The Woodlands is the perfect place to relax and find some peace. Located 28 miles north of downtown Houston, The Woodlands is a luxurious community founded in 1974 that offers many amenities.
There are various delightful things to do in The Woodlands, like cherishing the cool breeze flowing through your hair as you traverse the energetic waves of the lakes, enjoying a walk with your pet, witnessing art in its purest form, exploring the majestic nature and a galore of other entertainment options.
Yes, The Woodlands is kid-friendly and pet-friendly! So plan a solo trip or one with the whole family, friends, and kids.
If you are wondering what to do in the Woodlands, read on!
Here Are 9 Interesting Things to Do in The Woodlands:
1. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Location: 2005 Lake Robbins Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380
The Pollstar Magazine has designated the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion as one of the “Top 100 Outdoor Amphitheaters in the World, “ and rightly so! An abundance of entertainment options is offered at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, albeit concerts are the most common.
The Pavilion has open seating, so you can bring along blankets to sit on as you feel the lush greenery around you. There are a lot of food and drink stalls as well as merchandise stalls on site.
They offer shows throughout the year, some of which are free for all music lovers. The Houston Symphony and the Houston Ballet regularly play at the pavilion. The night and day life is quite groovy in the woodlands.
So next time you’re looking for the best outdoor things to do in The Woodlands at night, visit the Pavilion.
2. Woodlands Mall
Location: 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380
The Woodlands Mall is pretty big with an easy layout, making it effortless to explore the shops around. The mall has around 185 retail shops delivering all your needs, from clothes to electronics, homeware to shoes and accessories!
Let’s not forget jewelry and sportswear, too. And when your legs feel numb from all the shopping, you can enjoy a tasty meal at the food court.
There is a children’s play area and a carousel to keep the kids entertained. If shopping gets boring, enjoy a river walk just outside the mall. Why walk at all?
Relish the Woodlands Mall Water Taxi ride that tours the waters surrounding the Woodlands Mall along with a part of the Woodlands Waterway. If ice skating is something you’ve wanted to do for a long time, grab the opportunity at the Woodlands Mall.
3. George Mitchell Nature Preserve
Location: 5171 Flintridge Dr, Spring, TX 77381
If you enjoy being amongst nature and its glory, you should try the trails. The Mitchell preserve stars multiple trails and spans over 13 miles from Creekside to Grogan’s mill. The hiking trail is ensconced between towering pine trees and is about 5 miles full of beauty.
The George Mitchell Nature Preserve is a nearly 1,700-acre park full of trails, trees, and wildlife on The Woodlands’s southern side. Delve into the winding paths accompanied by the twittering of dazzling birds, which makes it perfect for birdwatching or wildlife spotting. You can either opt for a bicycle or simply hike down the trail.
4. Woodlands Children’s Museum
Location: 4775 W Panther Creek Dr #280, The Woodlands, TX 77381
When the kids need something to ignite and fuel their young minds, you can accompany them to the Woodlands Children’s Museum, a paradise for them. At this museum, not only will the children have a good time, but they will also get to learn new things.
Here, be assured that the kids will come back home with many insightful life lessons. Read-A-Lot Kingdom, splash around Water Play, construct a castle in Dream + Build, learn healthy food choices at The Market, and develop life skills at The Remax Play House are just a trailer of what’s to come.
This is the perfect chance for the kids to explore various topics like robotics, art, and science.
And if the kids get hungry after all the unpacking of essential life lessons, picnic tables are available outside, as at least two cafes and a Starbucks in the same complex.
5. Market Street
Location: 9595 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380
Market Street takes the phrase shop until you drop to a new level. With so many on-site shops and activities galore, you’ll wander the street for days! Shop in designer stores like Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Chanel Beauty, and other affordable brands. Enjoy the crisp open air of the market, and when you’re tired and drained from the heat, reinvigorate under their complimentary umbrellas.
