713 Day

Houston has a spirit all its own. As the fourth largest and second-most diverse city in the country, home to the beloved Houston Astros, and the origin of the now-universal lament Houston, we have a problem, our city occupies its fair share of the spotlight. 

But out of the spotlight, Houston is just our city. Where we live and work and play every day. With more than 2 million Houstonians running around, inside or outside the Loop, on this or that side of I-10, in the Museum District or in the Heights, we all have our own thoughts on what the perfect 713 Day* would be. Closer to home, Buzz neighbors shared their ideal Houston days. 

Tina Pyne says her ideal morning starts with a brisk walk in Memorial Park capped off with coffee and a croissant at Vibrant, “the park’s cozy café.” Her day continues at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where she loves “wander[ing] through the galleries, losing track of time,” and making a last stop in the Cullen Sculpture Garden for “a quiet moment of reflection.” Dinner is Ruggles Black, for the lively atmosphere and paleo-inspired menu. “Houston truly has so much to offer,” Tina says. “A unique blend of nature, culture, and cuisine.”

Untitled Art is an exciting art fair expanding to Houston (from Miami) on Sept. 19. While you can only mark your calendar for the vibrant round-up of established and emerging contemporary artists and galleries, Michael Slenske, director of Untitled Art, Houston, offers suggestions leading up to the fair: Seven Sisters gallery, a Fourth Ward space focusing on art, craft, and design; and Reeves Art & Design, “a real cabinet of curiosities…[where] you can pick through [art] like used vinyl at a record store (and acquire for almost store-like prices).”

Tracy Kapiloff visited the Houston Zoo recently and said, “They have put so much into it, so many new attractions and animal housing. The gardens are beautiful; it looks nothing like the zoo of my childhood.” Participate in regular Meet the Keeper Chats and other events like the Elephant Bath Experience, Giant Anteater Encounter, and Gorilla Encounter. 

As the board chair of Holocaust Museum Houston (and the first third-generation Holocaust survivor to hold that position), Elyse Kalmans says her ideal Houston day would include a trip to HMH. Ours is the fourth largest museum in the country dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust, educating students and the public about the dangers of hatred and prejudice. “Time spent there gives visitors hope for what we can each do as upstanders. And it’s free on Thursdays!” Elyse says. Elyse also wants to tour the ice cream shops in Houston: Amy’s Ice Creams, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Ben & Jerry’s, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream…

Breakfast at the classic Avalon Diner is the way Nancy Beck would start her perfect day, then she would suit up for the Polaris Slingshot Tour of Houston; you’ve seen the three-wheeled, low-profile, cross between a car and a motorcycle driving around town). Afterward, she would wind down at Arthur Storey Park’s Yin Yang Tai Chi Court, where a giant black and white Yin Yang symbol on an elevated concrete slab is an excellent spot to practice Tai Chi. She’d take a walking tour of Asiatown, shop for dinner at the Hong Kong Food Market, and go home for an Asian-themed movie night (she recommends Extraordinary Attorney Woo on Netflix).

Wendy Burgower says, “A perfect day always depends on the company and the weather, and unfortunately it’s too hot to be outside in the dead of July.” Her indoor perfect day with a friend starts with massages at the award-winning Trellis Spa at The Houstonian, continues with a spa lunch and pool time, and concludes with late-afternoon facials. Another option? “Go to The Museum of Fine Arts or The Menil and have a happy hour at the [Hotel] Zaza.

Steve Cherek shares lots of ideas that would take up more than a day, but that make up an excellent summer bucket list: 1) Astros afternoon game with dinner downtown after; 2) concert on the Skylawn rooftop of POST; 3) MoonStruck Drive-In theater downtown; 4) Cidercade unlimited arcade hall and hard ciders; 5) walk the downtown tunnel system and have lunch there; 6) Puttshack downtown electronic/indoor mini-golf; 7) nine holes of golf and dinner downtown at East River 9; 8) lasertag at Battlefield Houston; 9) indoor go-kart racing at K1 Speed; and 10) ice skate at the Galleria.

*713 Day is the unofficial celebration of Houston, happening on 7-13 (like the area code that covers much of Houston), or July 13.