Thompson’s Antique Center of Texas: Discover Texas Treasures

If you love a good treasure hunt, consider a visit to Thompson’s Antique Center of Texas to see what goodies you can discover. It’s a huge space, filled with the wares of their many vendors. If you’re a collector, chances are you’ll find something great to add to your collection, whether your interest runs to salt & pepper shakers, pewter, dolls, books, teapots, or even silver!

Need furnishings? You’ll find all manner of items here, including antique dressers, easy chairs, rocking chairs, buffet tables, sideboards, armoires, lamps, dining tables, chairs and side tables. Dishware, glassware and kitchenware is also sold at this antique mall. Thompson's Antique Center even has a selection of vintage jewelry pieces!

Thompson's Antique Center of Texas
9950 Hempstead Road
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 688-4211
antiquecenteroftexas.tripod.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/thompsons-antique-center-of-texas-houston-2

There Are Over 50 Ways to Get a Workout at Your Body Center

Take on a fitness challenge at Your Body Center, a yoga and Pilates studio in Houston’s Heights neighborhood. Knowledgeable and encouraging instructors make for a great experience, and many students realize significant weight loss and fitness improvements within a month. Over 50 classes are offered each week, and all skill levels are welcome. Classes include Yin, Forrest, and Vinyasa yoga styles, as well as Pilates ball, band, and cardio classes.

Your Body Center has two large studio spaces with walls of windows that let in plenty of natural light. One is kept hot for the specialty classes, like hot yoga. Unlike traditional Bikram, the instructors practice along with the students and encourage you to listen to your body, taking breaks as needed. Rates are reasonable, and new students can take advantage of special discounts. Mat and towel rentals are available. The center also offers therapeutic massage and other bodywork services.

Your Body Center
3605 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 874-0800
www.yourbodycenter.com
www.yelp.com/biz/your-body-center-houston-3

The Chocolate Bar: More Than Just Candies, But Everything Sweet

The Chocolate Bar in Houston offers a wide variety of confections and treats including high-quality chocolates, cakes, cookies, ice cream, and more. Customers rave about the huge slices of cake, favorites include the chocolate Tres Leches and the Black Russian. If candy bars are more your style, don’t skip the Candylicious Junkyard cake made with several types of candy bars.

Unique ice cream flavors, like root beer float and toffee coffee, are generously scooped. On colder days sip on a mug of rich hot chocolate, or have it blended frozen for a summertime treat. There are plenty of high-top tables to enjoy your sweets. Customers find it great for date night, but it's popular and can get busy on weekends.

The Chocolate Bar
1835 W. Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 520-8599
http://theoriginalchocolatebar.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-chocolate-bar-houston

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/avlxyz

Men Flock to Hair Desire Salon for Affordable Cuts

Expertly executed men's hair cuts have earned Hair Desire Salon in Houston a loyal following of male clients. Reviewers note that not only are the stylists beyond proficient with the cutting shears, prices here are more than reasonable: just $16 for a men's cut. Women's hair cuts are performed here, too, starting at just $26. The stylists also color, perm, and blow-out tresses at Hair Desire Salon.

Hair Desire Salon is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. You'll find the salon tucked among The Shops at Memorial Heights strip mall just off of Studemont Street.

Hair Desire Salon
920 Studemont Street
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-0162
www.locality.com/place/hair-desire-salon-houston-tx
www.yelp.com/biz/hair-desire-salon-houston

Try Every Flavor of Gourmet Cupcake at Sprinkles

Get your sweet treats at Sprinkles in Houston. Although a chain cupcake bakery, customers rave about the fresh deliciousness of the confections. Favorite flavors include the chocolate marshmallow, red velvet, and strawberry but even boring old vanilla still tastes great at Sprinkles! You can even expect gluten free and vegan options. Check the website for today’s flavors, including seasonal specialties. Sprinkles is popular and will often sell out, so get there earlier in the day for the best selection. Although expensive at $3.75 each, these gourmet cupcakes are generously sized.

