About an hour north of Houston is a lake town near tons of fun outdoor activities, great restaurants, and plenty of places serving craft beverages.
Sound like your kind of place? Then you better plan on spending a whole weekend in Conroe, TX – if not more.
I recently spent a few days in town and loved the unique mix of small town feel while still having the amenities of a big city.
If you’re planning on visiting then I hope this weekend in Conroe guide will help you plan the perfect trip!
My visit to Conroe was part of a larger Southeast Texas road trip where I got to experience the restaurants in Alvin, TX, fun things to do near Freeport, TX, Port Arthur attractions, and things to do in Beaumont.
Disclaimer: This was a paid partnership with Visit Conroe. As always, all opinions are my own. This article may contain affiliate links that I earn a small commission from at no additional cost to you.
Where is Conroe, TX?
Like I said, Conroe is about an hour north of Houston up Interstate 45. You’ll also find The Woodlands to the south and Huntsville to the north.
Located just southeast of Lake Conroe, it’s the perfect place to stay for lake adventures and is also very close to the Sam Houston National Forest.
Oh and if you’re not from Texas and want an overall view then it’s located in the southeastern part of the state.
Friday: First Day in Conroe, TX
Dinner at Conroe Lake House
I don’t know about you but I am TIRED after a long week. All I want to do is relax so if you’re the same way then having dinner at Conroe Lake House will help you ease into an adventure-filled weekend.
The relaxed atmosphere gives you a chance to unwind and hopefully, the weather cooperates so you can sit outside on their huge patio right on the lake.
Sadly it was raining when I visited, but there are still beautiful views inside from the floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around most of the restaurant.
I had the blackened fish tacos and the fish was super flavorful and not too spicy. They serve a good variety of American food and a regional favorite – crawfish.
Drinks at B52 Brewing
After dinner head over to B52 Brewing and enjoy their outdoor space as well. This brewery is literally built in the woods.
You park in the trees and as you walk to the building you’ll walk through their beer garden which is tons of picnic tables and some corn hole boards scattered among the pine trees – at least I think those were pines.
They also have the cute string lights hung from the trees so it gives things such a peaceful and serene vibe.
Make your way inside and you’ll find that they have 28 taps offering all kinds of beer. If beer isn’t your thing then they also serve guest ciders, mead, and canned wine.
Be sure to check their calendar for any events that they may have or food trucks that are coming in.
Saturday: Weekend in Conroe
Breakfast at Honor Cafe
This one got me a bit teary-eyed. My brother joined the Air Force a couple of years ago which was a big deal for our family as we are all super close.
Well, Honor Cafe is all about honoring our veterans who have bravely served.
You could tell that this was a special part of the community, especially for the regulars who come in the mornings to have their coffee and discuss which branch of the military is better.
So not only do they have a worthy and incredible mission, but they have amazing food. I went for breakfast and tried the Avocado Toast as they told me that was one of their most popular dishes.
I was not disappointed. This was my first time trying Avocado Toast and it was delicious! Then I got the chance to try their cheesecake.
The creamy cheesecake with crunchy pistachios plus a chocolate spread on top was the perfect end to my meal.
Lesson learned: you can have dessert with breakfast.
Hike in W.G. Jones State Forest
Now that you’ve fueled up and are ready for the day, it’s time to go work some of those calories off!
The WG Jones State Forest is an absolute haven in Conroe and one of the largest working urban forests in the US.
As you are driving down the highway in town, all of a sudden trees are lining both sides of the road instead of buildings.
There are a few different sections of the forest that you can visit. The first is the area near the Office Headquarters which is located at 1328 FM 1488, Conroe, TX.
Here you’ll find a couple of trails that take you through a red-cockaded woodpecker cluster. It’s very popular for birding and people come from all over to see this particular woodpecker.
Another area is near a small lake and I would input 2443 FM Road 1488, Conroe, TX to your GPS. There are lots of trails near here, picnic tables, and fishing opportunities as long as you have the proper license.
