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Area Attractions

50 Best Things to do in The Woodlands (2023 Attractions & Family Fun)

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Are you ready to explore The Woodlands? The affluent suburb north of Houston has so much to offer for kids and family fun! Whether you're from around here and need new ideas to make your days exciting or you're traveling as an out-of-town guest, below are more than 50 of the best activities and attractions to enjoy around town in 2023!

woodlands area local tag
For the kids to have imaginative playtime or to actually bounce off the walls, these are the best places:

More active fun:

If you need a more simple break:
If you'd like to get crafty (aka messy) in someone else's "house", paint a piece of pottery or a blank canvas! The businesses below may not offer open studio time, so please call ahead!
 To stimulate the mind, a few businesses offer open class or open gym time (again, call ahead to check; membership might be required):
Sometimes (gasp!) even moms get stir crazy. We have a few suggestions for taking a break from your kids:
  • Area gyms like Villasport and the YMCA offer child care while you work out (or rest and have a coffee)
  • Adventure Kids Playcare (drop-in childcare and entertainment center for kids ages 6 weeks to 12 years old)

 

OUTDOOR FUN

Texas Treeventures
Texas Treeventures is a thrilling aerial adventure course for ages 6 and up, located on the campus of the Rob Fleming Recreation Center. Visit website.

7 Acre Wood
7 Acre Wood in Conroe, Texas, is 7 1/2 acres of old-fashioned family fun! Here you will find a petting zoo, mini golf course, western play town, play fort, huge playground, gigantic sandbox, zip line, sand volleyball, horseshoes and much more. There is also a full-service coffee house for tea, coffee and lunch. Visit website.

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater dedicated to providing a rich assortment of performance entertainment. Programs at the Pavilion include classical performances by the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera, as well as world renowned recording artists such as Aerosmith, Santana, and Tim McGraw. If you're a fan of the performing arts, be sure to check out their schedule of upcoming events.
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George Mitchell Nature Preserve
The George Mitchell Nature Preserve is part of the Montgomery County Spring Creek Greenway located in Creekside Village. The Mitchell Preserve covers nearly 1,700 acres and includes: a 2 mile main hiking trail loop, 3 miles of bike trails, Natural surface, sustainable tracks by Talon Trails, Bedias Lake paths.
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Hurricane Harbor Splashtown
Get ready for wet fun less than half an hour from downtown. With rides called Tornado, Zoom Flumes and Wild Wave Pool, who wouldn't have fun? Restaurants, shops and rides for all ages. 21300 I-45 North, Spring, 281-355-3300.
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The Koi Garden on the Waterway
This Asian-inspired garden and koi pond, is located on the south side of The Woodlands Waterway®. The garden is linked to the banks of The Waterway by pedestrian bridges. It was designed to be place for quiet contemplation and meditation, where visitors can reconnect with nature. 

Lakes Edge Boat House
Located in Hughes Landing and open to the public, Lakes Edge offers kayak and paddleboard rentals.
 

Longview Greens Miniature Golfing
Texas-themed miniature golfing in Montgomery.
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Market Street
Market Street is a Main Street-styled shopping and entertainment destination that allows shoppers to stroll in an outdoor environment reminiscent of the town centers of yesteryear. Music; eye-catching art and a cozy Central Park with pop fountains and a live performance stage form a welcoming gathering spot for events and entertainment.
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Old Town Spring
Provides one of the most exciting shopping and dining experiences in Texas. This beautifully restored turn-of-the-century railroad town contains more than 150 specialty shops, galleries and restaurants. Each takes you back to the charm, warmth and ambiance of down-home memories and fun. Nestled among towering sycamore and pecan trees, the town is justly proud of its reputation as one of the most popular shopping destinations in Texas. Visit website.

Riva Row Boat House
The Riva Row Boat House offers single and tandem kayaks, paddleboards, water bikes, and swan boats for use on The Woodlands Waterway and Lake Woodlands. Life jackets provided. Facility features drink concessions and lockers. Visit website.

Spring Creek Greenway and Nature Center
An educational facility where learning is inspired by nature. We offer programs/projects for all ages that focus on the local plants and animals of the Spring Creek watershed. There are miles of trails for activities such as guided nature walks, birding walks, citizen science projects, and volunteer opportunities. We also offer ongoing natural history programs, including nature photography, writing, and art.
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The Woodlands Waterway Trolley
The trolley is a fun and free way to get around The Woodlands Town Center and other shopping and dining destinations! Four vintage trolleys operate 7 days a week, and each trolley is ADA compliant. Trolley rides are FREE! 
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Town Green Park
Located along the banks of The Woodlands Waterway®, between The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and the South Montgomery County Library, Town Green Park is the downtown central park of The Woodlands. The park is a great place to pass simple family time during the evenings. The four-acre green space features a main lawn nearly two football fields long, an entertainment stage area with natural seating, a children's literary labyrinth with life-size Aesop fables, and a children's amphitheater perfect for group outings.
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The Woodlands Township Pools
The Woodlands Township boasts over a dozen pools that open in the late spring through late summer. The Rob Fleming Aquatic Center will be a favorite for your whole family with water slides, a lazy river, and other unique features. Visit website.
 
