Beyond Downtown: North Houston’s Museums, Restaurants, Music Venues, & More

Downtown isn’t the only place to find great cultural opportunities.

In fact, as surprising as it may be, the North Houston suburbs abound with culture. From live music and art installations to museums, five-star dining and more, the Spring, Woodlands, and Conroe areas are rife with options for all ages and interests.

Museums & Art

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is the community’s premier event for art lovers. Hosted annually by The Woodlands Arts Council, the festival features an outdoor art gallery showcasing hundreds of artists from across the country. There’s also live entertainment, food, drink and hands-on art activities.
For the outdoor enthusiast, the Woodlands Waterway features an exciting exhibit of artistic benches starting at The Woodlands Mall down to Tom Green Park. The Arts Council adds more every year.

To get a taste of local art, stop by the Conroe Art League or the Glade Arts Foundation, which show off the work of artists from across North Houston and beyond. The facilities also offers educational classes and lessons to the public, as well as scholarships, public art projects and more.

Learn about the history of the area at the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County. Housed in a historic property just north of The Woodlands, the museum offers camps, educational exhibits, and a glimpse back in time. For locals with kids, the Woodlands Children’s Museum is a must-see, offering tons of hands-on fun and learning activities for toddlers and school-aged children.

Dining

Home to hundreds of restaurants, North Houston residents have access to every cuisine and cooking style they could imagine. Locally owned favorites include The Olive Oil, a Greek and Mediterranean style spot, and Corkscrew BBQ, a barbecue restaurant featured on the Travel Channel and in Southern Living, and Texas Monthly magazines.

Fine dining options like Perry’s Steakhouse, Truluck’s, or Hubbell & Hudson are top date-night spots, while the Woodlands Waterway area is home to dozens of dining choices, from casual and quaint to upscale and elegant. For those interested in wine or spirits, the GenuWine Tasting Room, and the Old Town Spring Tasting Room are popular choices.

Music & Live Entertainment

The North Houston community is home base for some of the city’s top performers and musicians. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – located in The Woodlands – is home to the Houston Symphony, the Houston Grand Operate, the Houston Ballet, and more. It also hosts both classic and contemporary performers in all genres, as well as touring comedians.

Dosey Doe, Baker Street Pub, and Main Street Crossing are other venues in the area that play host to a variety of musical artists, while The Woodlands Concert Band is a local favorite, performing throughout the area year round. Northshore Park – located in The Woodlands – also hosts a free Sunday night concert series with varying artists through the year.

For theater lovers, Stage Right Productions hails from nearby Conroe and presents a variety of shows and plays throughout the year. The Crighton Theater – a historic venue built in the 1930s – hosts live theater too, as well as presentations by the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society, Christian Youth Theatre and the Sounds of Texas Music Series.

Shopping

The Woodlands Mall is easily the area’s most popular shopping spot, offering access to stores both national and local. From clothes and furniture to athletic gear, books, and home décor, the mall boasts something for everyone. There’s even a Build-a-Bear Workshop for the kids and an Amazon Pop-up store, where shoppers can test Amazon products and electronics, as well as buy Amazon gift cards.

Old Town Spring is also a popular shopping area – particularly with those seeking vintage or antique finds. The area’s most historic district, Old Town Spring boasts a variety of quaint, cottage-like shops and boutiques you can’t find anywhere else.

The Woodlands’ Market Street district is another top spot for shopping. An open-air town square with more than 70 unique stores, it’s an ideal spot with weather is cool. A number of local restaurants – including a tapas bar and a sandwich shop – are located along the strip, too. Market Street’s Central Park often hosts live music, local artists and more throughout spring and fall.

Other Entertainment

Multiple movie theaters, arcades, bowling alleys and other family-friendly activities also line North Houston’s streets and highways. From bounce house facilities for the kids to laser tag, indoor skydiving, and trampoline parks, the area is full of options for residents of all ages. There’s even a drive-in theater and a pinball arcade to offer some throwback fun.

Learn More About North Houston Culture

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