Rice Village & West U
Boutiques, patios, and Rice University
A 16-block shopping district beside Rice University's oak-lined campus. Come for the boutiques and restaurants, stay for the James Turrell Skyspace on campus at sunset (free, reservations recommended).
Vibe: upscale, leafy, collegiate. Best for: shopping, sunset at the Skyspace, Medical Center visitors.
Things to do
What to do in Rice Village & West U
1.Twilight Epiphany Skyspace (Rice University)
FreeA James Turrell light installation on Rice's campus: a grass pyramid with an open roof where a 40-minute LED sequence recolors the sky at sunrise and sunset. Free, quiet, unforgettable.
Rice Village & West U
2.Levy Park
FreeA small, brilliantly designed urban park near Upper Kirby with a treehouse, a giant lawn, a dog park, free fitness classes, and the best playground for under-8s in the city.
Rice Village & West U · Kids
3.Rice Village
FreeSixteen walkable blocks of boutiques, bookstores, and restaurants next to Rice University. The most pleasant strolling-and-shopping afternoon in a city built for cars.
Rice Village & West U
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