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 also a great idea for birthday parties and other special occasions.

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

Enjoy Shopping and Strolling in Old Town Spring

Spend an afternoon strolling the streets of Old Town Spring, a historic shopping and entertainment district near Spring’s century-old rail yard. The Victorian era buildings house many shops that sell everything from clothing to collectibles. Favorites include Asian Antiques by Eastwind and Harpers Fabulous Finds.

If your stroll causes you to work up an appetite, you can refuel at one of the district's many restaurants, cafes, and sweet shops. Stop by the Little Dutch Girl, a specialty import shop featuring treats from Holland, for a sweet snack of homemade fudge. For refreshments of a different sort, Wimberly Valley Winery offers reasonably priced bottles at their Old Town tasting room, and the Loose Caboose serves frozen margaritas and barbecue from its rail car restaurant.

Keep your eye out for festivals: Old Town Spring regularly hosts events that celebrate wine, crawfish, and art.

Old Town Spring
405 Main Street
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 353-9310
www.oldtownspring.com
www.yelp.com/biz/old-town-spring-spring

Peckinpaugh Preserve: Weave Your Way through a Maze of Hiking Trails

The Peckinpaugh Preserve is a wooded preserve in the Spring area that merged two areas of donated land to form 25 acres of hiking trails and green space. The preserve is located across Spring Creek and adjacent to the Riley Fuzzel Road Bridge, which makes it a convenient hiking spot for many Spring residents.

The trails wind around the preserve in a maze-like manner that makes them very interesting for even the most experienced hiker, and the terrain varies between sand and dirt. Many different animals and bird species frequent the wooded areas around the trails, so bird watchers and nature lovers alike frequently visit the preserve to catch a glimpse of these creatures in their natural habitats. The creek also provides an opportunity for fishing and for launching canoes into its flowing waters.

To help navigate Peckinpaugh Preserve’s complicated series of trails, there are colorful maps available at the small visitor center building at the entrance to the preserve.

Peckinpaugh Preserve
1209 Old Riley Fuzzel Road
Spring, TX 77386
(281) 367-3977
www.springcreekgreenway.org
www.yelp.com/biz/peckinpaugh-preserve-spring

Upgrade Bathtime With Handmade Soaps From Connie’s Bath Shack

Look for the giant yellow rubber ducky on the roof of Connie’s Bath Shack to guide you to a veritable bazaar of great items. Handmade soaps are made with the finest ingredients, like olive and coconut oils and shea and coco butters. Soaps come in a luscious array of colors and scents, including Chai Tea with goat’s milk, Carolina Jasmine, Herbal Chamomile, Honey Oatmeal Vanilla, Honeysuckle Rose, Peppermint Rosemary, and Luscious Lavender.

Scented bath salts make your tub soaking time luxurious, with great skin softening properties. Choose from Lavender, Eucalyptus, Sweet Jamaican Coconut, and Vanilla Sugar. Bath fizzies, salt scrubs, lotions, and creams are also on the menu of items. You'll even find a huge selection of rubber duckies!

Connie's Bath Shack
211 Midway Street
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 288-9595
conniesbathshack.com
www.yelp.com/biz/connies-bath-shack-spring

The Hen House: A Houston-Area Destination For Fiber Arts Supplies

If you’re in to quilting or knitting, or if you want to learn, The Hen House in Spring is the place for you. This 6,000 square feet retail store is packed floor to ceiling with quilting and fiber arts supplies. Those that enjoy knitting and crocheting will be amazed at the yarn selection with everything from simple skeins to luxurious wools. Quilters will love the sewing supplies and colorful selection of fabrics. The Hen House regularly offers classes for beginners and experienced crafters. For those that aren’t crafty themselves, but appreciate artisan goods, they sell handmade gifts like candles, cards, jewelry and knitted items.

The Hen House
6915 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
(832) 482-2591
www.yelp.com/biz/the-hen-house-spring

Public Domain/Public Domain

Flex Your Creative Muscles at Potteryland Studio

Take a trip to Potteryland Studio to unleash your inner Picasso. The process is easy: Simply choose a pottery piece from the expansive inventory, selecting between plates, picture frames, mugs, bowls, pitchers, or teapots. Then you get to design, decorate, and paint your pottery under the tutelage of one of the studio's fun, knowledgeable staff members! Everything you need to make your masterpiece is provided, including paint, brushes, and aprons. You can even paint on canvas, if you wish!

