Even the most inexperienced hiker will enjoy spending the afternoon at the George Mitchell Nature Preserve, a scenic and fun-filled outdoor retreat in The Woodlands. This well-maintained park encompasses 1,700 acres of preserved natural areas managed by the Montgomery County Spring Creek Greenway, which connects more than 12,000 acres of forest in the area.

Inside the preserve, you’ll find a 2-mile-long hiking trail that offers a bit of a challenging hike through the lush, green forest, as well as an additional 3 miles of mountain biking trails for avid bikers. These safe and secure trails are covered in natural, sustainable tracks that offer proper support and footing without taking away from the beauty of nature. If you prefer to walk along the water, the Bedias Lake paths are also great options, offering a bit more leisurely stroll through this verdant park.

George Mitchell Nature Preserve
Spring Creek Greenway
The Woodlands, TX 77380
www.thewoodlandstx.com/parks/george-mitchell-nature-preserve.php

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Niclas Rhein

While Express Hot Yoga offers a few traditional 90-minute bikram-style yoga workouts, this studio stays true to its name by specializing in condensed, 50-minute classes. Regulars at this The Woodlands business say the studio itself is airy, clean, and beautifully maintained, which allows you to focus entirely on the poses—and be aware that you'll need to focus in order to get through a full 26-pose workout in just 50 minutes!

If you've never done hot yoga before, you'll likely find that the 50-minute classes are a great introduction to the bikram method. The studio recommends you arrive prepared to sweat, with a hand towel and plenty of water to drink.

Express Hot Yoga
1201 Lake Woodlands Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 363-2989
www.bytw.com
www.yelp.com/biz/express-hot-yoga-the-woodlands

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/boreritos

If you’re looking for an indulgent meal with no calorie counting allowed, Grub Burger Bar is the perfect treat in The Woodlands. This hip, upscale burger restaurant features reclaimed wood furnishings, high, vaulted ceilings and an open dining room filled with lots of natural light.

The incredibly decadent burgers are served with tall stacks of onion rings and perfectly seasoned skinny fries, but they’re balanced out by Ahi tuna salads, lean turkey burgers and fresh, homemade tabouli. There are also veggie burgers for guests who don’t eat meat.

The milkshakes at Grub Burger Bar are just as popular as the burgers, and they come in styles like Dirt and Worms, the Kitchen Sink and salted caramel. Of-age guests can even enjoy alcoholic milkshakes in any of the restaurant’s flavors. If you’re looking for a restaurant that the whole family will love, you can’t go wrong with Grub Burger Bar.

Grub Burger Bar
2417 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 907-9001
www.grubburgerbar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grub-burger-bar-the-woodlands

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr googlisti