Star Cinema Grill: Dinner and a Movie, Rolled Into One

Star Cinema Grill is the perfect spot to grab a great meal and watch a movie at the same time. A full service bar means you can also have a margarita, glass of wine, or a craft-brewed beer to accompany your movie watching. The food menu offers a full array of goodies, from shrimp tacos, a pulled pork sandwich, an Angus beef burger, and a Cajun shrimp cobb salad. Pizzas have movie-inspired names, like The Usual Suspects Pizza with pepperoni, sausage, and Canadian bacon, and the Dazed and Confused Pizza with barbecue sauce and hot dog slices. The kid’s menu gives the tots some tasty options.

The five screens at the venue show first-run Hollywood offerings, for both kids and adults.

Star Cinema Grill
1020 Nasa Road 1
Webster, TX 77598
(281) 557-9300
www.starcinemagrill.net/
www.yelp.com/biz/star-cinema-grill-webster

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Tropical Chill: Texas Shaved Ice

Get your chill on at Tropical Chill, where the treats are cold, sweet and tasty. With 20 years serving shaved ice in the same location, it’s a Deer Park landmark, where everyone goes with the weather gets hot and they need to chill out with a cold, flavorful snowball.

If you don’t know the difference between a snow cone and a snowball, here’s the deal. Snowballs consist of finely shaved ice, which gives them a soft, creamy texture that’s more like ice cream than the crunchy crushed ice in snow cones. Plus, these babies come in an array of delectable flavors, like Mango, Banana, Black Cherry, Root Beer, Coconut, Watermelon, Peach, Pineapple and Strawberry Daiquiri. Specialty flavors include Chamoy, Chocolate, Leche, Diablo and Tamarind.

Have them add cream to make yours extra swet!

Tropical Chill
7446 Elbridge Lane
Deer Park, TX 77536
(281) 476-9893
http://thetropicalchill.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tropical-chill-deer-park

Somethin’ Sweet: Find Cupcakes and More at this Deer Park Bakery

What’s not to love about your own little personal-sized cake? Admit it, cupcakes are a true delight! You can get them at Somethin’ Sweet, where their busy bakers turn out dozens of the sweet treats on a daily basis.

Their cupcakes are super-fresh, moist and decorated beautifully. In addition to classic flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate, Lemon and Red Velvet, they have an array of creative new tastes. Choose from German Chocolate topped with walnuts, coconut & chocolate drizzle, Simply Strawberry with strawberry butter cream frosting, Cookies & Cream with chocolate cake & cookie cheesecake filling, and Pink Lemonade with lemon cake, mascarpone filling & pink lemonade butter cream frosting.

Need some special decorations for a birthday party or other celebration? No problem – just order ahead. Somethin' Sweet is located just a short trip from Plaza at San Jacinto in Deer Park, Texas. It's open Mondays through Fridays.

Somethin' Sweet
4201 Center Street Suite A-1
Deer Park, TX 77536
(281) 476-4441
http://www.somethinsweetdp.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/somethin-sweet-deer-park

Sylvan Beach: A La Porte Park

Sylvan Beach is the perfect place to frolic in the sand and sun when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s a 31-acre park with two white sand beaches on Galveston Bay, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, boating and fishing. This La Porte park is just a short trip away from Plaza at San Jacinto!

It also has a picnic area with pavilions that can be reserved for special events and gatherings, a skateboard park, a fishing pier, boat ramp, playground and restrooms with showers. There’s even a bait shop by the pier, so you gear up to catch that mammoth fish you’ve been angling for. Be sure to check out the Annual Sylvan Beach Festival and Crawfish Jam.

Sylvan Beach is open every day, and offers free parking. There is, however, a $4 fee to access the fishing pier.

Sylvan Beach
400 N. Bayshore Drive
La Porte, TX 77571
(281) 471-5705
http://www.hcp2.com/harriscountypct2community/parks?pid=127&sid=108:Sylvan-Beach-Park
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sylvan-beach-la-porte

Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20: At the Movies

Twenty movie screens to watch all of your favorite flicks? You’ve got it! Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20 is the place to do it in a welcoming, comfy setting not too far from Plaza at San Jacinto. Even better, they have low ticket prices on all of the latest Hollywood blockbusters.

Their theatres boast all of the latest technology like digital projection and Dolby Surround-Sound to guarantee a premier viewing experience. Stock up on some yummy snacks at the concessions stand and head into the theater for a couple hours of fun entertainment. They’re sure to have something perfect for you, whether you’re into action, thriller, romantic comedy, animation or horror.

