Pretty cool new art piece in 5th ward. In October 2011, the Fifth Ward Jam was completed and became…read morea fixture in a small public park. Dan Havel and Dean Ruck created a similar piece that I saw years ago on Montrose called Inversion. Now, they've got another, but this one adds a little something extra to the neighborhood, a performance venue. Fifth Ward Jam is an old building, twisted as if it has been in a crazy tornado, but with a stage in the front for local music and other performances. I love that this is art but not static art... it will add to the neighborhood and hopefully be embraced as a place to gather. It's a pretty cool structure, but the park is front of it needs a little TLC. I hope to see the community embrace the space and help spruce up the green space. As we were leaving, another car pulled up and it was an older woman with 4 young children. They all got out and ran over to the structure. I guess everyone wants a little look at it. You should head on over (during daylight hours) and see it for yourself. You may even be lucky enough to catch a performance.

I stumbled upon this little park and art piece after being diverted on a detour when I-10 was…read moreclosed at 59. As I drove by, I had to make a split second decision - risk getting mugged and check out this intricate art piece or keep on driving. I took a chance, parked my car, and walked towards the wooden structure. Very cool to look at and take a picture of. It reminds me of the Montrose Funnel Tunnel (Google it if you haven't seen it!). The park itself isn't a place I would take my little cousin to play at. It's very small and the area itself still feels a bit sketchy, even though it's probably perfectly fine. I'll have to give it some time though since I have been scammed around this area years before. Overall, if you are around the area, check out this cool piece of art!

Located right on the water before the causeway to Galveston coming in from 45 South from Houston…read more It's a cool little village filled with very nice raised houses, camps, condos located along canals surrounded by water. This is a beautiful setting with easy access to the water from any location. Most of the homes are raise with their garages and outdoor kitchens located on the ground level and I noticed a lot of these have drive through boat launches located directly under the dwellings (how cool is that). I only found this place because of a 14 mile traffic back up due to a major accident on the causeway so we never made it to Galveston and found this village trying to get back on the highway to travel back to Houston that was a bummer but you have to make the best of the situation sometimes.

Wouldn't it be nice if every house on an island had its own private dock? Tiki Island does! You'll…read morefind Tiki just before you hit Galveston Island on the causeway going south from Houston. I love sipping scotch on the deck while watching the perfect sunsets. Just obey the 30 M.P.H. speed limits because Tiki Island has its own police force and they do not like speeders!

This is a cool hidden gem of a park. I love the mosaic art and it looks like Dia de los Muertos…read morecouple, a flower Man, a mermaid, a dog, a snowman, and many more. It's so cool!! While I was here I kept thinking about how much stuff was purchased at the thrift broken up and made to create beautiful unique art. I love it!! The weather was great viewing everything. I love that they placed a willow tree here since they it provides shade. The path is smooth. There are plenty of benches to sit and enjoy. I didn't see a designated parking area and so I parked on the right side, it's located on a packed street with houses on the left side. I had fun at this place!

WOW! Walking through those gates I was not expecting this beacon of mosaic magic! There was SO much…read moreto take in and the mid-November breezy, sunny skies only illuminated the beautiful details lining every inch fo the park even more. I loved most that there were so many folks there: having picnics, learning how to perfect their roller skating skills, and simply gawking at all of the gates covered in artistic, glass, and beaded masterpieces. The live music was a nice surprise, as well as the arena covered in Houston street signs. Every head turn greeted me with original and unique art ond display: speedometers, affirmations of the power of love, and even dancing mermaids and skeletons engaged in intense conversations. I loved it all! Glad that the winters are mild enough to enjoy this park all year long.

Finally made it to Houston, explored with my family and this had been on my list of places to check…read moreout. I love me a good mural with the city/place I'm exploring, so this was a MUST! We parked at the POST and walked around u til we made it to here, overall it wasn't a bad walk and it was fairly empty, two other groups taking pictures, waited a bit but not a whole lot. Definitely a place to check out if you're in Houston, TX

Drove downtown and saw this mural and thought we'd take a few pix with the car…read more We didn't realize there were a few murals around town and this one is one of the colourful murals and glad we were able to snap a few pix. Thanks and credit to the artist who worked on this project. Well done mate!

This is my 2nd year visiting the Light Park and it is such a fun experience every time! We tried to…read morego after Christmas to avoid the crowds and around 10pm. The light park is open until 11pm during Christmas week so that definitely helps avoid traffic/crowds. When we got there at 10pm, there was almost no line or wait time. The website said that there was a 15-30 minute wait, but we actually were able to go straight to the front. There were only a few cars infront of us and a few behind us, so we were able to go through the whole drive thru trail within 8-9 minutes. I wish it was a bit longer, but my favorite part is how the lights sync with their radio station (87.5 I believe). The music definitely adds to the experience significantly! Although we got through the trail fairly quickly, I feel like it would be more fun if we went a time where there slightly more crowds so it would take at least a little longer to go through the trail. We drove for almost 50 minutes to get there and finished the whole experience in 1/5 of that time. I would recommend buying the ticket online (per car entry) since it is slightly cheaper than buying it in person. I paid $50 for one car. Overall, a fun experience with friends and/or family!

No line on thanksgiving night…read more The convenience of a drive through light show is amazing not only for the weather but for families that have members who cannot endure long walking. They have a radio station for you to tune to that matches the frequency of the lights. Beautiful animations that I'm sure take a lot of time to create. There are snacks and refreshments available to purchase. Movie theatre prices. A great addition to get in the holiday spirit. Honestly wish the show was a tad longer.

