Looking to check out Houston’s hipster side? Surround yourself with breweries, street art, and amazing galleries in East Downtown Houston, otherwise known as EaDo.
Home to the PNC Stadium soccer stadium, the legendary Warehouse Live, and the beautiful and thought-provoking Graffiti Park, East Downtown (EaDo) is full of variety and vibrancy. Catch a game, explore the wonderful streets filled with art, or treat your palette to some of the best bars and restaurants in Houston.
Not sure where to start your EaDo trip? Follow along with this complete guide for what to see and where to eat, drink & stay in East Downtown Houston!
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our Houston Travel Guide for more recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
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What to see & do in East Downtown (EaDo) Houston
Graffiti Park
Start exploring EaDo at Graffiti Park, one of the most colorful areas in Houston. This popular spot is a haven for photographers and art lovers seeking out the next big thing in Houston’s street art scene.
Located on Leeland Street in East Downtown, Graffiti Park is a collection of buildings showcasing the work of several street artists. With its series of wall murals and smaller pieces, all from local artists, the area begs to be explored and walked around. It’s a common shooting location for filmmakers or photographers to conduct edgy and industrial-themed shoots.
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It’s worth noting that Graffiti Park isn’t well signposted. You can start at Leeland Street, but it’ll be up to you to explore and discover the murals for yourself. That’s all part of the fun, though!
PNC Stadium
Looking to enjoy some sporting action while you’re in Houston? Add the mighty PNC Stadium to your travel itinerary. The East Downtown stadium is home to the Major League Soccer team Houston Dynamo and the women’s team Houston Dash.
With a capacity that reaches over 22,000, the open-air PNC Stadium produces an electric atmosphere during every match. Cheer on the Dynamo alongside the hometown crowd, enjoy a family evening out, and chow down on some deliciously unhealthy stadium food.
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Located on Texas Avenue, PNC Stadium is easy to get to on public transport and is always a great place to visit on game days. If you’re visiting during the soccer season, make sure to snag a couple of tickets!
Warehouse Live
Just around the corner from PNC Stadium, you can have an amazing night out of a completely different kind. Featuring some of the biggest names in music, Warehouse Live is EaDo’s most legendary music venue. Bring your dancing shoes—it’s going to be a long night!
Warehouse Live hosts unforgettable nights, ranging from music arts like Dermot Kennedy to Rocky Horror theme nights to club nights that let you dance the night away. As it’s a large venue, there’s plenty of space to move and enjoy, which is always an added bonus.
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To see what’s on at Warehouse Live when you’re in Houston, click here and peruse the calendar of events.
Saint Emanuel Street
Looking for the heart of the East Downtown nightlife? Bring your appetite over to Saint Emanuel Street. Home to plenty of eateries, bars, and venues—including Warehouse Live—the neighborhood’s most bustling street is where almost all good nights out start and/or end.
EaDo’s nightlife hub stretches five blocks along Saint Emanuel Street, making it a more compact and walkable after-hours option than many spots in the center of Houston. Have a bite to eat, order a few cocktails, and have a dance—there are tons of options to choose from, depending on your mood.
From Vietnamese food to arcade bars to craft breweries and dive bars, Saint Emanuel Street is an eclectic area. No two nights are ever the same here!
8th Wonder Brewery
If you love all things craft beer, there’s one must-visit place in EaDo. With a huge taproom, brewery, and distillery, 8th Wonder Brewery is a must-visit for any beer aficionado. Located close to all the sports stadiums, it’s the perfect spot for pregame festivities or to watch the match.
With 12 year-round brews and a whole host of interesting and delicious seasonal brews, 8th Wonder Brewery allows you to delight and surprise your tastebuds. If beer isn’t your thing, the gang also brews a variety of spirits and cocktails.
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If you’re a fan of art or music, be sure to stop by the taproom and check out the Giant Beatles Statues located just outside the brewery. Created by David Adickes, these behemoths stand 36 feet tall and weigh about four tonnes each!
