Inside 28,000 acres of incredible beauty, the jewel of Houston, The Woodlands community, resides. The beauty is natural, of course, but it also sparkles with elegant restaurants, amazing green parks, a shopping mall that never ends, cutting-edge business parks, and an outstanding performing arts pavilion. Featuring 16,000 seats, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is the biggest jewel of all attractions in The Woodlands, with live entertainment and lush, green lawns surrounding water fountains that promise a memorable, relaxing atmosphere during inviting performances.

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration

If you take at least a day to visit The Woodlands, trust us when we say you will not be disappointed with the natural environment, the brick-and-mortar shopping delights, and the outstanding amphitheatre that is waiting for you and your friends every day.

Try A Texas-Sized Day In The Woodlands Drive

The Woodlands region of Houston is a community of sorts and it truly is a jewel. Jewels, as we know, are sparkling reminders of luxury. If you are in the Houston area, take a drive through this expansive community and you’ll quickly find evidence of the resources and planning behind jewel-like stunning homes, lavish spas, and delightful sidewalk-lined neighborhoods everywhere. They will beckon you to ditch your vehicle and stretch your legs. Area maps show the way through the cleverly laid-out Woodlands areas of interest. 

Inviting residents and visitors alike, The Woodlands offers a massive mall, parks tucked into beautiful spreading-tree spaces, and Restaurant Row, where Texas-sized steaks, Italian pasta specialties and Japanese sushi are offered with flare. In fact, after driving through the area, you’ll be tempted to walk through the shopping mall, cruise past some restaurants, and breathe in the relaxing air of ease and luxury. We encourage you to do just that.

A Pair of Delights: Dinner And A Show 

As mentioned, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is a concert amphitheatre parked in the middle of the stunning scenery of The Woodlands. Doesn’t it make sense to pair your tickets to a live performance with a delightful dinner before or after the concert? Some of the well-known restaurants of Houston reside on Restaurant Row, such as the Fago de Chao, where the art of churrasco – roasting tender cuts of meat over an open flame – makes your mouth water when you enter the inviting restaurant.

If you want to opt for a flavorful, lighter meal, try North Italia on the Woodlands Mall. There you’ll enjoy a menu featuring almost every Italian dish you can imagine and believe us when we say you’ll want to taste them all. After dinner, enjoy a performance at The Woodlands Pavilion, where you may experience a symphony performance, a contemporary concert with well-known artists, or even a educational evening new to anything you’ve experienced before.

The Woodlands community is set up for food, entertainment and lively events sure to satisfy your appetite for a stunning visit. 

Does The Woodlands Invite Families? 

We’re so glad you asked! Although some fine eateries and shops in the Woodlands Mall cater to adults, there are many areas where children can hop, skip and jump. Try taking the Animal Tour, a shop stuffed with “stuffies” for all ages, and the Apple store with electronics and AI-driven tools for teens. The Piercing Pagoda caters to every age with piercing services and rings to fit, while the two-story Barnes & Noble Bookstore can capture the attention of the entire family for an afternoon. 

What about haircuts for the family? A Shaving Grace Barber Shop has you covered and the Build-A-Bear Workshop is always guaranteed to bring smiles all-around. And, what about eateries for children who are hungry almost every hour? Kid-friendly restaurants abound, such as Chick-Fil-A and Street Tacos on Trucks. Finally, the Lego® Store caters to all ages and the Play Street Museum just down the street from the Woodlands Mall can serve as the educational part of the day. The Woodlands definitely invites families and it’s easy to see why. 

Catch the Sunset Through The Woodlands Trees

As the sun is just setting, The Woodlands are at their best. A Live Oak tree, with massive height and spreading branches, is a orange-hued wonder as the setting sun filters through. Look for American Sycamore trees in The Woodlands, with extensively tall trunks and leaves that spread beautifully, similar to maple leafed trees. You may find a Bald Cypress tree in areas near water or swampy elements in The Woodlands. If you do, note the lacy needles that extend outward and down.

The Southern Magnolia trees are considered the grandest of the trees in The Woodlands, with large, showy blooms that are magnificent to see among the branches. The beauty of the community is in full display with lights coming alive in every corner of The Woodlands, but somehow, the jewel of the sunset captures the authentic beauty of The Woodlands, as all of the trees radiantly shine through the reddish-orange glow.