Duck Donuts does things differently than any bakery you've been to before. For one thing, its bakers make their build-your-own doughnuts to-order. This means you'll never end up with a stale treat. What's more, the team constantly comes up with new specialty doughnuts that reflect the season and current culinary trends—so there's always something new to try. Since a Duck Donuts opened near you in Houston this January, you now have easy access to the unique sweets.

Stop by Duck Donuts to check out the selection of featured artisan confections. Currently, the bakery offers up unique options like a doughnut coated with key lime icing and dusted with crushed graham cracker, a lemon-frosted doughnut speckled with shredded coconut, and a strawberry-iced doughnut flecked with springtime sprinkles.

If you want to design your own doughnut, it's a three-step process. First, pick your coating, like cinnamon sugar or chocolate icing. Then, add toppings such as sprinkles, chopped peanuts, or Oreo crumbs. Finally, choose a drizzle of hot fudge, salted caramel, or blackberry syrup.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Gabriel Kronisch

Offering much more than just bubble tea, the Bubble Tea House in the Energy Corridor offers an eclectic menu for all palates. With their specialty being beverages of all kinds, you’ll have a lot of choices to make. The cream teas are a local favorite, coming in flavors like almond, coconut, honey ginger, even rose, so every tastebud can find their match on this menu. Fresh juices are also a highlight, with a variety of unique lemonade flavors you need to try. You can’t forget the incredible variety of smoothies, floats, slurpees and and coffee on the list with more than varieties. Choosing might take a bit!

On the food side of things, there is a mix of Asian influenced dishes and fried favorites. Try the shrimp wonton noodle soup or a mix of decadent fried fish balls or fried chicken. All the options are tasty and perfect for a quick bite. If you’re in a pinch for time, use their online ordering system and pick up on the go.

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If you’re looking for an escape from the everyday, the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary in West Houston is the perfect location. This over 17-acre park is a hidden gem that many say they would have never found without an insider tip. The sanctuary is home to a log cabin built by the Moores in the 1930s; it's now one of the main attractions and hosts educational programs.

On your hikes around the sprawling trails you’ll come across lizards, frogs, snakes, birds, turtles and more. You’ll also find bits of Rummel Creek, offering a calming oasis in the forest. From September to May, docents lead a Saturdays in Nature program for families on the second Saturday of each month which focuses on a different lesson each week. They also offer Second Saturday bird walks for a bit more exploration and education. Gates are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with entry free donations are suggested for tours and educational programs.

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