Hey guys I'm heading to Houston this weekend for my 6 month checkup at MD Anderson and the Rockets Cavs game. Just wanted to see what else Houston has to offer. Does any one know any "hidden gems" Houston has be it restraunts, bars, entertainment, ect... I'd like to see the real Houston. The Houston only Houstonions know and not just the touristy places. Thanks guys
It all depends on where you're staying. The lack of zoning laws means few places where tourists are concentrated, so hidden gems are more or less the norm for restaurants. I'd love to tell you to go to Lopez, Huynh, or Shipley in The Heights (boudin kolaches), but you'd be driving nearly 40 miles just to eat a kolache for breakfast, Mexican food for lunch and pho for dinner. In addition to where you're staying, where are you from? I'd love to make some kind of suggestion based on things you can't get at home.
You have a lot of opportunities right next to MD Anderson. Hermann Park, Museum of Fine Arts (there are 20 museums in the museum district - google is your friend), golf, the zoo, and many great bars and restaurants (yelp is also your friend). Take the light rail to the BBQ cookoff at the rodeo or downtown to Discovery Green.
Look for some cook tickets for tonight on craigslist. Unlimited drinks & bbq plus you get to see the ladies with tight pants an boots!
If you're staying near MD Anderson, then you'll be very close to the museum district, Rice Village, and even Montrose and downtown.
Rice Univ has a fairly nice campus to walk around. Also Terry Hershey Park on the west side of town is great.
I'm staying at the marriott in the medical area. I'm from Brownsville (tip of Texas). This area my wife and I are staying looks pretty nice.
Yeah Houston doesn't have touristy places. If you're from Brownsville you're probably not interested in trying Houston's tex-mex, although it's outstanding. Maybe try Niko Nikos on Montrose (which is close to the med center) for some casual Greek-American food. Oiishi sushi on Richmond for some good yet affordable sushi, or Himalaya for some good IndoPak food. just some affordable options. If you want higher end options, there are many...
Tacos Tierra Caliente taco truck at West Alabama IceHouse The Menil Discovery Green Petrol Station for beer Garden Center at Hermann Park recently got renovated If you want a nice dinner, Hugo's Phoenicia MKT before or after the Rocket's game Warren's for a dive bar with stiff drinks
If you don't mind a bit of travel the Battleship Texas is fun, as is the San Jacinto monument. Or Sea Wolf park with a WW2 submarine. DD