Bambu Desserts and Drinks: Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

When your sweet craving hits, you usually reach for the ice cream, cookies, or chocolate. At Bambu Desserts and Drinks, however, you can experience sweet drinks and desserts in a way that you’ve likely never seen before. This unique cafe serves Asian milk teas, exotic smoothies, and Vietnamese coffee drinks in a wide variety of styles and flavors, from passion fruit milk tea to taro coconut smoothies. The dessert menu consists of Asian dessert favorites made with pandan jelly and a number of fresh toppings that may look a bit strange at first, but will likely convert you into a fan after the first bite.

The shop is fairly sparse inside, but there are flatscreen televisions on the walls and ample seating to accommodate large crowds. Step outside of the box when it comes to sweets with a visit to Bambu Desserts and Drinks.

Bambu is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Bambu Desserts and Drinks
9820 Gulf Freeway
Houston, TX 77034
(281) 501-3111
www.drinkbambu.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bambu-desserts-and-drinks-houston

Dean’s Downtown: Throw a Few Back at This Throwback Cocktail Lounge

Dean’s Downtown is the type of throwback cocktail lounge where you would imagine meeting an old friend to meet you for an after-dinner nightcap. With plush, velvet upholstered sofas, a rustic wooden bar, and antique chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, Dean’s has a vintage look that makes it truly stylish and comfortable. The bar’s signature items are craft beers, handcrafted, old-fashioned cocktails, and a few specialty drinks made with unique ingredients. There’s even an entire menu dedicated to different takes on the Old Fashioned.

Don’t worry if you don’t have weekend plans, because Dean’s always has something going on, from the songwriter series showcasing Houston’s endless musical talent to weeknight happy hours and talks from creative locals. Get out and enjoy the town with a visit to Dean’s Downtown.

Dean’s Downtown is open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Check the online calendar for upcoming events.

Dean’s Downtown
316 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
(281) 624-5541
www.deansdowntown.com
www.yelp.com/biz/deans-downtown-houston

Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20: Catch a Film for a Low Price

The Cinemark movie theater chain is one of the country’s most popular due to its low prices and its wide selection of the latest Hollywood films, and the Cinemark Pasadena location doesn’t disappoint.

Regulars of this spacious movie theater say that although it might be a bit dated, its convenient location and affordable prices make it well worth a visit. There is a full service snack bar with the usual movie favorites, from soft drinks to buttered popcorn, as well as a full arcade with a number of fun games perfect for passing the time before a movie. The theater was updated a few years back, and it now has RealD 3D technology, stadium seating, and high frame rate projectors that make the movie-going experience even more enjoyable.

Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20 costs $5.50 for an adult matinee and $6.50 for an adult evening ticket. Senior and child discounts are available. Check the website for a full list of showtimes.

Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20
2101 East Beltway 8
Pasadena, TX 77503
(713) 475-8180
www.cinemark.com/theatre-detail.aspx?node_id=1494&
www.yelp.com/biz/cinemark-hollywood-movies-20-pasadena

Sycamore Grounds Coffee House: A Local Cafe

Before they were everywhere, the humble neighborhood coffee house served multiple purposes. Sure, it was a way to get the all-important caffeine to start your day, but it was also a hub of local social activity, with people from all walks of life convening and interacting on common ground. Pasadena’s Sycamore Grounds Coffee House hearkens back to that tradition.

This is a true neighborhood coffee shop, with a cozy interior that offers lots of seating and natural light. The baristas are expert coffee crafters, capable of making just about any drink you can imagine. Their baked goods are also delicious, with the blueberry muffins winning special raves from regulars. Every Thursday, they host a popular open mic night that draws talented local performers.

Visit Sycamore's Facebook page to learn more about this cafe!

Sycamore Grounds Coffee House
2502 Pansy Street
Pasadena, TX 77503
(281) 487-4033
https://www.facebook.com/sycamoregroundscoffee
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sycamore-grounds-coffee-house-pasadena

Pasadena Public Library: Join a Book Club at This Area Library

The Pasadena Public Library aims to provide every Pasadena citizen with access to reading materials, computer programs, and other educational tools, and based on the positive reviews from its many visitors, the library is an asset to the community.

This expansive library boasts an impressive 145,000 books over its two locations, as well as a large selection of CDs, DVDs, audio books, and even e-books to keep up with the latest technological advancements. All it takes is a library card to receive access to the public library’s Wi-Fi network, the 27 computers in the Business Center, and its printing services, as well. These areas can help the city’s residents to find a job, work on homework, or just browse the web. The library also offers educational classes for adults, story hours for children, and wholesome game nights for teens.

