Let Little Ones Run Wild (Safely) at Wonderwild

"The sky's the limit" isn't just a slogan at Wonderwild; it's a pretty apt description of the three-story playscape. At this indoor playground, kids can zoom down an inflatable slide and pop out just under the gaping jaws of a massive, smiling crocodile. The cushy crocodile slide shares space with a bounce house where kids can get in some exercise while they play, as well as many other colorful fixtures.

Let kids hop around on a soft jumping pillow or watch while they climb through tunnels and navigate corners in the three-story playhouse. It's connected to set a parallel slides where little ones can race their friends and then scamper back up the steps for another round. Toddlers and more laid-back youngsters might want to stick to the train table, plush building blocks, or other more low-key playthings.

Wonderwild
2230 Buckthorne Place
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-1044
gowonderwild.com
www.yelp.com/biz/wonderwild-the-woodlands-2

Cattail Park: Dogs Welcome

Despite its name, Cattail Park actually welcomes dogs. Its dog park keeps small pooches (under 20 pounds) in their own separate section, complete with kiddie pools for splashing. Nearby in the fenced-in space for larger dogs, you can grab a seat while your pup runs around with new friends. The park provides waste disposal bags and trash cans so that you can easily clean up after your furry friend.

In addition to the space for dogs, Cattail Park has plenty of features just for humans. Take a spin around the jogging track or play a rousing match on the tennis courts. Round up some friends and hit the basketball courts or baseball fields. You can also bring along a picnic lunch and spread out at one of the tables or claim one of the barbecue pits and cook up a feast.

Cattail Park
9323 Cochran's Crossing Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/Facilities.aspx?Page=detail&RID=32
www.yelp.com/biz/cattail-park-the-woodlands

Peckinpaugh Preserve: Weave Your Way through a Maze of Hiking Trails

The Peckinpaugh Preserve is a wooded preserve in the Spring area that merged two areas of donated land to form 25 acres of hiking trails and green space. The preserve is located across Spring Creek and adjacent to the Riley Fuzzel Road Bridge, which makes it a convenient hiking spot for many Spring residents.

The trails wind around the preserve in a maze-like manner that makes them very interesting for even the most experienced hiker, and the terrain varies between sand and dirt. Many different animals and bird species frequent the wooded areas around the trails, so bird watchers and nature lovers alike frequently visit the preserve to catch a glimpse of these creatures in their natural habitats. The creek also provides an opportunity for fishing and for launching canoes into its flowing waters.

To help navigate Peckinpaugh Preserve’s complicated series of trails, there are colorful maps available at the small visitor center building at the entrance to the preserve.

Peckinpaugh Preserve
1209 Old Riley Fuzzel Road
Spring, TX 77386
(281) 367-3977
www.springcreekgreenway.org
www.yelp.com/biz/peckinpaugh-preserve-spring

Shag Spa and Salons: A Cut Above the Rest in The Woodlands

When residents of The Woodlands need to beautify, they head to Shag Spa and Salons, a one-stop beauty shop for hair, skin, and nails. This full-service salon even offers advanced cosmetic procedures, such as laser hair treatments that promise thicker-feeling tresses.

Stylists use such products as TIGI, Moroccan Oil, and Kerastase to cut, color, condition, or smoothen hair, while skin specialists slather skin in Dermologica products during facials, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion. Meanwhile, massage therapists promote relaxation and detoxify the body using fluid strokes and kneading, and nail technicians tend to hands and feet with cuticle trimming, skin softening, and nail painting.

The Shag Spa and Salons team boasts employees with more than 20 years of experience each, and many of employees here hold special certifications and training in New York, London, and Scotland.

Shag Spa and Salons
4747 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 296-7424
www.shagspaandsalons.com
www.yelp.com/biz/shag-spa-and-salons-the-woodlands

Old Town Spring: A Historic Experience for the Whole Family

Founded by settlers in the early 19th century, Spring began as a hub for railroad development and industrialization in Texas. As the economy flourished, Spring also became a destination for trade and business. Much like the rest of the United States, Spring was hit hard by the Depression in the 1930’s and took time to rebuild. The town subsequently reemerged several decades later and grew into a hotspot for festivals, events, and tourism in Texas. Today, Old Town Spring is recognized as one of Texas’ leading attractions. Visitors can wander the streets to feel history or visit the local Spring Historical Museum to learn more of the town’s journey.

These days, Old Town Spring is most well-known for its quaint, welcoming storefronts and businesses that maintain an old-timey feel along Main Street. It also garners attention for annual gatherings, including the popular Texas Crawfish & Music Festival and PetFest, an adoption event that places furry friends with loving families.

Old Town Spring
405 Main Street
Spring, TX 77373
www.oldtownspring.com
www.yelp.com/biz/old-town-spring-spring

Bear Branch Park: A Day of Play for the Whole Family

When you think of the ideal park for all of the members of your family, you likely envision something that looks a lot like Bear Branch Park. This well-maintained park features more amenities than you can even count, starting with the colorful play area meant for the little ones. Play equipment for children young and old is kept in safe working order, and there are also a number of bucket swings and belt swings for the kids to swing on.

Basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts are ideal for community leagues and pick-up games, and the recreation center offers an indoor space for athletic events. Bear Branch Park also contains a large swimming pool to help beat the Texas heat, plus picnic tables and barbecue pits for afternoon lunches outdoors.

Bear Branch Park
5200 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 210-3800
www.yelp.com/biz/bear-branch-park-the-woodlands
www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/Facilities.aspx?Page=detail&RID=33

Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts: A Community Art Gallery

One of the most delightful art spaces near Avana Six Pines, the recently renovated Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts is a museum that's always in transition. Because there are no permanent exhibits, there are always different things to see at the facility. The late Pearl Fincher was a local community leader, and this museum is a great tribute to her legacy. There are three major galleries that so far this year have brought amazing exhibitions, and the Community Gallery features exhibitions from local elementary, middle, high school, and college students. With upcoming exhibits that focus on local art and architecture, there’s always something interesting around the bend. The museum is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays until 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but a $3 donation per person is suggested.

Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts
6815 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-6322
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pearl-fincher-museum-of-fine-arts-spring

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

Arbor Day

The Woodlands 39th Annual Arbor Day Celebration

January 24, 2015 @ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Join us for The Woodlands 39th Annual Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, January 24 at Rob Fleming Park from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. You're invited to enjoy eight different varieties of free tree seedlings, free giant inflatables, rock walls, petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, live musical entertainment, concessions, and so much more!

Admission is free. See you there!

Crescent Moon Wine Bar: Good Wine and Good Food in Spring, Texas

Wine is meant to be enjoyed at a place like the Crescent Moon Wine Bar, a popular hot spot near Avana Six Pines. From the outside, this may look like an unassuming spot, but Crescent Moon's pleasant interior creates the perfect setting for sharing good wine and good food.

Come in, seat yourself, and check out Crescent Moon's extensive wine list. Over 300 different wines to be exact, and many can be had by the glass. Visit for lunch or dinner and try a selection of cheeses, tasty salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Don’t miss Social Hour Tuesdays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and compliment your drink with some tapas, bruschetta, sliders, or pizza. You can also stick around to see great live music almost every night.

Crescent Moon Wine Bar
440 Rayford Road
Spring, TX 77386
(281) 364-9463
http://www.yelp.com/biz/crescent-moon-wine-bar-spring

Pin It on Pinterest