Museum District – Aaron Molina

Houston Museum District’s museums showcase artwork from around the world and even magnificent pieces from Houston’s own artists. It is a wonderful place to visit where artwork is all around, including The Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden across the Museum of Fine Arts.

Harwin – Brittney Itima

Harwin is a host to several beautiful boutiques that cater to both the traditional garments of South Asia and more modern clothing. Nothing is off limits on this street, where beautiful well-made jewelry can be found to match their clothing. Beautiful dolls, intricate cloth and impressive dresses traditional to Pakistan and other south Asian countries can be found down the streets of Harwin, as well as a new pair of chic heels and the latest top all without emptying your wallet.

Sharpstown – Xavier Alfaro Lopez

Named “Best Hidden Neighborhood” by the Houston Press in 2010, Sharpstown is a multicultural community which surrounds the Southwest Freeway and Bellaire Boulevard. Sharpstown recently added new additions to its community including the Plaza Americas shopping mall, St. Agnes Academy Athletic Complex and Houston Baptist University’s soccer field. Sharpstown parks welcome big families to its spacious and diverse layout which include Bayland and Sharpstown Park which include pools, tennis courts and golf courses.

Rice Village – Julia Torres

Rice Village is located near downtown Houston, south of US-59. It is populated with many stores and restaurants that fit any craving. The dining varies from French to Japanese to Mediterranean and Indian, making it a perfect destination for the weekends. Among its attractions are clothing stores, boutiques and antique and furniture stores.

Montrose – Rebecca Hennes

Montrose is one of the most eclectic areas in Houston. Before its transition into the demographically diverse area of artists, antique stores and the LGBT community, Montrose was planned to be one of the highly respected inner city areas that would’ve been close to River Oaks. Thrift stores, gay bars, and even young teenagers dressed in medieval costumes pretending they belong in Lord of the Rings are familiar sites to the community. Renovated mansions and cottage businesses line the streets, while historic museums and neat jazz rooms that add to the range of culture and multiplicity of the area keep it busy. Montrose is a beautiful area of Neartown area of Houston with enough originality and history that keeps it alive and full of life. 

Middle Eastern Community – Ashley Lopez

From beautiful mosques to rich and tasteful eats, the Middle Eastern culture adds an exotic feel to the Houston streets. Places such as hookah bars, belly dancing classes and Phoenician grocery stores allow Houstonians to get a feel of the colorful culture.

Chinatown – Andrea Owen

Houston’s Chinatown is probably improperly named. The Southwest Houston community—located along Bellaire Boulevard—features cuisine, shopping, and other services from Asian countries like Taiwan and Vietnam as well as China. Various plazas and gardens complement the scenery.

Town and Country – Cameron Kauder

The Town & Country Village, located along Beltway 8 and Memorial Drive, is a hive of activity, with a plethora of stores for customers to visit and entertainment to keep them amused. Since it was built in the 1960's, Town & Country has been updated several times, each time adding new buildings and amenities to the mix. The architecture seen there is of an upscale, modern style that is not found very often in Houston. The emphasis on the gardens, fountains, and the landscaping that surrounds them results in a very aesthetic experience for shoppers. The upscale shopping center really began to thrive when Town & Country mall closed down, flooding the area with newfound business. T&C is home to many upscale retailers such as Banana Republic and Talbots Clothes. However, there are a few smaller, low budget retailers, including Quiznos Subs, Nextel, and of course Starbucks. Town & Country Village is a great place to spend an afternoon shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, or even just relaxing in the immaculate gardens surrounded by peaceful water features. Whatever your needs are, Town & Country has you covered.

West African Community – Loyce Gayo

Maybe it’s the freshly imported yams and “fufu” flour or perhaps it’s the infinite supply of malt drinks and Nollywood drama films but something about the Fondren Southwest community attracts thousands of Africans. Houston has one of the largest West African populations in the nation. With African owned businesses like African Farms, Finger Linking Bukateria and Tata’s Afrikan Imports, Houston caters to and embraces the African