Find Vacation Ideas With These Travel Sites

If you love to travel but haven’t been able to make time to take a trip lately, these informative and inspirational websites might help you make it a priority. Full of vacation ideas, each of these sites has everything you need to plan the perfect getaway:

Trip Advisor
Trip Advisor offers visitors a number of different ways to browse their trip ideas, starting by asking what you like to do and what continent you prefer. By clicking on beaches and sun in Europe, for example, your browser is instantly flooded with beautiful images of Southern France, ocean views in Greece, and exciting beaches in Spain. Trip Advisor also provides tools to book hotels, schedule a flight, and even reserve a dinner reservation once you’ve settled on the perfect location.

Travel & Leisure
The easy-to-navigate website for Travel & Leisure magazine is another useful resource for anyone looking for travel inspiration. The site’s Vacation Ideas section is full of every type of trip imaginable, with something for everyone from the relaxing beach goer to the adventurous mountain climber. Browse spa getaways, eco-travel trips, cruises, and family friendly vacations at some of the very best destinations around the world all on Travel & Leisure’s website.

Public Domain/Public Domain

Hubbell & Hudson Market & Bistro: A Gourmet Market at The Woodlands

Have a dinner date at home and pick up something special from Hubbel & Hudson Market & Bistro in The Woodlands. This upscale market has a wide selection of specialty items, local and organic produce, quality meats and seafood, and more.

At Hubbell & Hudson you can gather all your ingredients in one stop, pick up a loaf of artisan bread and pastry for dessert at their in-store bakery, a wedge of imported cheese from their dairy case, and a nice bottle of wine or craft beer from their walk through cooler.

If you're a kitchen novice, the Viking Cooking School offers a wide variety of culinary classes from learning specific techniques like knife skills to preparing a complete meal. If you prefer to eat in, there are several dine-in options including a burger and sandwich shop, as well as an in-store bistro with a full menu of new American cuisine!

Hubbell & Hudson Market and Bistro
24 Waterway Avenue
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 203-5600
www.hubbellandhudson.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hubbell-and-hudson-market-and-bistro-the-woodlands

Jasper’s: Gourmet Upgrades on Classic Comfort

Celebrate a special occasion at Jasper's, an upscale restaurant offering gourmet upgrades on classic American comfort food. The creation of Executive Chef Kent Rathburn, an Iron Chef America winner and James Beard Award nominee, Jasper's features a sophisticated, yet modern, decor appropriate for special occasions.

Start with the Maytag Blue Cheese Potato Chips or a basket of the homemade bread with roasted garlic-herb butter. Many customers come for the Slow Smoked Baby Back Ribs, which were recognized by Bon Appetit as one of the top three racks in the country. These tender treats are coated with Ancho barbecue sauce and served with a side of Creamy Baked Potato Salad. If barbecue isn't your style, try an Allen Brothers Steak with a side of aged Gouda Mac and Cheese.

Prices reflect the quality and reputation of Chef Rathburn, but for those on a budget, the lunch menu offers a better deal on signature dishes. Or, enjoy happy hour on the patio from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., daily, with $5 wine, beer, cocktails, and small plates. Dinner reservations are recommended.

Jasper's
9595 6 Pines Drive, Suite 900
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 298-6600
http://www.jaspers-restaurant.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jaspers-gourmet-backyard-cuisine-the-woodlands

Fukuda: Impressive Japanese Cuisine

With its strip mall location in The Woodlands, Fukuda may look like a typical sushi restaurant, but it's anything but boring. Although you'll be pleased ordering your favorite Asian dish, don't overlook Fukuda's specials, which reflect the availability of the fresh and unique seafood that's delivered three times per week. The restaurant's extensive menu is easy to read; rolls are clearly marked as spicy or containing raw ingredients. Try the Ghost Rider Roll with shrimp, cucumber, pepper tuna, avocado and sweet potato crisps. Noodle and teriyaki dishes are also popular, and the creative cocktail menu includes a cold raspberry saké martini. 

Customers find the prices to be fair, especially for the quality, but frequent happy hour deals make it an even better deal. In addition to an afternoon happy hour that starts at 3 p.m., Fukuda offers a late night reprisal as well as an extended happy hour all evening on weekends. Its clean space is tastefully decorated, and dim lighting makes Fukuda ideal for a casual date or fun night out.

25701 Interstate 45 N, Suite 3
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-8980
http://www.fukudasushiwoodlands.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fukuda-the-woodlands

5 Delicious Recipes for Chicken Pot Pie

While chicken pot pie is typically considered a winter dish, the simplicity of this comfort food makes it a go-to meal for all seasons. If you're deciding what to put on the dinner table tonight, here are five chicken pot pie recipes to consider, one of which can be ready to bake in as little as 30 minutes!

