The Woodlands is a thriving planned community just north of Houston. Every feature, from the traffic lights down to the street signs, has been carefully thought out in this master-planned community. The incredible attention to detail makes The Woodlands a fabulous luxury getaway in the Lone Star State. Here are some fun things to do in The Woodlands that are sure to please.
This article was originally written in November 2020 and updated in June 2022.
The Woodlands is home to over 100 corporate headquarters. This could be due to the natural setting and availability of world-class entertainment, shopping, and dining options. The region comprises over 100 parks, so the amount of green space for getting outdoors, hiking, running, biking, and choosing a healthy lifestyle is abundant. These are majorly attractive offerings for professionals, millennial couples, and retired folks.
The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center is one of the finest hotels you could imagine, featuring 402 rooms. The 28,000 acres of pristine and carefully manicured grounds are dotted with majestic trees and picturesque flowers. After an easy check-in process, explore your room, where you will find your oasis for your stay.
Guests won't even need to leave the Woodlands Resort during their stay; there is plenty to do and four on-site restaurants to choose from for your dining needs. Hotel rooms are spacious. Mine had two queen beds topped with high-thread-count sheets and pretty linens. Following a monochromatic color scheme, I loved the simple black framed nature prints that easily fit the decor's casual feel. A gorgeous marble bathroom held a large tub and a light-up mirror, my favorite features.
The Forest Oasis 1,005-foot-long lazy river and water park were the highlights of my stay at The Woodlands Resort. Who doesn't love a good lazy river, especially nestled in what looks like an enchanted forest? You can also enjoy a seasonally heated lagoon-style relaxation pool at another part of the resort.
Watersport rentals are available on property for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and paddle boating. The Woodlands Resort offers classes daily, like Zumba, and other activities such as face painting, fun-in-the-sun games, and dive-in movies.
Golfers will appreciate The Oaks, the 36-hole championship golf course on Lake Harrison's property. Panther Trail, the resort's premier golf course, is nestled around tall Carolina pines and rolling fairways. Golf Digest magazine named The Woodlands one of the Top 75 Best Golf Resorts in America.
Shopping in The Woodlands is utterly fantastic with many high-end and beautiful shopping areas. The Woodlands Mall was the favorite indoor attraction, with around 200 stores, including Nordstrom, Williams Sonoma, Lego, and Pottery Barn. It has a whimsical carousel and an entertaining kids' play area.
Market Street is the most photogenic shopping complex. It also offers a great selection of restaurants. The shopping center was built around the Hyatt Centric Hotel and boasts a Cinemark Theater. Market Street's flower scene is impressive and is neighbored by various local businesses: a cosmetic dentist, financial planners, a spa, exercise classes, and a music school.
Shopping is a big draw with stores such as Tiffany & Co, Z Gallerie, and Orvis.
Another fun thing to do is stroll or hike the spacious urban areas and parks in The Woodlands. Having seen the mystical sea-serpent on the Woodlands' Instagram page, I had to go chasing it. I admired attractive houses and condos along the way, meticulously spruced up nicely with decorative flags, flowers, and much attention to detail. The serpent art installment is officially titled "The Rise of the Midgard Serpent" by Marc Rosenthal.
My daughter, Taylor, and I lucked out while we were in The Woodlands. We got to see Lindsey Stirling and Amy Lee of Evanescence at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater venue with paid parking only steps away.
Cynthia Woods Pavilion has a tasty restaurant, Wood Forest Bank Club, available for specific level ticket holders. There are also many food and drink booths inside the pavilion. We enjoyed an appetizer sampler platter with chicken tenders, buffalo chicken tater tots, and bacon jalapeño poppers in the Wood Forest Bank club before the show, and we didn't have to fight any crowds.
The Woodlands has plenty of unique eateries, so narrowing down the choices is quite hard. We planned Sunday brunch at Fielding's, a chic industrial restaurant you won't want to miss. Our brunch started with a tempting mimosa and Bloody Mary flight that were Instagram-worthy. Little did we know that these flights would be the talk of our trip for days.
For brunch, we ordered the Frittata and French Toast, both of which were delicious. I love Fielding's stylish decor and the colorful dishes the food was served on.
The Kitchen is a sleek spot with a gourmet market and counter-serve, dine-in restaurant options. Choose from decadent burgers, sandwiches, and a whole wine menu, or come for a memorable brunch, available Saturday and Sunday 7 AM to 3 PM.
I opted for the Southwest Steak & Eggs, a dish that's really popular there. A stack of chipotle tenderloin tips, two eggs your way (over medium please), pico de gallo, breakfast potatoes, white cheddar cheese, and fresh avocado are served with warm flour tortillas. It is very flavorful and filling. You can also pair your breakfast dish with a frozen margarita or mimosa flight, which look and taste divine. We chose the margarita sampler to share, featuring original, prickly pear (the pink one and my fave), mango-lime, and strawberry jalapeño portions. Yum! The Kitchen is closed on Mondays.
At Bazille, in the Nordstrom Department Store, we had a quick bite between vigorous shopping. The Heirloom Tomatoes & Burrata blew me away! It was perfect. Taylor had Bazille's Margherita Pizza, which she bragged on, too.
The Woodlands, Texas, provided a fantastic luxury getaway, emphasizing elegance and relaxation, for my daughter and me. It isn't often that you will see such an attractive city as The Woodlands, free from any form of interruptions. Taylor and I enjoyed a break from our usual hustle and bustle by taking in shopping malls, green spaces, and beautifully planned community.
I hope you will consider our guide for what to see and do in The Woodlands when you are traveling this area.
Thanks to The Woodlands CVB for hosting our stay. As always, opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.
Check out more places to see while visiting Texas:
Lubbock
College Station
Restaurant Guide to North Texas