Shipley Do-Nuts: Make Your Morning Sweeter

Shipley Do-Nuts is a small chain of doughnut shops that has served its own unique blend of doughnuts and kolaches for more than 78 years. The La Porte location is an area favorite for breakfast or a sweet treat anytime throughout the day because of its convenient drive-through and its delicious selection of baked goods.

Traditional glazed doughnuts are some of the shop’s most popular items, but it also serves yeast, filled, and cake doughnuts in a variety of flavors to offer customers even more options. For those with more savory tastes, Shipley Do-Nuts serves warm kolaches filled with sausage and cheese or ham and cheese that make a hearty breakfast. Hot coffee also pairs perfectly with any of the shop’s items.

Whether you come to work on the free Wi-Fi or to take a dozen to go, locals say Shipley Do-Nuts is a tasty and convenient choice.

Shipley Do-Nuts
120 North Highway 146
La Porte TX, 77571
(281) 842-9522
www.shipleydonuts.com

DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse: A Shoe Lover’s Delight in Webster

Webster is only a stone's throw away from Houston, less than an hour's drive. Houston offers many sources of entertainment to visitors, including shopping. However, you don't have to travel even 30 or 40 minutes to go on a shopping trip. There's a DSW on West Bay Area Boulevard right here in Webster.

Part of a chain that now spans the country, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse lives up to the promise implicit in its name. It stocks designer shoes at slashed prices. Although the inventory varies based on season and trending items, you might stumble upon a pair of leather riding boots by Steve Madden, a strappy set of heels from BCBG Paris, or a pair of stylish boat shoes from Sperry. DSW even has athletic shoes, so you can buy a new pair of running kicks or workout sneakers here. Keep an eye out for sales and items on clearance.

DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse
1211 West Bay Area Boulevard
Webster, TX 77598
(713) 893-0818
www.dsw.com/locations/US/postalCodes/77598/stores/nearest/3
www.yelp.com/biz/dsw-designer-shoe-warehouse-webster

Snap Fitness: Better Physique at Almost the Snap of a Finger

Achieving your exercise goals doesn’t happen overnight, but at Snap Fitness, you’ll be one step closer to a healthy physique. This 24-hour gym understands how difficult it can be to fit a daily workout into your busy schedule, so it enables members to work out whenever it’s most convenient for them.

Although Snap Fitness is smaller than many gyms, it’s equipped with a wide variety of state-of-the-art cardio and strength machines to work every part of the body, as well as spacious open areas for things like kickboxing or athletic training. Personal trainers work one-on-one with you to help you meet your fitness goals, and if you prefer to work out in a group, you’ll love the fun and effective group workout classes. There are even nutrition consultants to ensure that you’re adhering the proper diet once you leave the gym.

For an effective workout at an affordable price, Snap Fitness might be a good choice!

Snap Fitness
2900 Nasa Parkway
Seabrook, TX 77586
(281) 532-4000
www.yelp.com/biz/snap-fitness-seabrook

World Market: An Eclectic Home Furnishings Emporium

World Market stocks a variety of beautiful, fun, and quirky items to beautify your home and brighten your day. You can have a blast just browsing around the store poking into all the little nooks and crannies, or you can power-shop your way through a particular department in search of the ideal gift for a friend.

Interested in an orb chandelier made out of hand collected driftwood? World Market has it. Seeking a boiled wool throw pillow with a pair of ice skating foxes embroidered on the front? World Market carries that, too. Think a friend might enjoy a whimsical set of ceramic measuring cups shaped like owls? You can pick them up in World Market's kitchen department.

No matter what you're looking for, there's a good chance you can find it at World Market. And if you're don't yet know what you want, well, exploring is half the fun.

World Market
1001 West Bay Area Boulevard
Webster, TX 77598
(281) 316-1069
www.worldmarket.com
www.yelp.com/biz/world-market-webster

Cork Grinders: Baytown’s First Wine and Coffee Bar

Baytown's first wine and coffee bar, Cork Grinders is a popular spot to kick back and relax with a cold—or hot!—one. Boasting exposed brick walls and ductwork accented by cozy couches and a smattering of tables, the vibe at Cork Grinders is equally gritty and comfortable.

What you'll encounter upon arriving at this cozy cafe depends on the time of day. In the morning, for example, you'll see baristas behind the counter doling out fresh espresso, lattes, and breakfast sandwiches to patrons stopping by during the pre-work rush. As the sun sets, Cork Grinders makes its nightly transformation into a hip wine bar, where regulars congregate to choose from more than 80 different wines and an equally impressive number of locally brewed craft beers. Pair your libation with a cheese plate or a slice of molten lava chocolate cake.

Cork Grinders is open Mondays through Saturdays. Live music takes place every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening.

