Who has the best BBQ in town? "This is still in research mode and may take many years and many birskets to determine." - Jaclyn Low, PhD, LOT, chair of the loca conference committee "Goode Company is where we go most of the time for real Texas flair." - Mary Frances (Francie) Baxter, PhD, LOT, local conference committee "A good BBQ plate from Pappas Restaurant is a nice finish to the day." - Morgan Gibson, OTR, local conference committee accessibility services chair

When occupational therapy practitioners descend upon Houston later this month for AOTA's 89th annual conference, they may be surprised to find what the city has to offer: entertainment, sports, cultural arts, shopping, dining, nightlife and more. It's all here!

With nearly 21,000 concerts, plays, exhibitions and other arts programs presented in Houston annually, residents and visitors have access to a wide variety of cultural programs. The fourth largest city in the United States, Houston is also home to the fourth-largest shopping center in the country. From the oldest African-American theater in the Southwest to United States space exploration, Houston is as diverse a city as they come. As the New York Times stated in a recent feature, "Maybe that's what makes Houston such an unusual and wonderful place. There are so many different Houstons to see."

Members of the local conference committee are busy with final preparations and are eager to show off their diverse city to OTs and OTAs from all corners of the world. "I am looking forward to the pleasure of welcoming colleagues to Houston," Jaclyn Low, PhD, LOT, chair of the local conference committee, told ADVANCE. Asked to head the committee by the president of the Texas Occupational Therapy Association, Low anticipates attendees will be surprised by her home city's diversity. "The Houston area stretches from Piney Woods to the Gulf Coast and encompasses sites where history was made and sites where history is in the making," she explained.

As a result of her work at the city's well-known International Quilt Show, Mary Frances "Francie" Baxter, PhD, LOT, was asked by Low to be the committee's hospitality chair. When asked what she is most looking forward to at conference, Baxter responded, "Lots of energy, great weather and fantastic restaurants!"

Baxter has provided AOTA with information on area restaurants and events in the downtown area as well as local music groups. "And we've arranged for bike cabs to be available during conference," she noted. During conference, Baxter will be maintaining the bulletin boards used by attendees and AOTA officials for vital communication.

Morgan Gibson, OTR, was asked to join the local conference committee while attending the 2007 Mountain Central Conference of the Texas Occupational Therapy Association. "It is wonderful what opportunities are presented when networking with colleagues!" she told ADVANCE. As the accessibility services chair, Gibson's job is to ensure full participation at the conference by everyone who requires accessibility services.

What is your favorite attraction? Space Center Houston Mucky Duck Irish Pub Discovery Green Rice Village and the Galleria

"An accessibility audit was completed for the convention center and the conference hotels and information for additional services such as sign-language interpreters and scooter-rental vendors was compiled. The information was then posted on the AOTA Web site," she explained. ­"Additionally, a room to accommodate nursing mothers will be available in the convention center."

And with the bulk of their work behind them, the local conference committee members are now anticipating the arrival of colleagues, the many learning opportunities and the sheer fun and excitement of national conference.

"I am looking forward to meeting and interacting with occupational therapists from other states and countries," Baxter told ADVANCE. "I hope attendees that have never visited Houston will leave with an appreciation of our fabulous city."

ADVANCE also looks forward to meeting readers at booth 800 in the exhibit hall. And we offer this city guide to help you make the most of your time in Houston. We'll see y'all there!

 For more information visit the Houston Visitor's Bureau at www.visithoustontexas.com.

To read more from the local conference committee members, check out their blogs at http://http://otconnections.aota.org/blogs.

ATTRACTIONS:

Art Car Museum

140 Heights Blvd.

713-861-5526

www.artcarmuseum.com

The Art Car Museum, or "Garage Mahal," as many people know it, features the most imaginative, elaborate, and artfully constructed art cars, low riders and mobile contraptions, as well as art exhibitions by local, regional and national artists. The museum showroom celebrates the spirit of the post-modern age of car culture, in which individuals have remolded the factory model sameness of their cars to the specifications of their own images and visions.

Open Wed.-Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Space Center Houston

1601 NASA Parkway

281-244-2100

www.spacecenter.org

Space Center Houston, the official visitors' center for NASA's Johnson Space Center, is the only place on earth where guests can embark on an out-of-this-world journey through human adventures in space. Experience a space shuttle blast off in an unparalleled multi-media sensory experience, test your skills at landing a shuttle or retrieving a satellite through interactive computer simulators, and take a behind-the-scenes journey through NASA's Johnson Space Center where you can visit the historic Mission Control Center, the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility or the current Mission Control Center. You may even get to see astronauts training for upcoming missions!

Open weekdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., weekends 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Discovery Green

1500 McKinney

713-400-7336

www.discoverygreen.com

The 12-acre park officially opened to the public just one year ago in an effort to create and preserve green space within Houston's central city. Give bocce ball a try, channel Alice in a game of croquet or ­challenge a friend to a game of horseshoes. Rent a four-wheel golf cart embellished by the talents of two local Art Car artists stocked with just the right equipment for an hour or two of friendly competition. Take a jog on the trail surrounding the park or laugh and splash at the Gateway Fountain, an interactive waterscape. Art installations add to the landscape while touring musicians and performing arts groups take the stage for noontime and weekend performances at thepark's amphitheater.

