Montrose is a distinctive neighborhood located west of downtown Houston. A center of artistic creativity in the city, the neighborhood boasts many apartments, restaurants, bars and second hand stores.
A Driving Tour of the Montrose Neighborhood in Houston, Texas.
What to do in Montrose
This vibrant neighborhood is home to some world class art exhibits. Due to contributions from John and Dominique de Menil there are many world class art installations located in Montrose. The museum they founded, The Menil Collection, has over 17,000 pieces of art in its collection and does not charge admission.
The Rothko Chapel was opened in 1971 and is a non denominational chapel that has fourteen paintings by Mark Rothko inside. In front of the chapel is a broken obelisk sculpture and a reflecting pool. Nearby is the Byzantine Fresco Chapel formerly housed two church frescos which have since been repatriated. Now the chapel displays contemporary installations.
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is one of the largest art museums in the United States. It is located walking distance from many places in Montrose.
Montrose is one of the few walkable neighborhoods in Houston, with shady tree-lined streets. Enjoy people watching as you walk along Westheimer taking in the second hand shops and large murals. Take a break from the heat in one of the cafes that line the street. Enjoy an enormous slice of cake at Empire Cafe, a chocolate croissant at Common Bond, or chat with friends over a gourmet coffee inside of Agora.
Buffalo Bayou Park has lots of outdoor recreation with biking and running trails and volleyball courts. There are locations to rent bicycles and kayaks in the park. The bridge where Waugh Drive crosses over the park is home to a colony of over 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats that can be seen taking flight at sunset on any warm night.
Where to eat in Montrose
There is no shortage of places to eat in Montrose. For a late night bite House of Pies is open late, and Katz’s is always open.
Restaurants such as Uchi, Bludorn, and Rosie Cannonball are excellent options for a nice night out.
Langford’s Grocery and Market, The Breakfast Club, Aladdin, and Niko Niko’s have been an integral part of the neighborhood for many years.
For Mexican food Hugo’s is known for its wonderful brunch and Cuchara offers a menu inspired by Mexico City.
Where to shop in Montrose
Hit up the second hand shops such as Out of the Closet or Pavement along Westheimer for a chance to find something really unique.
If you are looking for something one of a kind or with a Houston theme check out Space Montrose.
Where to stay in Montrose
Montrose is a predominately residential neighborhood and there are not many hotels. For most people it probably makes the most sense to look for a more affordable hotel outside of the neighborhood.
For people who are not concerned with budget, La Columbe d’Or is a spectacular hotel located in the heart of Montrose.
Hotel ZaZa is a boutique hotel located in the nearby Museum District. While not technically in Montrose, the hotel is still in a great location to easily get to many of the top sights in the neighborhood. It is also well situated for visiting the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Natural Science Museum, Hermann Park, and the Houston Zoo.