Towering pine timber, forested lands, and lakefront thrills await in Conroe, a quiet retreat about 45 minutes north of Texas’ largest metropolis of Houston. Take a stroll via the walkable downtown space filled with eateries, nightlife, retailers, artwork galleries, and theaters, after which head into nature, the place the actual journey begins within the type of water actions, climbing, birdwatching, and extra.
Lake Conroe
At 22,000 acres and with 156 miles of shoreline, Lake Conroe is an aquatic playground. Calm down on its shores with a superb ebook and a cocktail, or take to the open water for paddling, boating, fishing, and watersports. Reel in a record-size largemouth bass, or head out with a fishing guide to search for bass and different fish resembling black and white crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill.
A number of marinas are on the lake, making it simple to gas up, seize some bait, or a chew to eat earlier than heading again out onto the water. Don’t have your individual vessel? Lease a non-public boat, jet ski, kayak, or canoe from 1097 Watersports and spend the day exploring Lake Conroe as you want. North Lake Conroe Paddling Company additionally rents kayaks, and their waterfront location means it’s simple to get straight into your journey.
For extra water-based leisure and celebration, try Cruisin’ Tikis, which presents raft-based tiki huts full with a floating bar that help you calm down whereas sipping your favourite drink. Southern Empress Cruises, a 131-foot paddle-wheeler boat, presents romantic dinner cruises on Lake Conroe, with scrumptious eating, drinks, and dancing. And Waterpoint Marina’s Little Palm yacht additionally presents dinner cruises, sundown cruises, and extra.
Texas Tidbit: Other than the Lake Conroe Dinner Cruise, Southern Empress Cruises presents an array of different journeys, together with a lunch cruise, cocktail cruise, and even a homicide thriller cruise.
Sam Houston Nationwide Forest
Again on land, lace up your climbing sneakers and hit the paths at Sam Houston National Forest, one among solely 4 nationwide forests in Texas. This forest incorporates greater than 163,000 acres and the Lone Star Mountain climbing Path, a 128-mile path that’s the longest wilderness footpath in Texas, with three main sections operating via Conroe.
Tenting is obtainable within the forest at Cagle, Double Lake, and Stubblefield Recreation Areas. Canoes and paddle boats might be rented on the concession stand at Double Lake, which is stocked with bass, catfish, and bream for fishing.
Sam Houston Nationwide Forest additionally has 85 miles of multi-use trails for horseback driving, biking, climbing, and off-highways autos. For wildlife watching, maintain your eyes open for deer, squirrels, bullfrogs, quail, doves, turkey, foxes, and geese.
Texas Tidbit: Hikers love to go to the Lone Star Mountain climbing Path throughout spring and winter months as a way to keep away from excessive Texas warmth.
William Goodrich Jones State Forest
Simply south of the city of Conroe, W.G. Jones State Forest is likely one of the nation’s largest working city forests. About 80,000 folks a yr go to the forest, and it’s acknowledged by the American Chook Conservancy as one of many 500 most essential areas in North America.
The forest is dwelling to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, and is likely one of the few locations left to see this enigmatic black and white fowl. Carry your binoculars and see if you happen to can spot this woodpecker, which creates cavities in dwell pine timber to roost and nest. From March 15 via July 15, nesting areas are closed to restrict disturbance and supply a greater nesting habitat for the birds.
Geocaching, a health path, fishing, picnicking, horseback driving, climbing, demonstration gardens and rising areas are additionally out there all through the forest.
Margaritaville Lake Resort
After all your land and water pursuits, head to Margaritaville Lake Resort on the shores of Lake Conroe for a little bit of island-centric R&R. The Jimmy Buffett-inspired resort presents 303 suites and 32 waterfront cottages, plus a number of bars and eating places throughout the property.
Take the household to the resort’s 3.5-acre waterpark for slides, a lazy river, splash pad, 5 swimming swimming pools, and two scorching tubs, or break free for a spherical of golf at The Golf Membership, an 18-hole course meandering via tall pines, seashores, and waterfalls. St. Someplace Spa presents face and physique therapeutic massage remedies for the last word in leisure, and for a little bit of train, the resort presents tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a health middle.
Wish to get out on the water? Lease a ship, paddleboard, or pedal boat from Einstein’s Surf and Boat Shop, positioned on the resort. For eating, License to Chill is open all day lengthy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves informal fare resembling salads, wraps, and killer cocktails. Don’t miss a spherical of drinks on the 5 O’Clock Someplace swim-up pool bar, and an evening of dwell music and dancing at Boathouse Bar and Lounge.
Texas Tidbit: By Labor Day, the resort presents a two-hour sundown cruise round Lake Conroe aboard a tiki hut celebration barge. Guide your tickets by contacting Einstein’s Surf and Boat Store.
Whether or not you’re there for an extended weekend or a weeklong retreat from the calls for of actuality, Conroe will depart you feeling refreshed, relaxed, and naturally impressed.
