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Sometimes, you just want to get away.<\/p>\n
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Houston is a sprawling city<\/a> with a lot going for it\u2014diversity and all the great food<\/a> that diversity brings, amazing museums, and local culture. It also has a lot going against it, like ever-expanding freeways, a lack of walkability<\/a>, little green space, and zero elevation. Sometimes you just want to escape the Bayou City. And in a way, you can without even leaving.<\/p>\n Whether it’s a stretch of road where you can pretend you are somewhere that has elevation or is actually walkable, a scenic venue, or a place where nature completely takes you out of our car-dependent flat city, there are hidden gems in Houston. Everyone probably has their own examples. What places in Houston make you feel like you aren’t in Houston anymore? Everyone has a place or part of the city that provides that mental escape.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n It’s a wonder what a few palm trees can do<\/p>\n The palm trees on West\u00a0Gray provide some “LA” vibes for Houstonians.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jamil David\/Chron<\/p>\n Maybe the most obvious example of somewhere people can make believe they are in a different city is Gray Street in River Oaks, specifically the blocks lined with palm trees near the River Oaks Theatre.<\/a> The palm trees, shops, and dueling Starbucks locations make grabbing a coffee, pretending you are in LA, a reality. You just have to mentally be strong enough to ignore the heat.<\/p>\n The River Oaks Theatre itself fits the bill, specifically the interior. It’s a truly transporting experience walking through those doors for the first time, and a credit to its rejuvenation. A large part of going to the movies is escaping to another world, and it amplifies that experience if the theater you are visiting is as aesthetically pleasant as River Oaks Theatre.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Similar to Gray Street, White Oak Drive has that transporting vibe for a few blocks, giving the illusion that the famously flat city of Houston has hills. The combination of the foliage in the area, the style of extremely nice homes that line the street, and the running trail is truly special. From White Oak, going up Beauchamp Street is just a very aesthetic stretch of road that stands out in contrast to the rest of the city.<\/p>\n Otherworldly wonders that are meant to be explored<\/p>\n Lights in “Undercurrents” are placed throughout the Buffalo Bayou Cistern’s 221 columns.<\/p>\n Courtesy of Buffalo Bayou Parks<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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