Houston Maritime Center and Museum
Want to learn more about Houston’s maritime history and its importance? Wander over to the Second Ward area, northeast of East Downtown, and explore the Houston Maritime Center and Museum on Canal Street.
The Houston Maritime Center and Museum is dedicated to educating visitors about the area’s proud maritime history. Featuring exhibits from all around the world and throughout history, this museum is a great pitstop for your Houston itinerary, especially if you’re visiting the kids in tow.
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With a whole host of events and interactive workshops on offer throughout the year, the Houston Maritime Center and Museum allows you to dig in and get involved. The museum is only open to the public on Thursdays to Saturdays from 10 am until 4 pm. Visits during the rest of the week are by appointment only, so plan accordingly.
Where to eat & drink
Looking for a date night spot in East Downtown? With a cozy and intimate vibe, Nancy’s Hustle on Polk Street A is the perfect spot. The restaurant serves up modern American and European dishes with an all-natural wine list, all set within a fancy bistro atmosphere without feeling pretentious.
For some super tasty and highly authentic Vietnamese food, draw over to Huynh Restaurant. Located just behind the convention center, this EaDo staple has been running for over a decade. Grab yourself the shredded duck and a couple of rice plates, and relax. As a bonus, you can bring your own booze for a small fee.
Yearning for the simple things in life, namely a great burger and a good selection of beer? Rodeo Goat on Dallas Street has that in spades! With a hefty number of craft beer taps and monster burgers to soak it all up, this restaurant & bar is a perfect recipe for an evening out in Houston. Rodeo Goat is an ideal spot if you want something easy and delicious or if you’re going out with a group of friends before the big game.
There’s having several craft beers on tap—and then there’s Pitch 25. This converted warehouse slash beer park dishes out over 100 beers on draft at any one time. (Yep, you read that right!) Play a pickup game on their indoor soccer pitch before post-gaming at the bar. Alternatively, hit up the arcade and watch the Houston Dynamo match on the tube.
For somewhere a little more laid-back to grab a beer and something to eat, visit Truck Yard on Lamar Street. The bar throws off a dog-friendly open-air vibe and includes a Ferris Wheel, food trucks, and a huge backyard.
Truck Yard is the perfect spot for a big group of friends or a family outing. Take your pick of the amusements, let your tastebuds the round-the-world menu from the various food trucks, or just chill and soak up the live music.
Introverts and gamers of the world: Unite! Spend your evening at Neil’s Bahr, a gamer bar that includes a comic book library. Neil’s Bahr is a nerdy wonderland with affordable prices and giant plates of nachos. What’s not to love about that?
Where to stay
Accommodations in EaDo itself are limited, but with the district’s proximity to downtown, many of the best places to stay in Houston are within quick reach. The closest Downtown Houston hotels to EaDo include:
Embassy Suites Houston – Downtown
If you want more space during your Downtown Houston stay, make a reservation at the Embassy Suites Houston – Downtown. In the spacious and comfortable studios and suites, you can sprawl out and relax after a long day of exploring. Take a dip in the rooftop pool, or chill out in the hot tub. Perfection!
Hilton Americas – Houston
Coming to Houston on business? The Hilton Americas – Houston offers a huge business center with all the amenities you could ever dream of. After you clock off, take your pick of the many on-site dining options, including the vibrant Tex-Mex joint, Pappasito’s Cantina. Enjoy some tasty food and a cocktail before returning upstairs to reset on your giant, comfortable bed.
Marriott Marquis Houston
If it’s style and opulence that you’re after, book a stay at the Marriott Marquis Houston. Be welcomed by the expansive and tastefully decorated lobby area before relaxing on the rooftop terrace. One pool wasn’t enough here. Opt for a swim in the pool or drift along on the rooftop lazy river designed in the shape of the Texas state outline. Amazing, right?
