SURE IT'S A bit chilly, but have you noticed the butterflies are back? On Saturday, March 18, beginning at 10am, Houston Botanic Garden celebrates the iconic and endangered monarch butterfly with March for Monarchs, an interactive family-friendly “march” through the Garden that mirrors the over 3,000-mile spring-to-summer migration of monarch butterflies from Mexico to the northern U.S.
For Houston Botanic Garden Education Manager Erin Mills, monarchs are a “gateway bug,” as they are typically the first butterfly species people are able to recognize. “The monarchs’ lengthy migration spans multiple generations and encompasses most of the continent,” says Mills. “There really isn’t anything else like it in the world.”
Beginning at Woodland Glade, the Garden’s outdoor event space, participants will learn about the symbolic meaning of butterflies in Mexico and saddle up with supplies for the hike, including a proboscis (straw) for sipping complimentary nectar (punch or tea). The first stop is the Culinary Garden which features an “egg station” with information about how monarchs, upon their arrival in Texas, lay eggs and then die, leaving the following leg of their migration to the next generation.
Next up is an oak grove overlooking Sims Bayou, where participants will learn about “citizen science projects” created to help monarchs. From there, the group will cross the Garden’s Bayou Bridge, and traverse an obstacle course designed to evoke the challenges and threats monarchs encounter during their migration. Finally, at the Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden, hungry humans will celebrate the end of their arduous journey with sweet treats, drinks, music, a community mural, crafts, and games.
Even cooler, participants will receive a native milkweed plant from Mustard Seed Farms to take home and use to start a pollinator garden. “With migratory monarchs recently classified as endangered, and their decline an indication of trouble facing other pollinators, there has never been a better time to plant native milkweed,” says Mills.
From Your Site Articles
Keep Reading
Show less
Julep
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME has arrived and the patios are calling! Here are 12 of our favorite spots for a gently priced sip and nosh to celebrate the season.
Betsy's at Evelyn's Park
Grab a roomy picnic table under the trees at this cute Bellaire café in Evelyn’s Park. Weekday happy hour proffers $5 wine and craft beer, buckets of beer, and $20 cheese boards with a bottle of house wine. Proprietor Adair Concepts also features outdoor grill nights, movies on the lawn, and pop-up events.
Eight Row Flint
The Salty Dog at Eight Row Flint (photo by Mikah Danae)
Choose either patio — in the Heights, or the new EaDo location — for weekday happy hour with $5-$7 drinks (great cocktails!) and cheap but delicious tacos. Other great deals inclue $6 Sonoro dogs, watermelon salad or homemade chips and salsa.
Eloise Nichols All Day Café
Eloise Nichols' margarita (photo by Alex Montoya)
Come hungry and thirsty for weekday happy hour until 6pm at this freshened-up corner for discounted cocktails, wines, beers, $5 burgers and a variety of appetizers.
Eunice
The tucked-away patio at Eunice surrounded by verdant trees and greenery rivals the charm of its interior space. Stop by during weekday happy hour for an $8 glass of wine (or two) while taking in the natural elements and quelling your late-day hunger with discounted oysters, chef’s choice bar bites and more.
Julep
It happens every year like clockwork. Mixologist maven and author Alba Huerta is rolling out her new spring menu mid-March. Hard to imagine anything finer than the Bee’s Knees or the Aviation, but expect fresh cocktail inventions and surprise bites.
Loch Bar
Whiskey flight at Loch Bar
Catch al fresco social hour under Loch Bar’s breezy canopy landscaped with lush greenery. The classic seafood tavern in the River Oaks District features one of the area’s largest raw bar and seafood menus, along with local craft beer, handcrafted cocktails, and one of Texas’ most expansive whiskey lists. Start with an oyster shooter and move on to moules frites, buttermilk hushpuppies, Cajun cauliflower, deviled eggs or a Loch burger. Steals!
Kirby Ice House
This is the spot to watch a game, hang with friends, or bring along man’s best furry friend for outdoor fun. Look for specials every night of the week including Wednesday Steak Nights with up to $3 off select Texas beers and Texas whiskeys; and Thursday Ladies Night with discounted house glass wines, bottled wines, and frozens.
Marmo
It's officially patio season at Marmo! The restaurant's large, shaded patio lined with a collection of planters is a welcoming spot for happy hour Sunday through Friday, until 6pm. Along with the refreshing libations come East Coast Oysters ($2) with Calabrian chili mignonette, Tuscan fried chicken ($7) with artichokes, lemon, and garlic aioli, and rib-sticking veal Bolognese ($7). Deals galore!
Nobu
Nobu tacos
This sleek and spacious Japanese house in the Galleria is a great stop before dinner — or the rodeo — for daily Tanoshi hour from 5-7pm. Snack on luscious creations like nori caviar tacos, yellowtail jalapeno, black cod butter lettuce, and much more.
Postino
Wine and bruschetta at Postino (photo by Gilbert Photography)
Lined with bright yellow umbrellas and misters for summer heat, Postino has patios in different pockets all around Houston. Pair your alfresco experience with the wine bar’s signature bruschetta boards, “snacky things” like crispy cauliflower, and a glass or a bottle of wine from the easy-to-navigate menu. Happy hour until 5pm daily, inside or out!
The Annie Café & Bar
The Annie terrace (photo by Jenn Duncan)
Happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday with specials on cocktails, bottles of wine, sangria, and bar bites. Tasty treats like Texas pimento cheese, crab dip, The Annie nachos, and chicken flautas await.
Uchiko
Uchiko (photo by Logan Crable)
The sexy little sister to Uchi sports a weekday happy hour that is a must. Running weekdays until 6pm, anticipate discounts on nigiri, hot and cold tastings, makimono, and specialty cocktails. Bubbles are half-off menu price. Cheers to that!
From Your Site Articles
- Woman-Led Cocktail Club Set to Shake Up the Heights Bar Experience ›
- Houston's Best Frozen Cocktails to Sip While It's Still Sizzling ›
- Hot Happy Hours, Boozy Milkshakes & More: What’s New in the Heights ›
- Best Happy Hours Now: Come for the Drinks, Stay for the Food ›
- June Is Sizzling — But So Are These Summer Happy Hours - Houston CityBook ›
- Hip, Female-Owned Upscale Lounge Now Open in the Heights - Houston CityBook ›
- Save a Buck: Fall for These New Golden Hour Food and Drink Deals - Houston CityBook ›
Keep Reading
Show less