Where to Eat during the AZA Conference

HOUSTON WITHOUT A CAR
Exploring Houston’s Urban Landscape Aboard the METRORail

DOWNTOWN   RAIL STOP: Preston 

• DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM Houston's first public aquarium, the Downtown Aquarium is a restaurant and aquarium designed to entertain the masses. The world-class complex, perched on the redeveloped 400 block of Bagby, boasts 500,000 gallons of visible underwater tanks with more than 200 species of marine life - and that's just skimming the surface.  AZA Attendees will receive free admission to the Downtown Aquarium all week with an 2010 attendee registration badge and a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree at the restaurant.
• VIC & ANTHONY’S STEAKHOUSE Award-winning steakhouse featuring the finest prime beef and seafood and a distinguished wine list.
• VOICE The ultra-chic restaurant at Hotel Icon features dishes that are uniquely vibrant in taste and preparation.
• 17 RESTAURANT Critically hailed inventive New American cuisine characterizes this chic downtown eatery in the Alden-Houston Hotel.
• HEARSAY GASTRO LOUNGE Expect upscale pub grub at this historically-hip downtown spot.
• LES GIVRAL’S Bahn mi (sandwiches), pho (noodle soup), spring rolls, eggs rolls and other snacks form the basis of this inexpensive, order-at-the-counter Vietnamese restaurant.
• BISTRO LANCASTER Take in breakfast or a pre-theater meal at this cozy bistro in The Lancaster Hotel.
• IRMA'S SOUTHWEST GRILL This small upscale bistro serves downtown lunch-goers a short and ever-changing Tex-Mex and southwestern menu.
• BYRD’S MARKET & CAFÉ A gourmet market and restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch and a basic supply of household necessities.
• CAVA BISTRO This New American bistro features a menu of French, Italian and Moroccan influences in a cozy dining room setting reminiscent of a rustic wine cellar.
• CIELO MEXICAN BISTRO Expect modern Mexican food with a focus on margaritas, bar specials and very reasonably priced menu items.
• EL REY TAQUERIA A fast, Cuban-Mexican concept that serves delicious tacos for breakfast and lunch, and on weekends it serves late night grub until 3AM.
• FRANK’S PIZZA This downtown pizza joint is known for its hand-tossed specialties and 3 a.m. closing time.
• SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE Traditional, made-from-scratch Italian fare is the specialty here. You can expect American portions!

• LA CARAFE Housed in one of the oldest buildings in Houston, this cozy wine bar offers unbeatable ambience and a very enviable wine selection.
• DEAN’S CREDIT CLOTHING A laid-back mood and hip atmosphere is the feel at this funky downtown bar housed a 1930s clothing store. 
• WARREN’S INN This classic downtown bar holds its own amid downtown's revitalization.
• SHAY MCELROY'S IRISH PUB Shay McElroy's in the Rice Lofts building downtown takes the Irish-pub-in-America concept to a new level.

• THEATER DISTRICT Just blocks from the rail, Houston's 17-block Theater District draws a faithful following for Grammy, Tony and Emmy-award winning performances by the Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Alley Theatre and Houston Symphony.
• MINUTE MAID PARK Root for the Houston Astros at downtown’s Minute Maid Park, where a retractable roof affords open-air seating on beautiful Houston evenings. Baseball season is April through October.
• RED CAT JAZZ CAFÉ One of Houston’s hottest hot jazz clubs that also features classic Cajun and Creole cuisine.
• ANGELICA FILM CENTER Houston’s most stylish cinema features an interesting mix of artsy and independent films from major studios.
• SAMBUCA Enjoy live music at this stylish supper club located inside Houston’s historic Rice Hotel.

RAIL STOP: Main Street Square

• THE GROVE Nestled inside the beautiful Discovery Green park, this two-story, ultra-urban restaurant offers a variety of steaks, seafood and rotisserie specialties.
• THE LAKE HOUSE A family friendly fast casual concept located in the heart of the 12- acre Discovery Green park.
• STRIP HOUSE This upscale New York-style steakhouse has some of the best steaks in the city. And the sides are nothing short of spectacular.
• GUADALAJARA DEL CENTRO An extensive Mexican menu complements the south-of-the-border flair at this bustling eatery. 
• ANDALUCIA TAPAS & TAVERNA  Provides diners with an extensive menu of authentic hot and cold Spanish tapas and a well-priced wine list.
• MCCORMICK & SCHMICKS This popular seafood spot is downtown’s leading authority in fresh seafood offering.
• MIA BELLA Downtown convenience and inventive Italian fare define this longtime favorite.

• FLYING SAUCER DRAUGHT EMPORIUM A laid-back bar offering 85 taps from all over the world and just down the road.
• CORK WINE BAR Expect a vast selection of wines by the glass and dozens of hand selected beer at this new downtown spot.
• POLK STREET PUB Sports fans flock to this bar for its hearty food, friendly staff and good beer.