Cork Grinders
206 W. Texas Avenue
Baytown, TX 77520
(281) 427-3260
corkgrinders.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cork-grinders-baytown

Armand Bayou Nature Center: Go Canoeing in The Great Outdoors

Nature lovers of all ages enjoy the Armand Bayou Nature Center because it offers visitors the chance to connect with nature along the Texas Gulf Coast. Canoeing is one of the most popular activities here, and it offers an up close and personal view of the center’s natural wildlife. Geese and other local birds frequent the area around the water, and you’re almost guaranteed to see an alligator or two while canoeing (just remember not to get too close!).

A well-maintained boardwalk runs along the bayou for those who aren’t as partial to boating, while a circular nature trail creates a loop from the parking lot throughout the park’s wooded areas and back again. There are also guided tours for those who are interested in learning about the area’s wildlife, and you can even take a pontoon boat tour ride.

There are often events held at the center, so check the website for a full calendar.

Armand Bayou Nature Center
8500 Bay Area Boulevard
Pasadena, TX 77507
(281) 474-2551
www.abnc.org
www.yelp.com/biz/armand-bayou-nature-center-pasadena

Baytown Nature Center: Where Natural Beauty Takes Flight

Baytown Nature Center offers visitors a chance to relax in the beauty of the natural world in a wetland setting. Here, bird watchers can view some of the more than 200 species of birds that call the area home at different times of the year, including raptors, sparrows, woodpeckers, waterfowl, and songbirds. A wide variety of butterflies—more than 30 species!—also call the park home, so don't skip a lap around the butterfly garden (keep your eyes peeled for hummingbirds!).

Hiking, biking, and jogging on the more than five miles of nature trails in the park provide a chance to get some exercise while observing nature in a pristine setting. Pick up a trail map at the Butterfly Garden parking lot. Fishing and crabbing are a favorite pastime on the pier at the San Jacinto Point Recreation Area. There’s also a fishing pier at Crystal Bay and Burnet Bay. Note that people 17 and older must have a fishing permit.

Baytown Nature Center is open sunrise to sunset daily. Admission is $3 per visitor aged 13 and up.

Baytown Nature Center
6213 Bayway Drive
Baytown, TX 77520
(281) 424-9198
www.baytownnaturecenter.org
www.yelp.com/biz/baytown-nature-center-baytown

It’s Always Tee Time at the Bay Forest Golf Club

What better way to relax in the great outdoors than with a game of golf? Get your swing on at Bay Forest Golf Course, situated in a gorgeous setting with emerald turf, manicured trees, and glittering bayous.

The greens here present a challenge to both casual and advanced players. The chipping green and putting green are free and provide a great place to practice your skills. If you're not seeing the results you want, consider enrolling in a private or group lesson from one of the club's accomplished golf pros. Before or after your game, refuel at the Bay Forest Bar and Grill with a beverage and a bite to eat. Then, stop by the Pro Shop to outfit yourself with all of the latest golf gear and apparel for both women and men.

See the Bay Forest Golf Club website for rates or to book a tee time.

Bay Forest Golf Club
201 Bay Forest Drive
La Porte, TX 77571
(281) 471-4653
www.bayforestgolf.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bay-forest-golf-course-la-porte-2

Salon Avante: Create a New ‘Do at This Upscale Salon

Since 2009, Salon Avante has offered an upscale salon experience to the La Porte area, complete with highly trained staff of stylists who have been in the industry for many years. The salon is furnished comfortably and luxuriously, with furnishings that feel more like they came from an elegant home than a typical hair salon. The retail area offers all of the latest products from the most respected hair care brands, and the coffee and wine bar adds that extra touch of hospitality that really sets Salon Avante apart from the rest.

Haircuts for both men and women begin with a private consultation to ensure that the stylist knows exactly what you want, and there are also hair color services to help you create a completely new look that you love. In addition to its hair treatments, Salon Avante offers facial waxing, hair extensions, and even makeup application for your next big event.

Salon Avante
11001 Fairmont Parkway
La Porte, TX 77571
(281) 842-9770
www.salonavante.net

Somethin’ Sweet: Cupcakes and More in Deer Park, Texas

Give yourself a treat at Somethin’ Sweet. If you love cupcakes—and who doesn’t?—you might just adore this tasty little Deer Park bakery.

Relying on premium ingredients such as fresh fruit and butter, cupcakes at Somethin' Sweet are offered in flavors that span traditional to unusual. The classic red velvet, for example, delivers the beloved cake's expected chocolate-y richness and cream cheese frosting, while the pink lemonade cupcake creates an unexpected flavor combo of tart and creamy, thanks to a generous filling of mascarpone within lemon cake.

Full-sized cakes are also on the menu, decorated for your chosen theme for a birthday, wedding, anniversary or other special celebration. If you’re having a special celebration, you can even special order some yummy cupcakes and have them decorated just for you.

Somethin' Sweet is open Mondays through Saturdays.

Somethin' Sweet
4201 Center Street
Deer Park, TX 77536
(281) 476-4441
www.facebook.com/somethinsweetdp
www.yelp.com/biz/somethin-sweet-deer-park

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