30 miles north of Houston, Texas is a township by the name of The Woodlands. To get there from the big city, just drive up, and take a flying left on exit 76B over I45 North, then drink in the green foliage. Its namesake comes from the sprawling woodlands, an ease on the senses after miles of grey concrete and harsh highway noises.
This town got its start as a fields, farmland, woods and one sawmill. Before its start in 1974, this was a one road town. To this day, you might find road names like Grogan's Mill, Sawdust, or Panther Creek for this very reason. The Woodlands got its start when a developer by the name of George P. Mitchell bought this undeveloped land with a vision: to create a beautiful suburbia with all the amenities of a big city but with none of the ugly landscaping. Instead, he chose to hide all the signs of man-made structures behind Texas's big, beautiful woodlands so characteristic to the southeastern region of the state.
Now whether you come to visit or come to live, there is something for everyone here. If you enjoy shopping, well, it definitely has that: two malls, the indoor Woodlands Mall and outdoor Market Street, equipped with department stores, home good shops, boutiques, entertainment and anything in between! Don't worry about going hungry; there are five star restaurants with live bands, like Kirby's, or the neighborhood holes-in-the-wall like La Casa where the locals go! Any type of cuisine, from the Mexican restaurant, Guadalajara, to a good All-American burger at Jerry's Built Burger, is just an arm's length away. If you want to extend your trip, there two fabulous hotels right in the middle of everything, the Hyatt Market Street Hotel and Waterway Marriott, and a couple others a few miles away that can suit any checkbook. Do you like music? The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, a landmark location that puts this town on the map, just might be playing some big name in the music industry! An outdoor concert hall named after the founder's wife, Cynthia W. Mitchell, fills the evening skies with sounds ranging from a full orchestra to whining electric guitars. You never know who might be in town!
However, if you are looking for a more relaxing, getting-in-touch-with-nature vacation, The Woodlands can provide. This town takes pride in preservation of and coexistence with nature. It has hundreds of miles of bike trails that crisscross every section of this town, giving you a quite one-on-one with the woods. It also offers water sports like kayaking at the Riva Row Boat House, rowing at North Shore Park, our a tour of the waters in town on the Waterway Taxi boat. There are countless of parks and pools too, if you are looking to bring the family outdoors, all free to the public and non-residents! Enjoy a good game of golf? The Woodlands has dozens of clubs and courses each with their own unique personalities. My personal favorite is The Oaks at Canongate as it accompanies any skill level. If you can stand the heat of a Texas summer, there countless things to do outside!
This warm town exudes southern hospitality. The people are friendly, the neighborhoods and streets safe, and the town beautifully green with a lively atmosphere. Here you can visit or live like a movie star, have the white picket fence, or follow whatever your American Dream entails! Whether you choose to go for an adventure or just change from the norm, there are many reasons to visit The Woodlands.
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