Sprinkles
4014 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 871-9929
http://www.sprinkles.com/cupcake-bakery-locations/houston
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sprinkles-cupcakes-houston

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Minute Maid Park: Concessions by a Celebrity Chef

When Bryan Caswell was voted out of the running for the Food Network's The Next Iron Chef, it was far from the end of his career. The Southern native went on to open his own restaurant, REEF, in Houston and join Continental Airlines' team of chefs, who devise in-flight menus. But most importantly for Houston Astros fans, he also took on two new projects at their home field that greatly elevated its culinary scene. These concessions stands have left their mark on Minute Maid Park:

  • Little Bigs. Tucked amid the other concessions outside of Section 109, this new spot may look modest, but it serves Caswell's take on ballpark classics. The menu includes handcrafted burgers, pork sliders, and potato chips.
  • El Real. Another concession stand, El Real sits outside of Section 132 but offers more classically Texan cuisine—Tex-Mex, to be exact. Here, you can order fajitas stuffed with chicken or steak and a side of nachos.

Find out more about the cuisine surrounding the Astros' home field at the Minute Maid Park's website.

Fun Meets Sustainability at Discovery Green

Discovery Green in downtown Houston is a newer urban park that hosts many cultural activities throughout the year, from art shows to weekends dedicated to activities for Fido. As it's name implies, Discovery Green is a "green" park. Not only does the park employ a high-efficiency irrigation system and solar panels, Discovery Green earned a Gold rating from the LEED Green Building Rating System for its use of sustainable building methods and energy conservation.

Now for the really fun stuff: This park is a great spot to mix up your exercise routine with free classes that range from yoga to hoop dancing. In summer, kids love cooling off in the splash park fountains, and in winter, the ice skating rink draws a crowd to downtown. If you work nearby, the park is great for a quiet outdoor lunch.

Discovery Green
1500 McKinney Street
Houston, TX 77010
(713) 400-7336
http://www.discoverygreen.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/discovery-green-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Alexis Fam Photography

Catalina Coffee: Nice Pours from Locally Roasted Beans

For quality coffee without the chain atmosphere, try Houston’s Catalina Coffee, a simple cafe that focuses on quality beverages. Customers rave about the well balanced flavors from the locally roasted beans. If you are looking for a pour over, you can find one here, along with all the espresso drink standards.

Whether you judge a coffee shop by their regular cup of joe or a latte, you’ll be impressed with Catalina’s, and they are reasonably priced at $1.95 for a cup of coffee. Fresh pastries are delivered daily. Bring a book since they don’t offer Wi-Fi. This cafe features simple rustic-modern decor with indoor and outdoor seating.

Catalina Coffee
2201 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-8448
http://catalinacoffeeshop.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/catalina-coffee-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/wordridden

Break a Sweat at New Heights at Texas Rock Gym

Get climbing at Texas Rock Gym, Houston’s indoor rock climbing gym. The large space features 42 rock wall stations, five with auto-belay, as well as a designated bouldering area. Whether you are an experience climber or newbie, all skill levels are welcome here. Patrons find it a fun yet challenging activity to try when the weather forces you indoors. But unlike the mall, here you’ll get in a great workout. The friendly staff puts a lot of effort into maintaining the gym; everything is kept clean and the routes are changed regularly so the climbs don’t get too easy.

Customers can get all the rental gear necessary, a class, and all day access for just $30. If you really love rock climbing, consider becoming a member and you’ll benefit from unlimited access to the rock gym as well as yoga, Kung Fu, and Tai Chi classes. The "School of Rock" program is designed just for kids with after school and school break camps. Texas Rock Gym also offers private and group lessons for those who want to hone their skills. Try to visit on a weekday as it can get crowded on Saturdays and Sundays.

Texas Rock Gym
1526 Campbell Road
Houston, TX 77055
(713) 973-7625
http://www.texasrockgym.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/texas-rock-gym-houston-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jeffwilcox

Wabash Antiques and Feed Store: Your Friendly Neighborhood Farm Supply

You don’t have to leave the city to take care of all your urban farming needs – Wabash Antiques and Feed Store is a multipurpose shop that sells plants, pet foods, and even some small livestock as well as antiques and knickknacks. The garden center carries a wide variety of plants of the edible and decorative varieties. For the urban homesteader or those with a fondness for unusual pets, Wabash also sells several kinds of chickens as well as ducks, rabbits, pigeons, and doves. The feed selection ranges from top of the line cat and dog foods to bird seed and chicken scratch! And finally, Wabash offers a wide range of rustic and country style antiques, yard art, decorations, and gifts. It's an interesting place to browse and experience the rustic charms of country life.

Wabash Antiques and Feed Store
5701 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 863-8322

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