Eddie and Cody Wright

Fourth of July Celebration

Posted in: Ways To Play
Tags: july 4th, independence day, red hot & blue, the woodlands, fireworks,

The Woodlands annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival will be held Sunday, July 4 from 6 - 10 p.m at Town Green Park and Waterway Square, both located along The Woodlands Waterway.

The festival will feature live music, face painting, strolling performers, games, H-E-B Hot Dog and Watermelon Eating contests, vendor booths, concessions and more. Admission to the festival is free.

The Red, Hot & Blue Festival will present one of the largest fireworks displays in the Houston area, a 23-minute explosion of colors to be simulcast on Sunny 99.1. The fireworks display is expected to start at dusk (between 9:15 – 9:30 p.m.). Some say The Woodlands Waterway offers the best spot to watch the fireworks extravaganza. Don’t forget to grab a blanket or lawn chair.

Before the fireworks, enjoy a full evening of entertainment on the Town Green Park Stage which will start at 6 p.m. with highlighted by live performances from the music group, Cold Shot. Enjoy free balloon artists and strolling entertainers along with inflatable slides and vendors. Town Green Park also will be home for this year’s H-E-B Hot Dog and Watermelon Eating contests, both starting at 6:30 p.m.

Over at nearby Waterway Square, enjoy the live sounds of Fidelity Maxx starting at 6 pm ... Plus, all of the fun of free balloon artists and strolling entertainers.

While much of the celebration focuses on July 4, The Woodlands will celebrate America’s Independence with an entire weekend full of events.

On Friday, July 2, The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau kicks off its Summer Nights series at Waterway Square from 6 - 8 p.m. with great live entertainment. Bring blankets, chairs … and why not pack a picnic too!

On Saturday, July 3, come to Market Street for the Fourth of July parade starting at 9 am. The celebration continues later that evening when the Houston Symphony performs its Star-Spangled Salute, a free concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion starting a 8 p.m.

If you are spending the weekend with us, expect lots of fun activities and appearances by Muffie the Clown and award winning balloon artist Michael Crayton.

Big Mouth Billy Bass

Posted in: Ways To Play
Tags: father's day

The National Retail Federation released a study that the average person will spend $94.32 on dad for Father’s Day … almost $5 billion less than that spent on Mother’s Day.

Let's be honest, there are some gifts that just miss the mark. Ties and socks or a singing “Big Mouth Billy Bass” come to mind. But if your dad is like my dad, he’ll probably smile and say thanks just the same.

Whether you spoil him with lots of gifts or show your love with a simple gesture, the whole idea of Father’s Day is to simply make dad feel appreciated.

If golf is his game, a quiet afternoon watching the U.S. Open is a good option. Or, you can buy dad a swanky new shirt and a pair of casual slacks at Texas’ first Bobby Chan, which recently opened at Market Street between Cru and Sur La Table. Wine aficionados might enjoy a wine tasting experience with winemaker Dr. Frederick Frank, founder of the Vinifera Wine Cellars. Part of The Woodlands Wine & Food Week, this event starts Sunday at 2 p.m. and includes a leisurely water taxi ride along The Woodlands Waterway.

So dads, what are the best and worst gifts you’ve received for Father’s Day?
 

The Great Outdoors

Posted in: Ways To Play
Tags: riva row boat house, george mitchell nature preserve, lake woodlands, kayaking, bike trails

If you love exploring nature and enjoying the outdoors there are plenty of opportunities to do just that around The Woodlands.

Our resort is connected to 180 miles of hike and bike trails where you’ll find plenty of lakes, ponds and forested parks with playgrounds along the way. Rent a bicycle from our Concierge and pedal over to The Woodlands Town Center and down the Waterway.

Or, take a leisurely nature hike among the trees in the 1,700-acre George Mitchell Nature Preserve. You might spy a variety of birds along the way. In fact, over 200 species of birds have been spotted in The Woodlands including American Bald Eagles.

