, with Wi-Fi, large tables, and a brightly lit interior, making it a pleasant place to do a bit of work or simply to linger with your drink. Coffee beans are available to go, too.

If you'd like to see the place for yourself, Pura Coffee is open Mondays through Fridays from 6:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on weekends from 7 a.m. til 8 p.m.

Pura Coffee
7925 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77024
http://puracoffee.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pura-coffee-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Pen Waggener

Adkins Architectural Antiques may feel as much like a museum as an antique shop: the store aims to gather interesting salvaged materials from old buildings and homes, and it's developed a collection so compelling that This Old House magazine praised it as one of the top such shops in the country. Even if you aren't fully remodeling a home, the store's said to be a great place to browse and, perhaps, to find a few interesting decorative items to liven up your home at Siena at Memorial Heights.

In addition to large stuff for renovating homes, you can also find vintage pieces made from cast iron, stained glass, clay, stone, and more. Part of the shop occupies a 100-year-old home; the rest flows into a large warehouse space with tens of thousands of square feet to explore. If you love browsing old antiques and you appreciate the distinctive adornments of old buildings, you'll probably get a kick out of seeing the space.

Interested? Check out the Adkins Architectural Antiques website to find out more!

Adkins Architectural Antiques & Treasures
3515 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77004
www.adkinsantiques.com
www.yelp.com/biz/adkins-architectural-antiques-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/horiavarlan

You don't have to step beyond city limits to enjoy an enclave of nature. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center at Memorial Park brings a snapshot of the wilderness to the city. Its 155 acres of wild space not only offer a calm space to unwind, but also teach guests about the local ecosystem—no matter how young or old they are.

Many locals come to the Houston Arboretum just to watch turtle and squirrels play in the warm Texas sun. However, you can also go for a hike or a leisurely stroll on the five miles' worth of trails—no admission fee necessary. On summer vacation, kids can attend Discovery Class, a week-long camp where they'll learn about the nature of their hometown. The Nature Center also offers some interesting exhibits, intended to entertain both kids and adults.

Located just a short trip from Siena at Memorial Heights, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center might be one of the area's best outdoor destinations.

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
4501 Woodway Drive
Houston, TX 77024
(713) 681-8433
houstonarboretum.org/
www.yelp.com/biz/houston-arboretum-and-nature-center-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/natalie419