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Growing up in Houston, I distinctly remember only visiting The Woodlands for concerts at their beautiful outdoor pavilion or for volleyball and tennis tournaments. At the time, the town was still growing and developing and there wasn’t much to do. Fast forward more than a decade later, The Woodlands is not only a vibrant community and a great place to live, but it’s full of activities and things to do for residents and visitors alike! 

The Woodlands, Texas provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life near Houston, and there are plenty of things to do in this lively suburb. Whether you’re traveling with the whole family or just looking for a fun weekend getaway, you’ll definitely never find yourself wondering what to do in The Woodlands - because there is always something! 

Where is The Woodlands?

The Woodlands is just outside of Houston, located south of Conroe, and is part of the greater Houston metropolitan area. The Woodlands is only about a 30-minute drive from downtown Houston, which if you’re familiar with the Houston area then you know that 30 minutes is a pretty quick trip! The Woodlands' proximity to the downtown Houston area makes it an ideal weekend getaway if you’re looking for something different than the typical big-city experience. For those flying into town, the closest airport to The Woodlands is George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). This airport is the largest in Houston and it’s extremely easy to pick up a rental car for your time in the area.

IAH airport to The Woodlands: 24 miles/25 minutes

How to Get Around in The Woodlands

One of my favorite things about The Woodlands is that you rarely need to use your car! The Woodlands offers free public transportation through the trolley system, which is not only convenient but very fun to ride too! 

The Woodlands Town Center Trolley operates on a 4.1-mile loop and connects visitors to major attractions and areas including The Woodlands Waterway, Market Street, Hughes Landing, and The Woodlands Mall. There are multiple trolleys operating on the same route so the wait time is never long. If it’s your first time visiting The Woodlands, I highly recommend riding the trolley completely around the loop once so you can get a lay of the land and enjoy the views. If you’d like to track the trolleys in real-time or plan out your trip, you can download the “Ride Systems App” and select “Woodlands Township” to see the map and timetable for this route.

Where to Stay in The Woodlands: Hyatt Centric at Market Street

The Hyatt Centric at Market Street is centrally located in The Woodlands, making it an ideal home base for your weekend adventure. Everything you need right at your fingertips: shopping, restaurants, a movie theater, complimentary umbrellas, and more! During my weekend in The Woodlands, I stayed at the Hyatt Centric at Market Street and I couldn’t have asked for a better location or experience. Upon entering, the lobby itself is stunning with a circular staircase and unique chandelier, and the service is top-notch. This 72-room boutique-style hotel is the perfect place to rest your head in The Woodlands! The on-site restaurant, Market Street Kitchen, is open daily for breakfast, and the Market Street Bar, opens in the afternoons for drinks and small bites.

The hotel is located at one end of the Town Center and is a short walk to major attractions like The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands Waterway, and tons of shops & restaurants that are sprinkled throughout the Town Center. After a day of exploring all of the things that The Woodlands has to offer, you'll love being able to relax poolside or get some sun on one of their lounge chairs before heading out on the town.

What to do in The Woodlands

Visit the Woodlands Waterway

The Woodlands Waterway is a popular destination for kayaking or paddleboarding, which you can rent from Riva Row Boat House or Lakes Edge Boat House. If you’re looking for a more unique way to spend some time on the water, be sure to check out the Swan Boats available to rent at Riva Row Boat House, which are sure to put a smile on your face and are fun for any age! The Woodlands Waterway has paths on both sides making it a great place to walk, jog, or ride a bike. No matter if you’re exploring by land or water, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for public art installations along the way. There are over 20 one-of-a-kind art benches along the waterway, as well as mosaics, and other art installations. There’s even a public Koi Garden nestled along the waterway that will transport you to an Asian-inspired oasis once you step through the gates.  

Taste Some of the Best Food in the Area

We can’t talk about Texas without mentioning the food! It’s one of the things I miss most about my home state, and the wide variety of amazing restaurants in The Woodlands does not disappoint! From breakfast to dinner and everything in between, you’ll find it all in The Woodlands. 

Here's a list of some of the best places to eat in The Woodlands:

• The Kitchen - this restaurant is open all day and serves mouthwatering breakfast dishes to decadent dinner options like gumbo, smoked brisket bowls, and lobster truffle pasta. I visited for breakfast and had the hardest time choosing between the Chicken & Waffles and the Bananas Foster French Toast. 

• Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe - the perfect place for a fresh cup of coffee and a classic breakfast plate of eggs, bacon, and toast. Sweet Paris is well known for their crepes which range from savory to sweet and are large enough to share. 

• Local Pour - this American-style restaurant is great for lunch or afternoon happy hour. They have multiple local beers and ciders on tap as well as great cocktails. The food is delicious and their menu features Southern classics like Cajun Pasta and a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich. 

• Bosscat Kitchen & Libations - this is an absolute must for dinner and was probably my favorite meal during my weekend in The Woodlands! They have an impressive selection of whiskey if you’re a whiskey lover, live music on weekends, and comfort food classics with a twist. We had the Pig Candy pork belly appetizer and the crusted catfish and risotto. It was amazing! 

• Sixty Vines - this restaurant and wine bar offers 60 wines on tap, as well as refreshing cocktails, and is one of the best date spots in The Woodlands. Choose your own adventure by creating your own custom wine flight and enjoy the beautiful ambiance.

Watch a Performance at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is a concert venue that hosts major concerts, festivals, and other events. The Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater with seated sections under the canopy and lawn seating for larger shows, making it one of the best ways to enjoy live music in the Houston area. One thing I love about The Pavillion is that it isn’t your average concert venue. They have a huge mission to make The Arts accessible to everyone so they take the proceeds from major concerts held there and put it right back into The Arts by hosting free performances, educational programs, and more for the local community. During my weekend in The Woodlands, I was able to watch one of the free performances by the Houston Symphony Orchestra and it was absolutely amazing! The turnout was incredible and the audience was captivated the entire duration of the show. Even if there’s not a concert happening at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, there’s always live music in The Woodlands at local restaurants and other outdoor venues. 

Whether you’re a Houston local looking for a weekend getaway that’s a short drive, or thinking of exploring the Houston area for the first time - The Woodlands is a great place to visit! You can easily spend two days in The Woodlands and then have it be your home base for day trips to downtown Houston. Or if you’re visiting The Woodlands for a concert, book a hotel so you can relax and stay a while. With amazing restaurants, shopping, and family-friendly activities, a weekend in The Woodlands is the perfect destination for families, friends, and couples!

Happy travels!

-Tess

Tess Arnold

Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip!  If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!