Dynamic Variation:
SATURDAY
9AM: Ease into the day with brunch at River Oaks' Backstreet Cafe, a woman-owned and operated Houston staple. The local gem—which is set inside a 1930s-era cottage—offers New American cuisine and one of the city’s most-loved patio spaces. Snag a table out back, where mature oak trees curb the summer heat. Go for the brioche French toast, Backstreet Benedict or the Crawfish Grits, paired with a not-too-sweet wild berry mimosa or the pineapple-tinged, fresh-fruit sangria. Make reservations and avoid the wait.
10:30AM: Productivity is overrated. Girls weekends are made for rest, relaxation and plenty of pool time. After brunch, venture to the Museum District —set Hotel ZaZa for a big chill massage or exfoliating body treatment at ZaSpa. The 11,000-square-foot spa features 11 treatment rooms and the Sanctuary—an oxygen therapy room, where guests unwind in plush robes before heading to a treatment room.
12:30PM (Option 1): Cap off the afternoon at the adjacent pool, which overlooks Mecom Fountain. Available exclusively for Hotel ZaZa guests—and ZaSpa patrons—the outdoor oasis is a hub for pretty young things and the occasional wild antic. For double the fun, book one of the poolside cabanas, which offer prime people-watching opportunities.
12:30PM (Option 2): Opened in Spring of 2018, the luxury Post Oak Hotel is a fantastic destination to sit back and relax. Rent a private cabana for you and your girlfriends, and feel free to order a signature cocktail at the pool bar.
Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Sarofim Campus
2:30PM: Before venturing back to the hotel, pay a visit to the nearby Museum of Fine Arts, Houston or the Menil Collection. Both stay open until 7PM on Saturday and contain works by some of history’s most influential artists. The 300,000-square-foot MFAH is dedicated to paintings, sculptures, costumes, photography and textiles dating to the antiquities, while the Menil pays homage to 20th-century works. There, visitors can peruse pieces by Andy Warhol, Henry Matisse and Pablo Picasso, among many others.
6:30PM – (Option 1): Channel your inner artist at Splash Painting & Wine—a relaxed, teacher-led painting studio that blends creativity and BYOB. Saturday classes start at 7:30PM and wrap up at 10PM, so you’ll want to bring along some food (and vino) to tide you over. Lucky for you, the Texas-sized Spec's superstore is nearby. Much more than a beer, wine and liquor emporium, the Smith Street Spec’s remains an epicurean destination with its imported food offerings (cheeses, meats, sweets and freshly-made sandwiches). Of course, you could always grab dinner at Brasserie 19 for a French-style evening. (Note: Pinot’s Palette classes fill up quickly, so make reservations in advance.)
6:30PM – (Option 2): On a clear Houston night, it’s hard to beat a free performance at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Houston Symphony productions to professional step shows and works by the Houston Ballet. Before the show, venture to Midtown for dinner at Artisans, before catching a cab or a ride-sharing service to the Museum District-set theatre. (Note: Guests are able to BYOB to performances, but no glass containers or bottles, so plan accordingly.)
10PM – (Option 1): Afterwards, venture to Boheme Cafe & Wine Bar. Located just a stone’s throw from Splash Painting & Wine, the eclectic, culture-filled café offers light bites (artisan cheese plates, pizzas, quiche) and an impressive drink menu. For those post-painting partiers that want to kick things up a notch, catch the Pedal Party. Enjoy some drinks either with new friends, or just with your private party. Great time guaranteed.
Miller Outdoor Theatre
10PM-ish – (Option 2): Following the show, catch a back or a ride-sharing service back to Midtown, where nightlife options abound. Looking for your scene? Find culture vultures congregating at the Tiffany lamp-lit Nouveau Antique Art Bar and the professional set at 13 Celsius, where a stellar selection of wines by the glass and small food items keep patrons happy. After it’s all said and done, round out the night with a hearty bowl of pho from Mai's Restaurant.
