Positioned north of Houston, Texas along I-45, Conroe is more than a suburb of the big city–which this list of the best things to do in Conroe will prove!
Prior to damming the San Jacinto River and creating an area for family fun, this seat of Montgomery County passed through history as both a timber and oil town.
While Lake Conroe is undoubtedly the main attraction, there are plenty of interesting places to visit in Conroe and in Montgomery County over all both on and off the water.
Here’s what to do in Conroe, TX (according to a local)!
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Best Things to Do in Conroe, TX
Go fishing on Lake Conroe.
At over 20 miles long, Lake Conroe offers some of the best hybrid bass fishing in the state, along with other fish to keep you busy on the lake.
With dozens of marinas around the lake, you won’t have any trouble finding the best spots to throw a hook.
Rent a boat on Lake Conroe for the day.
Sticking to the lake theme, you don’t have to bring your own boat to enjoy Conroe, Texas’ lake.
Several boat and wave runner rental businesses are found on the lake, so you can have fun on the water without towing your own into town.
Fly in a B-17 Bomber.
The Montgomery County Airport, located in Conroe, is host to one of WWII’s most significant planes, an original B-17 flying fortress.
Not only can you visit this great piece of history, but it is occasionally open for paid rides for those who wish to soar in the clouds to gain a perspective felt by the greatest generation.
Even the bombardier’s seat is open for the right price, and if you can swing it, this is no doubt one of the most memorable things to do in Conroe and an attraction that belongs on any aviation enthusiast’s Texas bucket list.
Visit Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Lake Resort.
Touted as the “perfect blend of lake latitude and island attitude,” the popular new Margaritaville Lake Resort on Lake Conroe is perfect for both Texans and visitors looking to relax and “go searchin’ for their lost shaker of salt”.
The resort boasts lakeside restaurants, along with hundreds of suits and cottages that will make any Parrothead of the tropics feel right at home.
Whether playing a round of golf, swimming in one of the many pools, or relaxing by the water, this resort has special offers and prices for native Texans.
Check rates and book your stay at the Margaritaville Lake Resort!
Visit one of Conroe’s city parks.
Conroe loves parks, and with over 26 of them to choose from, you will not have a dull moment.
Spread across town, these parks have everything from bike trails designed by mountain bike enthusiasts to ponds stocked with trout (you don’t even need a fishing license to catch them!).
All parks have full-service sports fields, one with twenty soccer fields ready to be played on.
Stop in For a local brew and entertainment.
Many people who visit Conroe, don’t realize there are three fantastic microbreweries located in town.
Southern Star, B52 Brewing, and Copperhead Brewery are all wonderful spots to enjoy fresh cold beers while enjoying great entertainment on the weekends.
Live music and games are available for your enjoyment at all three locations, and these spots definitely rank among the best places to visit in Conroe, Texas.
Tour Conroe’s historic downtown.
Mainly built during Conroe’s oil boom years of the 1920s and 1930s, downtown Conroe is a fantastic place to enjoy the town’s past and present.
Many of the historic brick buildings have been renovated by locals in recent years to house some of the most unique shopping, art, and eating experiences around.
With buildings tightly located amongst one another, park your car and spend a few hours exploring the many interesting buildings on foot.
Shop and restaurant owners are known for their love of their building’s history, so be prepared to have them share what they know.
Go for a hike at a national or state forest.
With the Sam Houston National Forest and W. G. Jones State Forest located just outside of town, there are plenty of places where the avid hiker can explore the remarkable Pineywoods of East Texas.
These managed forests have some of the most beautiful virgin pines growing in them and are a must-see when visiting Conroe.
If you’re not familiar with East Texas before arriving in Conroe, you may be surprised by what this part of Texas looks like!
Bring a picnic and some drinking water with you, and prepare for a great day spent in nature.
Stop by the Montgomery County Heritage Museum in Conroe.
What it lacks in size, the small Montgomery County Heritage Museum makes up for in the amount of history found inside.
With evidence of over 150 years of local history found inside, take a break from the heat to enjoy its exhibits.
Visit Conroe’s 7 Acre Wood.
