News and Trends from International Quilt Market

International Quilt Market/Houston

October 24-26

Classes begin October 22

George R. Brown Convention Center

Houston, Texas, USA

 

International Quilt Festival/Houston

October 29-November 1

Preview Night October 28

Classes begin October 26

George R. Brown Convention Center

Houston, Texas, USA

 

 

 

 

 

International Quilt Festival/Chicago

April 7-9

Classes begin April 7

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

Rosemont, Illinois, USA

 

International Quilt Market/Spring

May 20-22

Classes begin May 19

Salt Palace Convention Center

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

 

NOTE: Quilt Market is a credentialed
trade show only, and not open to
the public.

For information on these or any other Quilts, Inc. shows, visit www.quilts.com

 

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WHEN IN HOUSTON…

 

Once Quilt Market closes each night (or should you need a break from the
show floor), Downtown Houston offers some of the city’s best dining and
nightlife options.

 

 

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Hop on board the city’s free GreenLink buses, which run a 2.5-mile loop with 18 convenient stops, including two along Avenida de las Americas in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center.

 

Houston’s light rail system, MetroRail, runs along Main Street going south and along Fulton in residential neighborhoods north of downtown. A single, one-way fare of $1.25 will take you to any stop, and tickets can be purchased with cash, debit, or credit card at Metro Ticket Vending Machines along the line.

 

 

 

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Directly across the street from the George R. Brown Convention Center is a 12-acre emerald oasis with an amazing variety of activities. Discovery Green features a small lake, outdoor art installations, a jogging path, playgrounds, a dog run, performance spaces, restaurants, expansive lawns, and picnic areas.

 

The Lake House restaurant is a convenient, scenic spot for burgers, sandwiches, hotdogs, and salads. Nearby, The Grove is a culinary hot spot for steaks and rotisserie specialties, featuring produce from Texas farms and seafood from Gulf Coast fisheries and its own herb and tomato garden on the roof.

 

 

 

 

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Houstonians often head underground to eDownscape the hustle, bustle, and heat of downtown. A series of interconnected tunnels six miles long can be accessed from the street at Wells Fargo Plaza or McKinney Garage on Main, or from special entrances within office buildings.

 

With 95 connected city blocks, there are plenty of dining and retail options, but since they primarily serve the downtown workforce, closing time is usually 6 p.m. on weekdays.

 

GreenStreet

Located just a few blocks from the convention center, GreenStreet offers a ton of dining and retail options. Restaurants include Andalucia Tapas Bar and Restaurant, III Forks, Salata, Mia Bella Trattoria, McCormick & Schmick’s,
and Guadalajara del Centro. The House of Blues features the Crossroads Bar and Restaurant where you can catch dinner before a show.Or try your hand at bowling at the Lucky Strike Lanes.

 

 

 

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While Houston is known for award-winning chefs and great restaurants, you don’t have to venture far from downtown to find some of the best. You can’t beat the steaks at Vic and Anthony’s, 1510 Texas Ave. or the seafood at Reef, 2600 Travis at McGowen.

 

Craving something else? Try the sushi at The Blue Fish, 550 Texas Avenue or Mexican at Fusion Taco, 801 Congress. Or, stop in the original Irma’s at 22 Chenevert, deemed one of Houston’s best Mexican restaurants by the Food Network.

 

The best Cajun or fresh Southern lunch menu in town is at Treebeards in the Cloister at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Ave., or the Market Square location, 315 Travis.

 

If you’re feeling adventurous, stop by The Springbok, 711 Main St. Unit 1 for some hearty South African food. Check out the relaxing patio at Batanga, 908 Congress Ave or go eastern at Huynh, 912 Saint Emanuel, offering warm authentic Vietnamese dishes.

 

Downtown Houston also abounds with funky little bars like La Carafe, 813 Congress (also allegedly haunted); Reserve 101, 1201 Caroline; Dirt Bar, 1209 Caroline; Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, 1201 Fannin; and Warren’s Inn, 307 Travis.

 

Head over to Hearsay Gastro Lounge, 218 Travis St., for a rustic vibe with great food, handcrafted cocktails and live music. Grab a slice to go at Frank’s Pizza, 417 Travis St., and stay for international comedian/close up magician John Star on Fridays and Saturdays from 8-11 p.m.

 

For more information on everything that’s happening downtown,
visit DowntownHouston.org or VisitHoustonTexas.com.

 

 

 

©Quintessential Quilt Media, 2015. All rights reserved.

 

7660 Woodway

Suite 550

Houston, Texas 77063

U.S.A.

 

Telephone (1) 713.781.6864

Fax (1) 713.781.8182

e-mail: shows@quilts.com