We’ll admit it: Houston may not be at the top of the list when it comes to honeymoon destinations but the city has a lot to offer visiting couples. With its thriving art scene, world-class performing arts district and beautiful parks, Houston has something for every taste. Following are our top things to see and do when honeymooning in Houston.
Take A Stroll In The McGovern Centennial Gardens
Part of Hermann Park, the McGovern Centennial Garden is a beautiful place to take a romantic stroll. The 15-acre site contains a collection of gardens, including a rose garden, an arid garden, a woodland garden and a family garden. Our favorite part of the garden is walking up the spiral path of its 30-foot-mount to catch a view of its grounds from above. The garden is also a short walk away from some of Houston’s best museums. Pay a visit to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and Houston Museum of Natural Science while you’re there.
Pedal Your Way Through The City
Spend time with your honey cruising around Houston and exploring its best sites. Bayou City Bike Tours offers leisurely, guided tours of Downtown and Houston’s Buffalo Bayou Park on weekends and occasionally weekdays. If you’d prefer to go on a self-guided ride, head to a B-Cycle station (here’s a map), grab a couple of bikes and go on your own adventure. Here are some itinerary suggestions to help get you started.
Spend An Afternoon At The Menil
Nestled in a quiet neighborhood west of St. Thomas University, The Menil Collection and its surrounding area is a beautiful place for art lovers to spend a romantic afternoon. Free to the public, the collection houses unique works of art in sleek sky-lit galleries. Its campus is also home to The Rothko Chapel, a meditative space featuring 14 murals by American artist, Mark Rothko. Bring a picnic to enjoy at Menil Park, or better yet, treat yourselves to afternoon tea service at Bistro Menil, the collection’s restaurant. Tea service is offered between 2 and 5 p.m. Advanced reservations are required.
Fly High On A Hot Air Balloon
Take a romantic hot air balloon ride with your love and enjoy the breathtaking views from above. Air Texas Balloon Adventures offers private sunrise hot air balloon rides especially for couples. The flights last about an hour and end with a champagne toast to celebrate your flight. Private flights are offered on weekdays only and cost $770 per couple. Weekend charter flights, which accommodate four to five people and cost $260 per person, are a slightly less costly alternative if you don’t mind sharing your ride.
Catch The Sunset At James Turrell's Skyspace
After a busy day exploring Houston, head over to James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace. This striking art installation on Rice University’s campus is the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening out. LED lights project onto the pyramidal structure’s ceiling and a square aperture in its center that offers views of the sky. The lights are meant to complement the natural sunset lights to create a beautiful sight. One thing to remember: while the sunset light sequence is free, reservations are required. Afterward, head over to nearby Rice Village for dinner and drinks.
Watch A Show In The Theater District
If you enjoy the performing arts, plan to watch a show in Houston’s Theater District during your honeymoon. Whether you like ballet, opera, theater or dance, Houston’s performing arts venues have something for everyone. Concentrated in the downtown area, you’ll also have an array of restaurants and bars to choose from for pre-show dinner and drinks.
Taste The City’s Best Food & Drink
Houston has endless choices when it comes to bars and restaurants, so you’ll have plenty to choose from when planning out your honeymoon eats. But if food is your thing, try one of Houston’s Culinary Tours. Led by the city’s great chefs, you can taste Houston like a local. If beer is more your thing, let Fresh Tap Tours guide you in a sampling of Houston’s top breweries. Tours take you to three breweries and last four to five hours.
Relax At The Houstonian
After all that exploring, escape into a relaxing retreat at Trellis Spa at The Houstonian. The 17,000 square-foot spa, located in the Galleria area, has 20 treatment rooms, an indoor float pool and a relaxation lounge. For you lovebirds, the spa also has a couples’ room where you can enjoy a couples’ massage and relax in the hot springs shiatsu tub and couples waterfall shower. Follow your serene escape with lunch or dinner at the spa.