The Woodlands

If you want to be close to both city amenities and outdoor activities, spend your next vacation in The Woodlands. High-end shopping centers, an outdoor concert venue, and family-friendly attractions such as The Woodlands Children's Museum can be found in this upscale destination 30 miles north of Houston. In addition, the city has 220 miles of hiking and biking trails spread across 147 parks. On a hot day, rent a kayak or paddleboard from the Riva Row Boat House and explore The Woodlands Waterway and Lake Woodlands in comfort.

The Woodlands has a humid subtropical climate, which is common in Southeast Texas and Greater Houston. Market Street, an old-fashioned "Main Street" pedestrian shopping district with a movie theater and a variety of shops and restaurants, is another attraction. The Woodlands Mall is adjacent to Market Street and borders the waterway, forming a large pedestrian-friendly shopping district. Each village in The Woodlands has its own shopping center, complete with a core grocery store, shops, banks, gas stations, restaurants, and so on. Every April, the Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival attracts 220 juried artists from around the world for a fine arts festival on the Woodlands Waterway. The Woodlands Arts Council uses festival proceeds to fund year-round arts enrichment programs and events.