Stephanie Salazar, customer service agent at Singapore Airlines’ Houston office, reveals how the Texan city delivers supersized enjoyment, from its hopping rodeos to its legendary barbecues
Southern comfort food
You’ve not truly been to Texas if you haven’t tried its barbecue; the best can be found at Killen’s Texas Barbecue (below). Located in Pearland, roughly a 30-minute drive from Houston, it’s known for its beef brisket, and pork and beef ribs. Houstonians also love food trucks, which are all over the city and offer every kind of food; you can’t go wrong with the Tex-Mex cuisine – it’s authentic and delicious.
Rodeo town
Once a year, the Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo (February 27 to March 18) comes to town. Locals drop everything to enjoy the event’s deep-fried treats – think fried cheesecake, Oreos and pickles – carnival and concerts; this year’s music line-up includes country music star Garth Brooks. Other highlights include competitions (below) such as barrel races, where horses and their riders attempt to complete a cloverleaf pattern around barrels in the fastest time.
Top attractions and views
The best views of Houston can definitely be found at Buffalo Bayou Park, where lots of people go for jogs and picnics. Downtown Aquarium also lends amazing views; hop on its huge Ferris wheel to capture stunning photos. Another must-see is Discovery Green (below), a huge park where you can enjoy live music performances. There is even an outdoor ice-skating rink here in the winter time. For sightseeing, I recommend purchasing the Houston CityPASS, which allows you access to the city’s top attractions.
Best of nightlife
The best places for a fun night out are found in Midtown: a district full of rooftop and outdoor bars. If you get tired of being in one spot, you can just bar hop. My favourite rooftop bar is The Dogwood (below), a Southern-style modern sports bar with a scenic rooftop patio. I love how it plays all types of music.
SEE ALSO: 10 fun things to do in Houston, USA
Mall or nothing
There are many malls in Houston, with one of the biggest being The Galleria (below). You’ll find a variety of boutiques there, from upmarket labels such as Bvlgari and Chanel, to all-American favourites like Abercrombie & Fitch and Hot Topic. Houston Premium Outlets is also popular with locals, offering well-known brands including Guess, Calvin Klein and Forever 21. Like most cities in the US, the best time of the year to shop is Black Friday (Nov 23, 2018), which falls on the day after Thanksgiving. It’s an interesting time to visit too, if only to experience the craziness of people camping out in line to get the hottest deals.
View other useful insider’s guides.
PHOTOS: THE GALLERIA, DISCOVERY GREEN, 123RF.COM, KILLEN’S TEXAS BARBECUE, THE DOGWOOD
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
