The Nature Center is open Tuesday through Saturday 9am-4pm. The center offers a variety of educational programs and activities for all ages. Inside there are aquariums and cages that house a variety of live animals for visitors to observe. Outside the center are areas with picnic tables and access to Bluegill Pond and many nature trails. There are water fountains and restrooms inside and outside the center with changing tables.
Beach Access from a nature trailA few of many habitats for reptiles Reading nook and activity centerPicnic Tables bring the nature center
Take advantage of the many outdoor areas of the Nature Center. The pond is great for fishing or observing nature. A neighborhood playground is located on the opposite side of the pond from the nature center making it a perfect rest stop for young nature observers.
Blue Gill Pond
The Spring Creek Greenway is a 12,000 acre conservation project that stretches from FM 2978 to US HWY 59. The Greenway project allows everyone to discover the beauty of biodiversity, the fun of outdoor recreation, and the importance of their conservation efforts. Walk, jog or bike the many trails covering the preserve.
Nature trail map, also available inside with a scavenger hunt.
We attended our first in-person event of 2021 a few days before the Valentine’s Day weekend and a week before the Texas Snow Storm that is sure to be in history books. We represented our real estate business by partnering with some amazing small business owners that are local to our area of Spring and The Woodlands.
The event was a Hormone Seminar sponsored by Dr. Beth Cook owner of The Wellness Way in Spring. The guest speaker was author and Wellness Way founder Dr. Patrick Flynn. His book “I Disagree” was the focal point of the seminar. Nearly one hundred guests were in attendance that had driven in town from all over Texas and even a few families from Arkansas. We were impressed to discover how loved Dr. Flynn was and his philosophy on health. To have dedicated fans drive hundreds of miles with the threat of dangerous weather gave us cause to listen and participate with an open mind.
Ryan and Venice Williams
This has been the first event of this type that we have attended and I was so excited that Dr. Beth encouraged the attendees to visit each vendor by offering door prizes to those that completed a vendor punch card. This was such a smart idea and worthy of our attendance as vendors again. Although we were representing ourselves as a realtor team, the real prize was the amazing giveaways donated to us by our partnering vendors. We were able to collect well over $300 in prizes for a lucky winner that was attending the Hormone Wellness seminar. Thank you so much to our following vendors:
Descriptions and Links below, numbered from left to right.
Sara Jensen Photogrpahy: Sara currently offers family, maternity, newborn, senior, lifestyle and branding. Check out her work and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
Mommy and Me Designs: Jennifer Beale and daughter Bre work together to create custom designs on stainless steel commuter mugs. Money raised from their products is used to pay for ongoing therapies and equipment needed for Bre’a unique abilities and challenges.
Diane LaDuca is a Juice Plus representative, she believes that a healthy lifestyle can be delicious. Connect with her on Facebook.
Francine Romeo: Color Street representative. Easy, long-lasting mani-pedis at home. Connect with her on Facebook or join her Facebook group Manipedime. If you are local, she delivers!
The Good Stuff: Jana Lennon with her husband owns and operates a gorgeous floral farm in Conroe. Pick your own flowers and make beautiful bouquets a when you visit her farm. She also sells produce such as purple hull peas and strawberries. Her flower fields open in May. Follow her on Facebook and check out her gorgeous flowers. She has just recently opened up a wedding venue on the property.
Satori Sanctuaries also knows as Oak Hill Spa and Garden: Shannon Quinn offered an alternative way to learn and have your child immersed in organic gardening. They also offer archery and survival class. Check them out on Facebook.
Mommy Taxi: Get help with taking and picking up your school aged children to school and after school activities. Connect with Tonia RolleJones and allow her to help you manage your childrens’ taxi needs. Connect with her on Facebook.
Neora Fit: Sherri Buchardt Minch is an Elite Director and Neora Fit and wants to help you obtain the body and lifestyle you deserve. Connect with her on Facebook.
Purpose Restored Counseling: Carla Litzsey is a licensed professional counselor that restores purpose in broken people. Connect with her on Facebook.
Congratulations to the lucky winner and we are so pleased that you are able to take your wellness journey even farther by supporting these businesses that advocate a healthy lifestyle.
Follow Dr. Beth Cook for valuable health information on Instagram or Facebook. Check out her website for information on webinars or to schedule a consultation.
