Unless you’ve been living under a rock since the late 1990s, you know that the diva herself Beyoncé hails from Houston. She’s never been shy to mention her southern (and specifically Texan) roots. Long before Beyoncé took the world by storm, she lived an unassuming life in Houston with her parents Matthew and Tina Knowles, like any typical kid would.
Who knew that Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter would turn into the international superstar that she is today? Along with selling out arenas worldwide and sending the internet into a tizzy as she shifts between genres (R&B to pop to house to now country), she still always represents her home state.
From features on “Mi Gente” with J Balvin and Willy William to her own music highlighting her home state such as “Blow” or even her most recent track “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Texas features prominently in Beyoncé’s’ discography and videography. But if you’re a super fan, beyond streaming her music, supporting Ivy Park or Cécred, and going to concerts, there’s another way to prove that you deserve to be in the Beyhive—visiting Houston.
Beyoncé Guided Tours
When traveling to Houston to prove allegiance to the beloved “Partition” singer, there’s nothing like a Beyoncé tour to see where she spent her formative years. For those only spending a short time in Houston, maximize time with a guided tour operated by Houston Historical Tours.
With packages ranging from three to seven hours, these tours are split between routes that stay inside the I-610 Loop highway in Houston and options that go beyond those confines. Tours over four hours include lunch stops as well as variations that visit Beyoncé’s former homes where she lived throughout her childhood, the schools she attended, the multimillion-dollar home she bought for her mother and NRG Stadium (formerly Reliant Stadium) where she not only sang the National Anthem for Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 but also performed several other concerts.
Self-Guided Beyoncé Tours: Where To Go, What to Eat, and What to Do
For those with more free time or that know exactly where they want to go to pay homage to Queen Bey herself, opt for a self-guided tour. To do this, all that’s needed is a good sense of direction, plenty of pocket money, a rental car, or a willingness to rack up Uber fares. Here are a few of the destinations that should be at the top of that list.
St. John’s United Methodist Church
Like so many Black artists, the church is often where they hone their craft and learn to perform for a rapt audience. For Beyonce, the St. John’s United Methodist Church was where she initially started performing. Although she no longer lives in Houston, the artist continues to donate to the church and support its community outreach efforts. Visitors can see that impact with a quick walk through the Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth that sits on the church campus.
Parkwood Drive
Beyoncé is a Houston girly through and through, including her earliest home. Note that there’s currently a new owner, so don’t get too bold. But visitors can at least drive or walk past Beyoncé’s childhood Parkwood Drive home which is located in the MacGregor Way neighborhood. Observant fans will realize this is the same home the “B-Day” singer featured in her “Beyoncé: Life is But a Dream” documentary. Likewise, they’ll know that Bey’s entertainment company, Parkwood Entertainment, is a nod to her roots.
Music World Entertainment
Serious Beyoncé fans know that her father, Matthew Knowles, was one of the driving forces earlier in her career. Not only was he all-in on his child’s future, but he launched Music World Entertainment to give her the boost she needed that put her on the path for superstardom. Unsurprisingly, the record label isn’t letting random people just walk in off the street. However, a drive or walk past this iconic space is a must for anyone trying to complete a tour centered on Beyoncé’s early days in the industry.
The Fun-Plex for Roller City USA
Looking for something a bit more current that’s all things Beyoncé? Look no further than this family-friendly roller skating rink located on the south side of Houston. The Fun-Plex for Roller City USA is the famous spot where Bey not only shot her video for “Blow,” but also returned later on with Jay-Z in tow while in town for the couple’s “On the Run” tour.
The Menil Collection
It’s no secret that Beyoncé loves art, and she’s been outspoken about supporting museums and initiatives that make it accessible to more people. When in Houston, stop by The Menil Collection, a contemporary art museum that houses a curated collection of diverse works of art that span cultures, mediums and eras. Beyoncé was photographed here after checking out the William N. Copley exhibition — inadvertently creating art itself. Best of all, entry is always free, so soak up some culture while following where Queen Bey’s footsteps have tread.
Frenchy’s Chicken
With hallowed Beyoncé sites and popular stops from performances out of the way, don’t forget to patronize a few popular foodie-friendly spots that the Queen herself has dubbed the best places to grab a bite in Houston. First up is Frenchy’s Chicken — a spot Bey’s dined at since she was a child. While there are locations scattered across the city, the flagship location is in the Third Ward, proving why this was a go-to for the Knowles family. It’s so beloved that Beyoncé gave the local chain a shoutout in her “Renaissance” film back in 2023 and a line in her 2013 “I Been On Remix.” And yes, she still grabs tasty bites from here whenever she’s in town.
B&B Butchers & Restaurant
This is another Beyoncé-approved restaurant that tops her list of must-have eats when she visits Houston. Once a bakery, B&B Butchers & Restaurant is now a bustling steakhouse that also has a working deli and butcher shop on-site. When in town, Beyoncé and her family dine in a private room and usually use a back entrance to avoid creating a scene. But sometimes they also order takeout which they enjoy on their private jet.
The Union Kitchen
Another local Houston chain that shouldn’t be missed is The Union Kitchen. Although there’s no specific Beyoncé encounter associated with this spot, the owner did rub elbows with her and her husband at a Houston Rockets basketball game several years back. Since then, the eatery has made it a point to channel its inner Beyoncé with specialty drinks and menu dishes named after not just the artist, but her daughter Blue Ivy, as well as creating themed nights celebrating the songstress’ impressive music catalog.
Breakfast Klub
No, this isn’t about that trio on the airwaves. Rather, Breakfast Klub is a breakfast spot made famous thanks to the Queen naming it as one of her favorite places to dine for breakfast in Essence magazine back in a 2019 interview. Ever since then, this place stays packed— so get there early to avoid wildly long waits.
Honorable Mention Spots to Visit for a Beyoncé Tour
Unlike some artists that shout out their hometown when it’s convenient, Beyoncé is regularly spotted in Houston whether for performances or personal reasons. And there are plenty of people with Beyoncé encounter stories to share as proof. That means there are several places to visit, and it might not be possible to do it all in one vacation. But here are a few more honorable mention stops to add for future trips:
- Hank’s Ice Cream
- BB’s (not to be confused with B&B Butchers & Restaurant)
- Pappas
- Max’s Wine Dive
- Houston Rockets Game (Beyoncé is often spotted courtside!)