Bucket List

BY LIBBY INGRASSIA

WHETHER YOU’RE HERE FOR A VISIT OR NEVER LEAVING TOWN, IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE THESE YET, GET ON IT NOW. FROM ONCE-A-YEAR EVENTS AND SPOTS THAT ARE TOTALLY UNIQUE TO THOSE WITH HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, THESE ARE THE ONES YOU’LL KICK YOURSELF IF YOU MISS COMPLETELY.

CONQUER THE FESTIVAL LIST

We can’t tell you precisely why Houston is festival central, but if our calendar is any indication, there are several parades, fairs and festivals almost every weekend. From art festivals to food and drink festivals to cultural festivals, pick your event. Keep an eye on the annual festival calendar and try one that’s new to you: Caribbean Heritage, Freedom over Texas and Art Houston are all on for June and July.

COWPOKES AND BEYOND AT THE HLSR

While Houston truly is a cosmopolitan city, our rodeo roots are strong. Visit the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo to hear the bands, see the roping and bull riding, ride the Ferris wheel at the carnival, shop for Western wear and support the scholarships, of course. Rodeo like an insider by wrangling an invitation to be on a barbecue cook-off team or ride along on the Salt Grass Trail Ride (all 104 miles!) to and through Memorial Park.

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SPINDLETO P

CREATIVE OR ZANY?

The Fruitmobile. The Santa Car. A peacock, two VW Beetles top-to-top and a highheeled red shoe. Mark your calendar for the Art Car Parade’s annual extravaganza of zany cars and costumes, including the preview in Discovery Green and the Legendary Art Car Ball. Get to the parade route early to walk through the stationary cars, meet the artists and see the details. Missed the parade? Stop by the Art Car Museum or keep your eyes open on Houston’s streets for art drive-bys.

THE BIG FOUR

The Bayou City is one of the enviable few that can boast resident companies in theater, ballet, symphony and opera. Check this item off your bucket list by seeing performances of the Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera and Alley Theatre. But note: You don’t get to check it off until you’ve done all four. Special artistic bonus points when you see two or more performing together.

GET BEACHY

If not for The Big Storm, we might all have been living in Galveston today. Whether you prefer toes-in-the-sand or art, shopping and history, Galveston deserves some attention. Stop in to see the “Broadway Beauties” homes showing early 20th-century life, walk the decks of the tall ship Elissa, have lunch and shop on the Strand, catch a sandcastle competition or watch a show at the Grand 1894 Opera House.

FREE PERFORMING ARTS!

If you want a little less formality in your performing arts, check out the always-free performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park. Shows include children’s daytime performances, the annual Shakespeare Festival and special events like the Juneteenth Celebration and the Star Spangled Salute with fireworks. Line up at 10:30 a.m. on ticketed performance days for assigned covered seating (yes, still free!). Or bring your blankets and lawn chairs to picnic on the hill.

TAKE A BITE OF HISTORY

Legend has it that “Mama Ninfa” Laurenzo first stuffed beef into tortillas—thereby creating the first fajita—at the Original Ninfa’s on Navigation, just east of downtown. Dine at this legendary restaurant where the fajita was born. After your fajita feast, take a shuttle into downtown for an Astros or Rockets game. Or take the five-minute drive to the boat launch for the Sam Houston boat tour through the Houston Ship Channel.

GET THE SPINDLETOP VIEW

There are other views and delicious downtown stops, but at least once, you must experience the 360-degree views of the Spindletop restaurant, where you’ll marvel at the size and shape of downtown and far beyond. Named for the birthplace of the oil boom, the revolving restaurant atop the Hyatt hotel opened in 1972 and was renovated post-Ike. Reserve seats for a sunset dinner Tuesday through Saturday. They’ll validate your valet parking. Try the paella or fish special.

TALKING TO SPACE

Visit mission control (new and historic) at Space Center Houston to experience science in action. See artifacts and ships, exhibits and presentations that tell the story of space. Hear President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 “We choose to go to the moon” speech at Rice, see where astronauts train for missions and view vehicles mocked up for future exploration. Reserve in advance to book the only-12-people-per-day, Level 9, behind-the-scenes VIP tour and to eat lunch with an astronaut.

GET THE BLUE BY YOU

We’re pretty sure it’s a requirement for everyone in Texas to be photographed at least once sitting in the sea of blue and white: the bluebonnet. There are some stands of the state flower in Houston, but many are on the sides of freeways and inaccessible for photography, so it might be worth a drive out toward Brenham. Whatever you do, don’t pick them. It may not technically be illegal, but it’s bad form: everyone wants to enjoy them. Oh, and watch for snakes and traffic.