WHEN IN HOUSTON

 

Before you head to Houston later this month for fall Quilt Market, read ahead for helpful information about things to eat, see, and do in the area near the convention center.

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Xochi (top), Kulture (bottom)

 

AVENIDA HOUSTON

With the addition of the Avenida Houston district, there are more dining and entertainment options than ever both within and directly adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center.

 

Inside the convention center are the full-service Grotto Downtown (Italian), Saltgrass Steakhouse, and Pappadeaux Seafood restaurants. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up during the show, visit the Starbucks on Mezzanine Level 2, across from the Hilton-Americas skybridge, or Briggo (gourmet coffee on demand), located by the Rusk Balcony across from the Marriott Marquis skybridge, Mezzanine Level 2.

 

Other offerings within immediate walking distance include: Kulture (in the next-door Partnership Tower), Biggio’s, Cueva, Walker Street Kitchen and Xochi (all inside the Marriott Marquis hotel), and 1600 Bar + Grille and Pappasito's Cantina (both inside the Hilton Americas hotel).

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Hearsay on the Green

 

Other nearby options include restaurant/live music venue The Rustic, Brasserie du Parc, Hearsay on the Green (inside the Embassy Suites hotel), and Phoenicia Specialty Foods, a 28,000-square-foot market featuring products from more than 50 countries. Phoenicia also includes MKT Bar, an in-house wine and beer bar serving international fare.

 

Avenida Houston isn’t just great restaurants, though. The area also includes shopping, unique art installations, and dozens of events each day, including many directly on the Avenida Plaza right in front of the convention center.

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The Grove

 

DISCOVERY GREEN

Directly across from the convention center sits the 12-acre Discovery Green park, which offers a little bit of everything: lakeside dining, art installations, picnic areas, expansive lawns, gardens, and a lot of fresh air!

 

Discovery Green is home to The Lake House restaurant, located on Kinder Lake and providing views of the park and skyline, with indoor and outdoor seating. The fast-casual restaurant serves burgers, salads, hot dogs, shakes, wine, and beer. Also in Discovery Green, The Grove (featured above) restaurant and bar offers rustic American cuisine, including seafood, steaks, and rotisserie dishes. The Grove’s Treehouse roof deck bar overlooks towering oak trees and serves signature cocktails and bar snacks.

 

GREENSTREET

A few streets away from the convention center, the GreenStreet area includes four city blocks of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Restaurants include Andalucia Tapas, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks, Mia Bella Trattoria, Guadajara del Centro, III Forks Steakhouse, Lucienne, and the fast-casual Salata.

 

GreenStreet is also home to the House of Blues Houston, Lucky Strike luxury bowling alley, and  Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar.

 

UNDERGROUND

There’s no shortage of things to see taking a stroll around Downtown Houston, but what about the world you can’t see right under your feet? One of Houston’s best-kept secrets is its six-mile long system of interconnected, underground tunnel system, thriving 20 feet beneath the skyscrapers. The tunnels have two street access points: Wells Fargo Plaza and McKinney Garage on Main Street, with other entrances available within office buildings connected to the tunnel. The tunnels offer a long list of retail and restaurant options. With the tunnels linking a full 95 city blocks, there is plenty to experience below the hustle and bustle of the city.

 

There are far too many great restaurant and entertainment options in Downtown Houston to include them all here, but great resources to explore are DowntownHouston.org and VisitHouston.

 

GETTING AROUND

The environmentally friendly GreenLink connects the convention corridor, hotels, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment in Downtown Houston. The Green Route runs Monday-Friday, 6:30 am-6:30 pm with buses arriving every 7-10 minutes. The Orange Route runs Monday-Friday, 6:30 am-Midnight, Saturday, 9 am-Midnight, and Sunday, 9 am-6 pm, with buses arriving every 10 minutes. Click HERE for a GreenLink map that includes the convention center and our host hotels.

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Greenlink Bus

 

The 13-mile METRORail offers service between Downtown Houston and NRG Park, including the Theater District, Museum District and Texas Medical Center. The 5.3-mile North Line has a convenient stop just north of the GRB. The Green Line and Purple Line connect the Convention District to Houston’s Theater District along with many other stops. The 7.5-mile Red Line offers service between Downtown, Midtown, Museum District, Texas Medical Center, and NRG Stadium and Center.

 

A single, one-way fare is $1.25 and can take you to any stop. Tickets can be purchased with cash, debit, or credit card at Metro Ticket Vending Machines along the line. With a valid ID, discounted fares are available to disabled or decorated veterans, seniors and Medicare cardholders, and students.

 

You can find information on additional transportation options on the GRB Convention Center website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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