Northshore Park
Located near the front of The Woodlands on Lake Woodlands Dr, Northshore Park offers one of the best outdoor playgrounds in the area, beach volleyball, a large lawn for games and active fun, picnic tables by the lake and other picnic areas, a boat house, opportunities to fish and bird watch, and more. Visit website.
 
Waterway Square
Waterway Square features beautiful water fountains and a relaxing water wall, spraygrounds for the little ones (seasonal), a picnic areas. This outdoor venue is home to seasonal live concerts and several restaurants and night clubs. Visit website.
beyondtheborderstag
Have time for a car ride? Check out these great attractions Beyond the Borders!

Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex
The Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex provides a first class, family-oriented facility with a large selection of ice activities for your enjoyment and over 1,000 pairs of skates available for rental. During the day, public sessions are bright and lively. During the evening sessions, the lights are dimmed, the music ranges from country to rock to jazz, coupled with a special effects lighting system that brings a party atmosphere to the Aerodrome. Don't miss the theme nights and holiday parties that are promoted throughout the year. 8220 Willow Place Drive N, Houston, TX 77070.
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Bayou Wildlife Zoo
Come experience your very own African safari at Bayou Wildlife Park in Alvin, Texas. An adventure-filled tram ride with experienced wildlife guides will take you over 80 acres of natural habitat. See and feed animals and birds from Africa, India, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. Pony rides and a petting zoo are also available for the kids. 5050 FM 517, Alvin, 77511, 281-337-6376.
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Blue Bell Creamery
Come check out ice-cream making from the observation deck. (The facility no longer offers guided tours). End your visit with a scoop of ice cream!
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Bolivar Ferry (Galveston)
Approaching the Bolivar Peninsula from Galveston Island you will find the bay crossing must be accomplished by driving onto a free highway department ferry boat. Dolphins often accompany the 588 ton ferries on their three mile crossing. Often ocean-going ships may be seen on their way to or from the wharfs at Galveston, Texas City or Houston. This thirteen minute mini cruise always provides a thrill for children and a pleasant experience for adults and you don't have to take your car aboard. There are plenty of spots for those who just want to take around trip cruise to see the sites.
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Children's Museum of Houston
With 14 galleries of vibrant exhibits bursting with action-packed fun, the Children's Museum of Houston gives kids from birth to age 12 the ultimate discover and learn experience. There's something new every day making each visit unique as children explore EcoStation, Think Tank, KID-TV, The Matter Factory, How Does It Work? and much more.
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Discovery Green Park
Discovery Green is a 12-acre public park located in downtown Houston. Discovery Green is host to a wonderful playground, fountains, dog run, mist tree, lake and countless concerts, events and festivals throughout the year. It's a great "green" getaway right in the heart of the city!.
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Downtown Aquarium
The Downtown Aquarium is a spectacular entertainment, dining and meeting complex located in downtown Houston. Dine on a variety of seafood specialties at the Aquarium Restaurant as you are seated around a 150,000-gallon centerpiece aquarium. Enjoy many of our fabulous attractions including the Aquarium Adventure Exhibit with 500,000 gallons of underwater tanks and more than 400 species of marine life and mammals including white tigers. Take a ride on Shark Voyage, where guests travel by train through the center of a shark tank. Enjoy the variety of amusements such as a Ferris wheel, carousel and many midway games. 410 Bagby St. at Memorial, Houston, Texas 77002, 713-223-FISH
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Edith Moore Nature Sanctuary
The Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary in West Houston is a 17.5 acre wooded sanctuary along Rummel Creek with a restored log cabin that houses a variety of education programs reaching out into Houston and surrounding areas. Open to the public 365 days a year, it also contains Houston Audubon administrative offices.
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Hermann Park
Located in the heart of Houston, Hermann Park welcomes an estimated six million visitors a year. Whether you wish to ride the train along Hermann Park Railroad, pedal around in a pedal boat on McGovern Lake, jog along the trails, or enjoy a peaceful moment in the Japanese Garden, Hermann Park offers countless opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation.
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Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
This 155-acre non-profit urban nature sanctuary provides education about the natural environment to Houstonians of all ages. It plays a vital role in protecting native plants and animals in the heart of the city where development threatens their survival. Visitors can explore nature by walking on trails (totaling 5 miles) free of charge. Each summer children gain in-depth knowledge leading to life-long appreciation of the natural world through week long Discovery Classes. Thousands of school children visit the Arboretum on field trips designed for their age and grade level.
