Where do you take out of town family when they visit for a weekend?

Oh my gosh, I love when family visits! My parents were just here last month right in the middle of dance picture week and soccer practice, so my house was pure chaos with my son tracking mud across the rug after practice off Spring Cypress! But we had so much fun taking them out. Our absolute favorite spot to take out of town guests is Mercer Botanic Gardens off Aldine Yost! It is so gorgeous and peaceful for a morning walk. The paved paths are super easy for older parents to walk on, and there are so many shade trees. Plus it is free, which is such a nice bonus when you have a big group!

When we moved to Timber Lane back in 1988, there was not much out here except trees and a few two-lane roads. If family came to visit, we drove clear down to the Galleria or the airport just to find something to do. These days, you do not need to leave the area at all. My siblings always want to go to Old Town Spring whenever they are in town. We start at the shops along Spring Cypress Road and work our way around. It has that older Texas feel that folks from up north really enjoy. Just make sure your in-laws wear good walking shoes because the brick sidewalks can be a little uneven in places.

Seconding Old Town Spring! It really is great for visitors who want something unique to the area. If you come down this way, plan to spend a couple hours just wandering through the local shops. You can grab lunch at Wunsche Bros Cafe for good traditional Texas food, or if they do not mind waiting in line, Corkscrew BBQ is right here too. Just BIG warning on Corkscrew, the line starts early so do not try to go for a late lunch or they will be sold out!

If you are planning weekend activities, just pay attention to your timing on Grand Parkway and I-45. Traffic gets surprisingly backed up around Rayford and Louetta between 11 AM and 2 PM on Saturdays with everyone running errands. If you want a really easy evening, take them up toward the Woodlands Waterway right on the edge of town. You can park in the garage, walk along the water, and grab dinner without feeling like you spent an hour stuck on the highway. I drive to the Galleria every weekday for work, so the last thing I want to do on Saturday is sit in traffic. Staying local is definitely the move.

You definitely have to take them out for good Tex-Mex! Whenever mi familia comes in from out of state, that is the first thing they ask for. We usually take visitors to El Kiosko near Airtex or up toward Louetta depending on where we are heading that day. Get some fresh chips, salsa, and fajitas. Out of towners from the Midwest always love real fresh tortillas! It is a great way to welcome them to Texas.

Here is my exact visitor itinerary when I need to keep family happy while still checking my email between outings: 1. Morning: Mercer Botanic Gardens or a quick walk at Collins Park right by the Barbara Bush Library. 2. Lunch: Tex-Mex near Louetta or BBQ in Old Town Spring. 3. Afternoon: Browse shops in Old Town Spring or sit outside while the kids run around. 4. Evening: Walk around the Waterway edge. It keeps everyone busy, requires minimal highway driving, and you can easily split it up if people get tired. Works every single time.

Whatever you do, start one of the mornings with a good local coffee stop! Take them to Old Town Spring around 9 AM before the lunch rush starts. Grab an iced latte or a cold brew and a fresh pastry, then just stroll around before it gets too hot. It feels like a real vacation morning for guests, and it gives you a minute to breathe before the rest of the day's plans start!