There are a few things my family and I love to do more than anything play outside, picnic and go on a nature walk. When you add the convenience of a restroom you have the makings of fun day of adventure. Here are a few places you should visit that bring a day at the park to the next level in and around The Woodlands/Spring area.
1. Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center– located off 99 and Riley Fuzzel road this is one of our favorite places to meet friends for a picnic, spend the day in nature and learn about plants and animals native to the area. There are restrooms located inside and outside the facility. The facility is open from 9am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday. We start our day with taking a short walk around the pond located just a short distance from the nature center. They have built a new observation deck off the trail. The walk around the pond is stroller friendly for all terrain tires. If there has been rain expect puddles and mud. The trail circles the pond and also leads to other trails that lead to sandy beaches by Spring Creek. The cool thing about the pond trail is that half way through there are benches and park. The pond is in the neighborhood of Spring Trails. There are also tall wooden tables that can be used for stopping to sketch the scenery or to observe plants or any findings that you may have picked up on your walk. We head back to the nature center, grab out picnics and meet behind the nature center to enjoy a lunch out on the beautiful deck surrounded by flowering plants and trees. A few tables are covered in case of rainy weather. Inside the nature center there are coloring pages, books, and aquariums of live animals. We could spend hours drawing and observing the reptiles and other creatures living at the center. The staff is very friendly and always around to answer questions. This place does not disappoint. Check their website or Facebook for activities.
2. Town Green, Waterway and Koi Pond– If you are just looking for a walk with pretty scenery and fun sites this is the place. The restrooms are located off Lake Robins Road at the brick structure that serves as an entrance to the Town Green space. There is also a trolley stop here and across the street at H‑E‑B. There is free parking across the street at the Market Street parking garage or in the parking lot off Riva Row which is where the kayak rental facility is located. There is also an additional parking garage at the corner of Six Pines and Lake Robbins near the Cynthia Woods Pavillon. We enjoy starting our day by grabbing a $10 pizza at H‑E‑B and walking to Town Green across Lake Robbins Drive. We use the restrooms, wash hands and picnic on the green space or on a nearby bench. The labyrinth maze is a fun place to picnic. There is a mini amphitheater at the end of the maze and stories to read along the way. From there we take pictures of fun art benches and structures and walk around the water towards the fountains and continue on the walkway on the opposite side of the pavilion. The koi pond is a short walk located across the waterway from the Marriott Hotel. This hidden space is a fun stop to see the fish. Find a trolley stop to take you around the waterway, by The Woodlands Mall and around Hughes Landing. Stroller and wheel friendly!
This site is produced by Ryan Williams-Realtor, The Woodlands/ Spring/ Conroe. Looking to Buy, Sell or Rent, we are here to help!
3. Burroughs Park- This is such a beautiful park with so many playground structures my children stay very entertained. There are swings, a walking path around the pond as well as a wooden deck to fish and observe the water. There are also hiking trails that lead through the woods, numerous picnic tables and a pavilion near the restrooms. My favorite part about this park is the openness of the area, large mature shade trees and the many playground structures. There are also volleyball courts, soccer fields and a dog park. Stroller and wheel friendly with the exception of the nature trails through the woods.
There are many more that we will add to this post. Comment with any parks or trails we should cover!
A new park just opened near the master planned community of Creekside. There is no shortage of outdoor play space in the city of The Woodlands, Texas or its surrounding communities. The township has over 140 parks that are all operated and maintained by the city.
The newest addition to The Woodlands/Klein area has been Pine Cove Park which features a large wooden play structure, two large tube slides, two small slides and saucer swings. The large play structure is netted for safety.
The new park also has a turf lawn leading to a pavilion and picnic area with family restrooms and hands free toilets, sinks and soap.
Pine Cove Park does have a parking lot along with a basketball court, concrete ping pong and foosball tables.
My family and I visited The Sanctuary Blueberry Farm in Conroe on Memorial Day to the start of their blueberry picking season. Blueberries were ripe the evening was cool and we came away with more than just delicious summer fruit.
Dr. Tom Reed and his wife bought their 15 acre farm in Conroe to continue their healthy lifestyle journey. They wanted to grow their own pesticide free vegetables and enjoy the benefits of living on a large property. Their dream of country living turned into a mission to share their knowledge of natural wellness and healing to their community and the world by their blueberry farm that is open to the public and through the pages of Dr. Reed’s book.
