Summer vacay

Visitor's guide to the best family-friendly fun in Houston this summer

Summer means it's time for vacation. With long, scorching days full of complaints of, "I'm bored," parents yearn for events and distractions to keep young minds stimulated.

For those looking for a little more than pool, water park, or theme park entertainment, consider heading to Houston, a city full of fun (and often free) summer activities. What better way to combat all that boredom than with some art, music, story time, and a good old-fashioned road trip?

Artful days
The Art Car Museum
Houston's car valhallacontinues to be a free spot for those who love seeing the souped-up, blinged-out automobiles that roll around the city when the Houston Art Car Parade happens every April. Currently, a decades-spanning exhibit called THEN and NOW is on display. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm.

The Houston Museum District
Here, myriad museums square away free days and times during these summer months. For example, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Houston Museum of Natural Science; the Children's Museum of Houston; and the Health Museum always have free hours on Thursdays. Check site for dates and times.

The Orange Show
The colorful show has several on-the-cheap spots that are worth checking out, like the Beer Can House (made of more than 50,000 used beer cans) and the Orange Show Monument. Admission for both is $5 (free for children under 12), but the creative urban space Smither Park is always free. Open from dawn until dusk.

Musical merriment
Cactus Music
The legendary record store continues to be a spot where young music lovers can learn about the coolest vinyl. Families can also catch indie performers, either local or national, do small live shows right there in the store. Added value for parents: The fine folks at Saint Arnold hooks the place up with free beer. Check site for dates and times.

The Houston Symphony
The symphony keeps the summer properly classy with its 2019 Summer Sounds at Jones Hall. End the season with a family-friendly screening of The Little Mermaid, with the Oscar-winning score performed live by the Houston Symphony. Check site for information.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The MFAH will host its Music on the Plaza summer series over at the Brown Foundation, Inc. Plaza. On August 30, poet Zachary Caballero and Handsomebeast will perform. 6-9 pm.

The great outdoors
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
The charming green space has plenty of events geared for the summer (we're most curious about this Arboretum at Night: Bats event). It's also home to a 155-acre, urban nature preserve, featuring five miles of trails — a must for those who like hiking, walking, or just exploring. 7 am to 7 pm.

Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
This park is where you can enjoy bicycling, T'ai Chi, bug walks, canoe trips, and more. Also, every second Saturday finds Second Saturday Settlers, where staff and volunteers demonstrate the various activities of early Texas settlers at Redbud Hill Homestead. Open from dawn to dusk.

Midtown Park
The local park has a bevy of free, outdoor fun: Zumba classes, samba classes, a weekly, pet-friendly happy hour called Yappy Hour, and more. A favorite is the weekly farmers market on Saturdays. Open from dawn to dusk.

Story time
Blue Willow Bookshop
Thursday mornings are for story time. Toddlers and preschoolers will be able to check out stories, sing songs, and enjoy an art activity. The themes change weekly, and special-guest authors might come by to read for the kiddies. 10 am.

Houston Public Library
HPL offers a summer reading program, complete with various story times going on at branches all over the city. Also look for the summer reading programs and story times over at Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County. Check sites for dates and times.

Levy Park
Along with having great outdoor activities, Levy Park also has Thursday mornings open for literature-loving families, with its one-hour Family Storytime. Held in the Children’s Pavilion, this cross-generational literacy experience is followed by a facilitated activity or craft for the whole family to enjoy. 10-11 am.

The Nature Discovery Center
Nature Story Time here happens every Wednesday afternoon. Each week, a book on a different nature topic is featured. Then, kids are invited to dabble in a fun craft or go on a nature walk. There are also live animal demonstrations, specimens to observe and touch, and more. 4 pm.

Family fun abounds at Levy Park.

Photo by Midway Companies

Family fun abounds at Levy Park.

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Hotel News

New dual-branded Marriott hotel property to squeeze into Uptown Dallas

Courtesy rendering

AC Hotel and Moxy Hotel

Uptown Dallas has a new dual-branded hotel development on the horizon: According to a release, ground has been broken on two Marriott brand hotels, AC Hotel and Moxy Hotel, slated to go up at 2910 N. Hall St. with a completion date by summer 2026.

The project will be located on Hall Street just a block south (or is it east) of McKinney Avenue at the corner of Oak Grove Avenue. It's been in the works for more than two years, but got delayed by the pandemic.

The development comes from Atlanta-based Peachtree Group, an investment management firm, and will feature 264 rooms total: 110 rooms for the AC Hotel and 154 rooms for the Moxy Hotel, providing distinct yet complementary experiences positioned competitively with premium hotels in Uptown. AC is an urban boutique hotel that services older travelers, while Moxy caters to a younger demographic.

Each brand will have its own lobby and entrance, but will share some amenities including a fitness center and a 261-stall onsite parking garage.

Dining options will include the signature Moxy Bar and Restaurant, located at street level, plus a custom-branded bar and lounge on the 8th floor featuring a deck with an outdoor terrace, water features, and views of Dallas.

With room rates starting at about $230, the dual-branded hotel will be positioned a little lower than some of the luxury properties nearby.

“Most hotels in Uptown cater to the upper-upscale and luxury segments, leaving the submarket lacking in upscale hotel options to meet the needs of a substantial portion of Uptown's demand,” says Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree, in a statement.

With modern design and state-of-the-art amenities, the hotels are set to become a destination for business and leisure travelers.

"The elevated amenity deck and custom-branded bar will create a unique destination within Uptown Dallas, driving demand from both hotel guests and locals alike," says Friedman. "This dual-branded property is designed to offer a dynamic experience that will stand out in the city’s competitive hospitality market."

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