At SoulCycle a few weeks ago (before you roll your eyes, just give me a chance), the instructor welcomed a group of 5 flight attendants from the UK that were in town for a few days. She asked the rest of us locals to list off what makes Houston great. Naturally, we started off with food – specifically, tacos, ventured to music, artists, annual events (like the timely Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo) and rounded the list off with Bey, Queen B, the one and only, Beyonce.

Photo courtesy of Photo c/o Leah Zavala

As a former resident of the Midtown Houston area, I became nostalgic (which had repercussions on my choreography – another story for another day). I thought of why I moved to Midtown in the first place; I deemed it time to move out of my parent’s house and wanted to cut my commute down from an hour-fifteen to just the fifteen. I thought of my Craigslist roommate and ‘the sign’ I encountered when meeting her to see the apartment. ‘The sign’ being she was friends with a friend of a friend… oh, the good ol’ days. I thought of how much I broke out of my shell during those 3, almost 4, years of living in Midtown and how I owe almost all of it to my location; being in the center of it all, moving at a pace I had never experienced before and having the calm of my just-tidy-enough room to retreat to at the end of one of those too-busy days.

Now, I’m not telling anyone how to live their life, but I am eternally grateful for those years living in Midtown because they taught me SO much. So, here I am, offering you all I learned and experienced that you might appreciate on your journey.

FOOD & DRINK

 Let’s face it – food rules and drinks help to wash it all down.

• Griff’s [a less than 30-minute walk or less than 10-minute bike ride from all Camden Midtown Communities] Tuesday is Steak Night and that's all you need to know, but I will tell you more. "How is their steak night any better than that other place?" Glad you asked. 1. This is no normal-sized steak, it's a hefty portion of deliciousness 2. add an equally giant baked potato 3. add a draft beer AND best of all 4. It all equals $12.99?! I speak the truth – you can read it here.

• Gloria’s Latin Cuisine [a less than 15-minute walk from all Camden Midtown Communities] Good food and TWO kinds of Salsa?! Why wouldn't you?

• Natachee’s Supper ‘n Punch [a less than 30-minute walk from all Camden Midtown Communities] Honestly, they had me at the name and then I ate the food. 

• Axelrad [a 20-minute walk from Camden McGowen Station and Camden Travis Street] One word; hammocks. Make that two words; hammocks, beer.

• Leon’s Lounge [a 4-minute walk from Camden McGowen Station] Houston’s oldest bar with the BEST drink I’ll never trust myself to make; the Green on Red.

• Mongoose versus Cobra [a less than 20-minute walk from all Camden Midtown Communities] Conveniently located across the street from Leon’s Lounge; for the Untappd, not exclusively, but I think you'll like this place.

EVENTS & LOCAL GEMS

As a native Houstonian, the thing I appreciate most about the city is the variety; there's something for everyone.

• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo [a 20-min METRORail ride from Camden McGowen Station] I never did fully utilize the MetroRail while living in Midtown and I don't want you to make the same mistake. It's RIGHT THERE and it makes an otherwise frustrating task (getting to NRG via driving/parking or Uber-ing) SO. EASY. You'll save enough money to buy one of each of the HLSR's oh-so-tasty fried foods – you're welcome. 

Photo courtesy of Photo c/o Leah Zavala – Smiles brought to you by an effortless arrival via the METRORail

• Tour de Houston [begins at Houston City Hall] In addition to the funds raised to benefit Houston's Reforestation Projects, the annual Tour de Houston provides an invaluable opportunity to participants to view and explore Houston as a community... via bike saddle. As a native Houstonian, this is one of my favorite rides because I've had the chance to see neighborhoods I otherwise might've never explored. 

Photo courtesy of Photo c/o Leah Zavala

• MFAH Mixed Media [at MFAH, a 7-minute METRORail ride from Camden McGowen Station] Although there are no scheduled Mixed Media events on MFAH's calendar yet, MFAH hosts a variety of events where you can indulge in art and culture and it's too close not to take advantage. 

Photo courtesy of Photo c/o Leah Zavala via Smilebooth

• Mixers and Elixirs [at HMNS, a less than 15-minute METRORail or bike ride from all Camden Midtown Communities] As someone who thoroughly enjoys a good science museum, I'd highly recommend. It's like Night at the Museum meets The Magic School Bus with 'Elixirs' aka adult beverages.

Photo courtesy of Photo c/o Leah Zavala at a Halloween-themed Mixers and Elixers Event

• Barbarella [a less than 20-minute walk from all Camden Midtown Communities] Nominated as the Reader's Choice Best Dance Club this year by the Houston Press, Barbarella had me at light-up dance floors. 

VENTURE OUTDOORS

Or not. You do you.

• Houston BCycle [multiple locations only a few minutes from all Camden Midtown Communities] If you don't have your own bicycle, Houston BCycle makes it easy to commute around the area. While Houston BCycle does not provide helmets, Bike Barn and HAM Cycles offer BCycle members 20% off their helmet purchase – keep that noggin safe; future you will appreciate younger you being so responsible. 

• Buffalo Bayou Park and the Waugh Drive Bat Colony [a less than 20-minute bike ride from all Camden Midtown Communities] Because bats are cool. 

• Eleanor Tinsley Park [a less than 15-minute bike ride from all Camden Midtown Communities] Once the host of FPSF, Eleanor Tinsley Park is perhaps most charming when not jam-packed with people of varying musical taste. With walking trails, a volleyball court and some good ol' nature, Eleanor Tinsley Park does a wonderful job of making you feel like you've traveled further from the city than you actually have. 

Photo courtesy of Photo c/o Leah Zavala at FPSF

And last, but certainly not least, GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR just-tidy-enough APARTMENT HOME

Equipped with ALL the adventures to go on in Midtown (you’re welcome) and the chic/cozy/conservative/quirky safe space you’ve created for yourself, I couldn’t let you walk away without having the knowledge to fully take advantage of everything our Midtown communities have to offer, including:

• A 24-hour Fitness Center

• Social Lounge with WiFi

• A Pool and Lounge Space

Photo courtesy of Camden Travis Street

Ready to extend your Houston adventure outside of Midtown? We're here to help.

Find the best coffee in Houston, the best patios in the 610 Loop, Houston Area Farmers Markets, and the 3 Best Running Trails in Houston inside the Loop.