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Float Through The Woodlands

Southern Living, Apr 2006 by Thomas, Les

Take a water taxi to shopping, dining, and entertainment.

On a sunny morning at the edge of Houston, I'm traveling through rush hour in a boat.

You ought to try it sometime. There aren't any traffic jams here on the winding canal of the new Woodlands Waterway. It's an easy cruise to shops, dinner, and movies.

Some people come just for the pleasure of a ride. A $6 ticket ($3 for seniors and ages 12 and under) lets you travel all day on the 1¼-mile waterway. It's a pleasant retreat from Houston, 30 miles down I-45.

Step Ashore and Shop

Each water taxi seats 50 passengers. We stop at the 30-story Anadarko Tower to let off office workers and then pass through Lake Robbins on our way to The Woodlands Mall.

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Restaurants cluster around a turning basin where the boats dock. For a bargain lunch, try the $4.29 enchilada plate at Ninfa's Express in the mall food court.

A Picnic Before the Show

It's a short walk over to Market Street for more shopping and restaurants. Central Park fountains turn into a stage for live jazz performances, and The Woodlands Children's Museum operates an interactive learning center.

Cap off a visit with a picnic and a concert at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Grab a portable dinner at Central Market Cafe on the Run at the H-E-B Woodlands Market. Hop back on a water taxi for a ride beneath the twinkling lights that decorate The Waterway. On a warm Texas night, it's the coolest place in town. -LES THOMAS

Stay Awhile

Book a room at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott hotel & Convention Center ([281] 367-9797,1-800-228-9290, or www.marriott.com/houmw). Weekend rates start at $139.

For information about The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, call (281) 363-3300. To find out more about shopping and attractions, call (281 ) 363-2447, or visit www.towncenter.com. For water taxi information call (281) 367-1151, or visit www.watertaxi.com.

Float Through The Woodlands

Southern Living, Apr 2006 by Thomas, Les

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