Our My Top 5 feature showcases Houstonians who are shaping the culture in the city and impacting people’s lives. In turn, they share their own favorite things to do in Houston when they’re not hard at work. This week, we’re very pleased to feature Justin Garcia, painter and author.
My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston
by Justin Garcia
- Catalina Coffee – This Washington Avenue located coffeeshop served my favorite cappuccino in town. Extremely friendly baristas and a great atmosphere to sit and decompress. So much so that I wrote my entire book, One Ton Goldfish: In Search of the Tangible Dream there.
- Buffalo Bayou Park – With the latest face lift to the scenery Buffalo Bayou Park has become an amazing place to run, stroll or even watch the chaos at the dog park. The park for me has become a place where you can get a feel for Houston and it’s green side.
- Houston Museum of Natural Science – I swear I could spend hours in the museum’s planetarium, watching documentaries in the Imax theater or wandering through any of the incredible permanent exhibits. This Houston gem is really special in that it manages to both take you back in time and give you a glimpse into the future all under one roof.
- Laurenzo’s El Tiempo Cantina – I feel like this Washington Avenue mainstay speaks for itself. I’ll say this about El Tiempo: there is a thing called Carnitas “Old School”…fried pork served fajita style with salsa, pico, melted butter and sautéed onions. Enough said.
- Bar Boheme – Great vibe inside and out with the Fairview neighborhood’s eclectic atmosphere set as the backdrop. A favorite hangout of mine as well as one of the best patios around.
About Justin Garcia
Justin Garcia is a native Houstonian. Most recently he was chosen as a finalist in the 2016 Hunting Art Prize, but long before Garcia attended the University of Houston Bauer Business School before realizing this direction was not for him and returned to his first passion: painting. In late 2015 Garcia announced the completion and publication of his first book, One Ton Goldfish: In Search of the Tangible Dream, a retrospective on his prior seven series of works. Garcia was also chosen in 2013 as one of the top “100 Creatives of Houston” and named the “2013 Artist of the Year” by Houston Press.