It was the "Wallstreet of the Southwest" prior to the 1900 Storm. A financial district in a booming…read moreport city that was thriving due to the cotton industry and port location. The restored Victorian style buildings along The Strand still keep that memory alive. Unfortunately, it was all built close to sea level which had devastating consequences when the hurricane hit. It took the city over a decade to recover. All the buildings that survived were raised 17-20 feet higher. At the time, it was considered a feat of ingenuity along with the construction of the massive seawall. The Strand went through a period of disrepair up until about the 1970s. That's when many of the buildings that you see today were restored and given a historical landmark status. It started with the Old Strand Emporium. The King family opened up La King's Confectionery around the same time that the Mitchell's were revitalizing the Blum Building. This would eventually become the rebirth of the Tremont House Hotel. I mean, this is just a summary of events that made this district what it is today. There's really a lot more that went into all of this. Let's just say it was a very interesting visit full of charm. There's so many attractions to see in this part of town. There are many touristy shops mixed in with boutique shops and restaurants. I swear there's a bar on every corner, and some in between. The pier is nearby where you can get fresh fish. Some of the cruise ship terminals are within walking distance from here. There's at least 4 different museums including a railroad station and an oil rig. I think our favorite stop was La King's Confectionery. If that's not enough, then go there during one of their festivals. They have one for Mardis Gras, FeatherFest, Juneteenth, Shrimp Festival, Lone Star Rally and the Dickens at The Strand. It was an enjoyable visit!

Galveston's Strand Historic District is a remarkable journey through time with a contemporary…read moreatmosphere. Once a bustling center for commerce and trade, the history is astounding. Before 1900, Galveston was the New York of the Gulf Coast with the Strand as its spine. With the discovery of oil, its status grew. Then, came tragedy. Without modern weather forecasting the monster hurricane of 1900 roared ashore. 8,000-12,000 would die. The event remains the deadliest in U.S. history. Today, much of the Strand has been beautifully restored, celebrating historic significance while embracing revitalization. Visitors are treated to delightful shops, cultural sites and restaurants. Off-Strand: Mechanic Street, Gaido's and Shrimp 'N Stuff are near by. The Strand and Galveston proper are not just about history but where past and present exist harmoniously.

Although I've never experienced a musical performance, wedding or even the light sequence at…read moreTwilight Epiphany, it's still a 5-star experience. As an art head and aesthetic enthusiast I've always wanted a Claes Oldenburg installation or architectural wonder open to the public in my city. Around 2012 my wish was granted! Located on the Rice campus, this spot has provided many a memory. Highlighting art, space and nature, this beautifully constructed, sparsely attended, and (imo) under appreciated spot is truly a standout in the community. I understand how this spot may feel ordinary to some, but between this, Rothko chapel, and Menil, all my aesthetic dreams are answered. Pro tip: This installation requires parking at the Rice Campus, and a short walk so be prepared! If you're visiting someone at Rice, St.Thomas TIRR, or the nearby hospital, it's def worth the stop in.

See the sky through a different light at sunrise and sunset…read more Twilight Epiphany Skyspace by James Turrell is part of the Skyspace series of monumental, interactive sculptures that can be found throughout the world. These works of immersive art are meant to have the viewer experience the sky and the surroundings. Twilight Epiphany Skyscape is located on a pyramid mound of earth. It is interesting to see the light sequence projected on the concrete "roof." The 40 minute light sequence starts 40 minutes before sunrise and 10 minutes before sunset. Climb the stairs to the second level seats or sit inside the pyramid. Or view the show from outside the pyramid. I think that is the better view. Look at the Moody Center for the Arts calendar to take a guided tour to learn more.

Very cool unique place to see in Houston. Great photo op and nice story behind the park and the…read moresculpture.

Ever wish you could join Alice and the Mad Hatter for a spot of tea? At Evelyn Park, located in the…read moresoutheast corner of the park that is close to the parking lot, you now can. This amazing and incredibly detailed bronzed sculpture of the story book tea party was created by a local artist, Bridgette Mongeon, and was installed in the park back in April 2019. This structure has a 10 foot table with benches that invite you to sit for a tea party and take photos with Mad Hatter, Alice, Cheshire Cat and the white rabbit. This sculpture has so much detail from the Lewis Carroll's classic tale that you will find yourself wanting to stay as long as you can to see it. For some examples of the details, there is a bottle that says "drink me" kept in Alice's pocket. You will find a mouse in one of Mad Hatter's pockets. There are two buttons on the back of the white rabbit's jacket that has both tweedle dee and tweedle dum on them. There is also 150 hidden items that this talented local artist decided to put within this sculpture (60 of the 150 items are found under the table). I found a lot of interesting hidden items under the table, which includes the white rabbit's house and Humpty Dumpty. If only I lived nearby, I would come back here. On the day that I came here, it had rained earlier and started to rain again. But I still took photos and sat on a wet bench (which left my pants wet, lol) and wished I had stayed longer to find more of the hidden items. I would definitely come back to this sculpture the next time I am visiting the Houston area.

I prefer Murky River Town, but this will do. As far as planned communities go, this is one of the…read morebetter ones, even though the folks around here aren't always friendly or neighbourly, and it's a little run down and let go in places. Clear Lake in some ways is Suburban Paradise, but less affluent than parts of Katy/Cinco Ranch, Sugar Land, and especially The Woodlands. Clear Lake has temperatures like a tropical swampland, which is a little hard to bear, especially in the summer. Not very diverse - but it does happen to have one of the best Boba shops in the universe here, and some pretty good Vietnamese food as well. Go to Cha Boba, while here - and try the Okinawa and the Hawaii Butterfly. Also, there's Spring Roll Express, which has off the charts spring rolls and banh mi. Atitlan is also some of the best Central American food in the entire country, and every dish is perfection. Also our fave nail salon is here - Nail Spa Expose. If you're wondering what the difference between Webster, League City and Clear Lake is... they're all very much intermingled and in the same area.