Do you sleep better after being pampered, or after working yourself hard? The dual-purpose SpaGym not only specializes in aromatherapy, therapeutic massage, and body treatments, but is also a fitness center, where athletes make the most of their award-winning personal trainers. They have beauticians on staff to do everything from nails and waxing to airbrush makeup.

A good coffee shop with free wireless access can be a welcome change of pace for the busy traveler. Besides the requisite comfy chairs, Little Italy Coffee Bar also offers homemade Italian baked goods such as calzones, cannoli, and tiramisu.

Seafood is on the menu at the Magnolia Bar & Grill, including such specialties as boiled crawfish, turtle soup, and a fried Gulf seafood platter—and on weekends live music on the patio. For mouth-watering beef brisket, ribs, and other BBQ delights served up in a decidedly low-key setting, head to the Houston Barbecue Company. And for a soul food breakfast to tell the folks back home about, try the waffles and wings or green eggs and ham at Breakfast Klub.

Memorial Park, just west of downtown, has trails for jogging, cycling, and inline skating, as well as a golf course, basketball and volleyball courts, and a fitness center with a pool.

Head to the beach! If you have a little bit of time and some wheels, Stewart Beach Park on Galveston Island is less than an hour away. On the way back, stop off at the Big Texas Dance Hall & Saloon for cheap beers, live music, and two-steppin’. Free dance lessons on Fridays!