Katy Rock Shop: A Well-Stocked Shop for Rock Collectors

Many people believe in the healing properties of rocks and minerals, and the Katy Rock Shop offers the widest selection of these fascinating organic items in the Houston area.

The shop itself is located inside of a small building that looks like a quaint house, but the inside is filled to the brim with colorful rocks of all shapes and sizes. Attractive shelving units display each type of rock for easy browsing, and the kids’ area is filled with interesting items to teach children about minerals. Katy Rock Shop also carries ancient fossils and Texas Hill Country gems and minerals sourced from right around the Houston area. The knowledgeable owners are always on hand to offer guidance for choosing the perfect rock, and prices are very reasonable to make it easy to start a collection of your own.

Katy Rock Shop is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. The shop is closed on Mondays.

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

Katy Mills Mall: Shop Discounts in Katy

Katy Mills Mall is an indoor outlet mall in Katy featuring over 175 stores, from Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Calvin Klein, and Kenneth Cole to Buckle, Forever 21, Gap Outlet, Bath & Body Works, and Bed Bath & Beyond.

If you’re hungry, stay for dinner at the sit-down restaurant Rainforest Café, grab lunch at eateries Charley’s Grilled Subs and Green Leaf’s, or a nosh a snack at Wetzel’s Pretzels or Great American Cookies. If you’re in the mood to catch the latest movie, head over to the AMC20 Theatres. Regular shoppers report that prices at Katy Mills are generally cheaper than retail, and sales are frequent. There’s always plenty of parking and free Wi-Fi.

Check the website for a full list of stores, news, events, deals, hours, and more information.

Katy Mills Mall
5000 Katy Mills Circle
Katy, TX77494
(281) 392-5151
www.simon.com/mall/katy-mills
www.yelp.com/biz/katy-mills-mall-katy

Fun for the Whole Family Awaits at Inflatable Katy

Inflatable Katy is “Katy’s premier indoor play and party center” that uses only the highest quality inflatables. The 16,500-square-foot facility has three playrooms designed to provide hours of fun for kids and adults alike. There are also free air hockey tables and batting cages, plus mini golf and laser tag. Open play time is held from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and is $7 per child; reservations are not required.

Visitors have reported that the staff is friendly and accommodating in making playtime fun and birthdays successful. Inflatable Katy is clean, safe, and fun for the kids. Check the website for pricing, FAQs, and more information.

Inflatable Katy
2482 S. Mason Road
Katy, TX 77450
(281) 574-3033
www.inflatablekaty.com
www.yelp.com/biz/inflatable-katy-katy

Mary Jo Peckham Park: Experience The Great Outdoors In Katy

Mary Jo Peckham Park is a beautiful 32-acre park located in Katy. The park features a jogging trail, fishing pond, playground, mini golf, a covered barbecue pavilion (be sure to call to reserve a spot), picnic benches, outdoor restrooms, tennis and basketball courts, and softball and baseball fields. The community center includes a swimming pool, locker rooms, and a gym, complete with all the essential exercise equipment like cardio equipment, weight machines, free weights, and exercise mats.

Like the rest of the park, admission to the gym is free, but you must present a membership card and sign at the front desk before working out. The gym may be free and public, but that doesn’t mean it’s not clean. There are strict sanitary guidelines as well as constant maintenance by the staff and regulars abide by the “culture of clean” rules.

Check the park’s website for hours, rules, layout, and more information.

Mary Jo Peckham Park
5597 Gardenia Lane
Katy, TX 77491
(281) 391-4482
www.pct3.hctx.net/parks/maryjopeckham.aspx
www.onlykaty.com/mary-jo-peckham-park-katy-tx

Katy Library: For the Love of Books

Katy Library doesn’t look bad for a time machine. Part of the Harris County Library system since 1921, the current building has transported locals to other worlds since 1940.

From fiction to history, romance, how-to, and multimedia, the library has the latest bestsellers, last year’s favorites, and everything you need to do your homework or lose yourself on a Sunday afternoon. Know what you want? The helpful staff will find it for you. Want a surprise? Tell them what you like or just wander the stacks and find adventure. Special services include computer classes, computer lab, and proctoring of distance learning exams. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Check the website for hours, events, programs, and more information.