Chicken Pot Pie IX [Allrecipes]
The votes from over 6,000 reviewers have earned this pot pie recipe a five-star rating. 

Chicken Pot Pie [Food Network]
From Barefoot Contessa's Ina Garten, this recipe yields four individual pot pies.

Pot Pie [The Pioneer Woman]
Step-by-step photos make this recipe look especially appetizing.

Classic Chicken Potpie [Martha Stewart]
A decorative edge on the pie crust makes Ms. Stewart's recipe shine.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie [Campbell's Kitchen]
This easy recipe relies on a can of cream of chicken soup for its base.

Bite Into a Banana Cream Cupcake at Gigi’s Cupcakes

Grab a goodie at Gigi's Cupcakes, a national franchise with a location in The Woodlands. Here, whimsical and cheerful creations are made fresh daily, and customers love the cakes' generous application of frosting. Flavors rotate by the season, and favorites include banana cream pie, chocolate salted caramel, wedding cake, and candy crunch bar.

Stop in the store for a sweet treat, or place an order online for your next party. Prices are expensive at $3 per cupcake, but on par with most gourmet cupcakes. For those on a gluten free diet, Gigi's makes them on Fridays; just be sure to pre-order!

Gigi's Cupcakes
4747 Research Forest Drive, Suite 150
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 651-5637
www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/thewoodlandstexas
www.yelp.com/biz/gigis-cupcakes-the-woodlands

Enjoy New York Style Pizza at Grimaldi’s

Grab a slice after a concert at the Pavillion at Grimaldi's, a national pizza chain known for its New York style pie (the favorite pizza of former New York City mayor Rudy Guilliani). Casual but charming, Grimaldi's boats checkered table cloths, exposed brick, and a coal-fired brick oven that creates crispy, thin-crust pizza. Choose from three sizes and your choice of red, white, or pesto base. Pies are topped with handmade mozzarella and your choice of meats and veggies. There is a nice variety of toppings, but at $2 to $4 per topping, choose judiciously; they add up quickly.

Add a Mediterranean Salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onion, and feta cheese for a complete meal. In cooler weather, the outdoor patio makes a delightful spot to share a pie with a friend. Grimaldi's is quite popular, so be prepared for a bit of a wait.

Grimaldi's
20 Waterway Avenue
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 465-3500
http://www.grimaldispizzeria.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/grimaldis-the-woodlands

The Flavors of Louisiana are at Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen

Taste the flavors of Louisiana at Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen in The Woodlands. Conveniently located near the Market Street shops, it's an ideal spot to stop in for lunch. Diners love the complimentary basket of Cajun potato chips. The menu offers all of the standards of Big Easy cuisine, like chicken and sausage gumbo, etouffe, jambalaya, and po'boys (try one with sloppy roast beef). Just be sure to save room for beignets (New Orleans-style doughnuts) and a French Press coffee. Come by on Wednesday or Thursday for "Wine Lovers Night" and take advantage of $10 off any bottle of wine. Regulars love Schilleci's for its friendly service and cozy space.

9595 Six Pines Drive, Suite 1120
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4242
www.schillecis.com
www.yelp.com/biz/schillecis-new-orleans-kitchen-the-woodlands-2

Best Birding Websites

Bird watching is a calming hobby enjoyed by people of all ages, but there are many things to learn from it as well. These informative websites will surely become helpful resources for your next birding adventure.

All About Birds
Beginning bird watchers will benefit greatly from this helpful website, which is manned by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University. Featuring birding basics, a comprehensive bird species guide, fascinating videos, scientific facts about birds, and much more, All About Birds is all you need to begin birding as a hobby.

Audubon
One of the most popular sources of information for all of your birding needs, Audubon’s website is packed full of information about bird conservation, bird watching, and furthering your education about birds. This site is updated regularly to include which birds can be found as the seasons change, and it also highlights initiatives to save endangered birds all over the world.

ABA Blog
The American Birding Association’s blog keeps readers up-to-date with the organization’s latest events and initiatives. Posts from a number of contributors discuss the latest issues in birding, and features like the photo quiz and the birder’s exchange make sharing your love of birding fun.

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People Watch at Market Street in The Woodlands

Spend an afternoon browsing at Market Street, an outdoor shopping center with a downtown feel right in The Woodlands.

Window shop at upscale and specialty stores like Tiffany's, Lululemon, Tommy Bahamas Michael Kors, and J. Crew. Many shoppers enjoy people watching while indulging in ice cream from Red Mango or Cold Stone Creamery. There are plenty of full service dining options as well including Cru Wine Bar, Jasper's, and Grotto.

On warm days, the kid-friendly splash park attracts families, and as the days turn cooler Market Street exudes holiday charm with lights, decorated trees, creative window displays, and even horse drawn carriage rides!

Market Street
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4774
www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com/default
www.yelp.com/biz/market-street-the-woodlands-the-woodlands

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