For classic children’s games and entertainment in the heart of Conroe, head to the beloved 7 Acre Wood Farm Park!
Activities include everything from a petting zoo to tetherball to mini golf to a zip line, all included with admission.
Planning to visit Conroe on a weekend?
You just might find pony rides available at 7 Acre Wood!
Enjoy brews and great food at the best restaurant in town.
The Red Brick Tavern, located in the historic downtown area, has some of the best food for dinner in town.
Enjoy a wood-fired pizza drizzled with balsamic sauce as you listen to live music and enjoy local and more national beer.
The Red Brick Tavern is located directly behind the Creighton Theatre, so it makes for a good place to eat before watching a play.
Sip on local rum.
If you prefer your adult beverages on the harder side, sneak in a visit to Bartletts Distillery for some tasty and locally made rum.
Not only can you sample their rum, but the provided tour of how it is made will pique your interest as well.
Enjoy the best breakfast in Conroe.
When hungry for breakfast, check out The Toasted Yolk, Conroe’s best breakfast spot.
The menu that sets them apart from the others is their unique take on classic eggs benedict.
Called Arnold’s, these special divine dishes fuse original benedicts with a few different flavors you have to try to understand.
You can also start your day off right with a great mimosa with breakfast.
Shop at The Woodlands Mall.
For those who wish to enjoy a more modern shopping experience, head over to The Woodlands.
It’s no surprise that this master-planned community known for its amenities has excellent shopping!
The Woodlands Mall boasts 1,350,000 square feet of shopping experience of some of the best name-brand stores around.
Take a paddlewheel ship cruise.
When in Conroe, you must have at least one dinner on the Southern Empress, a paddlewheel cruise on Lake Conroe that provides dancing, dinner, and great sites of sunsets over the water.
The beautiful sunsets alone make this is absolutely one of the best things to do on Lake Conroe!
Enjoy a classic Texas pastime at the rodeo.
Each year in March and April, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, located in Conroe, puts on its annual rodeo and chili cookoff competition.
Come hungry, the participants in the chili cookoff make more food than most can handle, as they hand out free samples all weekend during the cookoff.
If the rodeo itself is not for you, there are rides at the fair for everyone to enjoy.
Check dates and additional information (like how to enter the cookoff, if you want to give it a whirl!) here.
Pick your own blueberries at Moorhead’s Blueberry Farm.
If you feel like having some fresh blueberries come by the original, Moorhead’s Blueberry Farm to fill as many buckets up as you want.
Get ready for a walk as the farm covers 20 acres and advertises over 20 different kinds of blueberries during the growing season.
Moorhead’s website recommends checking in with them in April or May to see how the season is looking–fingers crossed there’s another good one coming up.
Enjoy the theater.
With its very own historic vaudevillian playhouse built in the Italian-Romanesque style, you can enjoy one of many plays, put on each year at the Crighton Theatre.
Don’t be satisfied with watching only one play, however, as a split in the acting group a few years ago created a second troupe, playing at the Owen Theatre down the street.
Enjoy a dinner downtown and then attend one of these great playhouses each weekend throughout the year.
Walk or kayak along the Woodlands Waterway.
Just a short drive from downtown Conroe, we find a great place to shop, eat, or hang out at the Woodlands Waterway.
Rent a kayak and take a paddle on this miniature human-made riverwalk or simply take a romantic stroll beside it at night.
You will not be bored as the nightlife in this area comes to life after dark.
Pull your boat to shore for food and fun right on the water.
When you are tired of fishing or skiing on the lake all day and need a break from the sun, visit one of the many restaurants and bars along Lake Conroe’s shores.
Restaurants and bars such as Fajita Jacks, Papa’s on the Lake, and Wolfiesnot only provide a place to tie your boat off while you eat but provide late-night entertainment with fun in the sun games such as beach volleyball.
Where is Conroe, Texas?
Conroe, Texas, is located about 40 miles north of Houston, with downtown intersecting at Interstate 45 and Hwy 105.
It encompasses a large area, close to Lake Conroe with a population of around 90,000 people.
Conroe ranks among the best day trips from Houston and is one of the most popular lakes in Texas!
