Raise your hand if you look forward to date night?! I know I do! Since we had our first daughter, my husband and I have made it a priority to schedule a date night at least once a month. It is a time we both delight in, having that one on one time with each other without the interruptions of kids. Not to mention we don’t eat out much as a family, and as avid foodies, we LOVE getting out to restaurants!
Since moving up to the north side of Houston, we have encountered a whole new lovely area of restaurants and other fun things to do with each other. We still get into the Loop from time to time, but mostly we stay between Spring and The Woodlands, which is plenty big to find lots of ideas for dates. Here are some of our and our neighbors’ favorites!
Old Town Spring
Most Spring residents know that one of the most charming areas is Old Town Spring. Settled right in the nook of I45, Hardy Toll Road and 99, it is a large walkable group of streets that house cute little local stores, yummy restaurants, and a few bars. We definitely enjoy eating at Wunsche Brothers, which was built in 1902, and then sipping a drink at Envy Wine Room or Excalibur Brewing. There are plenty of other places to visit, and you must get to the area early to shop around. Especially when decorated for Christmas, Old Town Spring is enchanting.
Market Street
Another fun area to go for a date night is Market Street. This is an outdoor shopping area in the heart of the Woodlands, which surrounds a large central park area that occasionally hosts live music, outdoor fun, or during Christmas, a gigantic Christmas tree. There are numerous restaurants, but my favorite is Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen. We will eat there then meander over to Cru Wine Bar. This is also a nice area to hang out in if you are waiting to go to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, which is right across the road and is a great spot for outdoor concerts and events.
The Waterway
In the heart of the city of The Woodlands is a meandering “river” lined with beautiful architecture, landscaping, and loads of restaurants and stores. This is a wonderful spot for any date, but I particularly like this area during the day, especially when the weather is nice. The Waterway extends from Lake Robbins by the Woodlands Mall, and veers west to hit Lake Woodlands. You can eat at places like Fleming’s, Landry’s, Sorriso, Churrascos, Cyclone Anaya’s, North Italia (my new fave) and more, and then stroll along the waterway paths. There are also lots of fun events throughout the year here, including art festivals and firework shows.
Hughes Landing
Up at the north side of Lake Woodlands is a small area known as Hughes Landing. Here you can dine waterfront at higher end places like Truluck’s, Fogo de Chao or State Fair. You can also enjoy water rentals like kayaks, paddle boards or water bikes for a more adventurous date. This area is also close to Northshore Park which is a pretty area for an outdoor picnic, and occasionally they have outdoor concerts there as well.
Other Spots For Date Night in Spring and The Woodlands
There are loads of one-off spots around the greater north side that are worth mentioning as worthy of a date night. Via Emilia Italian Restaurant has very delicious authentic food in a more romantic atmosphere. Killen’s and Corkscrew have locations in the area, and are a MUST try for any BBQ fanatics. Places like Olive Oil and Amrina can transport you to faraway lands with their cuisine. For a nicer, special occasion, you can’t go wrong with Tris, which has some amazing steaks and seafood. And while you are in that area, stroll around the corner and taste one of the amazing concoctions at The Refuge bar, a favorite of my husband and me.
If you are looking for fun spots to enjoy before or after a meal, there are plenty of places to visit. The impressive Regal Cinema in Benders Landing is one of the best movie theaters I have ever encountered. If you are looking for something more active, you could try Texas Treeventures for a zipline obstacle course or iFly for a simulated skydiving experience. Or enjoy a more relaxing outdoor stroll at the George Mitchell Nature Preserve or Mercer Botanic Gardens.
There are so many wonderful options for dating your significant other on the north side of Houston. Why deal with traffic and difficult parking in town when you can shop and dine locally? Visit one of these spots in Spring, The Woodlands, or anywhere in between and enjoy some much needed alone time with each other. You deserve it!
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