As the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston has many attractions for friends to enjoy together. From walks along the city’s downtown waterfront to visiting cultural institutions, friends who share a commitment to a healthful lifestyle don’t have to look far for things to do together.
Picnic
Grab some sandwiches and fresh fruit and head to the nearest park for an afternoon of fresh air, games, scenery and snacking. No matter where you are in Houston, odds are that you’re not far from one of the city’s 350 parks and 200 green spaces. Houston’s Arboretum and Nature Center is a 155-acre park with 5 miles of trails. If you’re looking to get wet, Lake Livingston has fishing, swimming and boating. For some friendly competition, Memorial Park has tennis and volleyball facilities.
Visit the Zoo
One of the best ways to enjoy a zoo is with friends, where you can point out the peeping heads of tropical birds or the otters playfully nudging. The Houston Zoo is in Hermann Park, which also has an outdoor theater and paddle boats. Once inside, you can try to cover the zoo’s full 55-acres with more than 4,500 exotic animals, or see where a stroll leads you in a sprawling place of elephants, gorillas, bats, meerkats and a reptile house.
Water Activities
You don’t have to be an experienced paddler to enjoy kayaking along downtown Houston’s Buffalo Bayou. You can rent canoes and kayaks from Houston Rowing Club or Southwest Paddle Sports, where you can also reserve a guided tour and quick lesson. Ask for a recreational kayak that seats two so you can enjoy the trip and chat without having to shout.
Museums
With 18 museums and cultural attractions, Houston’s Museum District has something to peak everyone’s interest. The Lyndon Johnson Space Center features moon rock exhibits and a shuttle space simulator. Art lovers can visit the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, and nature lovers can lead the group to the Houston Museum of Natural Science where you can learn about Texas wildlife or stand eye-to-eye with a Tyrannosaurus rex.
Local Food
It’s no coincidence that most social gatherings involve food. Breaking bread with friends enables you to enjoy the company of others without distraction. Houston has a number of healthful, organic restaurants that focus on selling food from made from high-quality, local ingredients. Ruggles Green, in the Upper Kirby neighborhood, is certified by the Green Restaurant Association and features only organic, hormone-free and preservative-free food. Go Sip Café offers a casual atmosphere and you can find organic Mediterranean, French and American cuisine in Uptown Houston.
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