Terry Hershey Park: Hit the Trails and Break a Sweat on the Banks of the Buffalo Bayou

With trails of varying terrain and plenty of room for walkers, bikers, runners and hikers, Terry Hershey Park is a popular year-round destination to break a sweat in heat beneath the shade of the park’s abundant greenery.

Visitors come to take in the scenery on nature hikes on winding nature trails, to venture off the beaten path and explore the park deeper on mountain bikes, or to train for distance runs on the long pathways that make up this Buffalo Bayou park. The scenery here is praised by many park visitors. Pause and savor scenery such as the picturesque patches of Texas blue bonnets to admire and the park’s mesmerizing blue water pond.

Visit Terry Hershey Park's website to learn more about this Houston park!

Terry Hershey Park
15200 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77079
(281) 496-2177
www.terryhersheypark.org
www.yelp.com/biz/terry-hershey-park-houston-2

Wen Chic Salon and Spa: Book a Day of Pampering at This Organic Salon

An Aveda Concept salon, Wen Chic Salon and Spa relies on organic Aveda beauty products infused with all-natural essential oils and botanicals. The salon is very clean and modern, with glossy black and white furnishings, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and luxurious crystal light fixtures that create a truly relaxing experience.

The stylists are trained at the Aveda Institute and other impressive schools around the world, and many are experienced with Aveda’s signature color techniques, as well. Regulars remark that Wen Chic is especially skilled at cutting and styling thick or unruly hair, which requires different treatment than other hair types. In addition to hair services, the spa portion of the salon offers facials, airbrush tanning, massage therapy treatments, and spa packages that allow guests to experience a full day of relaxation.

Wen Chic Salon and Spa is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. The salon is closed on Sundays.

Wen Chic Salon and Spa
6920 S. Fry Road
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 395-8600
www.wenchicsalonandspa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/wen-chic-salon-and-spa-katy

Reform Pilates and Fitness: Reform Your Body and Mind

Reform Pilates and Fitness takes the concept of "reform" very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that there's a huge lighted sign saying "reform" hanging from this Katy studio's ceiling, and one of the studio's core principles is that "reform is about redefining your mind and body through fun and challenging workouts in a supportive and positive atmosphere." In other words, this is a happy, welcoming gym where you'll feel comfortable and supported, whether you're an expert or a beginner, and no matter what your current fitness level is!

You'll find lots of different classes at this gym, too. Pilates workouts focus on core strength and flexibility, while booty barre classes use dance-influenced techniques to tone, define, and chisel the whole body (and you definitely don't need any previous dance experience). Ugi ball classes will have you balancing your body on a squishy ball for a fun and challenging workout.

Reform Pilates and Fitness
3750 S. Mason Road
Katy, TX 77450
(832) 441-4622
www.reformpilateskaty.com
www.yelp.com/biz/reform-pilates-and-fitness-katy

Well Polished: Primp and Pamper Yourself from Head to Toe

Well Polished is a natural beauty bar located inside of Katy’s Wellness Centre right near Cinco Ranch. This is the spa portion of the full-service wellness center, and it features an all-natural beauty bar that uses only organic products to go along with the center’s standards of care.

Whether you stop by for your regular brow wax or you book a day of services, Well Polished ensures a luxurious experience free of harmful chemicals and unnatural products. Services include all-natural manicures and pedicures without fumes, jets, or drills, while healing massages treat a number of ailments.

The staff at Well Polished is knowledgeable but never intimidating, and regulars even enjoy waiting for their treatments to begin in the comfortable lounge area. Furnished like a true boutique spa, Well Polished boasts overstuffed armchairs instead of the rows of industrial pedicure chairs, plus soft, soothing colors and a shabby chic decor that's comfortable and relaxing.

Well Polished
1428 FM 1463 Road
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 395-9355
www.bewellpolished.com
www.yelp.com/biz/well-polished-katy

Order a Scoop of Cinnamon Toast Ice Cream at Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe

Several Yelp reviewers enthusiastically proclaim that Sweet Things makes the best ice cream in Katy, and once you give this place a try, you just might find yourself agreeing.

Specializing in small-batch, gourmet ice cream made on-site, Sweet Things offers an ever-changing menu of ice cream flavors, and the ice cream shop often looks to its Katy customers for suggestions. Want to try an ice cream flavored with local honey? Ask Sweet Things to make one. Interested in finding out what peanut butter and jelly ice cream might taste like? Suggest it as a future flavor. Of course, the existing flavors are pretty delicious on their own and include many standard favorites like chocolate, vanilla, and the shop's unique signature flavor, cinnamon toast.

Sweet Things also makes custom ice cream cakes, so be sure you keep them in mind for your next special occasion.

Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe
1251 Pin Oak Road
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 391-5423
www.sweetthingsnmore.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-things-ice-cream-shoppe-katy

Take the Cake: Sweet Treats for Special Occasions

Take the Cake is one of Houston’s go-to bakeries for special occasions, although it even makes everyday occasions a bit more special. This small-batch bakery first opened its doors in 1991, and since then it has built quite a large following through beautifully decorated cakes.

Take the Cake never makes more than eight cakes at one time, and each one is mixed by hand using fresh eggs, pure vanilla, sweet butter, and other real ingredients. Take the Cake’s most popular cake is the banana and pineapple Hummingbird cake, but traditional options (tres leches, German chocolate, white sheet cakes) are available. Cakes, cheesecakes pies, and tarts are all available in a wide variety of sizes, and the bakery even offers a wholesale menu for restaurants in and around the Houston area.

Take the Cake is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. The bakery is closed on Sundays.

Take the Cake
5700 Highway 6 North
Houston, TX 77084
(281) 550-8448
www.houstontakethecake.com
www.yelp.com/biz/take-the-cake-houston

Yarntopia: A Knitter’s Destination

Katy-area knitters know that Yarntopia is the place to go for high-quality, specialty yarns. You'll find luxury fibers like tussah silk, cashmere, and alpaca yarn, as well as needles, hooks, bags, and other accessories.

Maybe the best thing about Yarntopia, however, is that it's not just a store, it's also a site for community building. Knitters are welcome to sink into one of the shop's comfy armchairs and work on a project, and you'll find regularly scheduled knitting circles and crafting classes taking place in the store, as well. The owners are happy for you to drop by to get their professional opinion on your current knitting project, whether or not you need to buy anything at that moment. In fact, the staff at Yarntopia are especially good at making beginning knitters feel welcome and confident about their skills, so this is a great shop to visit if you're new to knitting or crocheting.

Yarntopia
2944 South Mason Road
Katy, TX 77450
(281) 392-2386
www.yarndreams.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yarntopia-katy

The Cellar Door: A Popular Wine Bar in Katy

Every neighborhood needs a good wine bar, and the Cellar Door is Katy's. There are hundreds of wines from which to choose, and you can purchase them in tasting flights, as well as by the glass or the bottle. The food menu offers light fare that complements the wine, with a special emphasis on charcuterie plates, signature flatbreads, and desserts. The setting is dim, cozy, and intimate. It's good for a romantic date, but is also a nice environment for a relaxed, leisurely evening with close friends.

The Cellar Door offers weekly tastings and wine appreciation classes for those who are interested in developing their palates. There's even a wine club for devoted wine enthusiasts, which hosts monthly tastings and offers exclusive, premium bottles for members to take home and enjoy. Wine club members also receive a discount on all Cellar Door food and events.

The Cellar Door
829 South Mason
Katy, TX 77450
(281) 599-3303
www.cellardoorkaty.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-cellar-door-katy

Yoga West: Tap Into Serenity in Katy

Yoga is good for both the mind and body. Its meditative aspects enhance mental clarity and focus, while its emphasis on holding precise poses promotes strength and flexibility. These are the core beliefs that have made Yoga West a favorite studio among yoga practitioners in Katy.

Regulars say that instructors at Yoga West teach with different personalities and studio styles, so you'll likely be able to find a class that's right for you, no matter what your needs are. There are early morning power yoga classes designed to invigorate and energize your body as you start your day, and there are also evening blissful flow classes designed to help you clear your mind and relax after a long hectic day. Families might like the weekend kids' classes that introduce basic yoga poses to children ages 5 to 10, and those who are new to yoga will appreciate the many mixed level classes, which are designed to accommodate both beginners and experienced yoga practitioners.

Yoga West
23855 Cinco Ranch Boulevard
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 579-2287
yogawest.net
www.yelp.com/biz/yoga-west-katy-2

Katy Rock Shop: Minerals, Fossils, and More

Calling all rock hounds and mineral enthusiasts! The Katy Rock Shop is your one-stop destination for everything from Green River fish fossils and smoky quartz crystals to polished Brazilian agate slabs and geodes.

Give yourself time to leisurely admire the shop's impressive collection of display-quality specimens before deciding what to take home with you. Do you want a few simple, easy-to-identify mineral specimens to nurture a child's interest in geology? Try looking in the shop's designated kids' corner. Are you looking for a special, one-of-a-kind gift for an experienced mineral hunter? Ask the staff for advice on a unique collector's piece. Maybe you're just looking for a custom piece of beautiful jewelry. Have fun examining the wide range of gemstones on display.

Whatever your need, you can be sure that the friendly and knowledgeable staff at the Katy Rock Shop will be happy to advise you and help you find just the right rock.

Katy Rock Shop
535 Pin Oak Road
Katy, TX 77494
(832) 437-4733
www.katyrockshop.com
www.yelp.com/biz/katy-rock-shop-katy

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