The Woodlands is the recipient of the accolade “One of America’s Best Shopping Destinations”, and rightfully so! It’s all thanks to Market Street. If you need a break from shopping, you can explore other activities like watching a movie, getting a manicure/pedicure, chilling out at spas, etc.
There is a wide area at the center of the street featuring a water fountain and an open green lawn, where you can simply unwind and enjoy the soothing breeze.
6. Riva Row Boat House
Location: 2101 Riva Row, The Woodlands, TX 77380
Get a glimpse of the entirety of the woodlands while enjoying the calm waves of the silent water. The lake passes through major hotspots like Town Green Park, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Waterway Square, and more.
Life jackets are available on-site to ensure a smooth and safe ride. The lake is also dog-friendly. One can rent well-maintained equipment such as canoes, swan boats, stand-up paddleboards, water bikes, and single and tandem kayaks. There are private and group lessons available.
One would have to paddle through a canal encompassed by lush trees and grass to get to the water.
7. The Woodlands Waterway Trolley
Location: Waterway Square Pl, The Woodlands, TX 77380, United States
Sit back and relax in this 4.1-mile-long journey as the waterway trolley traverses through the Woodlands Mall, Market Street, The Woodlands Waterway Trolley, and Hughes Landing. Choose your stop, whether it’s restaurants, entertainment, or hotels.
Multiple trolleys run parallel, so you don’t have to worry about waiting too long. It provides easy transportation when you’re too tired to lift a finger.
8. Rob Fleming Aquatic Center
Location: 6535 Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77389
If you’re looking for fun-filled water adventure things to do in The Woodlands, head on to this amazing waterpark. Rob Fleming Aquatic Center is the largest and most popular of 14 swimming pools managed by the Township.
Rob Fleming Aquatic Center includes some exotic features like a 500-foot lazy river, a two-story flume slide for tubing that is the longest in the Woodlands, swimming lanes/lap lanes, and splash pads.
Tubes are provided for free. The aquatic center features an interactive play structure with sprays, nozzles, knobs, ropes, staircases, a slide, and a 150-gallon dump bucket. Lifeguards are stationed almost everywhere, so set aside all your worries and let loose! The center is well-maintained, with clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated bathrooms, including family changing rooms.
There are large grassy areas for lounging, playing, and soaking in the sun, along with picnic tables and chaise lounges. The center has a concession run by a popular food chain franchise. The aquatic center is worth a shot.
9. Char Dham Hindu Temple
Location: 8044 College Park Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77384
Char Dham which translates to ‘the four abodes/seats’ refers to 4 pilgrimage places in India that are widely revered by most Hindus. They are Badrinath in the North, Dwarka in the West, Jagannath in the East, and Rameshwaram in the South. The four temples in one place signify the unity of people from all around.
The intricacies of the Char Dham Hindu Temple in The Woodlands are modeled after these four temples of India, and it is one of a kind in the entire United States, perhaps even the world.
There’s a lucid and pictorial description of each of the four temples near and inside the entrance. With its one-of-a-kind architecture, tranquil ambiance, and waterfront meditation rooms, the Char Dham Temple is spellbinding and thought-provoking.
Pilgrimage to the Char Dham Temples at least once in a lifetime is a dream come true for all.
Final Note
This is not the end; there are numerous other things to do in The Woodlands, and the list is simply endless!
Check out this video for more insights into The Woodlands and what to do there.
The Woodlands has a lot to offer, and it is best known for extensive parks and recreation, mini-golf, corporate headquarters, schools, pubs, places of worship, shopping, dining, hospitality, healthcare, and so much more! It is an absolute utopia, making it one of the most desirable places to visit and live in.
The ideal time to visit The Woodlands is between February and May when the weather is just right. If you plan on making it a weekend trip, spend the nights at luxurious hotels within the Woodlands Township. Seize this opportunity for a fun-filled retreat that makes you return for more.
So next time you plan a trip to The Woodlands, you will already be equipped with a handy guide on things to do there!
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani