Houston Summer Bucket List: The Review

Summer Bucket List Houston: The Review

The reviews are in! Houston offers so much in the way of concerts, fine art productions, green spaces, museums, restaurants, and weekend markets that we don't even have to leave our hometown to find entertainment galore! So at the beginning of the summer, we put together a bucket list of places to visit and things to do right here in Houston, Texas. Now it's time to tell you the highs and lows of our summer bucket list!

Read the reviews of our
​Houston Summer Bucket List.

Cockrell Butterfly Center

SEE BUTTERFLIES AND MORE AT COCKRELL BUTTERFLY CENTER.

Part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Cockrell Butterfly Center is both educational and magical. From their exhibits, we learned about the anatomy of insects, discovered types of beetles and other crawlies we didn't know existed, and saw live stick bugs, scorpions, and more. Wandering through the butterfly dome, we marveled at the plethora of butterflies in various colors and sizes. But the most magical sighting was the emergence of a butterfly from its cocoon, which I was fortunate to be able to catch on video.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Cockrell Butterfly Center and urge everyone, young and young-at-heart, to visit.

La Carafe

HAVE BEVERAGES AT A BAR IN THE OLDEST COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN HOUSTON.

The original structure at 813 Congress Street was first built in 1847. In 1860, when the original wooden structure burned down, Kennedy Bakery rebuilt on that site and opened their steam bakery. Since then the building, now the oldest commercial building still operating on the same site, has housed other commercial ventures, as well as a pony express station, but La Carafe has operated as a cash-only beer and wine bar on this site since the 1950's. The dimly-lit, narrow building offers a charming, cozy atmosphere, while the jukebox plays classic songs from the 50's to 80's. The walls are lined with vintage and antique framed photos, newspaper clippings, magazine ads, and more. In 1979, the Kennedy Bakery Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places and is one of Texas' Historical Markers.

​Stop in and enjoy an inexpensive adult beverage at one of Houston's oldest bars operating in Houston's oldest commercial building.

ENJOY DINNER AND A SHOW AT PROHIBITION THEATRE.

In May, to celebrate Marvin's promotion, we spent the evening enjoying dinner and a show at Prohibition Theatre. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays, with a three-course, prix fixe meal. The meal was delicious and filling, the show was a blast and a half, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Before the show, we had a beverage at The Oyster Bar at Prohibition and discovered that they offer $.50 oysters all day Monday and from 4-7 Tuesday to Friday. So in August we returned and devoured all the oysters we could eat! Yum!

WATCH DANCING IN THE STREETS AT MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE.

This was perhaps the most disappointing of our summer activities. We arrived an hour and a half before the show was to start and already parking was a nightmare. We finally found a space in a parking garage nearby and walked back to the park.

But seating (AKA "space on the grass") that overlooks the stage was already completely filled, with a large amount of the space below also packed. We found a little space and settled in on our blanket, expecting to at least hear the music, even if we couldn't see the performers. We had set our expectations entirely too high.

​When the music finally started, it could barely be heard from our unfortunate vantage point, and since many of the people around us continued to talk even after the concert started, it was impossible to enjoy the show. We heard bits and pieces, but left early, thoroughly disappointed.

If we decide to go again next year, we'll get advance tickets to be able to sit in the bleachers so we can actually enjoy the concert.

Alley Theatre

ATTEND THREE MUSKETEERS AT ALLEY THEATRE.

What a show! The timeless classic The Three Musketeers was brought to life at Alley Theatre this year. The drama nerd in me absolutely loved their performance!

The scenery, though minimalist, coupled with the fabulous costumes, transformed the small, cozy theatre into 17th-century France. The sword-fighting scenes were excellently choreographed.

Dylan Godwin, who plays King Louis XIII (as well as a couple other smaller roles), was absolutely outstanding - funny and emotive! Stanley Andrew Jackson III played a passionate and convincing D'Artagnan. The darling Victoria Valentine played D'Artagnan's sister Sabine. She lit up the stage with her playful style, expressive face, and agile movements. In fact, the entire cast worked well with one another. Their energy and focus brought the humor and drama of the story to life. We will absolutely return to Alley Theatre and hope to see all of these fabulous performers again.

If I could give this performance more than five stars, I would. Wait! This is my blog. I can give them more than five stars!

VIEW PHOTOGRAPHY AND ARCHITECTURE IN MONTROSE.

We had intended to visit the Houston Center for Photography, Rothko Chapel, and the Byzantine Fresco Chapel. Unfortunately Rothko Chapel is surrounded by construction and the Byzantine Chapel isn't much to see from the outside.

We did, however, browse around the Houston Center for Photography. It was not nearly what I expected. It is much smaller, with far fewer photos on display that what I thought there would be. Fortunately, there's no entrance fee, so it's a nice way to spend 10 or 15 minutes.

