Where to Celebrate Sunday Funday in Houston: The Woodlands

Houston is a great place to unwind. In this new series, we’ll hop from neighborhood to neighborhood, diving into the fun and tasty ways to join in on the time-honored tradition of Sunday Funday, from brunch to live music and more.

Sitting roughly 30 minutes north of Downtown Houston among 28,000 tree-filled acres, The Woodlands was originally planned as a suburban development for commuters working in the big city.

It’s grown a lot over the years, earning a buzz all its own thanks to a great lineup of restaurants and bars, plus a Waterway District reminiscent of San Antonio’s famed River Walk.

See how our neighbor up north is a choice spot to spend your next Sunday Funday. 

Where to Celebrate Sunday Funday in Houston: The Woodlands

Start with brunch at the hood’s best restaurants & bars 

The gorgeous Hearsay On The Waterway is a brunch favorite, rocking a sophisticated space, scenic waterway views, and eats from Steak & Eggs to Banana Pudding French Toast; as is fellow Waterway haunts The Goose’s Acre, Baja Cantina, and Mahoney’s (which sports bottomless mimosas during brunch). You’ll want to head to State Fare Kitchen & Bar for Big Brunch Burgers, Huevos Rancheros, XXL Buttermilk Griddlecakes, and all the boozy libations; and hit up Fielding’s Local for its signature Bloody Mary and Mimosa flights.

Coming by way of South Africa, Mozambik’s brunch offerings include Shrimp & Grits with peri peri lemon butter, Steak & Sodwana Bay Benedict, and an egg-topped Jo-Breakfast Burger with sticky toffee pudding sauce; and Cru Food and Wine Bar’s Sunday brunch is equal parts boozy, tasty, and classy (plus it hosts Swirl Sunday, with 1/3 off bottles of wine).

Cool off along the Waterway 

With waterfront restaurants and bars, shopping, an amphitheater, boat house, and more, The Woodlands Waterway District has endless leisurely Sunday options. Pack a picnic and grab a kayak or swan boat at Riva Row Boat House or Lake Edge Boat House; unwind at Town Green Park or Waterway Square; or bar hop among the area’s many restaurants and bars.

Find music acts & more at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Remember that amphitheater we just mentioned? That’d be the colossal Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, which hosts world-class artists from the Houston Ballet to Wiz Khalifa and ZZ Top. And look out for live music and concerts at Northshore Park on Sundays during the spring and fall.

Pick your poison from bourbon & tequila to craft beer & wine

The Woodlands boasts a number of excellent watering holes perfect for a Sunday sip sesh. Beer nerds will want to check out Local Pour, which houses a large variety of draft and bottled beer alongside posh pub grub from Brisket Meatballs to Bacon BBQ Salmon Bites, plus weekly keg tappings and Sunday brunch. Cru Food and Wine Bar and Cellar 24 are the spots for oenophiles; and BLEND Bar is a luxury bourbon and cigar lounge with an exhaustive list of bourbons, ryes, scotches, spirits and wine. Those looking for a laidback good time can check out Bar Louie and waterway legends Baker St. Pub & Grill and The Goose’s Acre; and you can finish your late night at Rose Rooftop & Restaurant (open starting at 8pm).

Take a staycation at The Woodlands Resort

Rocking 350 lush acres and featuring pristine golf courses, a pool area with an oasis waterpark and lazy river, a relaxing spa and club, and stylish rooms and lavish suites, you may want to consider making The Woodlands Resort your home for the evening (or try out a day pass). After a round of golf or a swim and poolside Texas Mule Smash cocktail, hit up Back Table Kitchen & Bar for Truffle & Crab Deviled Eggs, Char Grilled Gulf Oysters, and Steak Frites.