Noah’s Walkable Tour of Lo-Mo (Lower Montrose)

Noah
Noah’s Walkable Tour of Lo-Mo (Lower Montrose)

Art

This beautiful building is the main building of The Menil Collection; it houses one-a-kind, rare, priceless pieces of art and it is walking distance from the apartment! Oh, and another thing: IT'S FREE! Yes, 100% FREE! You'll understand how spectacular it is for this to be free when you go inside and witness what is featured in this collection. The collection includes: - Pre-historic pieces of art - African art from early civilization - A collection of art from the Dark Age - Religious art during the Byzantine empire during the Rennaisance - Modern and contemporary (Yup, they have a Warhol and several from Rene Magritte!) - Surrealism pieces. (Yup, they have the pioneer of surrealism: Max Ernst!) As you can imagine, I love this place. It was a big reason why I moved to this neighborhood. This is the main building of The Menil Collection, but the entire public collection is spread out over five buildings. Caution: Depending on when you're visiting, some of the other buildings may be closed in between exhibits, but this main building will always be open and they will always be free, so go nuts!
491 os moradores locais recomendam
A Coleção Menil
1533 Sul Ross St
491 os moradores locais recomendam
This beautiful building is the main building of The Menil Collection; it houses one-a-kind, rare, priceless pieces of art and it is walking distance from the apartment! Oh, and another thing: IT'S FREE! Yes, 100% FREE! You'll understand how spectacular it is for this to be free when you go inside and witness what is featured in this collection. The collection includes: - Pre-historic pieces of art - African art from early civilization - A collection of art from the Dark Age - Religious art during the Byzantine empire during the Rennaisance - Modern and contemporary (Yup, they have a Warhol and several from Rene Magritte!) - Surrealism pieces. (Yup, they have the pioneer of surrealism: Max Ernst!) As you can imagine, I love this place. It was a big reason why I moved to this neighborhood. This is the main building of The Menil Collection, but the entire public collection is spread out over five buildings. Caution: Depending on when you're visiting, some of the other buildings may be closed in between exhibits, but this main building will always be open and they will always be free, so go nuts!
This is the 2nd of five buildings holding The Menil Collection. Like all of the buildings in The Menil Collection, this building is walking distance from the apartment. You'll find it easier to walk than to find parallel parking, trust me. This building houses only exhibits modern and contemporary drawings. The exhibits here are... breathtaking? Awe-inspiring? ... I can't think of the right word. How do I describe the feeling of being so impressed by what a human being can do with an every day item like a pencil, or a pen, and turn it into some of the most stunning, complex, and impressive drawings in the world? Whatever that word is: that's how I would describe this place. Go check it out, it's freakin' FREE!
Menil Drawing Institute
1412 W Main St
This is the 2nd of five buildings holding The Menil Collection. Like all of the buildings in The Menil Collection, this building is walking distance from the apartment. You'll find it easier to walk than to find parallel parking, trust me. This building houses only exhibits modern and contemporary drawings. The exhibits here are... breathtaking? Awe-inspiring? ... I can't think of the right word. How do I describe the feeling of being so impressed by what a human being can do with an every day item like a pencil, or a pen, and turn it into some of the most stunning, complex, and impressive drawings in the world? Whatever that word is: that's how I would describe this place. Go check it out, it's freakin' FREE!
This is the 3rd of the five buildings housing The Menil Collection. It is also walking distance from the apartment. This building is unique for the fact that it only houses one artists' work: Cy Twombly. If you don't know who he is ( I didn't either when I moved here) look him up online. Brief synopsis: He was an American contemporary artist in the 20th century and influeced a lot of artists that are alive today. The actual building here is something spectacular too if you're into architecture. Twombly joined forces with the architect of the main building of The Menil Collection to design this building. So, if you find the building beautiful as you approach and enter it, it's because it is a work of art in itself. The visit to this gallery shouldn't take long, and of course, it's free!
