One of my favorite finds when I moved to The Woodlands was the local publication, Houstonia Magazine.  They have great articles and wonderful local content, written in an interesting manner, which makes you want to come back for more.  In reading the December 2015 issue, I came across an article titled “65 Must-Do’s This Winter in Houston.”  What a great read – I highly encourage you to grab the issue yourself.  But if you are not inclined, I’ve pulled out some of my favorite items from their list:

 Gobble Up Galveston

Did you know that Galveston has an annual Restaurant Week?  The event actually runs from Jan 9-23.  Foodies can enjoy special prix fixe menus at most of the best restaurants on the island.  Check out www.GalvestonRestaurantWeek.com for more info!

Warm Beverages

I like to tell my friends and family from outside of Texas that we have three seasons: Hot, Hotter and Rainy.  However, we do get a small window where it is Chilly.  During those few sweet weeks, finding the best spot for hot cocoa or a hot toddy can be a welcome outing:

Hot Chocolate:
– Frozen hot chocolate – www.TheOriginalChocolateBar.com
– Hot masala chocolate – Kiran’s, 4100 Westheimer Road; www.KiransHouston.com
– Hot chocolate made from house-ground cocoa beans – Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer Road; www.HugosRestaurant.net

Hot Toddies:
– The Double Barrel Toddy – Arnaldo Richards’ Picos, 3601 Kirby Drive, www.Picos.net
– Mom’s Spiced Tea – Stone’s Throw, 1417 Westheimer Road; www.StonesThrowHouston.com
– Graverobber’s Grog – Voodoo Queen, 322 Milby Street

Enjoy being mosquito free

Even if only for a month or two!!

Get outside

To piggy back on the outdoors being less buggy (Houston ranks right up there at #4 for “buggiest” city), the winter climate in Houston begs for you to come outside, as long as there isn’t any rain.  There are beautiful parks that offer riding trails, kayaking and star-gazing, if you are into night exploring!

– Buffalo Bayou Park – 1800 Allen Parkway; www.BuffaloBayouPark.org
– Bayou City Adventures – 1520 Silver Street; www.BayouCityAdventures.org
– Discovery Green – 1500 McKinney Street; www.DiscoveryGreen.com
– Brazos Bend State Park – 21901 FM 762, Needville; www.BrazosBend.org
– Cross Houston – www.CrossHouston.com
– Terry Hershey Park – 15200 Memorial Drive; www.TerryHersheyPark.org
– Rob Fleming Nature Preserve – 6055 Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands; www.woodlandsevents.com
– Riva Row Boathouse – www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/

Ice Skating

Yes, I said it!  Texans love to ice skate.  The Woodlands is currently in the planning stages of a permanent ice skating structure, near the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.  Here are some other “cool” spots to get your skate on!

– Ice at the Galleria – 5015 Westheimer Road; www.IceAtTheGalleria.com
– Memorial City Mall – 303 Memorial City Way; www.SkateMemorialCity.com
– Aerodrome – 8220 Willow Place Drive N; www.Aredromes.com
– Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center – 16225 Lexington Boulevard; www.SugarLandIce.com
– The Ice at Discovery Green – 1500 McKinney Street; www.DiscoveryGreen.com/Ice
– The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center – 9606B Six Pines Drive; www.facebook.com/TheWoodlandsIceRink

Planting

Now is a great time to plant onions, lettuces, radishes, turnips, English peas, snap peas, beets, carrots & kale.  Gardeners can rejoice knowing the likelihood of freezes have passed.  Enjoy more temperate weather, with no fear of heat stroke!  Find a local nursery, like Cornelius Nursery in Houston (www.CorneliusNurseries.com) or The Arbor Gate in Tomball (http://www.arborgate.com/)

Cheer on the runners of the Chevron Houston Marathon

January 17 – visit www.ChevronHoustonMarathon.com for more details.

There is lots to love in Houston in the winter, and it sure beats shoveling snow!  Enjoy your around-the-town adventures!!