At the top of each week “My Top 5” showcases enterprising and creative Houstonians making things happen in H-Town, revealing their favorite things to do in their down time. This week, we’re very pleased to feature Sara DeMers Heald, development director for Air Alliance Houston, who shares some of his favorites in the Bayou City.
My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston
by Sara DeMers Heald
- Walkable Midtown – I love living in Midtown! My dog Pepper loves trips to West Webster Dog Park and she’s made lots of puppy pals there. My husband and I love playing football bingo at Pub Fiction and eating burgers at Christian’s. On a nice day, you will find me enjoying a Perfect Margarita on the rocks without salt on the patio at Cyclone’s after my Group X Class at 24 Hour Fitness. I love long walks and sometimes venture all the way to Buffalo Bayou, stopping for reflection at Bethel Park.
- Amazing Cuisine – I grew up in New Orleans where we learn from birth that food is an integral part of our culture. I moved to Houston in 2008 and was amazed by the fantastic cuisine the city has to offer. Don’t tell my friends back in NOLA, but Houston has the best food in the world. Some of my not to miss spots: Bombay Brasserie’s lunch buffet, Américas, Café TH, Huynh; breakfast tacos at Villa Arcos, Maharaja Bhog, Niko Niko’s and Coltivare.
- Live Theater – You don’t have to look far to find incredible live theater in Houston. I love visiting Opera in the Heights and shows at The Hobby Center including TUTS Underground. Main Street Theater and the Landing Theater Company are also always great. For something a little edgy, be sure to check out whatever the latest offering is from Mildred’s Umbrella.
- Crawfish – Although I lived in New Orleans for a quarter of a century, it wasn’t until I moved to Houston where I truly embraced the culture of crawfish: lazy weekend days spent on patios enjoying a cold beer and mounds and mounds of spicy crawfish. Here is what you need to know: Do not eat boiled crawfish that have seasoning on the outside. Authentic boiled crawfish is “boilt” in a spicy broth. Boiling crawfish in water and dropping it into dry seasoning is blasphemy. Where I get my crawfish fix: Wild Cajun, The Cajun Stop and Front Porch Pub.
- Urban Harvest Farmers Market on a Saturday morning – I love perusing the stalls and picking up fresh produce. I go without a list and grab whatever appeals to my senses, then enjoy cooking a meal which my spoils with my husband by my side that night. I always enjoy an iced Grizzafi coffee and munch on samples from Pat Greer’s Kitchen while I’m there.
About Sara DeMers Heald
New Orleans “born and bred,”. Sara moved to Houston over seven years ago lured here by promises of amazing food and dynamic culture. Once arrived, she was thrilled to discover Houston as a truly international city. As the self-described “perfect combination of Leslie Knope and Oliva Pope,” she works on behalf of the organization to make Air Alliance Houston a household name. As development director, she handles donor relations, events, and fundraising initiatives. Sara spends a large part of the year strategically planning Earth Day Houston. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, cuddling her puppy Miss Peppermint Patty, fitness, travel, and breakfast tacos. For 2015, Earth Day Houston celebrates 10 Years of being the region’s largest celebration of Mother Earth. With events planned all April long, she hopes you will make it a point to join in the fun.