• DISCOVERY GREEN PARK Houston's 12-acre downtown park offers year-round activities and arts programming, as well as two destination restaurants.
• URBAN HARVEST FARMERS MARKET AT DISCOVERY GREEN Shop for fresh-squeezed juices, organic fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers and seafood every Sunday from noon- 4pm.
• HOUSTON PAVILIONS Downtown’s sleek new entertainment and retail hub offers 700,000 square feet of stylish restaurants, clubs and shops, including:
• HOUSE OF BLUES This multi-level music hall offers a richly unique entertainment experience as well as traditional American cuisine with a Southern flair.
• PETE’S DUELING PIANO BAR High-energy piano performances take the stage at this new Houston Pavilions-set bar.
• LUCKY STRIKE LANES Houston Pavilions strikes gold with this upscale bowling alley-lounge.
• SHOPPING Houston Pavilions is home to stores like Forever 21, BCBG and Books-A-Million.
• HOUSTON VISITORS CENTER Make a stop at City Hall for maps, guides, tours and information on Houston.
• TOYOTA CENTER Watch the red-hot Rockets lay-up and dunk in downtown’s Toyota Center. Basketball season is October through April.  Fans also flock to the Toyota Center for high-energy Aeros hockey and action-packed AHL competition. Hockey season is October through April.
• THE HERITAGE SOCIETY AT SAM HOUSTON PARK Learn about Houston's past at Sam Houston Park on the western edge of downtown and take a guided tour of the eight historic structures in the park, all maintained by Houston's Heritage Society.
• MACY”S At the center of downtown’s shopping district is Macy’s, located in the building of Houston’s oldest department store.

MIDTOWN - RAIL STOP: McGowen

• BIZA FOOD & WINE As sexy as its island namesake, this hot spot buzzes with Mediterranean bites and airy, clean-edged design.
• FARRAGO This Midtown bistro serves fusion cuisine in modern quarters.
• THE FISH This Midtown sushi stop scores high on glam with red mood lighting and above-average fare.
• THIS IS IT SOUL FOOD This downtown neighbor serves the kind of traditional African-American food that soothes and nourishes.
• COCO’S CREPES & COFFEE Coco's has great drinks, a nice view, a friendly staff and the best crepes in town!
• CYCLONE ANAYA’S This tasty Tex-Mex restaurants brings its mix of margarita-fueled fun and upscale casual dining to Midtown.
• EL PATIO A first-rate plate of onion-y enchiladas with chili gravy is the star at this local favorite Tex-Mex restaurant.
• DAMIAN’S CUCINA ITALIANA Perched on the edge of downtown, this eatery balances novelty Italian with a palatable sophisticated freshness. 8 blocks.

• SAMMY’S The place to go for live Soul and Motown music and dancing.
• NOUVEAU ANTIQUE ART BAR Dozens of reproduction Tiffany lamps hang from the ceiling of this romantic Midtown watering hole. 3 blocks.
• HOWL AT THE MOON This dueling piano bar creates a lively scene, with singing and celebrating and occasional table-standing debauchery.
• THE ROOF The cool 80s glam rock bar offers a jaw-dropping view of the downtown skyline.
• 13 CELSIUS Old-world ambiance and a well-edited wine list find a home at this charming Midtown wine bar and retail shop. 7 blocks.
• BRAZOS RIVER BOTTOM The thirty-something, Wrangler-wearing clientele flock to this gay-friendly spot for its drink specials, Thursday-night dance lessons and a laid-back vibe.
• FRONT PORCH PUB This Midtown favorite boasts 44 draught beers and more than 50 bottles.
• LITTLE WOODROW’S This relaxed beer garden boasts more than 100 beers (22 on tap), happy hour specials and a sports-friendly crowd.
• PUB FICTION This Midtown pub offers live music, plenty of drink specials, and an ample outdoor patio.
• THE TIPSY CLOVER This subdued and lounge-like pub provides a relaxing alternative to Midtown’s bustling nightlife scene.

• SPEC’S LIQUOR WAREHOUSE Spec’s is a true destination shopping experience, offering over 40,000 labels of wines, spirits, liqueurs, beers, and finer foods in its 80,000 square foot building.
• HOUSTON FIRE MUSEUM This museum is dedicated to educating the community on fire, life safety and the history of the fire service. 2 blocks.

RAIL STOP: Ensemble/HCC

• BRENNAN’S OF HOUSTON Brennan’s Texas Creole-inspired menu is a longtime favorite for lunch, dinner and the popular Creole Jazz Brunch on Sundays.
• TACOS A GO-GO Good food and good prices define this casual, yet funky Midtown restaurant. 
• JULIA’S BISTRO This colorful bistro spices up Midtown with creative Latin fusion cuisine.
• THE BREAKFAST KLUB Catfish and grits, wings and waffles top a tempting array of breakfast favorites at this cozy comfort food zone.
• T’AFIA Monica Pope's simple Midtown haven transforms local market fodder into culinary sensations.
• REEF Dedicated restaurant hounds should hustle to check out REEF, named the No. 1 seafood restaurant in America by bon appétit.
• SUSHI RAKU A new hip fusion concept offering signature sushi dishes in a chic, modern setting.
• RUBY TEQUILA’S Fresh "Mex-Tex" fare based on the recipes of a legendary cattle drive cook’s daughter.