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Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is a great choice for indoor fun with new exhibits monthly and several outstanding permanent exhibits and features, including the Cockrell Butterfly Center, the Burke Baker Planetarium, Imax Theater, dinosaur exhibits, gems and minerals, an interactive exhibit in the Weiss Energy Hall, the Fondren Discovery Place for kids of all ages, and a McDonald's restaurant.
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Houston Zoo
An exciting educational and popular conservation resource, the zoo is set in a 55-acre lush, tropical landscape, and is home to more than 4,500 exotic animals. Special areas include the children's zoo, reptile house, tropical bird aviary, primate world and a komodo dragon display. Hermann Park, 1513 N. MacGregor Dr.; 713-523-5888; 713-533-6500.
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Kemah Boardwalk
Just 20 miles from downtown Houston, this fun-filled development on the Kemah channel to Galveston Bay is a great family destination. Kemah features a nostalgic amusement park, complete with a 65-foot Ferris wheel, miniature train, carousel and other rides, with many seafood eateries and other fine restaurants to round off your trip. #1 Kemah Waterfront Bradford and Second St., Kemah; 877-AT-KEMAH; 281-334-9880.
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Miller Outdoor Theater
Miller Outdoor Theatre offers the most diverse season of professional entertainment of any Houston performance venue, and it's all FREE! Clasical music, jazz, ethnic music and dance, ballet, Shakespeare, musical theatre, classic films, and much, much more are included in this year's outstanding line-up. Relax in the covered seating area or enjoy a pre-performance picnic on the hillside. All performances at Miller are family-friendly! 100 Concert Drive, 281-FREE-FUN.
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Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens is the best place in town to learn and play! Galvestons renowned attraction offers the Aquarium Pyramid, a wonderful world of aquatic life from the Caribbean, South Atlantic, North Pacific and South Pacific Oceans, the Rainforest Pyramid, a stunning IMAX Theater, Ridefilm Theater, and the Palm Beach Water Park. One Hope Blvd., Galveston; 800-582-4673.
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Nature Discovery Center
Nature Discovery Center is a warm and friendly place where children and families share the joy of discovery. It is housed in the old Henshaw home, nestled in Russ Pitman Park, a four-acre rural retreat in the midst of the city of Bellaire, Texas. The Center's Discovery Rooms, open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5:30 pm FREE of charge, are full of intriguing exhibits and hands-on activities that invite children and adults to explore, and have fun learning. 7112 Newcastle St., Bellaire; 713-667-6550
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Oil Ranch
The Oil Ranch is a kid's outdoor heaven and a great way to enjoy time with the family.  There is over 50 acres of action-packed fun for families including train, pony and hay rides, a dairy barn, petting zoo, fishing, rope swing, swimming pool and you can even feed some cows!
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Old MacDonald's Farm
Old MacDonald's Farm is a 15-acre children's paradise with twelve petting zoos, pony rides, train rides and more. Guests can also swim in the swimming pool, catch crawfish, and feed some very happy ducks at the pond. 3203 FM 1960 East, Humble, 281-446-4001.
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Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark
With its huge array of awesome aquatic adventures, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island can be your personal happy place! The attractions in Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark cover approximately 15 acres. German-style castle spires and architecture provide the visual focal point. The park has food kiosks, retail shops, changing rooms with showers, ockers, group areas, plus more than 20 attractions. 2026 Lockeed St., Galveston; 409-770-WAVE.
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Space Center Houston
For out-of-this-world fun, see actual spacecraft, including Mercury, Gemini and Apollo capsules, watch astronauts train for upcoming shuttle missions, touch a moon rock or walk in space through space simulators. The Space Center also features a Kids Space Place, created for children of all ages who have always dreamed of experiencing the same things astronauts do in space. Interactive exhibits and themed area make exploring the different aspects of space and the manned space flight program loads of fun. Inside Kids Space Place, guests can explore and experiment commanding the space shuttle or living on the space station. 1601 NASA Rd. 1; 281-244-2100.
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Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition
TWRC Wildlife Center is Houston's first local wildlife emergency and rehabilitative care center. They host youth and adult groups to give tips on living with local wildlife. They also offer Scout programs and summer camps for your animal lover!
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