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

With the large number of tablets on the market today, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your specific needs. These high-quality options are each equipped with various features that make checking email, watching movies, and browsing the web easier and more portable:

iPad Mini
The iPad Mini is an all-around great choice for anyone looking for a more portable computing experience. This 7" tablet features 3.1 million pixels, advanced wireless technologies, 10 hours of battery life, and the ability to use Apple apps like GarageBand, iMovie, and Pages completely for free.

iPad Air
The iPad Air is the perfect tablet for users looking for the most portable, lightweight design for frequent travelling or commuting. It weighs only one pound and is 20% thinner than even the iPad Mini, but the iPad Air still features powerful apps, ultrafast wireless, and 3.1 million pixels for the best user experience. A 10" screen makes the iPad Air appealing for watching Netflix.

Nexus 7
Google's Android-powered Nexus 7 tablet is an efficient, capable choice that's also quite affordable. With a 7" display screen, 2.3 million pixels, 2GB of RAM, and hundreds of apps, the Nexus 7 is a deal at just $229.

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After a day of shopping at The Woodlands Mall, unwind with a hearty Italian meal at Grotto Ristorante. Start with the complimentary bread and garlic olive oil, perfect for dipping and staving off hunger pains. For a lighter meal, go for soup and salad; try the Lobster Bisque and the Italian Chopped Salad with grilled chicken, prosciutto, provolone, gorgonzola, bacon, and egg. Indulge in one of the popular entrees, like the Ravioli Pera e Gorgonzola, ricotta cheese-stuffed ravioli with roasted chicken, Bosc pears, and asparagus in a gorgonzola sauce.

Dinner can be pricey, but Grotto Ristorante offers a comfortable and classy atmosphere, complete with a fireplace, in which to savor your meal. The full bar has an excellent wine list and great happy hour deals from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday through Friday. Stop in for the famous $3 Peach Bellinis and reasonably priced small plates, including $6 pizzas.

Grotto Ristorante
9595 Six Pines, Suite 100
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4252
http://www.grottohouston.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/grotto-ristorante-the-woodlands-2