11 os moradores locais recomendam
Cy Twombly Gallery
1501 Branard St
11 os moradores locais recomendam
This is the 3rd of the five buildings housing The Menil Collection. It is also walking distance from the apartment. This building is unique for the fact that it only houses one artists' work: Cy Twombly. If you don't know who he is ( I didn't either when I moved here) look him up online. Brief synopsis: He was an American contemporary artist in the 20th century and influeced a lot of artists that are alive today. The actual building here is something spectacular too if you're into architecture. Twombly joined forces with the architect of the main building of The Menil Collection to design this building. So, if you find the building beautiful as you approach and enter it, it's because it is a work of art in itself. The visit to this gallery shouldn't take long, and of course, it's free!
This is the 4th of the five buildings of The Menil Collection. It is a bit seperated from the rest of the buildings, and difficult to find. Keep in mind that it is off of Richmond Blvd. and that the entrance faces Richmond. Still within walking distance of the apartment, and still very much free! I don't want to say much about this building other than Dan Flavin is a famous sculptor, and this building houses one of his sculptures using his favorite medium: light.
Dan Flavin Installation at Richmond Hall
1500 Richmond Ave
This is the 4th of the five buildings of The Menil Collection. It is a bit seperated from the rest of the buildings, and difficult to find. Keep in mind that it is off of Richmond Blvd. and that the entrance faces Richmond. Still within walking distance of the apartment, and still very much free! I don't want to say much about this building other than Dan Flavin is a famous sculptor, and this building houses one of his sculptures using his favorite medium: light.
The Byzantine Fresco Chapel: This is the last of the five buildings that house The Menil Collection, and it is very bitter-sweet because it has been closed since 2018 with no reopening date as of right now. The history of this building involves: - Art thieves - The Orthodox Church of Cyprus - The Menil family - Two 700-year-old frescoes (think Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam") - And lots more, you should look it up! In short, this building was a gift to the Menil's and to Houston from the Orthodox Church of Cyprus. Inside is one of the most beautiful chapels the world will ever see. The chapel was designed and built to exhibit the two 700-year-old frescoes until the frescoes were returned in 2012 to their original home in Cyprus after being seperated for far too long. Left behind was the beautiful chapel. At the very least walk past the building and see the architecture, it's pretty cool. If you'd like to see a video of the removal of the frescoes from the chapel in 2012, go to YouTube and search "Byzantine Fresco Chapel De-installation" it should be the first one.
4011 Yupon St
4011 Yupon Street
The Byzantine Fresco Chapel: This is the last of the five buildings that house The Menil Collection, and it is very bitter-sweet because it has been closed since 2018 with no reopening date as of right now. The history of this building involves: - Art thieves - The Orthodox Church of Cyprus - The Menil family - Two 700-year-old frescoes (think Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam") - And lots more, you should look it up! In short, this building was a gift to the Menil's and to Houston from the Orthodox Church of Cyprus. Inside is one of the most beautiful chapels the world will ever see. The chapel was designed and built to exhibit the two 700-year-old frescoes until the frescoes were returned in 2012 to their original home in Cyprus after being seperated for far too long. Left behind was the beautiful chapel. At the very least walk past the building and see the architecture, it's pretty cool. If you'd like to see a video of the removal of the frescoes from the chapel in 2012, go to YouTube and search "Byzantine Fresco Chapel De-installation" it should be the first one.
