People Watch at Market Street in The Woodlands

Spend an afternoon browsing at Market Street, an outdoor shopping center with a downtown feel right in The Woodlands.

Window shop at upscale and specialty stores like Tiffany's, Lululemon, Tommy Bahamas Michael Kors, and J. Crew. Many shoppers enjoy people watching while indulging in ice cream from Red Mango or Cold Stone Creamery. There are plenty of full service dining options as well including Cru Wine Bar, Jasper's, and Grotto.

On warm days, the kid-friendly splash park attracts families, and as the days turn cooler Market Street exudes holiday charm with lights, decorated trees, creative window displays, and even horse drawn carriage rides!

Market Street
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4774
www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com/default
www.yelp.com/biz/market-street-the-woodlands-the-woodlands

Whistle Stop Tea Room: A Charming Pit Stop for Tea and Sandwiches in Tomball

Back in the 19th century, when railroad travel was transforming America, the largest cities and towns had grand, ornate train stations. Between those major points on the railroad, there were “whistle stops,” small stations that trains only stopped at upon request. Like the whistle stops of days gone by, the Whistle Stop Tea Room in Tomball is a small place to rest and relax in the middle of a lazy afternoon or to pick up some food to go while you’re out running errands.

The Whistle Stop is located among the antique and gift shops of Tomball’s charming and historic commercial district, making it an ideal spot for a quick bite after a busy morning of shopping. The menu features soups, sandwiches, salads, and desserts, all served in reasonable portions. Favorites include the tortilla soup, chicken salad sandwich, and yum yum pie.

Whistle Stop Tea Room is open for lunch only, Mondays through Saturdays.

Whistle Stop Tea Room
107 Commerce St.
Tomball, TX 77375
(281) 255-2455
www.whistlestoptomball.com

Hubbell & Hudson Market & Bistro: A Gourmet Market at The Woodlands

Have a dinner date at home and pick up something special from Hubbel & Hudson Market & Bistro in The Woodlands. This upscale market has a wide selection of specialty items, local and organic produce, quality meats and seafood, and more.

At Hubbell & Hudson you can gather all your ingredients in one stop, pick up a loaf of artisan bread and pastry for dessert at their in-store bakery, a wedge of imported cheese from their dairy case, and a nice bottle of wine or craft beer from their walk through cooler.

If you're a kitchen novice, the Viking Cooking School offers a wide variety of culinary classes from learning specific techniques like knife skills to preparing a complete meal. If you prefer to eat in, there are several dine-in options including a burger and sandwich shop, as well as an in-store bistro with a full menu of new American cuisine!

Hubbell & Hudson Market and Bistro
24 Waterway Avenue
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 203-5600
www.hubbellandhudson.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hubbell-and-hudson-market-and-bistro-the-woodlands

Theis Attaway Park: Explore Tomball’s Best Nature Preserve

Whether you’re a nature lover or more of a city slicker, people of all walks of life agree that the Theis Attaway Park is a beautiful sight to behold. This sprawling nature preserve in the Tomball area covers four full acres of land, offering just enough space for an afternoon of exploring.

The grassy amphitheater is a unique feature that’s ideal for teaching classes outdoors, and it offers rows of bleacher-style seating built right into the earth. For walkers or joggers, there’s also a six-foot-wide walking trail surrounding the grounds. The trail averages about 1/4 mile long, and it features two shaded picnic areas for taking breaks. The preserve’s pond is home to unique wildlife and vegetation, and there’s even an observation blind built over it so that visitors can watch the animals and birds without disturbing their natural habitat.

For more information about the Theis Attaway Park, including how to reserve the park, visit the Tomball city website.

Theis Attaway Park
13509 Theis Lane
Tomball, TX 77375
(281) 351-5484
www.ci.tomball.tx.us/index.aspx?NID=342
www.facebook.com/pages/Theis-Attaway-Nature-center/173406456040813?rf=319365261505724

Develop Strength and Flexibility at Express Hot Yoga

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

Arthur Murray Dance Studio: Learn the Cha-Cha in The Woodlands

If you’re looking for something fun and adventurous to try with your significant other (or even just with a friend), visit Arthur Murray Dance Studio. This renowned chain of dance studios can teach just about anyone how to dance, whether you want to learn something snazzy for your upcoming wedding or you’re simply looking for a date night activity that’s a bit out of the ordinary.

