Live It Up in Houston

Saturday--The Texan Side
Grab a quick breakfast at your hotel, and then get ready for a truly Lone Star day. Start by jetting downtown to Palace Boot Shop. The mounted animal heads and antler-accented chairs add authenticity to this 85-year-old boutique. You'll see rodeo-ready belts, buckles, and suede items, not to mention some serious boots.

For cowboy duds that go for next to nothing, make your next stop Texas Junk Co., where owner Bob Novotney has been collecting Texas treasures for more than 25 years. You can score a pair of used cowboy boots for as little as $40. If you have attire covered, you'll still enjoy perusing this odd assortment that includes everything from vintage records to old band uniforms.

Next, zip into a Tex-Mex joint that locals are crazy about. Chacho's Mexican Grill emphasizes fresh ingredients for few pesos. Its fiesta setting, colored red, turquoise, and yellow, will turn you happy in an instant. Most plates average $6.99.

The fun doesn't stop after lunch. Head to the Beer Can House at 222 Malone. This house, entirely covered in aluminum cans and caps, makes an interesting stopover. You can't go inside, but you can look all you want.

For dinner, grab some good grub at Goode Co BBQ, a dining legend in town. With prices such as $8.85 for a beef brisket plate, dinner won't cost you much. Locals love the rustic atmosphere and the cafeteria-style line ordering.