Just across the street from the lake area is the entrance to the Sweet Pea Nature Trail. There is a locked gate up on this road so you’ll have to go by the Office Headquarters first to get the code.
This is the area that I explored and really loved it. I felt like I had stepped into Jurrasic Park at some points!
The trail follows a creek and there are many bridges and even a suspension bridge at the halfway mark. It’s a beautiful place for a walk.
I would definitely plan on getting out here early in the warmer months and make sure you bring plenty of water and hiking snacks!
If you love being outdoors then check out some of the things to do near Alvin, TX too.
Lunch at Vernon’s Kuntry Katfish
Vernon’s Kuntry Katfish is a staple lunch restaurant in Conroe. If you want country cooking then this is the place for you.
I had to try their Famous Katfish – I got it fried and Kuntry Style. Which means it came with Kuntry Fries, Pinto Beans, and Cole Slaw.
The fish was tender and it tasted like the breading may have been cornmeal but I didn’t ask. I figured it was a secret recipe or something.
Funny enough, I fell in love with the cole slaw. I’m picky about my slaw and they had just the right amount of mayo, pepper, and sugar in there to make it right.
You’ll want to get there early for lunch even on a weekday because the place gets packed.
Shopping & Art Downtown
There are some super cute shops that have popped up in downtown Conroe as well as art galleries and bars.
There’s a section along North Main Street that has some really great options. If shopping is what you’re after then check out Branding Iron Custom Goods, Main Street Merchants, or Sweet Texas Treasures Boutique.
There are three different art galleries downtown – the Conroe Art League, the Linda Watson Art Gallery, and Campobella Bronze Sculpture.
It’s amazing that there are three in town and with such diverse mediums! Another draw for art lovers downtown is the walking tour of the painted benches.
There are 13 different painted benches downtown that tell the history of Conroe. All are within walking distance so download the map and check them out.
While I’ve thrown in a beer stop for each day that you’re in town, I also wanted to mention a few other options that you have downtown.
B.E. Winery is a wine bar serving their own wines as well as wines from around the world. Stop in for a flight or a glass and some charcuterie.
The Ferm Meadery serves draft mead as well as still meads. For those unfamiliar with mead it’s alcohol made with honey. They also serve charcuterie!
Drinks at Fass Brewing
As soon as I walked in at Fass, I knew I was going to like it. The vibe is a 1920s bar so you feel almost like you’ve stepped back in time.
I was only able to try one beer here which made me a little sad because it was incredible.
While I was in Prague back in 2017, I visited the Letná Park Beer Garden – all they had to choose from was dark beer or light beer and I chose the dark.
I’ve been searching for a beer that tasted like that ever since and finally found it at Fass. If you’re into the German-style dark beers then order the Old Town.
They serve pretzels and brats regularly and I was told that their pretzels are the absolute bomb. On Sundays they also serve pizza so stay up to date by following their Facebook page.
Dinner at The Red Brick Tavern
Since you’re already downtown, Red Brick Tavern is the perfect spot for dinner. They have a huge selection on their dinner menu and based on everyone that I spoke with around town you can’t really go wrong here.
Many people did rave about their burgers and pizza though. I tried the meatloaf which was served with mashed potatoes, fried onion strings, and collard greens.
I’m not even a huge fan of meatloaf and it was very good! I was also impressed with the collards.
They have live music often and every Sunday they have the Gospel Sunday Brunch so check their schedule when planning to eat there.
Find Some Live Music
Conroe has actually been designated as a Texas Music Friendly Community! On almost every night of the week you should be able to find live music somewhere.
On Thursday night while I was in town the Already Gone Eagles Tribute Band was playing outdoors in Heritage Place.
The Heritage Place conert series starts in April and runs through September and there is a free outdoor concert on the first Thursday of each month. Bring chairs or a blanket and they have food trucks on site plus sell beer and wine.
