Get Outside This Summer With Fitness Classes and Other Events at Discovery Green

You don't have to leave the city in order to enjoy the great outdoors. The sprawling 12 acres that comprise Discovery Green offer ample opportunities to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. And since there are things to do at Discovery Green all summer long, you'll never run out of entertainment, either.

Discovery at the Green plays host to countless outdoor fitness classes all season long, and they're almost all free. Come to Hatha yoga on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. for a slow flow that caters to all skill levels or check out Zumba every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. if you're looking for a fast-paced workout. Enjoy a concert on the lawn every Thursday evening starting at 7 p.m. or go kayaking on Kinder Lake ($5 per person) daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. These are just a few of the events at Discovery Green this summer, so keep an eye on the schedule to see what else is in store.

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.

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.

Public Domain/Pixabay/EliElschi

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.

Public Domain/Pixabay/Couleur

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.

Public Domain/Pixabay/Hans

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.

Public Domain/Pixabay/Free-Photos

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

The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Returns to One NRG Park on Feb. 27

The first Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo unfolded nearly a century ago in 1932. The tradition continues this year from February 27th to March 18th at One NRG Park. In 2017, the rode attracted more than 2.6 million visitors. And with concerts by Blake Shelton, Little Big Town, and Luke Bryan on the itinerary, among many others, the crowd could be even bigger this year.

The big-name concerts are just a part of the draw. Head to the rodeo ring to watch cowboys attempt to stay atop bucking bulls, wrestle steers, and race barrels. Meet the goats, alpacas, and rabbits at the Livestock Show. From February 22nd to 24th, stop by for the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. More than 250 teams face off for the title of champion, and some of the barbecue tents are open to the public so come and do a taste-test (or several). General admission tickets to the grounds start at $15.

Public Domain/Pixabay/StockSnap

Find a Valentine’s Day Bouquet at Blomma Flower Shop

Blomma Flower Shop's user-friendly website might trick you into thinking that this is your typical online flower company. The ease and convenience of the streamlined online ordering process rival that of big-name floral brands. Yet the online presence is merely an offshoot of a physical store where owner Kim and her team of floral artists create one-of-a-kind bouquets.

You can use the website as inspiration and have Kim create something to your exact specifications, or order a bouquet exactly as it appears online. For Valentine's Day, Blomma Flower Shop offers a mix of classic and contemporary arrangements. The Guilty Pleasure bouquet features a simple mix of red roses, sprays of small white flowers, and eucalyptus. You can really stun your significant other with the Pink Explosion, an arrangement that features a vibrant combination of pink Stargazer lilies, roses, and daisies.

Don’t Miss the 24th Annual MLK Grand Parade Midtown Houston on Jan. 15

Martin Luther King, Jr. may be gone, but he's far from forgotten. The iconic civil rights leader's legacy lives on in the change that he inspired across the nation and a day dedicated specifically to his memory each January. This year, Martin Luther King Day on Monday, January 15th will host the 24th Annual MLK Grand Parade in Midtown Houston.

The festivities begin at 10 a.m. on Monday after a weekend of preparing with the 12th Annual MLK Youth Parade and the 17th Annual MLK Battle of the Bands Competition. The main parade will showcase more than 300 performance groups and floats, featuring a culturally eclectic mix of people as an homage to the equality that MLK fought for in his lifetime. Come to check out the parade in Midtown Houston with friends or family in tow to commemorate a great American leader and agent of change.

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