Houston, We Have a Vibe: My First Time Exploring Texas with the Bestie

Welcome Back to Another Trip with Tori

Now that I’ve shared my latest adventure, let’s rewind and talk about another trip that’s been on my mind for a while. For the past few years, I’ve been seriously thinking about moving to Texas — but here’s the catch: I’d never even been there! Weird, right? Somehow, my soul was pulling me toward a place I didn’t know at all. So, naturally, my best friend and I booked a quick trip to Houston, Texas to see what all the fuss was about.

First Impressions: Houston Hits Hard

We arrived on a Friday morning in October 2022, full of excitement — and nearly terrorized by our Uber driver! The ride from the airport to our brunch spot almost had us gripping our seats for dear life. Houston driving is no joke, y’all! But hey, welcome to Texas.

Our first stop was The Toasted Yolk, where the food and drinks were solid and helped us calm down after the wild Uber ride. Since check-in wasn’t until later, we had our bags with us and had to figure out what to do. Bright idea: buy cheap locks from the dollar store and stash our bags at the local Planet Fitness (yes, we’re members, so why not?). Then, with bags locked up, we set off to explore.

Color Factory: A Playful Start

Our first adventure was at The Color Factory, an interactive museum filled with creative photo ops in every room. It’s a guided tour, which meant we were moving with a group — not my favorite part — but the vibrant, quirky exhibits more than made up for it. Each room had a camera set up where you just press a button and strike a pose. At the end, they email you all your photos — so cool!

Afterward, we wandered the area, soaking in the sights before heading to a high-end mall filled with custom cars and some celeb sightings. Then, back to Planet Fitness to grab our bags and check into our Airbnb.

Home Base: A Quiet Neighborhood with Walkable Vibes

Our Airbnb was perfectly located — quiet neighborhood, but walking distance to lots of cool spots. It was the ideal home base for our Houston explorations.

Discovery Green & Downtown Murals

The next day, we grabbed breakfast and headed to Discovery Green, where an Asian festival was in full swing. The park was vibrant, with dog parks, statues, food vendors, and so much energy. Located downtown, it was the perfect place to stroll around, admire murals on buildings, and snap some photos.

Nightlife: From Electric Vibes to Hidden Halloween Magic

After a quick nap back at the Airbnb, we got ready for dinner and a night out. First stop: Electric FeelGood Bar — great drinks and chill vibes but we were craving some unique photo ops. That’s when we found Wonder Bar, a spot that literally changes its theme every few months. When we visited, it was Halloween-themed — complete with hidden rooms and tons of photo-worthy spots. Easily one of my favorite places in Houston!

TikTok Brunch Goals at Kamp

The next morning, we hit up a TikTok-famous brunch spot called Kamp. The energy was wild — complete with a DJ and a line like you’re getting into a club. Luckily, we didn’t wait long. The food was incredible, the vibe electric, and they stay open late enough for it to turn into a full-on club scene.

Uber Woes: Round Two

Remember that scary Uber ride into Houston? Well, we nearly had a sequel on the way to the airport. Our driver was sleepy, listening to gospel with her bonnet on, and nodded off multiple times on the highway. Other drivers had to honk to keep her in her lane! She even ran over a median trying to drop us off. I was terrified, but somehow, we made it safe and sound — just in time to catch our flight home.

To Be Continued…

This was just round one of my Houston experience. Like I said, my soul keeps calling me back, so naturally, I had to take my kids on a follow-up trip to get their take. Stay tuned for part two!-Vic