• MAPLE LEAF PUB This neighborhood pub offers a solid mix of draft beers, as well as several bottled varieties of Canadian, Texan and American brews.
• THE MINK Their laid-back candlelit front bar is ideal for lounging over cocktails, while upstairs, club goers pack the dance floor to a rotating calendar of in-house and visiting DJs and live music acts.
• SHOESHINE CHARLEY'S BIG TOP LOUNGE Decorated in quaint circus paraphernalia of yore, Big Top is a great place to get a drink before hitting up Continental Club for a show.

• CONTINENTAL CLUB For live music in a small venue with a distinctly Texan feel, there’s no better place in Houston. Local and touring acts tend towards rock, blues and country-tinged tunes.
• THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE Ensemble Theatre, the largest African-American professional theatre company in the U.S., produces a repertoire of critically acclaimed dramas, comedies and musicals.
• SIG’S LAGOON This rad record store is located next door to the Continental Club, offering a wide variety of CDs, vinyl albums, books, and all sorts of knickknacks.
• ADKINS ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUES Do a little shopping at Adkins Architectural Antiques  for one-of-a-kind furniture and accessories. 2 blocks.
• STATION MUSEUM A Midtown-set museum dedicated to an always-changing, thought-provoking mix of contemporary art displays. 7 blocks.

  RAIL STOP: Wheeler

• HOLOCAUST MUSEUM Educates students and the public about the dangers of prejudice and hatred in society. 5 blocks.
• JOHN C. FREEMAN WEATHER MUSEUM Educates students and visitors about the many different aspects of weather, including science, history and safety. 5 blocks.
• HOUSTON CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT One of the few venues in the country dedicated exclusively to craft, highlighting art made of glass, fiber, clay, metal or wood. 6 blocks.
• LAWNDALE ART CENTER A non-profit alternative space that exhibits contemporary works in all media, unique in its focus on Houston area artists. 7 blocks.

MUSEUM DISTRICT   RAIL STOP: Museum District

• HOTEL ZAZA The museum district’s newest, modern luxury hotel is awash in green space and within steps of Hermann Park.

• MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON The museum district’s anchor and the nations sixth largest art museum, MFAH offers 300,000 square feet of exhibit space and presents more than 30 changing exhibits each year. Admission is free on Thursdays.
• CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM HOUSTON An art fan’s favorite, showcasing innovative works from established and up-and-coming artists. Check out the CAMH gift shop, one of the city’s best. Admission is always free.
• CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON Touted as one of the best children’s museums in the country, CMH is packed with 90,000 square feet of innovative, interactive bilingual exhibits for kids of all ages. Admission is free Thursday evenings from 5-8pm.
• THE HEALTH MUSEUM Provides innovative and interactive health and science educational experiences to promote an understanding of the human body.

RAIL STOP: Hermann Park/Rice U

• LITTLE BIG’S Located inside Hermann Park, this retro diner concept offers a simple menu of mini burgers or “sliders” along with tasty fries and creamy milkshakes. 
• BODEGA’S TACO SHOP The custom taco shop, located at the corner of Caroline and Ewing, offers a choice of rotisserie chicken, ground sirloin or fajita steak, topped by more than 10 salsa flavors.

• HERMANN PARK This cultural and recreational hub invites visitors to explore the parks 445+ acres of gardens, picnic spaces, lakes and beautiful green space.
• HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE The fourth most visited museum in the country features an IMAX theatre, Planetarium, Cockrell Butterfly Center, permanent exhibit halls and traveling exhibitions. The museum is free Tuesdays from 2-6pm.
• MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE Located inside Hermann Park, Miller is Houston's premier outdoor theater, offering FREE music, jazz, ballet, dance and film performances from April through October.

 RAIL STOP: Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo

• HOUSTON ZOO Houston’s 55-acre zoo is home to thousands of animals representing more than 500 species, from winged creatures that fly free in the Tropical Bird House, to the slithering reptiles that constitute one of the nation's largest collections of venomous snakes.

TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER -   RAIL STOP: Dryden/TMC

• TREVISIO One of Houston’s most unique restaurants, located in the heart of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center and offering stunning views of the area.

• TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER The TMC attracts its share of out of town visitors. With 47+ member institutions, 5 million patients annually and more than 72,000 employees, it's no wonder it's the largest medical center in the world. The entire Texas Medical Center covers more than 1,100 acres.

RELIANT PARK -   RAIL STOP: Reliant Park

• NFL AT RELIANT STADIUM Cheer on the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Here, tailgating is as important as the game, so make sure to come early and bring an appetite. Football season is August through January. 
• RELIANT PARK A variety of events and conventions take place at Reliant Park, including the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the world's largest rodeo, and Houston Ballet Foundation's Nutcracker Market. Conventioneers rely on the METRORail to facilitate travel between downtown's George R. Brown Convention Center and downtown hotels and Reliant Park.