It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Houston.
After all, we’re based here! But we also love our city because it’s got a ton of things going for it—one of which is Samir Becic. It’s been almost 4 years since HFR founder Samir Becic was named “Fitness Czar” for the City of Houston! What better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a series of healthy living recommendations for Houstonians?
Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed Samir with the official title on November 1st, 2018 following 16 years of Samir’s dedicated service (starting with Mayor Lee Brown in 2002) to make the city a healthier and fitter place to live. In honor of our founder and his tireless work to make the city a healthier place to live for the past 20 years (as a volunteer and 4 years as “Fitness Czar”), we’ve decided to share some of our favorite healthy Houston recommendations- to see all of our top picks, click here.
Our Favorite Reading Spots
Reading is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Whether you’re trying to gain new knowledge, escape to a new world, or challenge yourself mentally, reading can immerse your brain into something new. As mentioned in our article “Why reading is good for your health”, reading can help with relaxing, contributing to happiness, regulating your sleep patterns, and increasing your concentration.
As Fall approaches, being outside is becoming more and more fun with the cooler weather. Being able to leave your home and go sit somewhere and get lost in a book is one of the best parts of the Fall season.
In Houston, the temperature in the Fall doesn’t drop too low, and that makes going to read at parks, coffee shops, etc an absolute joy. Read below to see our favorite choices for reading spots:
Hermann Park
Located south of the Museum District and north of the Medical center, this 445-acre park features plenty of cute spots to unwind and get lost in a book. Some of the best spots in the park to read are the Japanese Garden, the Hawkins Sculpture Walk, Lake Plaza, the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool, the McGovern Centennial Gardens, and more.
The Japanese Garden features crepe myrtles, azaleas, Japanese maples, dogwoods, and cherry trees. The Hawkins sculpture walk includes ten busts of notable figures from around the world, surrounded by a lush, small garden with lots of benches. The Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool, which is 740 feet long and 80 feet wide, is lined on both sides with mature live oak trees. The McGovern Centennial Gardens features a rose garden, an arid garden, a 30-foot garden mount, etc. These are all cute places to go and get lost in a new world in a book.
Cockrell Butterfly Center
Located inside of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, which is located in the heart of the museum district, this three-story enclosure is breathtaking. Filled with over 60 of the world’s largest and most colorful butterfly species, this place is perfect to feel like you’re inside a rainforest with your book.
Bebidas Coffee
This fan-favorite coffee shop, located in River Oaks, is the perfect place to unwind with a book and a yummy coffee. Their menu features smoothies, juices, coffees, teas, and small bites. The best part is their outdoor patio, which is covered by beautiful trees. Often, the sun is out but it never feels like too much in this stunning
Segundo Coffee Lab
Located in East Downtown, this cozy mom-and-pop coffee shop features drinks infused with CBD and Delta-8. Known as Houston’s first container coffee shop. With fresh pastries and food made every day, this place makes it easy to sit and read for hours.
Houston Public Library
With three locations, each located in Rice Village, Montrose, Downtown, and more, the public library is the perfect place to read and relax. Surrounded by hundreds of books, and mostly silence, reading and getting lost in a library is a perfect pastime. If you get a library card, you would also have access to over 24,000 items, such as books, movies, albums, audiobooks, etc.
