The Joys of Traveling Solo

Houston has many hotels to choose from. A luxurious experience with a touch of history in Downtown Houston awaits at Hotel ICON. Housed in what was once Union Bank of Houston, the hotel features an elegant lobby bar—perfect to grab a drink solo—beautiful rooms, and a spa. Another perk? Hotel ICON is located a short walk away from Market Square.

Located in the cultural heart of the city, Hotel Zaza is the perfect place from where to explore Houston’s award-winning museums and cultural attractions. The chic bar, themed suites, and beautiful pool where you can kick back and relax make it a perfect place to stay while in Houston.

For those seeking a lavish experience, The Post Oak Hotel is just what the solo traveler needs. The 700,000-square-foot tower has everything one could desire, including casual and fine dining restaurants, a relaxing pool, and a luxurious spa. Its proximity to shopping and dining at Uptown Park and The Galleria is a nice bonus.

Enjoy upscale solo lodging in one of Houston’s newest and most unique hotels, Hotel Saint Augustine. Nestled in the heart of Montrose, Hotel Saint Augustine is located adjacent to The Menil Collection, a Houston staple and must-visit for locals and visitors alike. The hotel itself is a modern oasis complete with a bar, listening room, pool, and on site restaurant led by Chef Aaron Bludorn. The sprawling hotel feels like an escape from the city while still being walking distance from bars, restaurants, and plenty of sights.

Dip into the lap of luxury at Thompson Houston! Located off Allen Parkway near Downtown Houston, the hotel overlooks Buffalo Bayou Park, is a short distance to Daikin Park and the Toyota Center, and is walking distance to coffee shops, restaurants, and more. Complete with 172 guestrooms, including 34 suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows, the hotel features a rooftop pool perfect for some alone time, sleek finishes, and cozy room design. Evoking the spirit of old Texas, the Thompson offers a distinctive guest experience that isn’t to be missed.

The C. Baldwin Hotel honors the brash and fiercely independent Charlotte Baldwin Allen, The Mother of Houston. Featuring 354 guest rooms and over 14,000 square feet of meeting space, a signature restaurant and abundant green space in Downtown Houston, the sophisticated and modern hotel experience is perfect for guests seeking a one-of-a-kind experience in an upscale space. Pro Tip: Take advantage of the access to the downtown tunnel system and let yourself explore!

The fact that you’re flying solo doesn’t mean that eating out should be any less of an experience. Houston has endless possibilities when it comes to dining, so choosing where to go can be tough. Allow us to offer some suggestions.

You’ll feel right at home at this Heights neighborhood bar owned by Houston chef Justin Yu and bartender and restaurateur Bobby Heugel. With an excellent cocktail list and delicious food,  Better Luck Tomorrow is a great place to decompress and have a good time.

Indulge in mouthwatering Southern eats at Josephine’s in Midtown. Boasting Gulf Coast flavors and H-Town swag, Josephine’s delivers hometown hospitality and big city bites. Cold bar offerings such as tuna tartare and smoked redfish dip get the party started before moving onto entrees such as boiled seafood offerings, sandwiches, large plates like shrimp and grits, and desserts perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.

You can’t visit Houston and not enjoy the city’s Tex Mex cuisine. The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation is a mainstay in the city’s East End, serving queso, sizzling fajitas and delicious margaritas. Located near the Galleria, Ninfa’s Uptown offers the same delicious food in a gorgeous space. Both locations feature bars with uniquely delicious cocktails that perfectly accompany any and all Tex Mex meals.

Photo by Becca Wright, courtesy of Hudson House

Hudson House currently holds the unofficial title as having Houston’s best burger, so it’s only right that you check it out for yourself! With two locations, one in River Oaks and the latest concept in Rice Village, Hudson House features a delicious mix of classic American fare with a coastal twist. The menu consists of buttery lobster rolls, daily flown-in oysters, sushi rolls and choice cocktails, including the “World’s Coldest Martinis.” Don’t miss out on their happy hour specials!

If burgers are on the brain, the quintessential Houston experience awaits at Trill Burgers. Co-owned by legendary Houston rapper Bun B, Trill Burgers has become a local favorite and must-have for visitors of the city. Enjoy the all-beef patties complete with caramelized onions, pickles, and Trill Sauce alongside perfectly salted fries. With the latest location now open in Spring, the O.G. Trill Burgers in Montrose on Shepherd Drive is the prime location for solo diners staying in the city.

Indulge in Gulf classics and comfort food at Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers. Located in the historic Independence Heights neighborhood, this concept by BBQ legend Greg Gatlin offers delicious oysters, fried chicken that falls off the bone, buttery biscuits, cocktails and more. The vibes are cozy and quaint and each bite packs a major punch that will leave you satisfied and wanting more!

Succulent Fine Dining on Dunlavy embraces California's Napa Valley's laid-back vibe and flavors. Food, design, and the culture of the vineyard all come together at this new Houston concept by Shawn Virene, the restaurateur behind Houston’s a’Bouzy. Featuring a lush patio and vintage greenhouse, diners will enjoy bites such as carrot gnocchi, seared scallops with brown butter dashi, and the playful XO Deviled Eggs with caviar. Instagram worthy backdrops pair perfectly with the elevated, yet approachable, menu. This restaurant has staying power, so check it out and be among the first to enjoy Succulent!

August and September in Houston are busy months with numerous special events to choose from, making for a fun and satisfying solo day in the city. Through the end of September, enjoy the adult-only show Drunk Romeo & Juliet at The Emerald Theatre  (412 Travis St) where one professional actor has five shots of whiskey and then attempts to perform a major role in Shakespeare’s most extraordinary love story. Hilarity and mayhem ensue while the remaining sober actors try to keep the script on track. Every show is different depending on who is drinking … and what they’re drinking! Craft cocktails are available for purchase and delivered to your seat throughout the show.

On August 16, root for the Astros as the Orioles face off against the hometown team at Daikin Park, or soak in some live theater at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts with Life of Pi  on stage from August 19 to August 24. On September 26, all are invited to enjoy a truly unique and sensory tantalizing dining experience with Dining in the Dark: A Unique Blindfolded Dining Experience at Weights + Measures.

Houston has so much to offer when it comes to the performing arts. Make sure to check the calendar for the various venues in the city’s Theater District as you plan your visit. Visitors can also catch free performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre (photo).

Museums are perfect for quiet exploration, and the Houston Museum District has 21 for you to choose from. Whether you’re looking for art, history, or natural science, there are plenty of options like The Menil Collection, the Houston Museum of Natural Science,  and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Or take a trip to Space Center Houston, the city’s top attraction, to learn about space exploration. We recommend going with the NASA tram tour, which gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the NASA Johnson Space Center, including Mission Control and an astronaut training facility.