Christina Uticone: After living in Alaska for three years my husband and I moved to Houston with our dog Sandy and our golf clubs. I am a writer and social media consultant. I practice yoga and kindness with various degrees of success. Among my favorite activites are camping, hiking, XC skiing, cooking, and wine tasting. Follow me on Twitter at @snowcones
Think Big (Thicket National Preserve)
If you think it’s time trade your street shoes for some hiking boots, a day (or a weekend) at Big Thicket National Preserve may just be the ticket!
Sometimes there is too much to do in a city. When I lived in Alaska my playground was The Great Outdoors. Now that I have “everything urban” at my fingertips, I find that I occasionally want nothing at my fingertips but trees and trails. It’s times like those when it’s the ideal time to visit Big Thicket.
More than...
March 26th, 2010 | Houston | Read More
All Out at Sam Houston Race Park
Crowds gather almost year-round at Sam Houston Race Park for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. In addition to on-site races, the park offers “Simulcast” races from around the country and the world.
The park has not one but two restaurants to choose from featuring menus from Executive Chef Hugo Gomez: The Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the members-only Jockey Club. Sam Houston also gives groups up to 100 the opportunity to enjoy the race in a Luxury Suite that includes valet...
March 26th, 2010 | Houston | Read More
Weekend Roundup: March 26-28
Are you going to be in or around Houston this weekend? Not into NCAA Sweet 16 action? This weekend is brimming with events so there is plenty to choose from. I’ve listed my top-picks for March 26-28.
Bayou City Art Festival
Presented by the Art Colony Association, this year’s Bayou City Art Festival will feature over 300 artists. Admission is $10 for adults, children under 12 free. Note: there is no public parking at Memorial Park so use the festival’s free shuttle service.
Bayou...
March 24th, 2010 | Houston | Read More
NCAA Sweet Sixteen: Reliant Park
After another exciting round of NCAA basketball, the Sweet Sixteen matchups have been decided. Next weekend four of the lucky teams will continue their playoff dreams at Reliant Park Stadium. Tickets were available as of the writing of this article…but I can’t make any promises.
Baylor, St. Mary’s, Purdue, and Duke fans: All eyes on Houston! On Friday March 26th Baylor takes on St. Mary’s and Purdue will face Duke. The winners of each contest will remain in Houston...
March 21st, 2010 | Houston | Read More
Houston In Bloom
As we alternate between warm, sunny days and cool, rainy ones, Houstonians are noticing the hastening of spring. Trees are budding fresh green shoots and flowers are beginning to bloom. I have compiled a list of seven garden and gardening resources to help visitors and residents alike enjoy this time of renewal.
The Woodlands Spring Home & Garden Show
On March 27 & 28 the Spring Home & Garden Show will be running at The Woodlands, about 30 miles outside of Houston. In addition...
March 21st, 2010 | Houston | Read More
Don’t Worry, Be Hoppy (or Malty)
Have you ever stood in front of the craft beer section at the grocery or liquor store, dying to try something new but completely at a loss as to how to choose one over another? Flying Saucer Draught Emporium is the solution to your problem…and it’s only as far as you are from downtown Houston. With more than a hundred available craft beers you can discover your next brew in no time.
A few things set the Flying Saucer apart from other bars. The first is obviously their extensive...
March 20th, 2010 | Houston | Read More
Major League Fun: Houston Astros
Spring is the air in Texas, and it’s on the baseball diamond, too! Spring training for the Houston Astros is underway and Houstonians are looking forward to the April 4th home opener against the San Francisco Giants. Whether or not you are a huge sports fan, attending a professional sporting event is an exciting experience, one completely different from watching on television. In fact my first time seeing a major league game was an Astros game at Minute Maid Park back in 2006.
Here is...
March 18th, 2010 | Houston | Read More
Murder By The Book
A writer knows a good bookstore when she sees one. Murder by the Book is a good bookstore. In fact, it’s a great bookstore and if you love mysteries you’ll love this Houston indie-favorite. When I walked in I was greeted warmly by the staff who, upon learning it was my first time in the store, offered me a quick tour (before I identified myself as a reporter, incidentally.) Michelle gave me a rundown of the layout: American mysteries, True Crime, UK mysteries, used hard and paperbacks,...
March 17th, 2010 | Houston | Read More
In Honor of St. Paddy’s Day: Irish Pubs
When you think Houston the first thing that comes to your mind might not be Irish pubs. It could be the Astros, or NASA, or down-home barbecue, but Irish pubs?
Come March 17th, though, everyone here is Irish! We put on our green, pick up our Guinness, and (if brave) pile our plates high with ham and cabbage to celebrate our Inner Irish.
So where are Houstonians going on the 17th? Here are a few of my favorite hot spots — and you should feel free to stop by on any of the other 364 days...
March 13th, 2010 | Houston | Read More
Houston Symphony
Billed as “Music for Houston, Music for YOU” the Houston Symphony has announced its 2010 season and there are some fun surprises in store in every category.
The Classical season includes an early-October appearance from Grammy Award-winning Josh Bell, who will perform pieces from Mendelssohn and Schubert. Adding to the excitement is that Mr. Bell will be performing on: the famous Gibson Stradivarius violin, stolen in 1936 from Polish violinist Bronislaw Huberman and missing for 51 years until...
March 13th, 2010 | Houston, North America | Read More
Houston’s Hotel ZaZa
Located in Houston’s energetic Museum District the Hotel ZaZa is a boutique hotel specializing in luxury; from guestrooms to bungalows to what they call “The Magnificent Seven” suites: seven suites, each with a different theme, custom decorated and overlooking downtown Houston – an intense and extravagant vacation experience.
The hotel’s Monarch Urban Bistro & Lounge is a chic and stylish eatery with a Mediterranean menu. The Monarch serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily; on...
March 10th, 2010 | Houston | Read More
Welcome to Houston!
Downtown Houston Skyline at dawn
Hello everyone! My name is Christina and I will be your new Houston correspondent for PlanetEye Traveler. Please join me as I explore everything this wonderful city has to offer: food, music, sports, art, theater, shopping, spas, museums, and more. I am originally from the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York and as a result I am obsessed with dry Rieslings. My husband and I lived in Fairbanks, Alaska for three years where we saw it all, from moose to...
March 9th, 2010 | Houston | Read More
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