Arthur Murray Dance Studio offers social ballroom dance classes in a lively group setting, as well as private lessons if you want a bit more one-on-one interaction. Classes are also tailored toward those with little to no dancing experience, so you can feel confident that things will never move too fast. Call the studio and receive a special discount on your first private dancing class at Arthur Murray Dance Studio.

The studio is open 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.

Arthur Murray Dance Studio
19075 1-45 South
The Woodlands, TX 77385
(936) 321-9200
www.dancetx.com

Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Reserve: Get Back to Your Roots

The Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Reserve is a 312-acre park that is open to the public entirely free of charge. This diverse, natural area features the stunning landscapes native to the region, including swamps, sloughs, forests, and even white sand beaches along Spring Creek. Hardwoods and pine trees dot the entire area of the reserve, and more than eight miles of walking trails and unpaved dirt trails wind their way throughout the park. If you want to embark on a longer hike or jog, the Judy Overby Bell Trail even connects to the 12-mile Spring Creek Greenway, giving guests access to both.

At the Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Reserve Nature Center, you can learn about nature through environmental displays, dioramas, and mounted specimens of local wildlife. Visit the Rosebud Hill Homestead, a recreation 1820s homestead, before finishing your visit with a picnic at the playground.

Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Reserve
20634 Kenswick Drive
Humble, TX 77338
(281) 446-8588
www.hcp4.net/Community/Parks/Jones/About/WhatWeOffer

Kleb Woods Nature Preserve: Explore Tomball Outdoors

Combining traditional Texas farm culture with the expansive wonder of a nature preserve, the Kleb Woods Nature Preserve is a truly unique way to experience Tomball and its surrounding areas. Today, the preserve spans over 133 acres full of trees, plants, and wildlife, and it still hosts the buildings and homes used by 20th-century Southeast Texas farmers.

The original farmhouse still stands next to a renovated Nature Center, which features ever-changing exhibits and an auditorium with educational nature programs. The Nature Center frequently offers lectures, history discussions, live bluegrass music, and language lessons. There are also trails spanning much of the grounds of the Kleb Woods Nature Preserve, which attract hikers and birdwatchers alike.

Kleb Woods Nature Preserve’s trails are open from 7 a.m. until dusk every day. The Nature Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and a full list of classes and lectures is available on the preserve’s website.

Kleb Woods Nature Preserve
20303 Draper Road
Tomball, TX 77377
(281) 357-5324
www.ci.tomball.tx.us/index.aspx?NID=343
www.yelp.com/biz/kleb-woods-nature-preserve-hockley

Burroughs Park: Fun for the Whole Family

Measuring in at 320 acres, Burroughs Park features sports fields, walking trails, and numerous play areas for the kids to run rampant. Bring Fido along for a visit to the park's dog run while you marvel at the scenic views Burroughs Park affords. Refuel with a pit stop at one of the park's picnic areas, or bring a crowd to the barbecue pavilion for larger gatherings and celebrations.

Fishing is available here, thanks to the scenic lake situated inside. Whether your are looking for a leisurely stroll or are after something more active, Burroughs Park has something suitable.

Burroughs Park
9738 Hufsmith Road
Tomball, TX 77375
(281) 353-4196
www.hcp4.net/parks/burroughs
www.yelp.com/biz/burroughs-park-tomball

Let the Good Times Roll at Bowlero

Bowlero is great for family fun on a Saturday afternoon, and it's also ideal for an adults-only night out on the town. Whatever kind of outing you're planning, this The Woodlands-area bowling alley offers a recently renovated, state-of-the-art bowling experience.

With 40 lanes, you should be able to begin bowling without much of a wait, no matter when you visit. And once you've claimed your lane, you'll enjoy playing with the digital score boards (including photo options), customizable theme lighting for your lane, and more. There's more than just bowling at Bowlero, however. You'll also find shuffleboard, skeeball, foosball, beer pong, and corn hole, as well as an arcade full of all your favorite vintage games.

Food options include nachos, chicken tenders, cookies, and doughnuts. Heartier appetites can bite into the mammoth two-foot-long hot dog doused in Coney sauce, or share the massive five-pound burger with a few friends.

Bowlero
27000 Interstate 45 North
Conroe, TX 77385
(281) 367-1277
www.bowlero.com/locations/woodlands
www.yelp.com/biz/bowlero-conroe

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