Houston Museum District

713-715-1939

www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org

With more than seven million annual visits, the Houston Museum District is one of the top cultural districts in the country. Meet a museum curator, an art school director, a dino-expert or a holocaust survivor. Find an exhibit, a film or museum that inspires you. Eighteen institutions make up the district, and 11 are free all the time.

The Health Museum

1515 Hermann Drive

John P. McGovern Building

713-942-7054

www.thehealthmuseum.org

The most-visited health museum in the country, Houston's Health Museum provides innovative and interactive health and science educational experiences to promote an understanding of the human body. The Jim Hickox Amazing Body Pavilion is a larger-than-life walking tour through the human body. Pose interesting questions about human anatomy through 61 interactive video and audio kiosks. Take a walk through a gigantic rib cage featuring a 22-foot-long backbone or through a colossal eyeball that demonstrates how your eye receives and perceives images.

Open Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m.- 5 p.m. Free admission on Thur., 2p.m.-5 p.m.

Dining

Goode Co. Texas Bar-B-Q

5109 Kirby

713-522-2530

http://www.goodecompany.com/goodeRestaurantBBQKirby.aspx%20

Listed in USA Today as one of the "10 Great Places to Chow Down on Barbecue," this urbanized, Texana-decorated barbecue joint is wildly popular, thanks to expertly smoked brisket and a variety of platters. The barbecue is slow-cooked for 16 hours, making it mouthwatering tender. Then it's topped with a delicious sauce bursting with smoky, tomato flavor. The funky old building has limited seating inside, but it's more fun to grab a tray from the cafeteria-style line and head for the picnic tables outside on the patio.

Pappas Bar-B-Q

1100 Smith Street

713-759-0018

www.pappasbbq.com

A Texas favorite since 1967, Pappas Restaurant serves up big portions of some of the best barbeque ever tasted. The slow-smoked ribs and brisket are always tender, juicy and delicious. Sides are fresh, from scratch, every day, and the sauce recipe is smoky and delicious. 

59 Diner

3801 Farnham

713-523-2333

www.59diner.com

This retro, Elvis-shrine-chic diner comes complete with real, live, uniformed "soda jerks." Try the chicken-fried steak and cream gravy, the chicken-fried chicken and cream gravy and the french fries with ketchup ...or cream gravy! The authentic soda fountain features sundaes swimming in lush chocolate syrup and real root-beer floats. The rich, thick malts and banana splits are so good they have their own unofficial fan clubs.

The Grove

1611 Lamar

713-337-7321

www.thegrovehouston.com

From its setting on the south side of Houston's new Discovery Green park, the Grove looks out to a stand of mature live oaks. The first-level bar and dining room have dramatic floor to ceiling glass. The second level, known as the Tree House, features a large outdoor bar floating among the tree tops. The menu offers steaks, seafood and rotisserie specialties. The bar menu offers more casual fare.

After Dark

Brewery Tap

717 Franklin Street at Louisiana

713-237-1537

With 35 draft beers on hand, the Tap offers beer snobs a wide variety of pricey brews (for cheaper prices, stop in Mon.-Fri. from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.). Huge, wood tables give the Tap a charming, Old-World feel. To add to the relaxed atmosphere, dogs are welcome-as long as they don't bite! Darts are a popular pastime.

McGonigel's Mucky Duck

2425 Norfolk

713-528-5999

www.mcgonigels.com

Houston's premier spot for Texas folk, blues, country and Celtic music, the Mucky Duck is rated one of the Top 20 Acoustic Venues in the U.S. Ezra Charles, Guy Clark and even Lyle Lovett have performed here. This comfy and cozy spot features English and Irish décor with international beers on draught or by the bottle, and a large assortment of wines. Mondays are open-mike night and Wednesdays are reserved for Irish jam sessions at 8 p.m.

Landmark River Oaks Theatre

2009 West Gray Street

713-866-8881

www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/Houston/Houston_Frameset.htm

Catch an independent or foreign flick at this theater, built in 1939. The downstairs theater is grandiose and baroque, all heavy red-velvet curtains, patterned carpet and ornate carvings, with moderately comfortable seats. The two upstairs screening rooms are small and intimate. Two concession stands carry standard fare as well as herbal teas, gourmet coffee, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, high-end candies and vegan cookies. Catch special midnight movies on Friday and Saturday nights-the midnight feature for April 24-25 is the Brat Pack classic "The Breakfast Club."

House of Blues

1204 Caroline Street

832-667-7755

www.Hob.com/Houston

House of Blues Houston houses a multi-level music hall featuring national and local live entertainment. In addition to the hand-painted interiors designed by artisans, an estimated 350 pieces of original folk art have been installed throughout the club. Upcoming performances include:

• April 23: John Lee Hooker Jr.

• April 24: Randy Rogers

• April 25: Etta James and the Roots Band

Tree House

1611 Lamar

713-337-7321

www.thegrovehouston.com

Nestled in the cozy shade of live oak branches that actually touch the building, the Tree House is the place for cocktails and appetizers in downtown Houston. Made of recycled Palmolive bottles, the tree house-feel terrace is complete with a queso-and-tequila bar. This open-air bar is located on the upstairs deck of the Grove restaurant in the city's new Discovery Green park.

Open Thurs. through Sat.

Jessica LaGrossa is associate/online editor at ADVANCE.