Houston, Texas

We asked Michelle Smith, Chef Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Houston, to gather the savviest sight-seeing suggestions she could find—not just her own, but also those of the local connoisseurs she works with every day at the Hotel. Experience the best of Texas hospitality and the city’s eclectic mix of museums, restaurants, theatre and culture.

City of 8,000 Restaurants

Boasting more than 8,000 restaurants representing cuisine from more than 35 countries and American regions, Houston hosts celebrity chefs’s spots such as Chris Shepherd’s Underbelly, Justin Yu’s Oxheart and Tyson Cole’s Uchi. For a quality curbside meal, follow Melange Creperie, Bernie’s Burger Bus and Phamily Bites on Twitter as these food trucks serve up some amazing cuisine around town.

What’s Brewing

Houston’s brew company legacy can be found downtown at St. Arnold Brewery, the oldest craft brewery in Texas; Karbach Brewing Company; and Southern Star in Conroe. Short on time? Visit Hay Merchant local pub and sample them all. For a refreshing drink other than a beer, handcrafted cocktails from Anvil, El Gran Malo or Mongoose vs. Cobra are sure to hit the spot.

Off the Beaten Path

Check out the funky, avant-garde Art Car Museum, also known as the “Garage Mahal.” In addition to its exhibit of art cars—imagine a car festooned with seashells—the museum is also devoted to other “artists who are rarely, if ever, acknowledged by other cultural institutions.”