The 35th Annual Houston Art Car Parade is here and ready to take back the streets of Downtown. With over 250 wheeled-vehicles from across more than 20 states, here’s what to do (WTD) and where to eat (WTE) as you create an artsy four-day weekend for the books!
WHERE TO STAY:
Proximity: To be near the parade action, book a room at the C. Baldwin Hotel, only a few blocks away from the parade route with a delicious dining experience at Rosalie Italian Soul right at your fingertips.
Vibe: For a more-fitting “artistic” stay, make The Lancaster your weekend headquarters and spend time browsing 200+ contemporary pieces from Houston artists right at the hotel.
FOUR DAY ITINERARY
THURSDAY, APRIL 7 (DAY ONE)
WTE: Start the night with dinner at Zutro Restaurant located in Le Méridien Hotel. Enjoy flavorful dishes like Five Spice Pork Ribs, Snapper Pontchartrain and more in this artsy eatery. Take the kickoff celebration to a new level by going to the rooftop bar and enjoying happy hour at Z on 23.
WTD: After dinner, hop over to Discovery Green and catch a sneak peek of almost 100 art cars participating in the parade. Snap pictures and party with the art car artists during the UHD Thursday Night Concert Series.
FRIDAY, APRIL 8 (DAY TWO)
WTE: Enjoy a fresh-baked croissant and coffee in Common Bond’s colorful Brasserie. For lunch, race to the art-deco food hub, Finn Hall to indulge in flavors as diverse as the art cars to excite your palate.
WTD: Take the metro straight to the heart of the Museum District and spend the afternoon at the Contemporary Arts Museum browsing an array of diverse contemporary art pieces to interpret, explore and inspire you. Prefer to stay in Downtown? Rent a Segway and ride around to catch views of the various works that are part of our Art Blocks program and brighten up our district.
Save your energy for the big day with a lowkey night at Market Square Park. Roll out a blanket and relax on the lawn to catch a screening of the 1986 rom-com, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at 8PM.
SATURDAY, APRIL 9 (DAY THREE) THE MAIN EVENT
WTD: All roads lead to the Art Car Parade, because the big event is finally here!
Get pumped and ready to go during The Starting Line Party with live music and food at Allen Parkway from 11AM-2PM. For added inspiration, take your kids to the H-E-B Kids Creative Zone (📍 1000 Bagby) for fun, interactive art activities they can enjoy.
Skip searching for the perfect viewing spot and purchase tickets ($40) to the reserved seating area, only a few steps away from The Starting Line Party and Kids Creative Zone – giving you the chance to party up until the engines start to rev and the parade begins!
The big event kicks off at 2PM. For more information on the parade history and route, click here.
SUNDAY, ARPIL 10 (DAY FOUR)
Say one last cheers to the weekend with the perfect WTD and WTE combination. What’s better than a Sunday brunch? An artistic, and eclectic, Drag Brunch of course! From traditional breakfast tacos to Belgian waffles and shrimp & grits, Sambuca has everything you can want and more. Reserve a table for their Drag in the City Brunch featuring Euphoria Monroe!!