Art Car Museum

Here in Houston, we have some of the best museums and art galleries in the world. So Suzanne and I decided to visit one of their cousins, the Art Car Museum. Small in stature, small in space, but totally cool, the Art Car Museum is an interesting place to visit. Located at 140 Heights Blvd. in Houston, the Art Car Museum is free to tour.

A cool midmorning Saturday drive in the Heights is a wonderful experience. Here, a blend of historic homes and modern condos fill the tree lined narrow roads. There is the hustle and bustle of young professional people just starting their day, enjoying the fresh morning air. The Heights is one of those areas of Houston where being hip is in fashion; where eclectic and antique blends like a latte at Starbucks.

The Art Car Museum fits the area. It blends in, but provides that eclectic kick once you enter the building. Browsing around the museum, you find what you expect, art cars. Like paintings in an art museum, each car offers a different perspective of life. Sharing your interpretations with another person allows one to explore not only the artist’s thoughts and beliefs, but your own as well. Art is meant to engage you with others and learn how they perceive the same objects you see.

On our visit, in addition to the cars, the museum offered photos from Cuba in the main rooms and photos by homeless people in a small separate room. I found the photos from Cuba very interesting, especially the vintage American cars. My only disappointment was that they did not have many art cars in the museum.  If you have a passion for art cars, you can see hundreds in the world’s largest Art Car Parade, held once a year in right here in Houston.

Since the museum tour takes only about thirty minutes to an hour to view, we had time to do something else this late morning. Food is always a great diversion for me.  We talked about all the common ideas of hamburger joints, Mexican food, and bar-b-q places, but Suzanne mentioned one place that really caught my attention.

What would you think about eating in a restaurant that only serves dishes made with macaroni and cheese? That’s what we did! We stopped at Jus Mac in the Heights on Yale Street. I was surprised by all the different offerings. By the way, they do have a few other things if you don’t like mac and cheese. Each dish is served in a small individual cast iron skillet and the food was delicious! Whether you like the conservative variations or temped by their radical variations, I think you will pleased with the outcome of a delicious dish.

After a morning of great food and culture, it was time to head home. Once again Houston provided Suzanne and I a wonderful day-cation. Whether you work all week or are retired and tired of your normal routine, it is fun to step out and see Texas Thru My Back Door!