Experience a Hong Kong Tradition at the Houston Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon boats bring beautiful mythical creatures into the modern age. They're traditional Chinese watercraft embellished in an explosion of bright colors to actually evoke dragons. With a crew of 20 paddlers, one steersperson, and a drummer on board, they race down rivers in a display of athleticism and teamwork. The Houston Dragon Boat Festival brings this Asian tradition to your city every year.

Head out to the festival on Saturday, May 5th at Allen's Landing to watch the show. The teams will face off against each other in the striking dragon boats, churning through the water as quickly as possible along courses that range from 250 to 1,000 meters. In between the feats of strength, which run every 10 or 15 minutes, check out cultural performances and live music or enjoy some hot food at the Houston Dragon Boat Festival.

Treat Yourself to a Craft Cocktail at Newly Debuted High & Dry, a Rum Bar

Exposed brick. Hand-carved tiki statues. Century-old hardwood floors. High & Dry blends elements of old-school Houston and island vibes in a way that somehow totally works. Since the rum bar opened in February downtown, it's already earned a reputation for boasting some of the best cocktails around. They're mostly rooted in craft rums—after all, the bar plays host to more than 75 varieties from around the globe.

If you're looking for a drink that tastes like summer, try the Sunshower. The bartender infuses its refreshing base of cucumber water with ginger and dill aquavit for a unique balance of sweet and salty. The Bajan Brew goes a different direction, a mix of cold-brew coffee with creamy coconut milk, tiki bitters, and authentic Bajan rums. Anyone craving something light and sweet should try the Mai Girl, which brings together freshly pressed pineapple and pure cane sugar with a house-crafted allspice dram. You can also enjoy artisan shots of rum, like the H&D Cannon Ball, a straight shot of house-infused cinnamon-spiced rum.

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Don’t Miss ‘Hamilton’ While It’s at The Hobby Center From April 24-May 20

It's been two years since Hamilton made its grand debut on Broadway, but the buzz surrounding this groundbreaking play has barely died down to a dull roar. But now that the show is on the road, you won't have to book a plane to NYC and fight crowds for a ticket. You can see Hamilton at The Hobby Center from April 24th to May 20th.

Its traveling cast brings the new classic to the stage near you with the same dramatic sets and music as the original on Broadway. Follow the tale of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies, as he arrives in America and finds himself at the right hand of George Washington as the Revolutionary War rages on. The story is old, but the score is new, a mix of rap, hip-hop, jazz, and R&B.

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Mark Your Calendar for the Japan Festival Houston on April 14-15

If you want to learn more about the Japanese culture, there's no better place than the Japan Festival Houston. On April 14th and 15th, the celebration will return to Hermann Park for its 25th year, bringing with it a long list of vendors and activities. From taking part in a traditional tea ceremony to learning origami, there's plenty to entertain you.

Grab a bite from Breaking Bao, Coreanos Food Truck, or Izakaya WA to fuel you as you explore the rest of the festival. Explore a forest of carefully shaped bonsai trees or learn how wagashi is made. Experience the stunning performances of Japanese dance troops, martial artists, and Japanese singers. Compete in the Cosplay Contest, and if you win, you'll get a roundtrip ticket from Houston to Japan. There's a lot to see and do at this year's Japan Festival Houston, so don't miss it.

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Grab a Pint at the Newly Opened Holman Draft Hall

A mix of exposed brick, iron elements, and rustic rough-hewn slats of wood creates an industrial-chic environment at Holman Draft Hall. From the wooden swings and firepits out on the brick patio to the plush velour couches and farmhouse-style chandeliers inside, each and every design component of the space has been handpicked for the sake of delighting your senses. Of course, the 100 beers on tap don't hurt, either.

Since Holman Draft Hall opened in January, customers have quickly caught on to its presence. They love the happy hour libations, and not just the beers, many of which are crafted right here in Texas. The bartenders also dole out unique frozen cocktails, like the Slippery Rabbit with Reyka Vodka, blueberry, lavender, cardamom, and lemon. Pair your chosen libation with one of the snacks, sammies, or "shareables," like the curry-golden raisin chicken wings or the fried green tomatoes.

