We were looking for things to do up in North Houston, and here’s the top 10 things we think you should do!
- Race at Go Kart Raceway
- Swing Some Clubs at Houston National Golf Club
- Shop at The Woodlands Mall
- Wine Tasting at Our Noire Urban Wineries
- Learn About the Prison System at Texas Prison Museum
- Kayaking at Buffalo Bayou Park
- Enjoy an Aerial Adventure at Texas Treeventures
- Water Adventures at Lake Conroe
- Play and Learn at The Woodlands Children's Museum
- Get Up Close to Exotic Animals at TGR Exotics Wildlife Park
One day, I decided to take a trip to North Houston just to take a break from my usual spots around the busy city life. And let me tell you, a short drive up north did not disappoint!
I love how North Houston surprised me with some outdoor adventures, relaxing escapes, and family-friendly activities that can amp up our weekend plans.
Trust me, once you check out what we’ve explored, you’ll definitely want to join in!
1. Race at Go Kart Raceway
Media credit: @go_kartraceway
Website: https://gkraceway.com/
Address: 2800 W Mt Houston Rd, Houston, TX 77038
Contact Details: +1 281-447-7378
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
If you’re searching for a family-friendly activity in North Houston then you can consider spending time at Go Kart Raceway.
You and your family can enjoy riding go-karts at this half-a-mile track and feel like professional racers for a day. Those of you who like to host a party outdoors can also do that here at Go Kart Raceway.
Moreover, you can have a party corner at their patio area, complete with picnic tables and umbrellas to enjoy your birthday spread.
Don’t worry if it’s your first time driving the race karts, you’ll appreciate that the staff at Go Kart Raceway will assist and teach you safety and security. They will also stick around to look after you while you enjoy the tracks.
Aside from go-kart (go karting houston), you can also play with your family or friends at the laser tag arena or their 2-story game room complete with arcade games.
| Pro tip: No need for reservations at Go Kart Raceway as you can easily purchase go-kart tickets at the front counter. |
2. Swing Some Clubs at Houston National Golf Club
Media credit: @golfclubhouston
Website: http://www.houstonnationalgolf.com/
Address: 16500 Houston National Blvd #6908, Houston, TX 77095
Contact Details: +1 281-304-1400
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
If you want to play some tee in the northern part of Houston, you can invite your friends over to Houston National Golf Club. Here, you can enjoy their rolling hills view, making your playtime a more relaxing escape from the central business district.
What’s great about this golf course is that they have improved cart paths, which is a lot safer for guests.
And if you want to play at night, you’ll enjoy Houston National Golf Club’s lighted driving range.
For first-time golfers, you can avail of Houston National Golf Club’s private golf lessons from one of their veteran golf instructors.
| Pro tip: Consider booking directly at Houston National Golf Club as direct reservations will grant you a free burger and a beer! |
3. Shop at The Woodlands Mall
Media credit: @thewoodlandsmall
Website: https://www.thewoodlandsmall.com/en.html
Address: 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr #700, The Woodlands, TX 77380
Contact Details: +1 281-363-3363
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
For those of you who want to squeeze in some shopping while roaming around the northern part of Houston, then a stop at The Woodlands Mall is highly recommended.
Weekdays at The Woodlands Mall have a pretty decent crowd, so it’s better to schedule your mall visit then.
What’s great about The Woodlands Mall is that their two-story shopping facility is enclosed, allowing you to conveniently shop no matter the weather is outside.
Aside from shopping (shopping areas houston), you’ll love that The Woodlands Mall offers one of the best views of the sunset in Houston.
From the mall’s garage area, you can see how the water from the bayou outlines the skylight, and see the buildings reflect the rays of the sun.
| Pro tips: If you want a better view of the sunset, head to the car park and look for the bridge. Consider eating at The Woodlands Mall’s food court if you have kids in tow. This will allow them to enjoy the playground located nearby while you refuel and recharge at the food court. |
4. Wine Tasting at Our Noire Urban Wineries
Media credit: @purnoire
Website: http://www.purnoirewines.com/
Address: 802 Milam St Suite 103, Houston, TX 77002
Contact Details: +1 832-476-2974
Operating Hours: Wednesday – Thursday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Sunday: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
If you want to taste some fine wine straight from Napa Valley then a visit to Our Noire Urban Wineries is a must.
For those of you who aren’t wine enthusiasts yet, you’ll love how their enthusiastic sommelier will walk you through the wine scene—from their vineyard stories to how the wines were produced.
There’s also a dedicated wine tasting room where you can sample reds, whites, and other wine varieties available.
What’s great about them is that you can order their wines online, allowing non-Houstonian visitors to enjoy their new favorite vino.
| Pro tips: If you can’t decide on which wine to sample, consider availing Our Noire Urban Wineries’ variety sampling. This will let you taste what’s on top of their wine list, helping you decide which bottle to take home. While they offer charcuterie boards, Our Noire Urban Wineries has limited options when it comes to food pairings. So make sure you’re not hungry when you visit Our Noire Urban Wineries. |
5. Learn About the Prison System at Texas Prison Museum
Website: http://www.txprisonmuseum.org/
Address: 491 TX-75 N, Huntsville, TX 77320
Contact Details: +1 936-295-2155
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
If watching Prison Break isn’t enough for you then a visit to the Texas Prison Museum will surely be a fun activity when you’re in North Houston.
Here, you can get a glimpse of how the state prisoners lived while in this controlled facility.
Part of your tour at Texas Prison Museum is to go over the place’s history. You’ll also get the chance to feel like a warden and see how they operate behind the fences and walls.