MAKE SOME NEW FURRY FRIENDS.

Because of the extraordinarily hot September we are having, we decided to postpone our excursion to the Houston Zoo till later in the year.

Holocaust Museum Houston

HONOR THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST.

At the Holocaust Museum Houston, Marvin and I spent an afternoon reading the timelines, watching the videos, and hearing the first-hand video accounts of those who suffered and those who helped, some who survived and many who died.

Having read a number of books written by survivors, as well as Anne Frank's Diary, and having visited the preserved concentration camp at Fort Breendonk located between Brussels and Antwerp, in Belgium, the Holocaust Museum recalled memories of other stories I've read and the deeply disturbing feelings of death and fear and agony I experienced at Breendonk.

I'll be expanding on these thoughts in a coming blog post because, as poet and philosopher George Santayana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." 

Admission to the Holocaust Museum is free from 2-5 on Thursdays.

McGonigel's Mucky Duck

SAVOR THE SOUNDS OF BOB SCHNEIDER AT MCGONIGEL'S MUCKY DUCK.

We missed Bob when we were originally planning to see him, but fortunately, he came back in August and we were able to see his show then. The music was good. I enjoyed his more upbeat songs; Marvin, however, connected more with his slower, folksy songs. Schneider has a bit more of a potty mouth than we had anticipated, and we probably could have done with a bit less commentary, but overall, we enjoyed the show. The service was exemplary, and the food was delicious, so we'll get back to the Duck, even if it's just for the eats!

RE-VISIT MY CHILDHOOD WITH ALADDIN.

Our original plan was to watch Aladdin at Broadway at the Hobby Center. Unfortunately, we missed it, so we had to switch to Plan B. Instead of live theater, we saw the new Aladdin at the movies. Aladdin was one of my favorite movies as a kid, and the eight-year-old inside me LOVED it!

EMBRACE MY INNER CHILD WITH SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL.

Sadly, we missed this show as well. Hopefully they'll do it again next year.

Fellini Gelato and Caffe

DELIGHT IN GELATO AT FELLINI CAFFE.

Gelato is easily one of my favorite desserts. I've had gelato all over the US and Europe, and I cannot get enough!

Fellini Caffe is tucked away in a quiet part of City Centre, away from the main strip. With its hipster ambience and decadent gelato, we'll certainly return as often as possible.

Beer Can House

GET OUR WEIRD ON AT BEER CAN HOUSE.

Beer Can House was a work in progress in the 1960's when John Milkovisch quietly began hanging a curtain of beer can tops and pull tabs on the front of his house and coating the siding of the house with an innovative aluminum siding made of beer cans that John cut, unrolled, and flattened. Though he denies he did any of his work, both of the house itself which eventually became covered top to bottom, front to back, in thousands of beer cans, and in the pavement inlaid with marbles and other lovelies, John's work became a Houston icon, and people visit from far and wide to see this artistic home.

​Open only on the weekends, Beer Can House is a weird, but fun stop for your tour of Houston!

Bayou Bend

ROAM BAYOU BEND COLLECTION AND GARDENS.

I spent a couple glorious hours at Bayou Bend, former home of Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg, receiving a guided tour through the house by a sweet, knowledgeable docent, and wandering the 14 acres of grounds surrounding the home.

Built in the late-1920's, the house was designed by Ima, along with her brothers Will and Mike. The original plan was for all of them to live there together, but Will's untimely death and Mike's marriage caused a change in plans, and Miss Hogg ultimately lived alone at Bayou Bend.

The gardens are stunning and well-maintained, with various statues throughout, including the statue of Diana, which became fabulously famous among Houston's elite when she was first installed in the garden. The house is fully furnished, each room with a different theme of furniture and decor from different eras.

Ima was an astute collector of American furniture. When she decided to donate Bayou Bend to the Museum of Fine Arts she added to the collection, removing some of her personal items that wouldn't have fit the theme of each room and meticulously arranging each room to keep period pieces together.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bayou Bend. I'm told that in the spring when the azaleas are blooming, the grounds are absolutely breath-taking. I'll be back in the spring to see firsthand!

EAT A PICNIC LUNCH AT BEAR CREEK PIONEERS PARK.

As hot as it has been outside, we're going to push this one back to a little later in the year, when it cools off and we can really enjoy being outdoors.

Art Car Museum

DISCOVER UNIQUE ART AT ART CAR MUSEUM.

Opened in 1988, this small, unique museum is open to the public by donation only. In addition to three recent winners of the annual art car parade, the Art Car Museum also displays hanging works of art and a few 3D works of art. We found the museum fascinating, even though several pieces of art were a bit macabre for my liking. The cars themselves, however, are well worth the visit. All in all, it's a great place to spend half an hour or so.

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This has been a fantastic summer of entertainment and relaxation as we played tourists in our home city!