Katy Library
5414 Franz Road
Katy, TX 77493
(281) 391-3509
www.hcpl.net/location/katy-branch-library
cityofkaty.com/our-community/library

Indulge in a Cupcake From Ooh La La Dessert Boutique

Since 2007, pastry chef Vanessa O’Donnell of Ooh La La Dessert Boutique has been serving fresh, made-from-scratch desserts, like cupcakes, pies, cookies, dessert bars, and French macarons to Katy.

Cupcakes are the specialty here. Everyday flavors include Birthday Cake, Velvet Elvis, The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake, and Boston Cream Pie. There are also daily cupcake flavors. Throughout the year, Ooh La La introduces new seasonal cupcake flavors, which are only available by custom order. In addition to these sweet treats, there’s also a smoothie shop and coffee bar. A variety of espresso drinks (hot or iced) are offered, along with frappes, hot or frozen cocoa, and the intriguing Party In A Cup.

Regulars report that prices are reasonable for the quality of the desserts. You can pick up your order and you can even drive-through! Check the website for news, pricing, seasonal sweets, and more information.

Ooh La La Dessert Boutique
23920 Westheimer Parkway
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 391- 2253
www.oohlalasweets.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ooh-la-la-dessert-boutique-katy

Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe: Katy Desserts

Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe is a Katy favorite that has been serving up delicious treats to locals for years. Tucked away in the back corner of a strip mall, it can be hard to spot but once you’ve sampled their wares you'll likely become a fan. All of their super premium ice cream is made right there in the shop in extra-small batches for optimal freshness and flavor, and their devoted clientele wouldn’t have it any other way.

Some of the more popular concoctions include the cinnamon toast and the white chocolate macadamia nut, but they rotate flavors frequently and offer samples to help you make up your mind. They also make their own marshmallow fluff and other toppings. Prices are very reasonable – ice cream is sold by weight, not by scoop size – and the staff is exceptionally friendly.

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

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch: Shopping and More in Katy, Texas

If you’re in the Katy area and looking for a serious shopping destination, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch could become your new favorite place. Offering a unique mélange of old town elegance and modern retailers located in the heart of the Cinco Ranch planned community, this retail palace boasts over 200,000 square feet of retail space, occupied by stores including Eddie Bauer, Coldwater Creek and Chico’s. It’s an awesome place to just walk around and also great for people-watching. There are even plenty of excellent places to eat here if you get peckish.

On Saturday nights, live music starts at 7 p.m. in the Central Green area. Bring a picnic blanket and make an evening of it. There’s plenty of parking available through several underground garages as well as surface lots. LaCenterra also hosts numerous special events throughout the year, including a popular holiday tree lighting that draws celebrants from all over the community.

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch
23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 395-5533
http://www.lacenterra.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lacenterra-at-cinco-ranch-katy

Fusion 36 Degrees: Healthful Juice

Since opening in 2010, Fusion 36 Degrees has become one of the most popular spots for health-conscious Katy residents to pick up a beverage. Their incredible customer service is illustrated by their guarantee – if you don’t like what you ordered for any reason, they’ll make you a new drink for free! Not many people take advantage of that offer, though, as the quality of their juices is incredibly high.

Fusion has an incredible array of flavors available in their smoothies, including common fruits like strawberry and banana and more exotic preparations like taro and jasmine tea. Fusion 36 Degrees also serves a variety of milk teas, bubble teas and other beverages. It’s become a popular spot for students to work because there’s plenty of very comfortable seating and many wall outlets to power laptops and other electronics. There’s also a restaurant next door if you’re looking for a bite to eat!

Fusion 36 Degrees
3950 Fry Road
Katy, TX 77449
(281) 579-1828
http://www.fusion36degree.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fusion-36-degree-katy

Pinot’s Palette: Painting and Wine

Pinot’s Palette in Katy a hot stop for art lovers to mix creativity and alcohol into something truly unique. Here’s how it works: there’s a schedule of classes that changes every month, each one revolving around a specific painting. Groups book seats and show up with wine, beer, snacks and whatever else they might enjoy as they learn the skills necessary to create their own interpretation of the featured painting.

Even if you don’t have an artistic bone in your body, the patient instructors will help you get up to speed with the techniques and materials and by the end of your class you’ll have an interesting keepsake. Sessions last for three hours but the time flies by so fast you may not even notice. It’s important to reserve spaces well in advance as classes tend to fill up quickly, a testament to how popular this place is.

Pinot’s Palette
2910 Commercial Center Boulevard
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 769-2961
http://www.pinotspalette.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pinots-palette-katy

Pin It on Pinterest