Originally Published in the Mid-Spring 2021 Issue of Houston CityBook

My aunt and cousin live in Silicon Valley. We go once a year to visit them, and, as you pull out of the airport when you get there, the San Jose skyscrapers in front of you bear the logos of a who’s-who of the internet: eBay, PayPal, Adobe, Cisco. It’s pretty impressive, out there in California. But, then again, vacations have to be planned around forest-fire season, and Reuters reported that two-thirds of people living in the Bay Area say the quality of life has deteriorated in the last five years, citing homelessness and a rising cost of living as the main factors.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 12, 2026 ON VISITHOUSTON.COM

The MICHELIN Guide has dropped its latest Texas selections, and Houston’s culinary powerhouse status is once again in the spotlight. Reflecting on the state's soaring dining landscape, Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, noted: "Over the past three years our anonymous Inspectors have watched the culinary talent across Texas flourish and continue to push boundaries, which is evident in this year's restaurant promotions. Congratulations to the entire restaurant selection. Your commitment to high quality and culinary excellence has been proven again and again." 

Originally published on Sept. 14, 2026 on Taste Houston

Eating healthy on the go in Houston doesn’t mean settling for basic side salads. The city's fast-casual scene is packed with vibrant, flavor-forward spots that prioritize whole ingredients, clean proteins, and scratch-made dressings! Best of all, many of these concepts are proudly homegrown and locally operated by Houstonians dedicated to keeping their own community fueled and nourished.

Originally published Sept. 10, 2025 on HoustonCityBook.com

H-Town football just got a fashion upgrade. The Texans teamed up with Houston’s own Christy Lynn to debut a first-ever capsule collection that swaps jerseys and hoodies for silk sets, chic dresses, and elevated knitwear — all in the team’s signature colors.

Originally published Jul. 13, 2025 on VisitHouston.com

If you ask us, the best thing about Houston isn’t the skyline or the shopping—it’s the people and the food. And lucky for us, those two things go hand in hand. In the most diverse city in the country, the dining scene tells a thousand stories: of heritage, of hustle, of home. You’ll find second-generation Nigerian immigrants still running their family kitchen in Alief, a Japanese chef in a signature pink apron plating delicate omakase, and a DACA recipient-turned-James Beard finalist proudly leading two restaurants and a market.

Originally published on Aug. 25, 2026 on VisitHouston.com

When fall finally rolls into Houston, the city’s diversity shines brightest through its lineup of seasonal celebrations. From sipping Pinot with penguins to kolache-eating contests to festive Celtic Christmas traditions, there is truly no shortage of wild, delicious, and culturally rich ways to fill your weekend calendar. Whether you're craving world-class food, vibrant heritage festivals or just an excuse to put on your flannel and get outside, here are the absolute best fall events you won't want to miss across the Greater Houston area this season.

Originally published Feb. 5, 2026 on VisitHouston.com

The Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is just an Oscar away from a full EGOT. The company took home the 2026 Grammy for Best Opera Recording for Intelligence — a high-stakes, Civil War-era spy thriller. Every opera lover can find the album on Apple Music or Spotify, and it’s worth a listen because the HGO is the only opera company in the world to win a Tony Award, three Emmy Awards, and three Grammy Awards! This HGO-commissioned opera was created by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer in collaboration with director and choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar.  

Originally published Apr. 24, 2024 on HoustonCityBook.com

Spotted: Kate Upton at a chic, breezy luncheon at the lush Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. A lively crowd dancing under chandeliers al fresco on a picture-perfect spring night. A pop-up LegoLand designed for creative minds of all ages. These were just a few of the diverse scenes that took place throughout the Bayou Bend Weekend benefiting the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.