The Pasadena Public Library is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The library is closed Sundays.

Pasadena Public Library
1201 Jeff Ginn Memorial Drive
Pasadena, TX 77506
(713) 477-0276
www.ppltx.net

Antique Junction: Where Everything Old Is New Again

Pasadena's Antique Junction is a two-story facility that hosts a wide variety of dealers who sell everything from furniture to jewelry. Regulars rave that the prices here are a fraction of what you’ll pay at high-end antique shops in other parts of town, and the merchandise is of the same or better quality.

Located in a nondescript strip mall, what Antique Junction saves on rent allows the business to operate with low overhead and pass the savings on to shoppers. Unlike many antiques stores, Antique Junction has a real sense of humor about their merchandise, so be sure to check out their Facebook page! The staff is pleasant and happy to help you dig through the shelves to find that treasure you’re looking for.

Antique Junction is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Antique Junction
111 W. Southmore Avenue
Pasadena, TX 77502
(713) 473-9824
www.facebook.com/pages/Antique-Junction/163440833679218
www.yelp.com/biz/antique-junction-pasadena

Pasadena Dog Park: Let Fido Run Free

Being on a leash can’t be any fun. The minute your dog finds anything interesting, he’s pulled over to the next stop. When he encounters another dog on the street, there’s barely time for an introductory sniff before the meeting is over.

Paws In the Park, Pasadena’s Dog Park, gives Fido a chance to run free and play with his buddies in their nearly two acres. He can even swim in the dog swimming pool. Worried about him throwing his weight around? There are separate areas for large and small dogs. Be sure to clean up after your dog at the designated dog waste stations. There are also two pavilions, benches, and several obstacles.

The park is open all week, from sunrise to sunset. Check the website for Pasadena Dog Park rules.

Pasadena Dog Park
5170 Burke Road
Pasadena, TX 77504
(713) 475-7048
http://www.ci.pasadena.tx.us/default.aspx?name=prk.fac-dogpark

Practice Your Backhand at Harry Taylor Tennis Center

Harry Taylor Tennis Center is Pasadena’s place to play, practice, and learn tennis. Located in Strawberry Park, the Harry Taylor Tennis Center is equipped with 15 lighted hard courts, a practice wall, lockers, showers, and a bathroom. Private lessons are $40 per hour by appointment, and court fees are also reasonably priced.

Hours are from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m .on Sundays. Check the website for rates, fees, and more information.

Harry Taylor Tennis Center
1202 Parkside
Pasadena, TX 77502
(713) 941-8631
http://www.ci.pasadena.tx.us/default.aspx?name=prk.fac-tennis-new
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harry-Taylor-Tennis-Center/112507488854798

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Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20: At the Movies

Twenty movie screens to watch all of your favorite flicks? You’ve got it! Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20 is the place to do it in a welcoming, comfy setting not too far from The Broadwater. Even better, they have low ticket prices on all of the latest Hollywood blockbusters.

Their theatres boast all of the latest technology like digital projection and Dolby Surround-Sound to guarantee a premier viewing experience. Stock up on some yummy snacks at the concessions stand and head into the theater for a couple hours of fun entertainment. They’re sure to have something perfect for you, whether you’re into action, thriller, romantic comedy, animation or horror.

Visit Cinemark's website to sign up for weekly discount coupons for concessions, or download their Cinemark app on your phone and get even more discounts.

Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20
2101 E. Beltway 8
Pasadena, TX 77503
(713) 475-8180
http://www.cinemark.com/theatre-detail.aspx?node_id=1494&showtime_date=
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cinemark-hollywood-movies-20-pasadena

Armand Bayou Nature Center: Nature By You

If you want to reconnect with nature and see wildlife in their natural habitat, visit Pasadena’s Armand Bayou Nature Center, an organization working to preserve and strengthen the nearby wetlands prairie, forest, and marsh habitats. Visitors can birdwatch, kayak, hike on the trails, and see and learn about the various plant forms and animals like snakes, alligators, turtles, hawks, and bison.

Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays, and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Fees are free for 3 years and under, $2 for 4 to 12 years, $4 for adults 13 to 59 years, and $2 for seniors 60 years and above. Last admission is at 4 p.m., and gates are locked at 5 p.m. The center is closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Check the website for special events, programs, calendars, membership information, and more information.

Armand Bayou Nature Center
8500 Bay Area Boulevard
Pasadena, TX 77507
(281) 474-2551
http://www.abnc.org
http://www.yelp.com/biz/armand-bayou-nature-center-pasadena

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