Although this is not technically part of The Menil Collection, the Rothko Chapel has the Menil family legacy all over it. This houses Mark Rothko's last works of art. It is a non-denominational chapel that requires absolute silence when visiting, please ask the attendant regarding any other rules of the chapel. Please, please, please be respectful when visiting as this is one of Houston's most cherished destinations. Mark Rothko was a very influencial, abstract painter. The world probably knows him best for his colorful and distorted paintings that are mostly rectangular shapes. Google his name and you'll see what I mean. While he was alive, the Menil's approached him to commission the large panels that are housed in the Rothko Chapel. Rothko completed the panels shortly before he died by suicide. Not knowing what they were going to get for their commission, the art world was shocked when the Rothko Chapel opened posthumously. Where they were expecting exciting and brilliant splashes of color and light like the rest of his works, but instead they received the pieces that are still there today. Please go visit. It's extremely close to the apartment, it's free, and it captures one's complete attention as if by magic. P.S. The statue outside in the middle of the reflection pond is named, "The Broken Obelisk," and it was made in honor of Doctor Martin Luther King.
164 os moradores locais recomendam
Rothko Chapel
3900 Yupon St
164 os moradores locais recomendam
Although this is not technically part of The Menil Collection, the Rothko Chapel has the Menil family legacy all over it. This houses Mark Rothko's last works of art. It is a non-denominational chapel that requires absolute silence when visiting, please ask the attendant regarding any other rules of the chapel. Please, please, please be respectful when visiting as this is one of Houston's most cherished destinations. Mark Rothko was a very influencial, abstract painter. The world probably knows him best for his colorful and distorted paintings that are mostly rectangular shapes. Google his name and you'll see what I mean. While he was alive, the Menil's approached him to commission the large panels that are housed in the Rothko Chapel. Rothko completed the panels shortly before he died by suicide. Not knowing what they were going to get for their commission, the art world was shocked when the Rothko Chapel opened posthumously. Where they were expecting exciting and brilliant splashes of color and light like the rest of his works, but instead they received the pieces that are still there today. Please go visit. It's extremely close to the apartment, it's free, and it captures one's complete attention as if by magic. P.S. The statue outside in the middle of the reflection pond is named, "The Broken Obelisk," and it was made in honor of Doctor Martin Luther King.
This is the more traditional art museum in Houston. There is a cost to enter, and it is about a mile away from the apartment. There is pay-parking nearby, but one can also ride the metro bus down Montrose Blvd., walk the mile, or catch an uber that might cost the same as the parking. Exhibits here change often; but they're consistantly amazing, and the museum does a great job at providing education along with their exhibits.
979 os moradores locais recomendam
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Beck Building
1001 Bissonnet St
979 os moradores locais recomendam
This is the more traditional art museum in Houston. There is a cost to enter, and it is about a mile away from the apartment. There is pay-parking nearby, but one can also ride the metro bus down Montrose Blvd., walk the mile, or catch an uber that might cost the same as the parking. Exhibits here change often; but they're consistantly amazing, and the museum does a great job at providing education along with their exhibits.
This art museum is adjacent to the Museum of Fine Arts- Houston. However; this museum is free, smaller, and their exhibits comprise of contemporary, less known, yet powerful artists. Super, super free! Also, I don't know how, but I always have a great time at their gift shop.
144 os moradores locais recomendam
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
5216 Montrose Blvd
144 os moradores locais recomendam
This art museum is adjacent to the Museum of Fine Arts- Houston. However; this museum is free, smaller, and their exhibits comprise of contemporary, less known, yet powerful artists. Super, super free! Also, I don't know how, but I always have a great time at their gift shop.

