A list of six things to do if you're flying solo in Houston, Texas.
Several corporate CEOs have risen to their lofty position because they were willing to relocate when no one else in the company was. In many cases, that relocation was to Texas.
Texas can seem like an overwhelming place if you come into it alone. While the residents are friendly, most are lifers, supported by large networks of family and friends who remained in the area. This might be truer in Houston than any other city, because the network of expansive suburbs for Space City contains several fourth and fifth generation Texan families.
Still, if you're in Houston, and you're finding yourself flying solo a decent amount, there's still a good deal of things to do --- in the process, you might find some more people to socialize with. Or, if you're one of those Texas lifers looking for some downtime in the state's largest cities, follow along:
1) Exercise: Physical exertion is the ultimate solo activity. Let's be honest --- you might want to go to the gym with friends or co-workers, but you don't want them to know how much you're panting on minute five on the treadmill. Houston is rare for a big city in that it offers a lot of outdoor space perfect for exercising, such as Hermann Park, Herman Brown Park, Denver Harbor Park, and the fields adjacent to Allen Parkway. Biking is a common past time in the Bayou City --- the nationally recognized MS150 runs from Houston to Austin --- as is running. Because of the large amount of public outdoor space and the relative consistency in temperature throughout most of the year (it only spikes at certain times in the summer), joining a gym isn't even necessary. Most people, when they use gyms, tend to use the ones in the myriad of apartment complexes around town --- so exercising outdoors can help you meet new people (especially around Allen Parkway) more quickly.
2) The Museum District: Houston's never been looked upon as a cultural hub, but that impression may be slowly starting to change. Houston Grand Opera celebrated its 30th anniversary in April of 2005, and Broadway shows are making stopovers here annually. Highway 59 was re-routed so that an exit led directly into the Museum District, the center of Houston's cultural world. All the museums and small galleries here are remarkable in their own context, but a good bet for singles is Houston's Museum of Natural Sciences. A few years ago, they ran a program entitled "Mixers and Elixirs," featuring a band and reduced-price drinks for culturally minded singles in the area. New president Joel Bartsch has planned to bring that concept back, in a slightly different form. Other options in this area, such as Orchestra X and the "Art Crowd" at the Museum of Fine Arts, also cater to a young professional set in hopes of bringing like-minded audiences together. Additionally, one of the simplest benefits of Houston's museum area is that almost all of them are clustered together in this same area next to Hermann Park, which makes hopping from one to the next that much easier.
3) Shopping: Houston's flagship for shopping is the Galleria, one of America's largest indoor malls. While the Galleria is certainly impressive --- its Director of Marketing, Connie Hascher, admits that people visit Houston for the weekend and never leave its interior --- other options abound in Space City. Rice Village, while catered to a younger crowd (think Eddie Bauer, J. Crew, etc), provides tons of quality shopping, restaurants, and brewpubs (in addition to a great tapas restaurant) all within walking distance. Parking can be tricky, but once you're in, stay a while. The Montrose area has eclectic finds, such as a Half-Priced books on Westheimer which frequently yields best-selling titles for as low as $6. Antiquing along Westheimer is another high point of the Montrose shopping scene, and a great way to furnish your first Houston residence. Classic desks and chairs can run lower than similar items at IKEA.
4) Hermann Park: Hermann Park, adjacent to the Museum District, is not only a good place for exercise but relaxation as well. Some of the activities here are best done in groups --- riding the miniature train, going to the zoo, or golfing --- but the city installed over 20 benches alongside a reflecting pool right by the park's entrance. It's a perfect place to sit and read, or reflect after some exercising.
5) Mentor a HISD student: HISD, America's 7th-largest school district, has a student mentoring program for its 200,000-plus students. If you contact HISD and wish to assist with a particular school or the student population in general, they can guide you in the best way to do so. The district won the 2002 Broad Prize for excellence in urban education, and has some incredibly gifted students only limited by their occasional access to resources.
6) Ice Cream: Nothing makes you feel less alone than amazing ice cream, and Houston offers a few delectable options here. Check out the Ben and Jerry's on Kirby --- parking can be an issue, but it's worth it. Coldstone Creamery in Rice Village is essentially a synonym for "scrumptious," and the Baskin Robbins on Westheimer near Lamar High School --- often crowded with families of all ages --- is also very good.