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Usher In the Spring at Memorial Park

The sun shines year-round at Houston's Memorial Park, but with the arrival of spring just on the horizon, it might shine a little bit brighter. Take full advantage of the springtime sunshine at this sprawling city park, which boasts more than 30 miles of hiking trails—not to mention ample space for biking, picnicking, and lounging on the grass.

On a warm, sunny day, bring your bike along and conquer the trails in the southwest part of Memorial Park, which are popular among mountain bikers. Play a round of golf at the Memorial Park Golf Course, an 18-hole course spread out across 250 acres. You can book a tee in advance. Or head to the Memorial Park Fitness Center, where you can splash into the pool or pump some iron in the weight room. If you have little ones in tow, stop at the Vale-Asche Foundation Playground, a spot that's accessible to children of all abilities.

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Explore the Bayou City Art Festival March 23-25

For one weekend each year, Houston's Memorial Park transforms into a fresh-air art gallery in honor of the Bayou City Art Festival. This year, the colorful festival kicks off on Friday, March 23rd and runs through Sunday, the 25th. More than 300 artists from around the area will line the mile-long walking path, displaying their masterpieces in the bright spring sunshine.

That collection of artists encompasses a wide variety of different styles. Some shape clay into functional pieces. Others enlist leather and metal to create stunning decorative items. Still others craft works using strokes of watercolor, glass, or their digital cameras. Come to explore the collection of contemporary and classic art, maybe even take something home to embellish your living room. After you scour the art show, enjoy some international food and wine, get your hands dirty at the hands-on Creative Zone, and take in some live music.

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Design Your Own Doughnut at Duck Donuts

Duck Donuts does things differently than any bakery you've been to before. For one thing, its bakers make their build-your-own doughnuts to-order. This means you'll never end up with a stale treat. What's more, the team constantly comes up with new specialty doughnuts that reflect the season and current culinary trends—so there's always something new to try. Since a Duck Donuts opened near you in Houston this January, you now have easy access to the unique sweets.

Stop by Duck Donuts to check out the selection of featured artisan confections. Currently, the bakery offers up unique options like a doughnut coated with key lime icing and dusted with crushed graham cracker, a lemon-frosted doughnut speckled with shredded coconut, and a strawberry-iced doughnut flecked with springtime sprinkles.

If you want to design your own doughnut, it's a three-step process. First, pick your coating, like cinnamon sugar or chocolate icing. Then, add toppings such as sprinkles, chopped peanuts, or Oreo crumbs. Finally, choose a drizzle of hot fudge, salted caramel, or blackberry syrup.

What’s Your Go-To Order at the Bubble Tea House?

Offering much more than just bubble tea, the Bubble Tea House in the Energy Corridor offers an eclectic menu for all palates. With their specialty being beverages of all kinds, you’ll have a lot of choices to make. The cream teas are a local favorite, coming in flavors like almond, coconut, honey ginger, even rose, so every tastebud can find their match on this menu. Fresh juices are also a highlight, with a variety of unique lemonade flavors you need to try. You can’t forget the incredible variety of smoothies, floats, slurpees and and coffee on the list with more than varieties. Choosing might take a bit!

On the food side of things, there is a mix of Asian influenced dishes and fried favorites. Try the shrimp wonton noodle soup or a mix of decadent fried fish balls or fried chicken. All the options are tasty and perfect for a quick bite. If you’re in a pinch for time, use their online ordering system and pick up on the go.

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Think Spring Thoughts at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary

If you’re looking for an escape from the everyday, the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary in West Houston is the perfect location. This over 17-acre park is a hidden gem that many say they would have never found without an insider tip. The sanctuary is home to a log cabin built by the Moores in the 1930s; it's now one of the main attractions and hosts educational programs.

On your hikes around the sprawling trails you’ll come across lizards, frogs, snakes, birds, turtles and more. You’ll also find bits of Rummel Creek, offering a calming oasis in the forest. From September to May, docents lead a Saturdays in Nature program for families on the second Saturday of each month which focuses on a different lesson each week. They also offer Second Saturday bird walks for a bit more exploration and education. Gates are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with entry free donations are suggested for tours and educational programs.

Public Domain/Pixabay/Pixaline

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