For a different perspective on The Woodlands, try a kayaking adventure on the 200-acre Lake Woodlands. Stop by Riva Row Boat House to rent single and tandem kayaks by the hour or for the entire day. Paddles and life jackets are included in the rental fee. Paddle over to Tea Cup Island and past the fire-breathing green dragon. The artwork, officially titled “Rise of the Midgard Serpent,” has been a fixture at the lake for 25 years.
 

Just Do It!!

Posted in: Guest View
Tags: family, getaway, close to home, houston, woodlands resort, travel, vacation, waterslides, pools

We were looking for a quick cozy getaway for our immediate family and we could not have picked anything better! This resort is 30 minutes from our home, but when you are there you really feel like you are far away from it all!

This is a place for everyone...couples, family, friends, golfers, spa seekers, fitness fiends, wedding parties, even a "girls night (make it a weekend!) out"!

The rooms are nice and roomy and you can stay in a forest setting or by the main pool area... I emphasize MAIN pool, because there are many of them scattered on the grounds (so if you want more privacy you WILL find it!). There are shuttles to take you all over the grounds, so you don't have to walk long distances if you don't want to. Most likely you will want to walk because the grounds are so serene and beautiful.

The main pool has a great waterslide and underwater ocean murals. There is also a  dancing fountain and another large pool. The Cool Water Cafe serves great sandwiches and snacks. The kids get a HUGE chocolate chip cookie with their meal... and they are really tasty! The pool staff keeps the kids busy with games and crafts. They also bring around orange slices and frozen grapes! AND they have a poolside band on certain days and a Dive In Movie night! Too much fun!

The food in the restaurants is very good, much better than you would expect... the breakfast buffet is a must! Besides the usual, there is eggs benedict, belgian waffles, fresh omelets, delicious fresh squeezed o.j., a fresh variety of fruit... and my favorite (along with the eggs benedict!) was the serve yourself bowl of granola! Delicious!

The Woodlands Market Street and Mall is just a 5 min drive away and you can shop, hang out and eat at Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang's, Tommy Bahamas, Jasper's, Grotto, Landry's and several others.

Have I convinced you yet?! I know I am definitely going back!

And to The Woodlands Resort staff: Please don't change what you are doing! You are doing it all right, so please keep it up!

Weekend Happenings

Posted in: Ways To Play
Tags: dive-in movies, barbecue, live concert, the woodlands, waterway square

Visiting The Woodlands this weekend? Check out “Movie Night” at Waterway Square. Grab a blanket and tub of popcorn (chairs and coolers are allowed too) for “Little Rascals” showing Saturday, June 5 from 8 – 10 p.m. Mark your calendar for “Beethoven” on June 12.

Of course, you can stay by our resort pool and catch the dive-in movie, “Aliens in the Attic” starring Ashley Tisdale on June 5.

If you’ve got a hankering for some barbecue, stop by The Woodlands Dining Room tomorrow night for a delicious BBQ Buffet featuring brisket, pork spare ribs, sausage, chilled peel and eat shrimp and more. Plus, there’s a buffet for the little ones with kid-friendly favorites like mac and cheese, hamburgers and chicken fingers. Seatings are from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

On Sunday, June 6, catch a live concert from Level One Band at Northshore Park from 7 - 9 p.m. Soaking in the style of vintage Aretha Franklin, Motown, Disco, and Old School Funk, the band has developed a loyal following.
 

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

Posted in: Guest View
Tags: memorial day, bike trails, wildlife

The grounds were impeccably well kept. Every staff member was very accommodating and professional. Blaine offered amazing service while we were hanging out at the pool.  He even remembered our names and room number from the day before.  AMAZING.  You can compare the water slides to any water park. They were awesome. I was surprised at how well kept even the bike trails were.  The water fountains along the way were a nice surprise.  The bikes themselves were in great shape as well.  Most of the food was delicious and well priced. We enjoyed ordering from the lobby bar and eating on the patio overlooking the fountain. The wildlife affords many opportunities for great pictures at every turn. We have decided to make this our yearly destination as do many guests we talked to while we were there.