Strike a pose at these local Instagrammable spots! Whether you’re looking to show your pride with a vibrant backdrop or capture the perfect golden hour shot of Downtown Houston, we’ve collected some excellent places to snap the perfect pic!
Rainbow Crosswalk
Intersection of Westheimer Rd. & Taft St. Houston, TX 77006
Strut your stuff in the gayborhood and capture the perfect gay pride pic! The Rainbow Crosswalk in Montrose, located near the El Tiempo Cantina on Westheimer, is the runway that dreams are made of (photo above). Always practice caution when using crosswalks, but once you get the signal to walk, you betta work! Be bold as you strike a pose on the rainbow-painted street, and then cool off at one of the many local businesses that are within walking distance.
Blur Bar
710 Pacific St. Houston, TX 77006
Photo by Dandee Danao
A picture is worth a thousand words—but a hashtag also never hurts! Blur Bar on Pacific St. is home to a colorful wall that will take your selfie game to new heights. Located on the exterior wall facing Crocker St., the bar features a rainbow wall with the words “#LoveWins” and “Love is Love is Love” painted on the lower portion of the wall. The best time to visit is in the afternoon and early evening on a weekday before the bars start to get busy. It’s the perfect place to show your queer joy, snap a pic with your partner, or capture an image to spruce up your phone’s wallpaper!
1435 Westheimer Rd. Houston, TX 77006
Looking for the perfect colorful backdrop to match your vibe? Out of the Closet, the Montrose thrift store that donates profits to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation features a mural that is dripping with pride. The black wall features multiple paint colors dripping from the top of the building all the way to the ground. Be sure to add the hashtag “#montrosepaintwall” to your post and join the legion of Instagrammers who have posed in front of the iconic wall over the years!
401 Franklin St, Houston, TX 77201
We love having options when it comes to photo ops, and POST Houston takes the term “picturesque” to another level—literally! Whether it’s their stunning and intricate staircases that zig-zag and spiral up toward the ceiling, the sleek modern space itself, or the unique Skylawn complete with a garden, funky furniture, and absolutely jaw-dropping views of Downtown Houston, you’ll be guaranteed to snag the perfect pic at this Houston hotspot!
FotoLab Studio
401 Franklin St, Suite 1505, Houston, TX 77201
For Houstonians looking to take their portrait game to the next level, FotoLab Studio is a must! Houston’s first self-portrait studio affords a plethora of solid color backgrounds (including a 90s backdrop), gorgeous lighting, and a quick turnaround on printed and digital photos. The service may not be free, but the results speak for themselves! Take your photo game to the next level and book your solo or group session today!
Graffiti Park Downtown Houston
1503 Chartres St, Houston, TX 77003
Right on the outskirts of EaDo lies a graffiti park perfect for capturing the perfect H-Town selfie! Murals from local artists adorn the exterior spaces of a giant warehouse building on Chartres St. that pay homage to Houston, the different cultures that make the city great, and offer the perfect larger-than-life backdrop for selfies and photos alike!
Eleanor Tinsley Park
18-3600 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
If you’re looking to capture a frameable photo of Downtown Houston, Buffalo Bayou Park, specifically Eleanor Tinsley Park, offers stunning views of the city skyline. The vast green space is a favorite spot for locals to play frisbee, have picnics, play volleyball, and more. It’s also a top spot for photoshoots—whether it’s for a quinceanera, a family portrait, or a selfie with friends. This park offers a backdrop that is a perfect juxtaposition of nature and cityscape! If you’re so inclined, take a short walk to the Sabine St. bridge for a closer and equally picturesque view of downtown.
Smither Park
2441 Munger St, Houston, TX 77023
Art lovers, look no further than the satisfyingly zany Smither Park when considering hotspots to snap some photos that are unlike any other! The urban green space with a quirky collection of large mosaic sculptures created by local artists features a throne with a built-in crown, a picnic table occupied by two skeletons on a romantic date, a stage inside of a giant fish’s mouth, and so many more hidden treasures. Once you get your fix at Smither Park, walk over to the Orange Show, located next door, during open hours for a self-guided tour and even more quintessentially Houston photo ops!
Pavement Modern & Recycled Clothing
1657 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Shop til you drop at this funky retailer focused on new and used apparel, accessories & shoes for all genders. Pavement Modern & Recycled Clothing is the perfect place to find unique fashion pieces that will help you stand out from the rest. Their multicolored wall and sidewalk offer a vintage and fun backdrop for a photo or you can show off your shoe game with a bird’s eye view shot of the rainbow sidewalk. For even more photogenic backdrops, mosey down to Leopard Lounge down the block and check out the street art on the exteriors of the local businesses along Westheimer Blvd. End your photo stroll with a drink at Poison Girl and snag a photo by their old-school pinball machines—and then play them!
8th Wonder Brewery & Cannabis
2202 Dallas St, Houston, TX 77003
If you love Houston, we’ve got the giant sign for you! Situated at hometown favorite 8th Wonder Brewery in East Downtown, the “We Love Houston” sign by iconic local artist David Adickes is a colorful and massive display of H-Town pride. Head into the brewery for their delicious brews and aesthetic taproom filled with memorabilia that pays homage to Houston’s history for even more photo ops. Just outside in the backyard space sit the larger-than-life Beatles statues, also created by Adickes. Do your best Abbey Road walk or strike a pose in front of the art pieces and see just how small you are in comparison!
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024
For as much concrete that there is around Houston, there are also substantial pockets of nature that offer beautiful escapes from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is home to serene ponds, five miles of trails, colorful flowers, a winding walking bridge just above bodies of water, and so much more. Catch the perfect selfie at golden hour, get a photo of your canine companion on its leash in front of the pond, or just enjoy capturing beautiful scenes of nature right in the heart of the city.
Discovery Green
1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
Art installations, downtown views, nature, and more all await you at Discovery Green in Downtown Houston! With a calendar packed with events, art installations, and activities, this public park is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Add a subtle touch of gay pride to your pic by posing in front of the colorful art installation, “Synchronicity of Color,” a wall of color blocks that will add dimension and pops of color to your photo. Hop over to eat at The Grove to enjoy delicious bites and cocktails while scrolling through your gorgina photos!
Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
“And after all, you’re my water wall…” or whatever Oasis said! This Galleria landmark is a massively popular photo spot and once you visit, it’s easy to understand why. The iconic water feature envelopes visitors in a gentle mist as they stand looking upward at the feature and its water cascading down. The live oaks that line the green space in front of the wall offer lush greenery, providing shade and a touch of nature in the high-traffic area of town. This site is a must-see for visitors from out of town and those looking for a unique yet touristy backdrop for their latest Instagram photo or video!
There are plenty of incredible spaces in Bayou City that are photo worthy, so feel free to take our recommendations and then go out and discover your favorite spots yourself! There’s no better way to stumble upon these spaces than venturing out into the city. Check out our guide to getting around town without a car before planning your excursion!
Photos: Courtesy of venues mentioned in this post.