Visit Cinemark's website to sign up for weekly discount coupons for concessions, or download their Cinemark app on your phone and get even more discounts.

Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20
2101 E. Beltway 8
Pasadena, TX 77503
(713) 475-8180
http://www.cinemark.com/theatre-detail.aspx?node_id=1494&showtime_date=
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cinemark-hollywood-movies-20-pasadena

Armand Bayou Nature Center: See the Gulf Coast

Bask in the natural beauty of the Texas Gulf Coast at the Armand Bayou Nature Center and experience the pristine wetlands, forests and grasslands of the area.  An abundance of fauna and flora live in the preserve, making it the perfect place to observe nature in all its glory.

Go for a hike on one of the trails and visit their live animal exhibits where you can observe bison, turtles, snakes, alligators, and raptors. The kids love the butterfly garden where the pretty winged creatures frolic and flutter. Tour the bayou on the Bayou Ranger pontoon boat, or take a guided canoe trip. Visit Martyn Farm on the preserve and travel back to rural life in the 1800s. Be sure to check out their many special events, like their Annual Harvest Festival.

The Armand Bayou Nature Center is open Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for seniors and children.

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

Upstage Arts: Learn to Play

Set the stage for your budding young thespian at Upstage Arts, a theatre company for kids from age five to eighteen. In addition to acting, kids learn every aspect of theatrical production, including building sets, painting scenery, operating the technical booth, selling concessions and working backstage. Students perform and direct productions, which include age-appropriate dramas, comedies and musicals. Classes and workshops include Acting 101 and 102 and Voice Technique. Teachers strive to keep the balance of work and play, always enhancing a child’s self-esteem with positive reinforcement.

Upstage Arts
100 E Nasa Pkwy, Ste 77
Webster, TX 77598
Neighborhood: Clear Lake
http://www.yelp.com/biz/upstage-arts-webster

Battleship Texas State Historic Site: Living History

Battleship Texas State Historic Site offers visitors a glimpse of Texas military history with this completely preserved battleship and park. Just minutes away from downtown Houston, Battleship Texas is an accessible landmark great for both locals who have never been and those who are new to the area. Take a guided tour of the battleship and learn of Texas rich history. Much of the ship is open to visitors curious as to the inner workings of this once majestic battleship. There is even a recreation area nearby, great for picnics or just enjoying the beautiful weather and view of this fantastic landmark. This is a great activity for both young and old, holding many interesting artifacts and bits of information. 

Battleship Texas State Historic Site
3523 Battleground Road
La Porte, TX 77571
(281) 479-2431
http://www.yelp.com/biz/battleship-texas-state-historic-site-la-porte

Vicki’s Antiques on Main: See What’s In Store

Located in a historic building, Vicki’s Antiques on Main is a sight to behold. From the building itself, which was once a popular toy store, to the stock of fabulous merchandise, lovers of nostalgia will find much to admire here. The stock of Vicki’s is ever changing thanks to the influx of merchandise from customers. On any given visit you may find something completely unexpected. New items are added daily, meaning the constantly changing merchandise offers a unique find on every visit. Everything from glassware to furniture is available here. Browsing is encouraged at Vicki’s, whether you have something specific in mind or just want to check out what’s available. Vicki’s also offers appraisal services for any merchandise you may have. Find out just how much those long treasured items are worth thanks to Vicki’s crack staff of antique experts. With a little bit of everything Vicki’s is sure to have something perfect just for you.

Vicki's Antiques on Main
228 West Main Street
La Porte, TX 77571
(281) 471-7389
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vickis-antiques-on-main-la-porte-2

San Jacinto Monument and Museum: Living History

History buffs will absolutely love the San Jacinto Monument and Museum. Featuring artifacts from many historic battles and personalities, the San Jacinto Museum offers a glimpse into Texas’ storied history. You can tour the historic battle field that was integral in the creation of the iconic American west. Take the old fashioned elevator to the top of the monument and behold the beautiful view. There is also a preserved battleship available for touring. The museum features many great artifacts illustrating the history Texas. These include letters from historical figures of note, key items relating to important battles, and even clothing and accessories from this bygone era. Travel to the top of the San Jacinto Monument, the tallest monument in the world, and marvel at the view from the observation deck. See the beautiful skyline as well as many historic landmarks from your perch atop this majestic monument. 

San Jacinto Monument and Museum
1 Monument Circle
La Porte, TX 77571
http://www.yelp.com/biz/san-jacinto-monument-and-museum-la-porte

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