Overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of nearby Houston sits The Woodlands. The Woodlands is known for being quite beautiful for a big city suburb. It’s filled with trees which creates an essence of nature throughout the whole area. 

The lovely Woodlands Resort sits on 350 acres of pristine surroundings and offers a plethora of things to do. The large property gives you the space to breathe and roam while at the same time having only a quick walk to get to all the amenities that the resort has to offer. 

The property is home to a full-blown waterpark – perfect for families and all who are children at heart, which includes a 30-ft water slide and 1,005-ft lazy river! Although summer is the ideal time for enjoyment, the pool area is heated and there is a hot tub for fun spent in the water all year long! There’s also a golf course, hiking trails, bike rentals, and a s’mores pit for limitless opportunities to enjoy the fresh woodlands air.

One of the great things about such a large property is the dining options. Adding to the outdoors theme, both restaurants, Harrisons and Back Table, have excellent outdoor seating options!

Harrisons is the perfect spot for breakfast. With their cute décor and aesthetically looking furniture, this is the perfect place to start your day. Their menu has a lot of hearty options that will give you the fuel you need to explore, including the Protein Power Bowl, which was my personal favorite.

Back Table Kitchen and Bar is the perfect spot for dinner or a fun nightcap. Either way, starting off the experience with a hand-crafted cocktail is a must-do, but goodluck because there are many options to choose from.  

One of the things that really stood out to me about this menu was the extended GF offerings, especially the appetizer offering of Fried Green Tomatoes (GF). The lack of flour didn’t take away from these yummy apps. The brussels sprouts (GF), were another app fan favorite. As far as the main courses go, the Grilled Salmon (GF) and the Cabernet Braised Short Rib (GF) are hard to turn down. Then you can wrap up the meal with the butterscotch cocktail – not as filling as an all-out dessert, and the perfect amount of sweet to tie the meal together. 

Wandering the Woodlands

Market Street is a fun area to explore. It includes a luxe shopping experience with some favorite spots like LuluLemon, Madewell and Alo Yoga. 

Although you can go to the movie theaters anywhere, Reel Luxury Cinemas adds the experience element to their theater, giving you more than just a movie. Throughout the film you can order from their fun menu that goes from apps, more filling options, and drinks! One of their main priorities is your comfort, providing blankets and luxurious seating options. The nature of the theater gives you the feeling that the viewing experience is just for you and your plus one! 

Experiential Dining Out on the Town 

Why just eat, when you can enjoy a meal and an experience at the same time? It’s the perfect recipe for memories that will last a lifetime. 

The Audrey, which is attached to Reel Luxury Cinemas, can be perfect for any occasion but especially for dining with the girlies. The pretty chairs and beautiful cocktails just scream girls outing. 

 A few things you must do to get the full Audrey experience is pick out a fun cocktail that fits your vibe and order the jumbo shrimp, with a presentation that does not disappoint. I’m not usually a salad gal, but I loved the House salad! It was not regular or boring in any way, and pair it with the truffle fries for the perfect mix of greenery and carbs. 

The way that I would describe Amrina is if you combined Indian food with a modern aesthetic and a sprinkle of luxury on top.

If you really want to experience the daring, the dazzling, and the eclectic that is Amrina, the Chef’s Table is for you. The Chef’s Table consists of a 6-16 course meal curated by Chef Jassi Bindra, which is enjoyed in a special table located in the kitchen. Truly a one of a kind experience! 

Your new favorite brunch spot: Postino. This fun spot is known for their Bruschetta boards which is a choose your own adventure of fun items to create the board of your dreams. Board & Bottle is every Monday and Tuesday after 8 p.m. which consists of a bottle of wine and bruschetta board for $25! 

They also have some super fun brunch cocktails that include the Killer Queen and the ‘lectric Eye. A few fun brunch options on the savory side are avocado toast and Meatball Shakshouka, which sounds out of this world, because it is. When it comes to the sweet side of things, the hot donut dots and “What the French” (monkey bread vibe) are non-negotiables. 

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Cover photo courtesy The Woodlands Resort

A lover of all things travel, pretty running trails and good coffee, Analise Flatt is newly graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University and is now pursuing a position as a FOCUS Missionary. Check out her Instagram to stay updated on her latest travel adventures.