Leave your piece to be glazed and fired, and a few days later, stop back to pick it up. When you’re done, take your creation home with you. Bring a gaggle of friends to the studio and make it a party!

Potteryland Studio is open Mondays through Fridays.

Potteryland Studio
25166 Grogans Park Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-7965
potteryland-studio.com
www.yelp.com/biz/potteryland-studio-the-woodlands

The Happy Peddler: Distinctive Finds in Spring, Texas

Looking for those rare, one of a kind items you won’t find at a regular furniture store? Head to the Happy Peddler in the heart of Old Towne to find unique items for your home or office. The quaint little shop features a great selection of vintage and antique furniture, house wares and décor to outfit your Avana Woodridge apartment.

Dining room tables and chairs are a feature of the store, so chances are, you’ll find just the right one, no matter what size your eating space. You’ll also find beds, bookshelves, armoires, dressers, side tables, sideboards, buffet tables, quilts, linens, rugs, mirrors, chandeliers and lamps. Dishes, glassware and flatware are also on the list of items to discover here.

The Happy Peddler is open Wednesday through Saturday.

The Happy Peddler
126 Midway Street
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 528-6655
http://www.thehappypeddler.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-happy-peddler-spring

Crescent Moon Wine Bar: Good Wine and Good Food in Spring, Texas

Wine is meant to be enjoyed at a place like the Crescent Moon Wine Bar, a popular hot spot near Avana Woodridge. From the outside, this may look like an unassuming spot, but Crescent Moon's pleasant interior creates the perfect setting for sharing good wine and good food.

Come in, seat yourself, and check out Crescent Moon's extensive wine list. Over 300 different wines to be exact, and many can be had by the glass. Visit for lunch or dinner and try a selection of cheeses, tasty salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Don’t miss Social Hour Tuesdays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and compliment your drink with some tapas, bruschetta, sliders, or pizza. You can also stick around to see great live music almost every night.

Crescent Moon Wine Bar
440 Rayford Road
Spring, TX 77386
(281) 364-9463
http://www.yelp.com/biz/crescent-moon-wine-bar-spring

Let Your Kids Play at the Woodlands Children’s Museum

When you need to occupy young children on a hot or rainy afternoon, head to the Woodlands Children's Museum. Although a bit of a misnomer, this indoor play area is full of fun for youngsters. There are Lego stations, arts and crafts activities, and dress-up and make-believe areas, all with the goal of encouraging children to play, explore, and imagine.

Staff is hand to help direct the kids, allowing parents a bit of a breather. Admission is affordable at $5 for children and adults. If your child enjoys the museum, consider signing up for dance classes and art lessons. Check the online brochure for details.

Woodlands Children’s Museum
4775 Panther Creek Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 465-0955
www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org
www.yelp.com/biz/the-woodlands-childrens-museum-the-woodlands

Public Domain/Freeimagescollection

Forest Cafe and Bakery: Tasty Treats in The Woodlands

Forest Café and Bakery opened eight years ago and the family-run business has steadily built a faithful clientele. In addition to bakery cases layered with delectable pastries, they serve up a flavorful menu of breakfast and lunch items.

Stop by this eatery in The Woodlands, Texas in the a.m. to get your day started with hearty fare like Country Fried Steak & Eggs, Buttermilk Pancakes, a Breakfast Quesadilla, or a Breakfast Burrito. Stop in at lunchtime to curb your hunger with a tasty selection of sandwiches, salads and wraps. Options include a Grilled Cheese & Tomato Sandwich, a Garlic Mushroom Burger with Swiss cheese, a Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad, and a Veggie Quesadilla. Save room for a yummy dessert like a Triple Fudge Brownie, or a Vanilla Butter Cream Cupcake.

Forest Cafe and Bakery
3091 College Park Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77384
(936) 271-4518
www.forestcafeandbakery.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/forest-cafe-and-bakery-the-woodlands-2

Pin It on Pinterest