Food scene

I love this place! I get coffee here every morning. It is a three block walk on the other side of Richmond Blvd and their espresso is delicious to me. Granted, I don't know much about coffee, but it wakes me up every day -- which is all I need from my coffee. P.S. If you get your drink to-go walk down Graustark St. a little bit further and sit on the bridge that goes over I-59. I sit there some mornings to drink my coffee and stare at drivers in rush hour frustrated in their cars.
63 os moradores locais recomendam
Black Hole Coffee House
4504 Graustark St
63 os moradores locais recomendam
I love this place! I get coffee here every morning. It is a three block walk on the other side of Richmond Blvd and their espresso is delicious to me. Granted, I don't know much about coffee, but it wakes me up every day -- which is all I need from my coffee. P.S. If you get your drink to-go walk down Graustark St. a little bit further and sit on the bridge that goes over I-59. I sit there some mornings to drink my coffee and stare at drivers in rush hour frustrated in their cars.
This Texas BBQ joint is right across the street, just follow the smell of BBQ when you leave the apartment one block south and you'll see it. It is delicious. Attached is a bar that's pretty fun to take some friends to, or sit and watch sports, or whatever is on their TV. Great outdoor seating, too. If you're vegetarian or vegan, this is not the place for you, but no worries, keep scrolling down Noah's Walkable Tour of Lo-Mo!
125 os moradores locais recomendam
The Pit Room
1201 Richmond Avenue
125 os moradores locais recomendam
This Texas BBQ joint is right across the street, just follow the smell of BBQ when you leave the apartment one block south and you'll see it. It is delicious. Attached is a bar that's pretty fun to take some friends to, or sit and watch sports, or whatever is on their TV. Great outdoor seating, too. If you're vegetarian or vegan, this is not the place for you, but no worries, keep scrolling down Noah's Walkable Tour of Lo-Mo!
I promised a vegan and vegetarian option- check this place out. It's too far for me to walk, but maybe not you. They do have a pretty large parking lot if you'd like to drive. Every time I've ordered here the meal has been filling, refreshing, and left me feeling amazing.
Field of Greens
2320 W Alabama St
I promised a vegan and vegetarian option- check this place out. It's too far for me to walk, but maybe not you. They do have a pretty large parking lot if you'd like to drive. Every time I've ordered here the meal has been filling, refreshing, and left me feeling amazing.
If you've never had Brazilian BBQ, this will be an experience for you. Servers will walk around with large portions of cooked meat and cut you a selection stright unto your plate. Be warned, it is a bit expensive, but they have a good lunch special. Like everything here it is walking distance, and two or three blocks away on Montrose Blvd. behind the CVS.
Tourão Brazilian Churrasqueria
4412 Montrose Blvd
If you've never had Brazilian BBQ, this will be an experience for you. Servers will walk around with large portions of cooked meat and cut you a selection stright unto your plate. Be warned, it is a bit expensive, but they have a good lunch special. Like everything here it is walking distance, and two or three blocks away on Montrose Blvd. behind the CVS.
My favorite type of food is from the Orient, Japanese food is pretty high on my list. Nippon makes it easy for me to get my fix. It is behind CVS after Tourao Brazilian on the same side of the street. It's so close to the apartment, I usually order take out and eat it at home.
24 os moradores locais recomendam
Nippon Japanese Restaurant
4464 Montrose Blvd
24 os moradores locais recomendam
My favorite type of food is from the Orient, Japanese food is pretty high on my list. Nippon makes it easy for me to get my fix. It is behind CVS after Tourao Brazilian on the same side of the street. It's so close to the apartment, I usually order take out and eat it at home.
This building used to house my favorite Chinese restaurant a few years back. Bamboo still has some great Chinese food, but their menu is much wider across cultures and hyper focuses on seafood dishes. I have gone to Bamboo despite my resentment of the building no longer being home to my favorite Chinese restaurant a few times... and I hate to say this, but the food is pretty damn good. If someone with a reason to not like this place can enjoy a good meal here, you should love it. Keep in mind, you're going to want to like seafood to enjoy your meal.
Bamboo Modern Asian Seafood
4500 Montrose Boulevard
This building used to house my favorite Chinese restaurant a few years back. Bamboo still has some great Chinese food, but their menu is much wider across cultures and hyper focuses on seafood dishes. I have gone to Bamboo despite my resentment of the building no longer being home to my favorite Chinese restaurant a few times... and I hate to say this, but the food is pretty damn good. If someone with a reason to not like this place can enjoy a good meal here, you should love it. Keep in mind, you're going to want to like seafood to enjoy your meal.

