Allstate Insurance: Sean Mertz

What began as a hobby has bloomed into one of Houston's most popular tourist attractions, The Beer Can House. Over 18 years, the house disappeared under 50,000 flattened beer cans of different varieties for practical and decorative reasons. The can motif was only one aspect of the now-iconic visionary art environment. The yard is filled with plants and flowers that hang from the trees, occupy ceramic vessels, and grow in raised beds. As the neighborhood has changed, the property remains a time capsule of Houston’s vernacular architecture from the early 20th century, with a surprise around every corner.

Explore the remnants of the Old Market Square at La Carafe, where they have a reasonably priced wine bar where anyone can enjoy a mellow atmosphere, a nice wine selection, and good company with interesting people. The dim lights are coupled with arguably the best jukebox in town, ringing tunes from jazz and oldies to the cool sounds of Bob Marley. The bar takes as much space as the area for customers, but that doesn’t stop those wanting to come in and relax a bit, even if it means cozying up to a stranger on a crowded Saturday night.

Kick off your summer list of must-see and do activities for friends and family alike, and make the Pasadena Strawberry Festival your fun-loving go-to for strawberry memories for life. Enjoy the 106 acres of family fun, where things get smoking hot at the sprawling barbecue pits and at the hottest concerts that will keep you moving. Held in May and at the Pasadena Fairgrounds, the festival is home to the World's Largest Strawberry Shortcake, Mud Volleyball, Carnival, BBQ cook-off, specialty acts, stage entertainers, a petting zoo, pony rides, racing pigs, and plenty of arts & crafts.