Woodlands Resort and Conference Center, The Woodlands

There may be no place like home, but I’d rather be at The Woodlands Resort!  We just returned from a terrific, stress-free weekend at the resort, and as I struggle with the daily chores of getting the kids to school, cleaning house, etc. I can’t help but reminisce about our perfect weekend!

It really was just perfect, and although I’m not one to sit around, ever, I did find myself taking a few moments to just soak it all in!

I’m ALWAYS getting asked about the best resorts to visit, and The Woodlands Resort shouldn’t be missed!  Having just completed a $60-million expansion and renovation, which included the addition of over 170 new rooms, lazy river and Robard’s steakhouse restaurant, almost everything is NEW and amazing!

Check out My Mommy Tips for making the most of your weekend.

 1.  Know Before You Go

Check out their packages before you make a room reservation.  Click HERE for a list.

There are plenty of nearby stores in The Woodlands if you forget anything from home!

2.   Rooms

We were thrilled with our room, which came with a mini-fridge, all our favorite channels, and wifi (so I can write this)!  We were on the third floor, and my 7 year old son loved our balcony that overlooked the pool!  He actually asked if he could sleep out there!

There is an additional charge for first floor rooms with a walkout to the pool, but if you have little kids who will be coming and going, it’s definitely worth the money.

This picture is from the resorts website, but it’s identical to our room, except we had 2 queen beds.

I’ve made a mental note that in the future to NEVER let the kids in the room until I’ve taken all the pictures I need, because within seconds the bed and floor was littered in clothes, books and a teddy bear!

3.  Forest Oasis Waterscape

Of course, this is where we spent most of our time!  Full use of the Forest Oasis Waterscape is included with all room rates.  I loved that you don’t have to wear an arm band, or worry about it getting lost to enter.

There are no lifeguards at the pool, so be sure to bring floatation devices for younger/weaker swimmers.

The tower has 2 twisting slides, that let out at the base of the waterfall!

Lazy River

Well, it’s not that lazy.  The wave system lets you ride a few gentle waves as you make your way around!  You can also take a break and ride down another slide!  Tubes are furnished at no additional charge!

Water fun

It was easy for my kids to get a game of volleyball going with the other kids in the pool!  The Resort supplies the balls.  There is also a basketball goal and out of the water, they had a ping pong table!

On weekends, there are always special activities going on at the pool for kids!  We got free snowcones and on Sunday they were giving out water squirters and had an art table open for kids to make a Mother’s Day card.

Toddler Pool & Spash Pad

Cool Water Cafe

Order snacks, lunch or the “I woke up late” breakfast, as well a variety of drinks for kids and adults, and eat pool side.

Outside food and drinks are not allowed.

Hot Tub

I had visions of an after dinner soak in the hot tub with just me and the hubby, or just me and a book, but that didn’t happen.  Ever.  It’s on my bucket list.

Waterfall

This is my favorite part of the pool, because I really enjoy swimming in deeper water.  There is a ledge to sit on and just let the water beat down on your head and shoulders.  It feels just like an escape to Hamilton Pool, but without all the little pebbles hitting you on the head.

There is another pool at the main building where you check in, and it has a toddler pool and the main pool goes to 11′!  It was a perfect place for an early morning swim!

Scavenger Hunt Game

There are cute sea-life murals on the bottom of the pool.  You can pick up a scavenger hunt game at the Cool Water Cafe to search for different things in the murals, then turn it in for a fun prize!

Relax

See the chair next to the umbrella, opposite the tubes?  I took about a 20 minute nap there while the kids and hubby did the lazy river.  After a busy morning of kayaking on Lake Woodlands, it was so nice!

4.  Golf

The entire weekend, all the hubby spoke of was golf!  He got out on the course early Saturday morning, and then talked about going back the entire rest of the trip.

Check out the Golf Packages before making a reservation.

Schedule your tee time well in advance of your trip.

Dress code is enforced on the course and practice areas.

I tried to be a good wife and act as his caddy for a bit, just so I could drive the golf cart.  Soon enough though, I abandoned him to go play with the kids.

5.  Tennis Center

After months of trying to find a new activity that my hubby and I could commit to doing together once a week, we decided on tennis.  Neither of us are any good, but we are having a great time laughing at each other as we try to, and usually don’t, hit the ball.

So, of course we had to take the racquets and try out the resort’s Tennis Center.   They have over 20 courts, some are clay, some are hard court and there are even indoor courts.  We didn’t know the difference, and played both, deciding we really like the clay court, even if it was just for something different than the hard court we play on at home.

The Tennis Center also rents racquets and ball machines, and offers lessons from their pro.  To read more about the Tennis Center, please click HERE.