Museums

In my opinion, this is Houston's premier museum. It is a little over a mile away from the apartment, if that's too far to walk, hop on the bus on Montrose Blvd. or they have a parking garage that you can pay to park in. Their permanent exhibits of paleontology (dinosaurs!), gems and minerals (diamonds!), and their butterfly exhibit (inside a simulated rainforest!) are enough to convince anyone to go. However, that is not all. They have frequent temporary exhibits that alternate and bring mind-shattering experiences available to Houstonians. So, even if you've been to this museum a long time ago, you're due for another visit. There'll always be something new to gawk over.
863 os moradores locais recomendam
O Museu de Ciências Naturais de Houston
5555 Hermann Park Dr
863 os moradores locais recomendam
In my opinion, this is Houston's premier museum. It is a little over a mile away from the apartment, if that's too far to walk, hop on the bus on Montrose Blvd. or they have a parking garage that you can pay to park in. Their permanent exhibits of paleontology (dinosaurs!), gems and minerals (diamonds!), and their butterfly exhibit (inside a simulated rainforest!) are enough to convince anyone to go. However, that is not all. They have frequent temporary exhibits that alternate and bring mind-shattering experiences available to Houstonians. So, even if you've been to this museum a long time ago, you're due for another visit. There'll always be something new to gawk over.
I'm not a fan of zoo's, I want to be upfront about that. However, if this is something that you'll enjoy, by all means go and check it out. It is on the other side of Hermann Park from the Museum of Natural Science museum. They have lions, a reptile building, an aviary, several aquariums, oh and some pretty cute seals that put on a show.
1102 os moradores locais recomendam
Houston Zoo
6200 Hermann Park Dr
1102 os moradores locais recomendam
I'm not a fan of zoo's, I want to be upfront about that. However, if this is something that you'll enjoy, by all means go and check it out. It is on the other side of Hermann Park from the Museum of Natural Science museum. They have lions, a reptile building, an aviary, several aquariums, oh and some pretty cute seals that put on a show.

Sightseeing

Hermann Park is a giant park that seperates Houston's Museum District and The Medical Center. Think of it as our version of Central Parkin NYC. This is a little over a mile away from the apartment. There is a giant parking lot that is shared with the Houston Zoo that you may park at if you don't want to walk. There's so much to do here on any given day. -Miller Outdoor Theater. This outdoor theater hosts free concerts, plays, and speakers in the park. If you don't want to sit in a chair, bring a blanket (there's one in the apartment) and sit on the hill in facing the theater. -The Reflection Pond. You can't miss is. It resembles the large reflection pond in Washington D.C., there's an obilisk at the end of it before the start of the lake that is in the middle of the park. It's really pretty. -The Japanese Gardens. If you're walking towards the Obilisk mentioned above, on the right hand side you'll see a gated area. This is The Japanese Gardens. It's open from 9 am - 5 pm every day. Go for a stroll. If you stay long enough you forget that you're in Houston, and you're trasported for a zen garden in Japan. -Pedal Boats. If you approach the lake from the obilisk walk to the left and you'll see some pedal boats on the lake. You can rent a two-person pedal boat and go for a ride around the lake to see Hermann Park from unique angles that most don't get the chance to.
51 os moradores locais recomendam
Hermann Park Conservancy
1700 Hermann Dr
51 os moradores locais recomendam
Hermann Park is a giant park that seperates Houston's Museum District and The Medical Center. Think of it as our version of Central Parkin NYC. This is a little over a mile away from the apartment. There is a giant parking lot that is shared with the Houston Zoo that you may park at if you don't want to walk. There's so much to do here on any given day. -Miller Outdoor Theater. This outdoor theater hosts free concerts, plays, and speakers in the park. If you don't want to sit in a chair, bring a blanket (there's one in the apartment) and sit on the hill in facing the theater. -The Reflection Pond. You can't miss is. It resembles the large reflection pond in Washington D.C., there's an obilisk at the end of it before the start of the lake that is in the middle of the park. It's really pretty. -The Japanese Gardens. If you're walking towards the Obilisk mentioned above, on the right hand side you'll see a gated area. This is The Japanese Gardens. It's open from 9 am - 5 pm every day. Go for a stroll. If you stay long enough you forget that you're in Houston, and you're trasported for a zen garden in Japan. -Pedal Boats. If you approach the lake from the obilisk walk to the left and you'll see some pedal boats on the lake. You can rent a two-person pedal boat and go for a ride around the lake to see Hermann Park from unique angles that most don't get the chance to.