Despite a rapid growth rate, Houston has been successful in preserving some of its lush green space that surrounds the high-rise city center. These places provide excellent recreational opportunities for couples, who enjoy biking, hiking or kayaking together. Elsewhere in the city there are many other fun things to do, both indoors and outside in the open air.
In-line Skating
There are a lot of places around Houston to go in-line skating including Discovery Park where in-line skaters of all ages can easily glide around part of the Buffalo Bayou and downtown area. If you are skilled at in-line skating, head out to Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark on Memorial Drive to show off your athletic skills. This state-of-the art outdoor skating area attracts spectators along with some exceptional skaters. With 30,000 square feet of park space and skating terrain, this skate park is one of the premier public parks in the nation.
Canoe the Buffalo Bayou
Houston was first settled on the banks of the Buffalo Bayou in the early 19th century, because the waterway provided direct access to Galveston Bay. Today the meandering waterway makes for a great canoe path, offering splendid views of the downtown area. If you or your honey don't own a canoe, there are at least five rental places and two shuttle services within the central-Houston area. The Buffalo Bayou provides 26 miles of paddling beginning at Highway 6 in west Houston and ending at Allen's Landing near downtown.
Vegetarian Restaurants
Even though the Houston-Galveston area is known for tasty seafood menus and Texas overall has a highly regarded reputation for barbecue and steakhouses, make a trip to a vegetarian restaurant for a fun night out on the town. From heaping raw salads to specially fried-grain concoctions from the Middle East and India, vegetarians have many choices in Houston. Some of the regular favorites include the Hobbit Cafe, the Mango Cafe, A Moveable Feast, A Field of Greens, Baba Yega and the Quan Yin Vegetarian Restaurant. For a special after-dinner treat, stop by May's in Chinatown for traditional Chinese shaved ice and rice balls.
Roller Skating
For an old-fashioned night of roller skating, you and and your date might want to visit the Dairy Ashford Roller Rink located on the west side of Houston in the Briar Forest neighborhood. If you don't own a pair of skates, rentals are available at the rink. Open skating is available on Friday and Saturday nights, while Thursday night skating features music from the 70s and 80s.
Music In the Park
Located just across Main and Fanin Streets from Rice University, Hermann Park holds an outdoor theater that has been putting on free concerts for Houstonians for decades. During the course of a typical summer the theater company and city of Houston are sure to sponsor several outdoor movies, concerts and theatrical performances. All events are free to the public and likely to draw a large energetic crowd.
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