This section of Texas is rich with just the right soils for hops and grapes, and brewmasters and vintners welcome visitors to their beautifully located operations. Begin the day with a schmear from the Breakroom Bagels Food Truck, whose owner, Ashley McIntyre, boils and bakes New York City-style bagels. (We dare you to try the Oreo Overload.)

Hit the road to tour the Bernhardt Winery, part of the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail, and Blue Epiphany Vineyards, begun by three former police officers who’ve gone from flashing red and blue to reds and whites, with a view. If you’re here on a Sunday, you’ll love the Sunday Night Lawn Series package every Sunday evening from June through August. With this package, you’ll get one complimentary wine flight per person and transportation to and from the resort and overnight accommodation in one of our guest suites with a balcony. In the meantime, snuggle up to a cheese platter or some great noshes from select food trucks and let the evening air fill with song.

Raise your spirits at this distillery, whose craft rums and whiskeys are a true taste of Texas terroir. Finally, the Ferm Meadery buzzes with bee-derived honey wine thanks to the fermentation dedication of Cathy and Mike Rape right in downtown Conroe. 

From April through September, every first Thursday of the month means the Isaac Conroe Farmers’ Market at Heritage Park in downtown Conroe. It’s held from 5 to 8 p.m., drawing local bluegrass musicians along with vendors selling homemade baked goods, salsas, and jellies—not to mention the cornucopia of freshly grown produce and handcrafted wares to wear.

Jetboard. Jetovator. JetChair. Hoverboard. These may sound like futuristic inventions straight out of “The Jetsons,” but they’re actually real ways to get out on the waters of Lake Conroe, thanks to HydroRockets. Hydro-flight is the closest you can get to human-powered flight, and it’s even more adrenaline-pumping than you can imagine. Try the Jetboard, where a 50-foot hose connected to a board propels you into the air by blasting water; or the Jetovator, which riders can maneuver while reaching speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. The JetChair, meanwhile, was specially designed for veterans with disabilities for an experience similar to balancing a wheelchair. Whichever device you choose, highly experienced instructors teach lesson as short as 40 minutes or as long as 8 hours. Trust us, every second will be memorable.

For something slightly more peaceful, adventurous guests can explore the Sam Houston National Forest, a 160,000 acre expanse of loblolly pines, southern oaks and sweetgums interlace with creeks and streams. The 128-mile long Lone Star Hiking Trail runs through here; one of the best sections to hit begins right at Lake Conroe; look for Trailhead No. 1. 

Did somebody cry wolf? It’s time to howl at the moon (or the sun) at the St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary, which began with a rescue wolf named Mystery and now houses a pack of wolfdogs nursed back to vitality after years of neglect. Twice a month, the sanctuary hosts Howl Nights and Camp-Outs—no need for ghost stories when you’re surrounded by these mystical canines. Or check out the East Texas Elephant Experience, where Jeanie, Chrissy and Paige—rescued from African ivory poachers in the 1980s—play and interact with humans during the 90-minute tour. (No peanuts required.)

The world’s largest livestock show and rodeo is right here in Houston, next staged for February 28 to March 20, 2022. Anchoring the event is the 19-day Super Series tournament including bareback riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team-roping, and more for a champion payout of $50,000. The surrounding attractions are just as head-spinning, from parades and rodeo round-ups, a livestock show and, in true Texas style, a Bar-B-Que Contest.