Dr. Tom Reed is a MD by trade. At heart of that career is a desire to help people. His inclination for research and curiosity led him to spend 15 years writing the most eye opening book that has ever touched my fingers. “Your Health has been Hijacked and It’s High Time to Take it Back!” has thrown fuel on a flame that has been burning inside of me for years now. I have a desire to make my family as healthy as I can. I don’t necessarily believe that many doctors are willing to truly counsel individual patients on how to live a healthy lifestyle for various reasons. After all, it is a lifestyle choice, not a magic pill or three or ten. They are experts in healing us when we are the most ill. Do they try to keep us healthy in the long run? Do they have time to actually consult every single patient on the intricacies of their lifestyle, consumption of products, food, exercise habits, and natural healing? I think once most of us are the point when we need to see a doctor, it’s a results of poor lifestyles decisions. Of course there are outliers, genetic issues, and chronic illnesses. These aren’t most people. Dr. Reed’s research can also help in some of those situations as well. Dr. Reed made too much sense as I spoke to him at his blueberry farm in Conroe Texas. If you want to learn more about Dr. Reed check him out here. I spent hours upon hours dissecting his book to create my own guide to remind me what to order for my family from household products to food to essential oils. Feel free to take look at my summary in the link below. It would be beneficial to get his book here or on Amazon so that you can see for yourself all 545 references cited and the extraordinary work that has been completed. There are actually more references than pages in the book! I’m not a Doctor, nor do I play one on the internet. Enjoy!
My family and I love the outdoors. We would rather be outside than anywhere else in the world. My daughters have become very spoiled by the parks in our area. The Woodlands is known for their master planned community surrounded by trees and water systems. Their attention to outdoor spaces, hiking trails and community make The Woodlands one of my favorite places I have lived.
Jagged Ridge Park is located in the Creekside neighborhood. My favorite part about this park is the tall trees that give perfect shade but still allow for cool breezes. In Texas, you learn how to survive heat and find the cool places to hangout outside. Staying inside is not on option for us when it’s sunny. There is also a covered pavilion with picnic tables that can be reserved for parties. Call The Woodlands Township for more information. The only negative about this park is that there are not any restrooms.
201 New Harmony Trail, Spring, TX 77389
Not far from the park, lies a large creek with sidewalks also shaded.
When it comes to suburbs, Houston has many to choose from. In a recent article in niche.com the 2019 Best Suburbs to Live in Texas, Greatwood, Cinco Ranch and New Territory made the top three, all located in Houston. The list from Niche.com rates the top places to live, work and attend college in the United States. The top suburb list was based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. Houston not only takes the top three spots on this list but also spots number five, The Woodlands and seven, Sugarland.
It is not a secret that Houston is a great place to live. Houston is also home to top rated sports venues, a wide range of museums and an epicenter of foodie finds. Houston is home to the Johnson Space Center (NASA) and the much anticipated Houston Livestock Shot and Rodeo.
We are true Texans and we love our state. We hope to share things that make you love it too.
Our names are Ryan and Venice Williams. We have been married for ten years and are parents to three beautiful girls. We were both born and raised in Texas, we met and started dating in our Texas hometown of Lufkin near Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Our parents and some friends still reside there and we visit them often. We have lived in College Station while attending Texas A&M, Arlington and now Houston, Texas. We have visited nearly every edge of the state and are still discovering so many amazing things.
We have a love for music, anything outdoors including parks, camping and road trips! We started this blog as a way to share with our friends the many family fun places to visit in Texas and local spots in our current city of The Woodlands. We also highlight small businesses to show our support for the town we love and call home
The entire city of Houston has so many points of interest including top rated museums, parks and yearly events that attract visitors from all over the country. Whether it is rodeos or Renaissance that you are interested in, we share insider tips on how to best enjoy special events from what gear to bring or not bring, where to park and even what to wear! Visiting new places can be exciting but very challenging with children. We would love your suggestions on what else we should cover.
Texas Living?
We want to be a resource for our newest Texans, from where to live, where to shop and what to do for fun.
We want to bring you the latest information on new events and ratings on schools, hospitals, neighborhoods and restaurants.
Looking to buy or rent in The Woodlands are surrounding area? We would love to help you find your next home.
Venice is a stay at homeschooling mom who works as an online Marketing Strategist for small businesses.
Ryan is a Stephen F. Austin graduate and works as a Real Estate agent who specializes in The Woodlands, Spring and Conroe area.
Home Sweet Houston 