Lynn Wyatt’s Guide to Houston

CNN Puts the Socialite Legend in the Super Bowl Spotlight

By Anne Lee Phillips // Jan 23, 2017

Lynn Wyatt is a symbol of Houston — especially with the Super Bowl approaching. (Photograph by Sofia van der Dys)

She may not have an official title (someone needs to call Mayor Sylvester Turner), but legendary socialite Lynn Wyatt serves as Houston’s ultimate ambassador. With Super Bowl LI in the Bayou City fast approaching, we knew the Official Lynn Wyatt Guide to Houston was bound to appear — it was just a matter of on which media outlet.

It’s here: CNN landed the story and even brought a film crew to Wyatt’s aubergine library in River Oaks for a cute video featuring the octogenarian philanthropist.

Wyatt reveals her favorite restaurants — some expected, such as Cafe Annie, and some surprising, such as newcomer Steak 48 in River Oaks District. New York Times‘ pick State of Grace made her list, as did The Chocolate Bar. She even heralded the iPic River Oaks movie theater as a spot she frequents, where she can catch a flick while enjoying her favorite food and drink pairing: popcorn and Champagne.

When it comes to culture, Wyatt names many Houston favorites, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Houston Grand Opera, Alley Theater, and the new White Oak Music Hall. But No. 1 on her list is the Rothko Chapel, where she does, in fact, hold the official title of Cultural Ambassador.

“There are lots of museums in many cities. There is only one Rothko Chapel,” she says in her famous voice — Vanity Fair magazine described it as “her honeyed Southern drawl.”

Wyatt also celebrates Houston’s openness and diversity and says, “If I could live anywhere else in the world, I would still come back to Houston because Houston is a city that makes you feel at home.”