Great Dates: EaDo
As a couples counselor serving families in Houston, I believe strongly in the healing powers of a great date. Regularly scheduling time to have a good day with your partner can deepen your connection: By prioritizing shared positive experiences, you show each other just how much you value your relationship. Dates provide prime time and space to talk about life's stresses, have fun together, and get to know each other better.
Throughout this Great Houston Dates blog series, I'll be doing the leg work for you by providing a suggested itinerary for a neighborhood-specific date with your partner or spouse. If you want to follow along or read other entries in this series, click on the Great Houston Dates tag at the end of this entry. I don't have financial ties to any of the places I mention in this series; I'm just a local couples counselor passionate about helping fellow Houstonians have great relationships.
The neighborhood known as EaDo, short for East of Downtown, is getting cooler and cooler by the day. The amount of new restaurants, hangouts, public artworks, and bars debuting in the area seems to be increasing day by day. Whether you are wanting to spend a casual day relaxing with the one you love or your tastes tend more toward the innovative and upscale, EaDo has a lot to offer for you to enjoy during a Saturday afternoon date with your partner.
Start your date by grabbing a table at the truly massive backyard hangout at 8th Wonder Brewery. You can enjoy one of the brewery's craft beers on offering, but if you aren't a beer drinker, don't dismay! 8th Wonder offers delicious locally made kombucha on tap as well. After taking a few selfies in front of the giant Beatles sculptures and the Brewston mural, kick back and dive into some deeper level conversations focused on getting to know each other better. The Gottman Institute offers a free app with great conversation starters for couples that will help you feel more connected as your day begins.
After drinks and conversation, EaDo has all sorts of activities on offer. Just down the street from 8th Wonder is BBVA Compass Stadium. You and your partner can grab tickets to a game and cheer on the Houston Dynamo or Dash at their home field. If you are looking for a more artsy or creative way to spend your afternoon, head south to the intersection of Leeland and St. Emmanuel to check out the incredible Houston Graffiti Buildings. Spend some time together exploring the countless large scale mural that cover these buildings and decide which ones are your favorites. Take your time; remember that today is about being together and trying new things, not marking items off a to-do list.
Once you start to get hungry, EaDo has so many options for a delicious meal together. For something more upscale, head on over to Nancy's Hustle, recognized by Esquire and Thrillist as one of 2018's best new restaurants in America. Make sure to get a reservation in advance! For something more casual but still delicious, head over to Rodeo Goat for one of their many unique burgers and great patio. For a truly iconic EaDo meal, you and your partner can always head over to the Original Ninfa's on Navigation, a true Houston landmark and paragon of quality Mexican food.
If you aren't ready for your night together to end, head over to Neil's Bahr and challenge your partner to one of the many arcade or board games they feature. Just make sure to keep your competition friendly! If fancy cocktails are more your late-night speed, try out the recently opened and lovely Miss Carousel for a quality cocktail in a comfortable atmosphere.
Keep dating! Dating is such a wonderful investment in your relationship and provides such great moments of fun and connection. Check back here in the weeks to come for more date ideas around additional Houston neighborhoods.
