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The Woodlands area musts - stay, eat, do 🏨🍴🛝🎭🛍️
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items where to stay, places to eat and things to do. From a family of 6 who have lived in the area our entire lives. These are the areas we frequent and tell our out of town guests about.
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Eat
Stay
Do
Eat
Our top local restaurants with the best food in The Woodlands area 🍱🍽️
Best queso & fajitas. Hands down. The trio fajitas & queso is our go to. They also have good house margaritas. We like the salsa but their house made beans to dip that is served with their salsa is bomb!
Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurant
Family fajitas pack with mixed chicken & beef- includes queso, chips, salsa, green salsa, charro or refined beans, Mexican rice, 10 homemade tortillas, utensils, plates and serving utensils... all for $85! Feeds our family of 4 for dinner plus lu...
Los Cucos Mexican Cafe
$12 large pizzas. Perfect for the nights that you don’t want to cook. We usually stick to cheese and pepperoni but I also like chicken buffalo and feta with mushrooms.
Whole Foods Market Pizza: How to Make & Order Online
After market street shopping, stop by for dinner. Cool vibes and an outdoor patio.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
Fastest sandwich shop. Order in app and pick up in 10 minutes. Join the rewards program for freebies and coupon deals. My favorite is the Pepe or Italian nightclub.
Jimmy John's
30 minutes from the woodlands but 100% worth the drive. I get the shack special personal pan which is a supreme style with meats and veggies. They have the best ranch I’ve ever tasted. We always order a large to take home. Dip your pizza in it. They ...
Pizza Shack
We love Thai food and this is the best place for chicken fried rice and panang curry. Ask for a side of fish sauce to add a bit of spice. Thai iced tea for drink. They have an outdoor patio when the weather is nice and all of their seating inside or ...
Charm Thai Kitchen & Bar
Some of the best chicken fried rice and Thai iced tea. Get spice level zero if you’re not used to super spicy. They have fish sauce and chili paste you can add. Smaller place and kinda quiet so might not be ideal for smaller children who are noisy an...
Thai Cottage Woodlands
The only Greek restaurant that I would go to anywhere in the Houston area. Not even a Greek fan but this place is bomb! Small and affordable. I like the chicken gyros with tiziki sauce. My husband likes cabbage rolls and in house chips.
The Olive Oil Restaurant ...
Nice little Italian date night spot with a patio and bar
Terra Vino Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
Nice dinner spot with a dress code. Reservations are sometimes needed on weekends. Try the Brussels sprouts, Philly cheese egg rolls and deviled eggs. More of a quiet place.
Del Frisco's Grille
Best grilled chicken salad I’ve ever had. Nice place for the whole family. Mostly american food. Outside patio with lights at night. Quiet area in strip center. Shrimp dishes are yummy, too. My kids like this place and we sometimes go for date nights...
The Republic Grille
One of my favorite places to grab a chicken bowl. I like the honey chicken over white rice with lots of lettuce, shredded cheese and queso.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Stay
The hotel we recommend to our out of town guests. Within walkable distance to great restaurants, bars, movie theatre and the mall. The trolley stops here also if you aren’t up for walking. And it sits right on the waterway.
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
All in one resort for the family. Something for everyone. Nice rooms.
The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
Centrally located on the waterway with a nearby trolly stop to visit the mall, library, Whole Foods… perfect spot for a couples getaway or family stay.
The Westin at The Woodlands®
Do
Number one pool in the woodlands. We have 14 but this one has it all. Minus a diving board. Lazy river, snack bar, slide, kids area
Rob Fleming Aquatic Center
Top shopping spot in the woodlands. Next to the woodlands mall. Stores like gucci, lululemon, Tiffany, LV, Sephora, Madewell, j crew, orvis and lots more. Plan to spend 4-6 hours strolling and shopping then catch lunch or dinner at Tommy Bahamas.
Market Street
One of Houston’s best malls. Park in the Dillard’s parking garage on the ground level for easy access.
The Woodlands Mall
Family fun in the trees. Climb, zip line, jump. Levels for every skill / age. Go in the evening to beat the heat and enjoy a sunset climb.
Texas TreeVentures
Nice theater near the mall. Trolley stops here too. Reclining seats & a good food selection including Pizza Hut pizza, hot dogs, bluebell ice cream, nachos, popcorn.
Cinemark The Woodlands and XD
A short 35 minute drive from the woodlands is a great outlet center with stores such as lululemon, American eagle, Vera Bradley, Columbia, athleta, old navy, coach, Kate spade and lots more. Worth the drive to spend the day shopping till you drop.
Houston Premium Outlets
Nature preserve with 12,000 acres to explore. Spring creek is nice for fishing or splashing to cool off in the summer. 3 miles of biking trails and 2 miles of hiking trails. Bring water and snacks.
George Mitchell Nature Preserve
Awesome outdoor venue for concerts & events throughout the year. We sometimes sit on the waterway outside of the pavilion and listen to concerts. We take the fam to the children’s festival every November. Trolly stop if you are staying on the wat...
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
New family fun in the area. Prices per kid per hour but they don’t monitor that so we stay longer. Snack bar with icees, good nachos and hot dogs. Adults can play too. Must buy their socks.
Slick City Action Park
Our favorite park. Newer playground that my kids never get tired of. Swings, big climbing structures, slides for all ages. Smaller area for babies and toddlers. Sidewalks & clean bathrooms. There is also a basketball court, volleyball, skatepark,...
Bear Branch Park
Trolley stop and great place to walk, rent a kayak or swan boat, eat at one of the many restaurants or enjoy live music when they have concerts at the nearby pavilion. Christmas lights and trees everywhere during the holidays. Our entire family loves...
The Woodlands Waterway
Pool schedule for the 14 community pools around the woodlands. Season passes available or you can pay per day at the gate
The Woodlands 2026 Pool Schedule
Fall 2026 the woodlands family community guide full of all of the events going on including free concerts, children’s festival, art festival, weekly events and more.
Fall 2026 Activity Guide