@movernie
2024 Lunar New Year is here and this is the Year of the Dragon! This is my mom’s year as she is a dragon!
I would like to use this opportunity to wish those who celebrates Lunar New Year a very prosperous year with good health and happiness.
In Toronto, there are many activities and events celebrating Lunar New Year, almost every big mall in the Greater Toronto Area will have some celebration of some sorts.
Lunar New Year helped me brought back some memorable memories when I was on the Press Trip to Houston, Texas back in 2022 to experience how Asians celebrate Lunar New Year. It was an eye opener as Houston is one of the top places in the United States with a big Asian population.
Houston is a multicultural, diverse city. I felt right at home during that Press Trip as Houston First Tourism Board brought us to the Chinese shopping mall to buy some New Year’s snacks at the grocery store, food court and local stores. We also went to various restaurants to try all the various authentic cuisine including Thai cuisine, Laos cuisine, Vietnamese cuisine, India cuisine, Korean cuisine and many more.
If you ever visiting Houston, Texas, here are some of my recommendations on how you can attend, participate or experience Lunar New Year celebrations.
Viet-Nam Buddhist Temple
This Viet-Nam Buddhist Temple is massive. I am buddhist myself and I go to temple periodically back on in Toronto. So when I saw Guan Yin statue located outside the lotus pond, I was delighted to see and was impressed that Houston has such a massive temple and buddhist center.
The interior of the temple is quiet, peaceful and calm with super high ceiling and using some of the most high quality of wood to build the roof, the pillars and the floors.
The lighting and the stage is incredibly stunning. People comes in to pray and pay their respects to the Buddha. The colourful flowers bring life and hope.
Asia Society Texas Center
When we made a stop at the Asia Society Texas Center, there were food trucks outside and families were eating outside the big spacious park with some decided to pull out big blankets and enjoy a picnic outing.
There were Lunar New Year decorations outside the building with the traditional red lanterns.
Inside, children can sample and test out some Asian classic instruments just to see what they sound like. There were stations for calligraphy, tea stations for people to sample tea and arts & crafts. Guests could learn and experience what Lunar New Year is all about. I recalled lining up to pose a picture with a classic Chinese opera. Moreover, there was so art exhibitions showcasing Asian artists and their expressions of arts and painting.
Railway Heights Market/Junction HTX
When we were here at the Railway Heights Market, this former railway warehouse converted craft brewery, food hall and all the local shops was converted into a lion dance, Asian live music stage and Asian food vendors.
It was one of my favourite places visited during my Press Trip in Houston. You can still see trains passing through the rail tracks behind this 2-level buildings.
POST Houston
POST Houston is an entertainment venue in Downtown Houston and is one of my favourite spots in Houston. I like how they retain the former historic post office and converted it with a rooftop that has one of the best views of Houston skyline. They have a food hall with many food vendors that offer a variety of different cultural food. There is also beer bar, cocktail bar, seafood and ice cream shops.
They also have different popup shops, special events such as Lunar New Year festivities, as well as fashion shows and a concert hall next door.
Dumpling Dudez
Want to make your own Asian dumplings? During our last night of our Press Trip, Houston First Tourism Board booked a board room at the Blossom Houston Hotel (where we stayed). They invited the Dumpling Dudez to teach us how to make our own dumplings. It was a great team bonding exercise where every one learns about the Asian culture, make our own dumplings, we got to taste our creation, it could look like yoga from Star Wars, perhaps Hello Kitty or Pokemon, we call the shots in terms of the shape, size, colour and fillings. It was such an unique and awesome experience.
If you want to hire the Dumpling Dudez, click here. They are great and energetic people plus they are very passionate with their dumplings. It’s fun!
Asian Grocery Market in Houston
There are so many cool items or snacks that you can find at an Asian grocery market. Go and explore as I am sure you will find many cool treasures!
Blossom Hotel Houston
Blossom Hotel Houston, a relatively new hotel in Houston, is inspired by Asian culture, theme and style. During Lunar New Year, they will host various events and parties. Look for special events being held here at the Blossom Hotel Houston.
I personally really enjoyed my stay here at the Blossom Hotel as it’s spacious, modern, luxurious and nice.
I still remembered when Houston First Tourism Board surprised every media with a Lunar New Year gift basket filled with goodies, snacks and gifts. I really enjoyed the Houston Tee and mug that promotes diversity. And the Year of the Tiger gift wrap in red was lovely as well.
Top Asian Spots to Eat & Dine in Houston
Houston, Texas has many amazing restaurants and bars, in particular, there are many cultural food and cuisines waiting for you to indudge.
I highly recommend you to check some of these amazing restaurants the next time you come to Houston for a visit.
Visit Houston Website
There are so many activities, festivities being planned throughout Houston, Texas that you can plan ahead and check out the schedule and see which venue is nearest you or that you are interested to check out.
Click here to check out Visit Houston website.