6.  Fitness Center

Open 24/7, the fitness center offers cardio machines and free weights.  Each morning of our stay I intended to go use the treadmill, just so I could say I did, but it was hard to pass up the chance to walk the 5K running trail that circles the golf course.  It was heaven under the pines on the cool, spring mornings.  There is also a 3K trail.

7.  Bike Rentals

The resort offers bicycles for rent to enjoy the over 200 miles of trails in The Woodlands.  I was surprised that they even had a bike small enough for my 7-year-old.  You can bring your own child seat or trailer, or smaller bike with training wheels.

We had an incredible ride on a nature trail near the resort, dodging several suicidal young squirrels who just sat in the trail watching us approach!

Bring helmets, as the resort does not supply them.

7.  Fire Pits

We were returning from dinner one night, just as a family was packing up from making smores at one of the fire pits and offered us their unopened left-overs and skewers!  The kids had a great time, and we enjoyed just relaxing by the fire for a bit.

8.  Dining

We stayed over Mother’s Day weekend, and on Sunday they offered a Mother’s Day Brunch that was absolutely amazing!  Maybe it was the Mimosas, but I didn’t take any pictures of the buffet, and that’s really a shame.

The rest of the year, they offer a Grand Breakfast Buffet daily from 6:00am – 10:30pm.

Grab a table on the patio with terrific views of the falls, lake and golf course.

9.  Geocaching

Our family loves geocaching, and were thrilled to learn that there is a geocache hidden on the resort.  It’s a Whereigo, which is a harder geocache than most, and uses your phone or GPS device a little differently than a traditional geocache.  Although we didn’t find it, we had fun looking, and learned how whereigos work, so we’ll be ready for the next one!

There are at least a hundred traditional geocaches hidden in throughout The Woodlands!  We only wished we had more time to go out and find them!

Don’t know about geocaching?  It’s a great outdoor activity, and really fun for the entire family!  Similar to a treasure hunt, you search for hidden caches using your smart phone or GPS.  Click HERE to read more at geocaching.com, or download a free ap and get started!

Want to learn more about Whereigo?  Click HERE to visit their website!

10.  More to do in the Woodlands

Although it’s tempting to never leave the resort, there’s a whole world out there to explore, and the town of The Woodlands has much to offer!

Riva Row Boat House

Rent a kayak, or starting in June, 2015 a paddleboard and explore Lake Woodlands!

We took out 2 kayaks, and had a terrific time!  You can stay in the canal or venture out across the lake to play and picnic at Northshore Park,  or paddle around Mitchell Island, known for it’s wildlife and wintering Bald Eagles!

I was so excited as we were coming out of the island, a lone Bald Eagle flew over our heads with a fish dangling from it’s talons!  Of course, I totally forgot to take a picture, but some moments are better spent just watching them unfold!

It’s a completely different way to see The Woodlands!  Contact Riva Row Boat House at  (281) 210-3965 for more information!

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion

Home to some of the biggest concerts and the Houston Symphony during the summer.  Click HERE to visit their website and see upcoming shows!

Market Street

Market Street is an upscale shopping destination, with boutique shops and eateries.  Tommy Bahamas has a terrific outdoor patio that looks out onto Central Park.  Central Park offers a splash pad for kids and seasonal concerts.  The smaller, retro Cinemark Theater offers more big box office movies and the more obscure, indy films, as well as children’s movies.  Cinemark offers special pricing on Tuesdays.

Click HERE to visit the Market Street website.

The Woodlands Mall

Click HERE to find your favorite store or restaurant, or to explore a new one!

The Woodlands Waterway Cruiser

This unique public transportation system takes you around The Woodlands Mall to different stops, and all the way to Town Green Park.  A $5 fare, or $2.50 for children and seniors is an all day pass to ride.  Choose a destination, or simply sit back and enjoy the cruise!

Click HERE to visit the website for hours and a map.

11.  Nearby Attractions

With the Woodlands being only 30 minutes from Downtown Houston,  it’s the perfect get-a-way with opportunities for day trips into H-town!

Forget fighting the traffic and sit back and ride into the Houston using the Park and Ride.  The Houston Museum District and Houston Zoo are all centrally located, and the Houston Zoo and Houston Children’s Museum are only 1 mile apart.

For more information on Park & Ride, click HERE.

Old Town Spring

Endless shopping, dining and even a ghost tour await you in Old Town Spring!  Located just 12 minutes from The Woodlands Resort, it’s an adventure just waiting to happen!

Click HERE to visit their website.

Showboat Drive In Theater

Located 24 miles away in Hockley, the Showboat offers first run movies, double features and a chance to make some terrific family memories.

Click HERE to visit their website.

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The Woodland Resort and Conference Center

2301 N. Millbend Drive
The Woodlands, Texas, 77380

281.367.1100

Click HERE to visit their website.

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Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun! 

Michelle 

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