Houston Heights, a historic neighborhood northwest of downtown, dates back to the late 1800s, and unlike most of Houston, its history shows: Many of its Victorian and Craftsman houses have survived. Now the greater Heights area — the Woodland Heights plus a bunch of surrounding subdivisions with a similar vibe — is one of the city’s quaintest, and hottest, neighborhoods.
19th Street
One of my favorite places to traverse is 19th Street. There you’ll find an eclectic mix of boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Make sure to stop by Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. I love their Texas Sheet Cake — dairy-free chocolate goodness. Antique lovers can peruse AG Antiques for great finds. And Vinal Edge Records is one of my favorite places to snag Christmas gifts for my parents. Don’t miss White Linen Night, a festive celebration held every August.
Good Eats
There are tons of places to get your grub on, so it’s hard to narrow it down. For the best patio-pizza-pasta combo, head to Coltivare. Try the delicious crepes at Melange Creperie. Grab a glass of wine during happy hour from Postinos or relax with a cocktail at the neighborhood hang Eight Row Flint. Check out this guide from Eater Houston for more options.
Fun
Calling hikers and bikers: Use the nearly nine-mile Heights Hike & Bike Trail that also connects to the White Oak Bayou trail. If you’re looking for live music, venture to the historic The Heights Theater or to White Oak Music Hall, where artists from all over perform. One of the things I look forward to attending is Lights in the Heights, a big roving holiday celebration in the Woodland Heights where you can see all the houses decorated for Christmas.
