Memorial City
Once centered around just Memorial City Mall, the Memorial City area has seen a boom unlike any other in the past decade. Now basically a city within a city, the Memorial City area along I-10 at Beltway 8 is a metropolis of mixed-use office space, retail, residential living and is home to the second largest medical campus in Houston. And with CityCentre, a high-class plaza with shopping, dining and entertainment, now open, the options are endless.
EAT
No matter what type of foodie you are, Memorial City has you covered. Liberty Kitchen at the Treehouse embodies American comfort food with the dial turned up. Home-cooked favorites like Southern pimento cheese, red velvet waffle, and fried chicken, and oysters on the half shell offer something for every mood. Asian-inspired restaurants the artfully playful Japanese sushi Kuu has recently been recognized as one of Houston’s best. Or keep it casual over at City Centre and chomp into juicy gourmet burgers at Hopdoddy, or dine al fresco at the Certified Green restaurant, Bellagreen. At the end of the night, head over to The Tasting Room for a glass of vino and relax in the casual European-style atmosphere and live music.
STAY
The newly opened Hotel ZaZa is the epitome of decadence and style. This boutique hotel is dripping with opulence from the oversized art, rich décor, and stylish accommodations. Treat yourself or your friends to a relaxing getaway where you are pampered at the first-class ZaSpa, sip signature cocktails by the resort-style pool, or just relax on their luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. For those traveling with kids or for work, The Westin Memorial City may be more ideal but doesn’t sacrifice any of the comforts. Ranked #7 on the 2014 U.S. News & World Report list of Best Houston Hotels, The Westin is in the heart of the business district and just steps away from Memorial City Mall and Memorial City Medical Center.
PLAY
Make sure you have your credit card limit extended when visiting Memorial City. We suggest skipping the mall and heading to CityCentre where you’ll be quick to burn a hole in your pocket. CityCentre features high-end boutiques like Social Status, Anthropologie, and Pomp & Circumstance. While at CityCentre, check their events calendar for musical events, farmer’s markets and more happening each week at the Centre’s Plaza. Another green space to look to for fun days out, is The Square at Memorial City. This spacious lawn features weekly musical acts, movie nights, sports watch parties and Circus Night starring Cirque La Vie. Lastly, for all you daredevils out there, head to iFLY, an indoor skydiving experience with all the thrill of jumping out of a plane, but none of the risk.