Poitin made its debut in May with a menu designed to take customers on a culinary adventure. Its kitchen team draws inspiration from all different parts of the world, condensing the eclectic bits and pieces into a collection of lunch, brunch, dinner, and bar menus.

Head to Poitin for happy hour (3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday) and share some snacks like the fried chicken sliders, grilled edamame, or house-made hummus. The bites pair perfectly with cocktails like the Smoked Old Fashioned and the Clear-ba Libre, a swanky version of the classic Jack and Coke. Can't make it for happy hour? Grab a table during the weekend brunch. The menu is just as diverse and creative with options like the porridge, a bowl of jasmine rice, toasted coconut, and grilled mango, or the confit duck leg hash with eggs.

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Sanctuary Spa has been in business since 1984, and over the past 30 years, it's earned quite the reputation. National publications including Vogue, Allure, and even TIME magazine have sung the praises of the Houston institution over the years. So when you come here for a facial, a massage, or any of the other pampering treatments, you can expect top-notch quality.

The beautifiers at Sanctuary Spa enlist contemporary technology to enhance their facials, so take full advantage. Try the LED Light Therapy facial, which uses the power of light to ease issues such as acne scars, oversized pores, or redness. Struggling with constant aches and pains? Let a massage therapist at Sanctuary deliver a signature massage, which mixes elements of classic Swedish, deep tissue, lymphatic, and sports massage to meet your needs. The skilled staffers also offer hydrotherapy, body wraps and scrubs, hair removal, and lash and brow tinting.

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The AIA Sandcastle Competition isn't your average day on the beach. The fundraiser benefits the local branch of the American Institute of Architecture (AIA) and the Architecture Center of Houston, so its participants come from architectural firms around the city. They take their professional expertise and create truly spectacular structures out of the sand.

Head to East Beach in Galveston on Saturday, August 25th to witness these masters at work. They start to brainstorm ideas and sketch out blueprints for their sandcastles months in advance, so expect to see sandy masterpieces. The teams begin building at 10 a.m. and have five hours to finish before the judges make their rounds. They'll dole out the Golden Bucket Award to the most worthy team, as well as other honors in categories such as Best Traditional Sandcastle and Best Houston-centric Castle. Admission to this event is free.

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