Uptown Houston Houston, TX

Development in Uptown Houston began in the 1960s and would start to transform the area into what it is today. By the late 1980s, Uptown housed a collection of mid-rise buildings, shopping centers, hotels and businesses and would become the 17th largest business district in the United States.

Peruse fine art at several nearby galleries, including Lik Houston and Arader Galleries, and visit the many museums within the Houston Museum District about 6 miles away. You can also join the thousands of guests who visit the Uptown Houston Holiday Lighting Festival each year and enjoy music, family events, festive food and fireworks.

Uptown residents have multiple dining options for every mood, taste and occasion, whether it's grabbing a quick lunch, a celebration dinner, or a relaxing Sunday brunch.

Start your morning with breakfast or brunch at Dish Society on San Felipe Street. The farm-to-table restaurant serves seasonally focused fare sourced from local Houston farms and vendors. Order a hot coffee or latte made with locally roasted, fair trade Greenway Coffee or a refreshing, detoxifying juice full of fresh fruits and vegetables. For a little extra kick, try a mimosa with your choice of orange, prickly pear or grapefruit juice. The Build Your Own Breakfast, a popular menu option, allows you to create personalized breakfast tacos and omelettes with your choice of fixings. The house favorites include the pork belly hash, for those craving something savory, and the Nutella French toast for those with a sweet tooth. The hash features Black Hill Ranch pork belly, skillet potatoes, onions, jalapeños, roasted red peppers and a farm-fresh egg smothered in avocado hollandaise, while the Nutella French toast gets a generous stuffing of the chocolate-hazelnut spread that bears its name.

If you happen to be craving Texas BBQ, be sure to stop by The Brisket House on Woodway Drive. Praised by the local press for providing some of Houston's best BBQ, the restaurant serves combination plates, sandwiches and meat by the pound. Dine in or take home tender, smoky brisket, sausage, chicken, turkey, pulled pork or ribs. Pair delectable barbecued meats with traditional Southern sides, such as cream corn, baked beans, mashed sweet potatoes and mustard potato salad. Try the Wayne's PB&J sandwich; the letters in this sandwich don't stand for peanut butter and jelly, but for pulled pork, brisket and jalapeño sausage. Locals favor Latin Bites for a night out with friends or a date night. The restaurant provides a Latin American- and Peruvian-inspired menu and speciality cocktails in an inviting and lively ambiance. Start your dinner with a traditional Pisco Sour or a refreshing glass of white sangria, made with Sauvignon Blanc, sparkling wine, orange, and both green apple and peach liquor. Share appetizers with the table, including fresh ceviche, garden-stuffed avocados, flaky empanadas and causitas, and Peruvian pepper-infused potatoes. The unique dinner menu includes cilantro-braised lamb shanks, paella, Peruvian street food and Peruvian-Chinese fusion fried rice. Be sure to save room for dessert, and indulge in dulce de leche sandwich cookies and sweet potato and pumpkin fritters. For nearby nightlife options, sport lovers flock to Ron's Pub on Fountain View Drive. Regulars can be seen sipping Guinness, watching a game, playing darts or relaxing on the outdoor patio at this British pub. Harvest Live Grille and Bar is a place to relax with a nice drink while getting a healthy bite to eat just to the south of the neighborhood. The bar offers vegetarian options as well as good-for-you seafood and salad options for the health minded.

Uptown ensures convenient commutes with close proximity to several major highways and roads, including Interstate 610, U.S. Route 90 and the Sam Houston Parkway. Those traveling by car can park on the street, with both metered and non-metered parking available, or take advantage of several nearby parking garages. Residents can also utilize the car-share RelayRides to rent a vehicle or arrange for either taxi service or a lift through the smartphone-based Uber.

For those commuting by public transportation, Uptown has nine bus lines that service the area, including Line 6 which provides direct access to Downtown Houston. Locals can also feel safe and comfortable walking and exploring the neighborhood by foot or bicycling if they choose. Prominent bike-friendly streets with dedicated lanes, such as San Felipe Street, are common in the area.

Residents of Uptown can enjoy Tanglewood Park in their own backyard. The park provides plenty of opportunities for a fun day outdoors. Walk or jog the paved track or let the kids romp around the playground. Sports enthusiasts love the multiple tennis courts and ball fields. If you aim to simply relax or bask in the sun, you can take advantage of the scenic gazebo and picnic grounds. In addition, the park has an off-leash, fenced dog park perfect for letting your four-legged friends burn off some energy.

A less than 10 minute drive can also take you to Memorial Park, a favorite among fitness gurus. Take advantage of the jogging trails, tennis courts, fitness center, swimming pool, bike trails or 600-acre golf course. Memorial Park is also home to The Houston Aboretum and Nature Center and hosts the Bayou City Art Festival.

Residents have their pick when it comes to shopping in the area. Shop at Texas' largest shopping center, the Galleria, on Westheimer Road. The mall houses over 400 stores and restaurants in 2.4 million square feet of space, including featured stores such as two Macy's, Tiffany & Co., Nordstrom, and Microsoft. Tourists and locals alike can do much more than shop at Houston's most popular retail destination; the mall also provides a full-size ice rink, a children's play area, an arcade, and two swimming pools.

There are plenty of trendy boutiques in the neighborhood for those that prefer a more unique shopping experience. Shop at French Cuff Boutique on Woodway Drive for fashionable women's apparel from a variety of designers. With a range of price points and styles, you are sure to find the ideal outfit for your next event.

Uptown residents can take advantage of several grocery stores nearby for convenient shopping, including Kroger, H-E-B, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and the Fresh Market. You can also shop local at nearby Urban Harvest Farmers Market, which hosts over 50 local farmers and vendors that sell everything from organic produce to handmade artisan bread. The market runs every Saturday, year-round, at Richmond Avenue.