Other venues like The Corner Pub and Pacific Yard House are downtown staples. Don’t forget that B52 Brewing and Southern Star Brewing also do lots of live music events!
Sunday: Two Days in Conroe
Breakfast at Pie in the Sky Pie Co
Who doesn’t want pie for breakfast?
Or maybe that’s just me since I have a terrible sweet tooth. Who knows. No matter what you’re in the mood for, Pie in the Sky will deliver.
They are known for turning their pies into waffles so of course this is what I had to get. They have a very impressive selection of pies and I chose their Bumbleberry which is a mixed berry pie.
The waffle had mixed berries in it and came with a small slice of pie on top and rich maple syrup. YUM.
If you aren’t into sweet stuff for breakfast though you shouldn’t worry. They have plenty of hearty and healthy meals like breakfast sandwiches, bowls, and omelettes.
There is also a bakery section so you can take home a few items after your meal. Macarons, pies, and cake balls are just a few options for sweet treats.
Spend the Day on Lake Conroe
I don’t know about you, but to me, there aren’t many things better than a day out on the lake. You can spend it out swimming, on a boat, in a kayak, or a combination!
If you’re looking for good spots to swim then Lake Conroe Park on the south side of the lake is a great public option.
There is a small fee to enter but you’ll find a couple good swimming spots here and places to eat a picnic lunch.
If you don’t want to swim in the lake check out a day pass to Margaritaville Lake Resort. It gives you access to their water park, multiple pools, plus other on-site amenities like mini golf.
For boat or kayak rentals check out 1097 Watersports. They offer pontoon boat rentals and have gear for water skiing, tubing, and more.
If you aren’t comfortable driving a boat around the lake then they can captain it for you!
You can also explore on a kayak but you have to stay within the cove where 1097 Watersports is located and in the No Wake Zone.
If you want a cheaper way to get out on the lake though then this is a great option as you can rent for one or two hours. It’s actually really peaceful just floating out there.
They also rent out jet skis if you’re comfortable driving those.
Drinks at Southern Star Brewing
I was lucky enough to do a private tour and tasting at Southern Star Brewing and their commitment to the community and giving heart is so uplifting.
It didn’t hurt that they also make some delicious beers. I was able to try at least a sip of just about everything that they had on tap!
I think my favorites were the Strawberry Blonde (very refreshing), Coast to Coast Grapefruit IPA, and Ne’Tra Stout.
They have tons of exciting events going on every week including brewery tours every Saturday. Come to a tour and you may just get to grab a fresh beer right off the production line.
Their taproom is located upstairs in their production facility and is a wonderful communtiy space. There are long picnic style tables where you can kick back and you can bring in your own food or order delivery.
They also have a beer garden with its own bar and a large stage for events.
One thing I loved is that they recently participated in a collaboration brew with a couple other breweries called Storm the Beaches which will be released in August of 2022.
As part of this collaboration, they’ll be participating in a beach day clean up so make sure you follow their Facebook page and stay up to date!
Where to Stay in Conroe, TX
Conroe has some wonderful places to stay and I was lucky enough to be in the TownePlace Suites Conroe. I had never stayed in a TownePlace before and it was sooo nice.
It had a kitchenette, large bathroom, and sofa in addition to the king size bed so it’s also perfect for extended stays! Also felt very homey though for my two night stay.
If resorts are more your style then you can’t miss the Margaritaville Lake Resort right on Lake Conroe. The amenities here are top notch!
You’ll have multiple pools, restaurants, and bars to choose from, boat rental services, and of course a luxurious spa.
Weekend in Conroe Recap
So what do you think, would you want to spend a weekend in Conroe? Have you already visited?
This fun town is the perfect weekend getaway from Houston and a day on the lake is a great way to beat that Texas heat!
There are plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities nearby from boating and fishing on Lake Conroe to hiking in WG Jones State Forest or a bit further in Sam Houston National Forest.
A weekend in town will just scratch the surface of things to do!
I would love to know – are you planning to visit? Leave a comment below!
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