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Cool stuff that makes summer in Houston bearable
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You could spend a day or two on these, depending on how leisurely you want to be. Start your day with a couple of breakfast bagels, then head west to the Arboretum while it's still under 100 degrees. Hit the Menil next and revel in the AC while admiring the serene space and immersing yourself in art. Niko Niko's is a short drive from the Menil and a good place to recharge for the afternoon. Rice and the Butterfly Center can be interchanged (or you can do the Museum of Natural Science for several hours if you're so motivated). Stop at Half Price Books for a bit and walk out with a stack of books for an amount that makes you feel completely justified in your purchase (no matter how many books you own and have not yet read). By this time you might be ready for food again, so head up to Epicure for dinner and leave room for dessert. Lingering at Agora to read or people watch rounds out the day.
Carl Sjogreen, brianwestphal, isaac962 and 1 other person liked this guide, 141 views
Hot Bagel Shop
This is not a fancy place. It might not even have the best bagels in the city. But it does have breakfast bagels, which are sort of like breakfast tacos made with bagel dough instead of tortillas. Start your day of with one or two of these and be happy.
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
This is unlike any other place in Houston. Even though it's practically in the middle of the city, it is an oasis of nature and quiet. This is by far my favorite natural area in and around Houston.
Menil Collection
The building is worth a visit, regardless of whether you are interested in Surrealism or the other collections within the Menil. I find the space to be very soothing and the building design intrigues me as much as the art within (I'm not a fan of Surrealism, but I particularly like the African and Oceanic collections).
Niko Niko's
Good food, reasonable prices, extended hours. I'm a big fan of their stuffed grape leaves (meat and meatless), felafel, huge salads with a big slice of feta, and much more. Sometimes it's a little crowded and noisy for my taste, but that's a small price to pay for the huge portions. Tip: order as you go and share....unless you plan to take home leftovers. We always try to order less and end up with to go boxes anyway.
Cockrell Butterfly Center
Having butterflies land on you is just cool. The Cockrell Butterfly Center is part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Rice University
Beautiful campus, great trees. Walk/run the path around campus. Check out concerts, lectures open to the public (and usually free too). Lots of interesting stuff to see...a piece of the Berlin Wall, 45/90/180, tons of architectural details on many of the buildings.
Half Price Books (Rice Village)
What's not to like? Tons of books at half price (or less). Books that have been read, loved, reluctantly sold to make way for other books. Although I usually go to the Montrose location (at 1011 Westheimer), I think I prefer the "feel" of the Rice Village store. Judge for yourself and shop at both (it is impossible, IMO, to not find a book - more likely, you will come out with a bag of books).
Epicure Bakery
This bakery/restaurant has a great lunch and dinner menu in addition to fabulous European pastries, tarts, etc. The rolls served with your meal are yummy too. More expensive than most in this guide, but you can still eat for under $20.
Agora
Coffee shop with character and ample seating. A good place to hang out with friends or study (although not if you're planning to study on a weekend evening - crowded then).
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isaac962 said 8 months, 1 week ago:
Thanks for sharin.' Some of your favorite spots were some of mine ( Half Price books, Niko Niko's, Menil, Arboretum--and the mile's of mountain bike paths in Memorial Park).