There’s also a dedicated exhibit area where you can see old balls and chains used on the prisoners back then. You can even see the electric chair called Old Sparky, which was used for executions from 1924 to 1964.
You’ll also love spotting contraband items confiscated from the inmates, including weapons crafted by the prisoners.
And if you want something to take home from this trip, you can drop by their gift shop to buy handcrafted items or wearable merchandise to remind you of your visit to the Texas Prison Museum.
| Pro tip: Avail Texas Prison Museum’s interactive exhibit for a more hands-on perspective of prison life back then. Here, you can pretend like a prison guard or law enforcement for a day, allowing you to see how the criminal justice system works, |
6. Kayaking at Buffalo Bayou Park
Media credit: @buffalobayou
Website: https://buffalobayou.org/
Address: Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street between Allen Parkway and Memorial Dr, Houston, TX
Contact Details: +1 713-752-0314 ext. 301
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
For those of you who want a more relaxing and chill adventure in North Houston then a visit to Buffalo Bayou Park is a must.
One of my favorite outdoor activities here is kayaking, especially during sunset. You and your family can avail of a kayak tour with Buffalo Bayou Kayak Tours, ensuring you’re well-guided during your trip.
Meanwhile, if you wish to stay a bit longer, you can consider bringing some snacks and having a little picnic. You can either set up your tent or secure one of the picnic tables located in the park.
You can also take your furry friends here as they will surely enjoy mingling with other dogs at Buffalo Bayou’s dedicated dog park.
| Pro tip: There’s a skateboarding area located in Buffalo Bayou Park, so if you’re a skateboard enthusiast, don’t forget to bring your board so you can conveniently practice while enjoying the cool breeze at the park. |
7. Enjoy an Aerial Adventure at Texas Treeventures
Media credit: @txtreeventures
Website: https://texastreeventures.com/
Address: 6464 Creekside Forest Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77389
Contact Details: +1 281-210-2048
Operating Hours: Friday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you and your friends prefer a fun climb, then you should book your adventure at Texas Treeventures. What’s great about Texas Treeventures is that they can cater to different age groups and fitness levels, allowing you and the entire crew to enjoy your day here!
Before starting any course, you’ll be greeted by their welcoming staff. They will provide comprehensive briefings about the different obstacles as well as safety instructions inside the park.
You have the option of choosing which obstacles or ziplines to tackle, allowing you to select the adventure where you’re most comfortable.
But if you want to test your limits, you can always align with the dedicated staff, as they will suggest the obstacle courses appropriate for your skill level.
Meanwhile, if you need to take a break, there are water stations available throughout the area.
| Pro tip: Wearing gloves is highly recommended when tackling obstacles at Texas Treeventures. But should you forget to bring a pair, you can purchase a new set onsite for only $10. |
8. Water Adventures at Lake Conroe
Media credit: @theshoelessfish
Address: Lake Conroe Park, 14968 Highway 105, Montgomery
For those of you who crave a relaxing trip to North Houston, then Lake Conroe should be on top of your list.
Here, you can set up a little picnic area where you can just read a book or take a good afternoon nap. You can also invite your friends to try fishing in the area.
Meanwhile, if you want to squeeze in a little adventure at Lake Conroe, you can do that too! You can try different water sports with 1097 Watersports such as paddleboarding, kneeboarding, and jetskiing.
You can also rent a boat and get on a sunset pirate cruise where you can enjoy watching the sun go down while sailing.
| Pro tip: Party rentals are available at Lake Conroe. For a more family-friendly party venue, opt for the Party Deck Rental, allowing you and the young ones to celebrate at a deck near the lake. |
9. Play and Learn at The Woodlands Children’s Museum
Media credit: @thewoodlandscm
Website: http://woodlandschildrensmuseum.org/
Address: 4775 W Panther Creek Dr #280, The Woodlands, TX 77381
Contact Details: +1 281-465-0955
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Woodlands Children’s Museum is one of the great cooperative learning environments for kids where they can appreciate and learn about multicultural and multiethnic experiences around them.
If you want to educate your children at a young age, then a visit to the Woodlands Children’s Museum is a must!
You’ll love that The Woodlands Children’s Museum offers hands-on activities and exhibits that will encourage your kids to discover new things through exciting play with you or their guardians on their side.
| Pro tip: If you have younger kids in tow, you can take them to the Pretend Playhouse and Market located inside the Woodlands Children’s Museum, making them feel like a chef, a waiter, or a cashier in this realistic marketplace setting. |
10. Get Up Close to Exotic Animals at TGR Exotics Wildlife Park
Media credit: @tgrexotics
Website: http://www.tgrexotics.com/
Address: 22115 Sherrod Ln, Spring, TX 77389
Contact Details: +1 832-350-8807
Operating Hours: Monday, Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
For those of you who want to see exotic and endangered animals up close, then you shouldn’t miss a trip to TGR Exotics Wildlife Park.
Here, you get an opportunity to touch these animals, allowing you to interact and get to know them beyond just what you see or read in the books.
One of the crowd-favorite activities is the Sloth Encounter. Guests will have the chance to feed and pet the sloth for 15 minutes.
You can also take your kids here and enroll them in a 2-hour class that will help develop their critical thinking skills, especially when they’re outdoors.
And if you want to train your kids to be great scouts one day, you can consider going to TGR Exotics Wildlife Park every Sunday. A 30- to 45-minute program is curated for your kids, earning them scout badges towards the end.
| Pro tip: TGR Exotics Wildlife Park offers Zoo on the Go where they can set up a little zoo corner at a venue outside the zoo. This is a great touch to a birthday party, or even a school event. |
