Love where you live: A taste of Houston

For my first trip I decided to go to the not-so-far destination of Houston. Yes I know, great effort, travel lady. But really, it is important to love where you live, and Houston has much more to offer than most people know about that will not break the bank.

I started my deal searching on a Wednesday since there is often a lot going on during the weekdays that is affordable and entertaining. I was able to find a great deal on last-minute tickets to see comedian Bill Burr at Jesse H. Jones Hall, a fantastic venue that makes you feel like you are stepping right in the 1970s, complete with red carpet and elevator conductors. We weren’t especially hungry before the show, so we headed over to Houston Dairy Maids, an adorable cheese shop in the Heights that offers free cheese tasting trays daily and 10 percent off alcohol for Wino Wednesdays.

Best Part: The samples are large, so it can count as a meal!

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early for the Urban Harvest Farmers Market. This is a favorite Saturday morning ritual for me since even if you don’t need anything, it’s a great place to pick up a coffee or smoothie and walk around while you enjoy free samples and live music. Stands have everything from freshly picked fruits and veggies, plants, meat, dairy, pastries, an awesome Indian food stand, and even a hot breakfast. Houston dog rescue organizations are often set up at the entrance with some of the most adorable puppies you’ve ever seen for adoption or play time, complete with a puppy-kissing booth when you donate a dollar to the organization.

Best part: You are supporting your local farmers every time you go!

Another great way to spend an inexpensive Saturday in Houston is a good ol’ ball game at Minute Maid Park. If you are okay with the nose bleeds you can score tickets for as low as $11. Skip the $10 beers and $9 nachos and get nice and toasty and walk to 8^th Wonder Brewery before or after the game. Bring an 8^th Wonder glass from a previous visit and get three 16 oz. beer tokens for $10 or, if it’s your first time, get a collector’s glass and three tokens for $15. The Rocket Fuel Vietnamese Coffee Porter will knock your socks off.

Best Part: You are allowed to bring outside food, non-alcoholic beverages and games while you enjoy the beer tastings. We brought some of the best breakfast tacos in Houston from Brothers Taco House just two blocks away.

After the game, we walked to Batanga, a casual 1880s saloon morphed into a tapas restaurant that just so happens to have the largest outdoor patio downtown. Bring your Astros ticket and get 20 percent off your meal and drinks (valid only on the day of the game). You can find this deal and a lot more like it just by frequenting Downtownhouston.org.

Best Part: They have live music and 50 percent off bottles of wine every Sunday.

On Sunday, we went to Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park, which offers free shows all weekend. Enjoy ballets, concerts, shows and more. This is a completely free event to the public when you grab a spot on the lawn. This was my first time going and we brought a blanket, box of wine and my dog and I felt prepared. Nope. The people next to us brought the whole family as well as lawn chairs, a cooler of beer, a rotisserie chicken and one the craziest charcuterie boards I have ever seen. The show and weather were great and even though I was an amateur, I will be much more prepared next time.

Best Part: If you are not the lawn seats type or have people in your group that need a chair, the covered seating area at the front turns into free seating for any ticketed seats not taken 10 minutes before the show. Just get in line early to increase your chances of snagging a seat.