Forest Cafe and Bakery: Tasty Treats in The Woodlands

Forest Café and Bakery opened eight years ago and the family-run business has steadily built a faithful clientele. In addition to bakery cases layered with delectable pastries, they serve up a flavorful menu of breakfast and lunch items.

Stop by this eatery in The Woodlands, Texas in the a.m. to get your day started with hearty fare like Country Fried Steak & Eggs, Buttermilk Pancakes, a Breakfast Quesadilla, or a Breakfast Burrito. Stop in at lunchtime to curb your hunger with a tasty selection of sandwiches, salads and wraps. Options include a Grilled Cheese & Tomato Sandwich, a Garlic Mushroom Burger with Swiss cheese, a Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad, and a Veggie Quesadilla. Save room for a yummy dessert like a Triple Fudge Brownie, or a Vanilla Butter Cream Cupcake.

Forest Cafe and Bakery
3091 College Park Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77384
(936) 271-4518
www.forestcafeandbakery.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/forest-cafe-and-bakery-the-woodlands-2

Painting With a Twist: Unlock Your Inner Artist

Painting With a Twist has an interesting back story. After Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, friends and Louisiana natives Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney thought their neighbors could use an activity to help them de-stress. They started holding painting classes and encouraged the budding artists to bring their own wine. Eventually it blossomed into Painting With a Twist, which now has 81 franchise locations, including one in Spring, near The Woodlands.

Bring your favorite bottle of wine or other beverage, invite some friends, and a professional artist will walk you through how to create a painting, step by step. All of the painting supplies are provided. If you don't have any painting experience or artistic leanings, that's okay, because the goal at Painting With a Twist is to simply have fun. And who knows, maybe you will be happy enough with your final result that you will want to hang it on your wall!

Painting With a Twist
570 Sawdust Road
Spring, TX 77380
(281) 465-4995
paintingwithatwist.com
Read the reviews on Yelp.

Northshore Park: A Beautiful Gathering Spot

Northshore Park is one of the most popular spots in The Woodlands, and it's easy to understand why. This seven-acre park, situated on Lake Woodlands, has served as a central gathering spot for more than 20 years. From late spring until early fall, the park hosts free concerts on Sunday evenings, and the music ranges from jazz to The Beatles to country. The park is also the launching point for the annual Dragon Boat Race.

It has a playground for the kids, barbecue pits, picnic tables, a volleyball court, and soccer fields. You can bring a boat or kayak and sail around the lake, and kids will enjoy feeding the ducks and other birds that flock to the park. Northshore Park is also a popular spot for sport fishing.

Northshore Park
2505 Lake Woodlands Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(281) 210-3900
woodlandsevents.com/parks/panther-creek/northshore-park
Read the reviews on Yelp.

Let Your Kids Play at the Woodlands Children’s Museum

When you need to occupy young children on a hot or rainy afternoon, head to the Woodlands Children's Museum. Although a bit of a misnomer, this indoor play area is full of fun for youngsters. There are Lego stations, arts and crafts activities, and dress-up and make-believe areas, all with the goal of encouraging children to play, explore, and imagine.

Staff is hand to help direct the kids, allowing parents a bit of a breather. Admission is affordable at $5 for children and adults. If your child enjoys the museum, consider signing up for dance classes and art lessons. Check the online brochure for details.

Woodlands Children’s Museum
4775 Panther Creek Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 465-0955
www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org
www.yelp.com/biz/the-woodlands-childrens-museum-the-woodlands

Public Domain/Freeimagescollection

Shopping and Strolling in Old Town Spring

Spend an afternoon strolling the streets of Old Town Spring, a historic shopping and entertainment district near Spring’s century-old rail yard. The Victorian era buildings house many shops selling everything from clothing to collectibles. Favorites include Asian Antiques by Eastwind and Harpers Fabulous Finds There are plenty of eateries for snacking and drinking. Stop by the Little Dutch Girl, a specialty import shop featuring treats from Holland, for a sweet snack of homemade fudge Wimberly Valley Winery offers reasonably priced bottles at their Old Town tasting room, and the Loose Caboose served frozen margaritas and BBQ from its rail car restaurant. Keep your eye out for festivals: Old Town Spring regularly hosts events that celebrate wine, crawfish, and art. 

Old Town Spring
405 Main Street
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 353-9310
www.yelp.com/biz/old-town-spring-spring

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

Bite Into a Banana Cream Cupcake at Gigi’s Cupcakes

Grab a goodie at Gigi's Cupcakes, a national franchise with a location in The Woodlands. Here, whimsical and cheerful creations are made fresh daily, and customers love the cakes' generous application of frosting. Flavors rotate by the season, and favorites include banana cream pie, chocolate salted caramel, wedding cake, and candy crunch bar.

Stop in the store for a sweet treat, or place an order online for your next party. Prices are expensive at $3 per cupcake, but on par with most gourmet cupcakes. For those on a gluten free diet, Gigi's makes them on Fridays; just be sure to pre-order!

Gigi's Cupcakes
4747 Research Forest Drive, Suite 150
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 651-5637
www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/thewoodlandstexas
www.yelp.com/biz/gigis-cupcakes-the-woodlands

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

Shop, Eat, Take a Spin on the Carousel at The Woodlands Mall

In need of a little retail therapy? Treat yourself to a shopping spree at The Woodlands Mall, a mall boasting both indoor and outdoor shopping areas. Anchored by Nordstrom, Macy's, Dillard's, JCPenney, and Forever 21, this mall offers a wide variety of retailers and specialty stores. Think Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Coach, Vera Bradley, Williams-Sonoma, Fossil, and many more.

The mall is clean, and dining options are available. If you have children in tow, take them for a ride on the carousel located on the second floor.  Parking can be a challenge here, but valet service is only $5, cash. The Woodlands Mall is open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Woodlands Mall
1201 Lake Woodlands Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 363-3409
www.thewoodlandsmall.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-woodlands-mall-the-woodlands

The Hen House: A Houston-Area Destination For Fiber Arts Supplies

If you’re in to quilting or knitting, or if you want to learn, The Hen House in Spring is the place for you. This 6,000 square feet retail store is packed floor to ceiling with quilting and fiber arts supplies. Those that enjoy knitting and crocheting will be amazed at the yarn selection with everything from simple skeins to luxurious wools. Quilters will love the sewing supplies and colorful selection of fabrics. The Hen House regularly offers classes for beginners and experienced crafters. For those that aren’t crafty themselves, but appreciate artisan goods, they sell handmade gifts like candles, cards, jewelry and knitted items.

The Hen House
6915 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
(832) 482-2591
www.yelp.com/biz/the-hen-house-spring

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