Shop, Eat, Take a Spin on the Carousel at The Woodlands Mall

In need of a little retail therapy? Treat yourself to a shopping spree at The Woodlands Mall, a mall boasting both indoor and outdoor shopping areas. Anchored by Nordstrom, Macy's, Dillard's, JCPenney, and Forever 21, this mall offers a wide variety of retailers and specialty stores. Think Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Coach, Vera Bradley, Williams-Sonoma, Fossil, and many more.

The mall is clean, and dining options are available. If you have children in tow, take them for a ride on the carousel located on the second floor. Parking can be a challenge here, but valet service is only $5, cash. The Woodlands Mall is open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Woodlands Mall
1201 Lake Woodlands Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 363-3409
www.thewoodlandsmall.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-woodlands-mall-the-woodlands

Painting With a Twist: Unlock Your Inner Artist

Painting With a Twist has an interesting back story. After Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, friends and Louisiana natives Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney thought their neighbors could use an activity to help them de-stress. They started holding painting classes and encouraged the budding artists to bring their own wine. Eventually it blossomed into Painting With a Twist, which now has 81 franchise locations, including one in Spring, near The Woodlands.

Bring your favorite bottle of wine or other beverage, invite some friends, and a professional artist will walk you through how to create a painting, step by step. All of the painting supplies are provided. If you don't have any painting experience or artistic leanings, that's okay, because the goal at Painting With a Twist is to simply have fun. And who knows, maybe you will be happy enough with your final result that you will want to hang it on your wall!

Painting With a Twist
570 Sawdust Road
Spring, TX 77380
(281) 465-4995
paintingwithatwist.com
Read the reviews on Yelp.

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

Wimberly Valley Winery: Local Vintage

Wimberly Valley Winery proves that you can indeed get great wine from Texas. Located near the Villages at Spring Oaks, Wimberly Valley Winery produces a number of quality wines to satisfy many tastes. The thirty acre vineyard and facility also has a wine tasting room, the perfect place to take a class! For just $40 per couple, you can have a fun and educational time learn about how to pair wines with different foods, and to use all of your senses to understand how to truly taste a great glass of wine. There’s also a monthly “Around the World With Wine” class, which looks at a different region every class. Call ahead to reserve a spot. Wimberly Valley wines are sold in better stores around the area, but the winery itself makes a great spot for a trip away from Avana Sterling Ridge.

Wimberly Valley Winery
206 Main Street
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 350-8801
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wimberley-valley-wines-spring

Old Town Spring: Explore a Town Filled With History

There’s a lot of history disappearing every day, as developers get rid of the past to accommodate the future. Thankfully, there are still individuals who care about preserving the historic places of America for future generations. Old Town Spring is one such project, and it’s heartening to see how it’s become a social hum for Spring residents. A quaint 19th-century town located near the railroad yards, Spring’s Victorian-style houses have been carefully preserved and changed into retail establishments selling antiques, art, and more—but this is no shopping mall. Instead, it’s a fascinating historic experience that will captivate adults and kids alike. Old Town Spring is open year-round, but for the best value, visit during one of the many events they host, including the Texas Crawfish & Music Festival or Springfest, a yearly celebration of wine and art. Old Town Spring is a fascinating place to while away the hours exploring and learning about America’s past.

Old Town Spring
315 Gentry Street
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 353-9310
www.oldtownspring.com

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

Merlot 2 Masterpiece: BYOB Painting Party

If you’re bored with the usual night out, plan an evening with Merlot 2 Masterpiece in Spring. These BYOB guided painting classes are a fun way to get in touch with your creativity in a relaxed party atmosphere. For about $50 you will get all the supplies and instruction necessary to create your own artwork, and past participants have found the instructors to be encouraging and helpful. Everyone works on the same painting for each party, and there is a wide range in their course offerings from portraits to landscapes and whimsical or abstract. At the end of the three hour event you’ll have your very own masterpiece to hang in your home or give as a gift. It’s a great idea for birthday parties and other special occasions. Reservations are necessary.

Merlot 2 Masterpiece
6915 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
(832) 482-2591
www.yelp.com/biz/merlot-2-masterpiece-spring

Vintage Finds at Camille’s Antique Boutique

Add a girly touch to your décor with items from Camille’s Antique Boutique in Spring. This former art teacher has amassed a delightful collection of vintage furniture, knick-kacks, china, and clothing. The shop has an ever-changing selection of painted antique furniture in French Country and Shabby Chic styles as well as historic chandeliers, antique china and more. Pick up a floral tea set, lace table cloth and host a tea party. Or bring your friends and browse through their closet of vintage women’s clothing and accessories with everything from dresses, hats, jewelry and more.

Camille's Antique Boutique
218B Main Street
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 528-8779
www.yelp.com/biz/camilles-spring

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

Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts: A Community Art Gallery

One of the most delightful art spaces near Avana Sterling Ridge, the recently renovated Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts is a museum that's always in transition. Because there are no permanent exhibits, there are always different things to see at the facility. The late Pearl Fincher was a local community leader, and this museum is a great tribute to her legacy. There are three major galleries that so far this year have brought amazing exhibitions, and the Community Gallery features exhibitions from local elementary, middle, high school, and college students. With upcoming exhibits that focus on local art and architecture, there’s always something interesting around the bend. The museum is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays until 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but a $3 donation per person is suggested.

Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts
6815 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-6322
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pearl-fincher-museum-of-fine-arts-spring

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