Summer vacation. Those words elicit feelings of relaxation and visions of an island paradise. But why travel so far away, when Houston boasts some of the best spots for a fantastic getaway. Inspired by the beauty of the city, we decided to create our own staycation guide filled with museums, restaurants, must-see attractions, and other great places to explore.

Where to Stay

Don’t stay at home during your staycation. Instead, treat yourself to a night at the extraordinary and dazzling Hotel Zaza. This gem offers guest’s unique concept themed suites like Geisha House and Casa Blanca, and surrounds them with pure decadence.

 

The past and the present collide at the beautifully at the JW Marriott Downtown. Set in a 106-year-old former skyscraper, this hotel is in the heart of the downtown area and is minutes away from some of the city’s best attractions.

With a reputation for luxury, the St. Regis Houston definitely lives up to its impeccable standards. Conveniently located between River Oaks and the Galleria Mall, the St. Regis is close to of the city’s best gardens.

For tried and true Texas retreat, head to the Houstonian Hotel. Nestled on 18-acres in the bustling city center, this hotel is minutes away from the Museum District.

Must Do’s

The most important part of any vacation is R&R. Spend your day retreating away from the city inside the comfortable lounge of our River Oaks spa and salon. Come enjoy massage, facials, natural nail therapies, body treatments, and our full-service salon.

Did you know that Houston’s theater district is second only to New York City! Experience the bright lights of a Broadway show at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts or take in the orchestral wonder of the renowned Houston Symphony at Jones Hall.

Root, root  for the home team at Minute Maid Park. Home to the Houston Astros, this winning baseball team has been a part of the city for over 50 years.

For those who like a bit of adventure in their vacations, enjoy a day of windsurfing in the city of Galveston. Just an hour south of city limits, this tropical oasis has over 32 miles of warm and sandy beach.

The City’s Best Eats

In Texas, BBQ is king and there’s one place that all Houstonians go to feast like one, Killen’s Barbecue.  Located 30 minutes southwest in the city of Pearland, this smokehouse has everything from fall of the bone chicken to behemoth ribs.

One table that can’t be missed on your culinary quest is Oxheart. Helmed by 2016 James Beard Award Winner, Justin Yu, this restaurant is located in the Warehouse District and focuses on locally and seasonally grown ingredients.

For the freshest sashimi in Houston, Kata Robata is a dining must. Loosely translated to “a type of grill” this sushi haven infuses a unique and fun twists on traditional Japanese cuisine.

Enjoy brunch all day long at the breakfast klub. Known for its amazing chicken and waffles, this restaurant serves up a kaleidoscope of traditional southern soulful breakfast items.

Houston Adventures

Explore the outdoors at the 445 acre Hermann Park Conservancy.This massive park features a tranquil Japanese Garden, an 18-hole golf course, and is home to the Houston Zoo.

Sublime, eerie, and otherworldly are just a couple of words to describe the Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park. Recently discovered, this drained underground drinking water reservoir was built in 1927 and is the size of 1.5 football fields.

Want to see the sixth largest museum country?  Then stop by the Museum District. Comprised of 20 critically acclaimed museums, this cluster offers guests over 300,000 square feet of paintings, fossils, sculptures, photographes, and much more.

No staycation would be complete without a pit stop at Space Center Houston. This historic NASA facility has monitored nine Gemini and all Apollo missions — including the Apollo 11 trip to the moon!

Picture Perfect

Show the city some love with a quick snap at the We Love Houston sign. At 28-feet tall, this public display of affection was created by famous sculptor David Adickes and is located alongside the Katy Freeway.

Inspired by the vibrancy of the city, this mural is located on the side of southern restaurant Treebirds and is the work of local graffiti artist Gonzo247.

From wedding pictures to quinceanera portraits, the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is one of the city’s most photographed spots. Created in 1983, this 64-foot fountain recirculates 11,000 gallons of water per minute.

Adickes makes the list again, but this time for his larger than life sculptors. The David Adickes Studio is filled with busts of former presidents, the Beatles, and even Charlie Chaplin.

 

Photo Credits: 

Where to Stay: Hotel Zaza  | JW Marriott Downtown | St. Regis Houston | The Houstonian Hotel 

Entertainment: The Hobby Center | Houston Astros | Windsurfing 

The City’s Best Eats: Killen’s Barbecue | Oxheart | Kata Robata | the breakfast klub

Houston Adventures: Hermann Park Conservancy | Cistern | Museum District | Space Center Houston

Picture Perfect: We Love Houston | Houston mural | Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park | David Adickes Studio