This blog post is in paid sponsorship from Visit The Woodlands. All opinions are my own.
The holiday season has arrived, everyone! I’m thrilled that we have finally reached December. This year, I’m so ready to set up the Christmas tree, make gingerbread houses, and wear all my festive sweaters – yet I think we can all agree that this holiday season will look different from previous years. While I’ve been predominantly staying at home, I have been awaiting the perfect moment to explore different areas around Houston.
Luckily, I was able to have the opportunity to visit all the holiday spots at The Woodlands – which is less than an hour away from the city of Houston. If you’re a fellow local who is looking to find ways you can celebrate this festive season with your friends and family, then I can assure you that The Woodlands offers amazing places to stay, eat, and activities to do! Keep on reading to find out more details on all the ultimate holiday events happening in this charming town.
If you’re a fellow local who is looking to find ways you can celebrate this season with your friends and family, then I can assure you that The Woodlands offers amazing places to stay, eat, and activities to do!
The Ultimate Holiday Travel Guide to The Woodlands, TX
Transportation Tips
During my visit, I didn’t need to spend any car gas while transporting around The Woodlands! There is a free public trolley that is accessible every day, and it also arrives to each station every 10-15 minutes. This is a great way to be environmentally friendly and enjoy a more scenic route to the best spots in The Woodlands. Plus, it’s a fun experience for both locals and visitors! I felt comfortable and safe the entire time since the The Woodlands Waterway Trolley follows safety protocols for mandating face masks and social distancing.
Where to Stay
Embassy Suites by Hilton The Woodlands at Hughes Landing: 1855 Hughes Landing Blvd, The Woodlands, TX 77380
$149/per night for 1-bedroom King Suite
Want amazing views of Lake Woodlands? To me, the Embassy Suites by Hilton The Woodlands at Hughes Landing has the best scenic lake views right outside your window! What I love about the hotel is their amazing service – which includes free breakfast and a happy hour reception every day. They also have free access to the outdoor pool, gym, meeting rooms, and cozy indoor/outdoor lounge areas. When booking, I highly recommend experiencing their 1-bedroom King Suite! My suite had a patio that was perfect for a private view of the town. Check out more their guest room options here.
Sight-Seeing Spots
The Woodlands Ice Rink: 2005 Lake Robbins Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77381
$15/per admission + skate rental for 1 person
You can’t go wrong with the holiday activities happening at The Woodlands! If you’re into ice skating, I highly suggest checking out The Woodlands Ice Rink, located next to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Free parking is available inside their parking garage. When I visited, I noticed people of all ages ice skating – and don’t worry if you’ve never ice skated before, they even offer affordable skating lessons as well. I felt comfortable the whole time ice skating by myself while listening to Christmas music being played the whole time. It really brought out the inner-child in me for the holiday season!
Want to do something more low-key? No problem! The Woodlands has the best parks and walking trails – my recommendation is to stroll around The Woodlands Waterway. However, there is a wide variety of places to walk. You might even see some of their art benches or mosaics along the way! In fact, there are over 100 public art pieces and installations around the town – which is one of the biggest public art collections in Texas! Make sure to take photos and share it on social media by using the hashtag #SoWoodlands to get a chance to be featured!
Where to Shop
Market Street: 9595 Six Pines Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380
The Woodlands Mall: 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380
If you’re into Christmas shopping, The Woodlands is the perfect place for you! The Woodlands Mall and Market Street both offer luxury and affordable retail stores that have the cutest store front displays and holiday decor. I personally loved shopping at Kendra Scott, J Crew, and Francesca’s. However, I loved the overall ambiance of the shopping experience, especially during the weekends! You can even find fun photo-ops, such as the festive wraparound wreaths in front of Tommy Bahama or the huge Christmas Tree in the middle of Market Square. During the day, expect to watch live music in front of retail stores and restaurants. During the evenings, there is a Christmas Tree Light Show at Market Square that plays every 30 minutes, and the lights synchronize to Christmas songs! It is truly such a fabulous time strolling around the stores and getting Christmas gift ideas, too!
Where to Eat
Breakfast: Sweet Paris | 9595 Six Pines Dr #450, The Woodlands, TX 77380
Get your perfect breakfast at Sweet Paris! I love the Tiffany blue color scheme and the Parisian style design of the cafe since it feels so trendy to dine in, and the food quality is equally just as amazing. This chic food spot is where they make the best sweet and savory crepes in Texas – and I personally recommend trying either their Nutella or their Chicken Alfredo crepes. For beverages, I personally love their Mayan Hot Chocolate (it’s the only place in the world to try it)!
Lunch: Jasper’s | 9595 Six Pines Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380
For a late lunch/early dinner option, I enjoyed the appetizers at Jasper’s! My personal favorite items on the menu were the Bacon and Swiss Sliders and the Tater Tot Nachos. Both appetizers are great to eat on your own or you can share with a friend for a light meal! If you want to check out more from their Happy Hour Menu, check it out here. If you dine here during the afternoons, you can expect to catch some live holiday music as well!
Dinner: Refuge Bar and Bistro | 24 Waterway Ave #110, The Woodlands, TX 77380
During the evenings, I suggest checking out Refuge Bar & Bistro – which gives a luxury antique cabin vibe when you dine-in. I enjoyed the intimate setting where you get to know the servers and staff, and I especially love their drink and dinner menu. I personally recommend the charcuterie board, macaroni and cheese pot pie, and their seasonal speciality drinks. For more of their menu, click here. After dinner, you can also walk around The Woodlands Waterway at night to see their holiday night light show!
Have any more questions about The Woodlands? Let me know in the comments below! Feel free to recommend me your favorite spots at The Woodlands as well! Thank you to Visit The Woodlands again for sponsoring this travel guide! As always, you can always keep up with my travel content by following me on social media:
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Until next time!
LOVE all of the spots you recommend, Reesa!!
Thank you for touring our wonderful Woodlands!
-Cindy Rendon