The Woodlands Town Center
Town Center is the downtown of The Woodlands, about 1,000 acres on the township’s east side along I-45. The Township describes it as anchored by The Woodlands Mall, Market Street and Hughes Landing, with The Woodlands Waterway linking shops, offices, hotels, parks and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
The Woodlands Mall
The Woodlands Mall opened in October 1994 on the north side of Lake Robbins. Dillard’s and Macy’s (which opened as Foley’s) have anchored it since then, and JCPenney joined in 1998. Nordstrom (2014) and Dick’s Sporting Goods (2016) took the other anchor spaces in the two-level mall, which has about 160 stores. An outdoor section facing the Waterway opened in 2004. Cinemark 17 and XD is next door at 1600 Lake Robbins Drive.
Market Street
Market Street, 9595 Six Pines Drive, opened in 2004 as an open-air shopping street around a small central park, which was renovated in 2018. H-E-B was its first tenant and still anchors it. Tiffany & Co. has been there since 2010 and Tommy Bahama since at least 2014. The street also has restaurants, the five-screen Reel Luxury Cinemas and the Hyatt Centric The Woodlands hotel.
The Woodlands Waterway
The Waterway is a 1.8-mile canal and walkway through Town Center, connecting Lake Woodlands to The Woodlands Mall. Waterway Square, a one-acre plaza with fountains set to music and colored lights, sits along it, and the Waterway Koi Garden is nearby. Riva Row Boat House, 2101 Riva Row, rents kayaks, paddleboards and swan boats.
Town Green Park
Town Green Park, 2099 Lake Robbins Drive, is a four-acre lawn near The Pavilion, the Waterway and the South Montgomery County Library. It has interactive water features and a literary labyrinth with life-size characters from Aesop’s Fables. The Township holds festivals and concerts there, including the Lighting of the Doves each November (see winter events).
Hughes Landing
Hughes Landing is the mixed-use district on Lake Woodlands, with offices, apartments, shops, an Embassy Suites hotel and Restaurant Row, which opened in 2015. Its band shell at 1900 Hughes Landing Blvd. hosts the free Rock the Row concerts on Thursday evenings in spring, summer and fall (more on the live music page), and Lakes Edge Boat House rents boats on the lake.
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
The Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater on the Waterway, hosts concerts from spring through fall. The guide covers its seating chart, parking, bag policy and directions.
The Free Town Center Trolley
The Woodlands Township runs free trolleys on a 4.1-mile route linking The Woodlands Mall, Market Street, the Waterway and Hughes Landing, with two stops near The Pavilion added in March 2025. They run Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday noon to 7 p.m., with no service on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Day. Six new trolleys, with names chosen by residents, are set to be unveiled on Nov. 7, 2026. The Visit The Woodlands trolley page links the Passio GO! tracker, which shows stops and live trolley locations.
Town Center History
For Town Center’s past, see Hurricane Ike in Town Center, 2008 and the Waterway Cruisers, the water taxis that ran on the Waterway from 2004 to 2018.
The Woodlands Sculptures
The Woodlands is home to one of the largest collections of public art in the State of Texas. From mosaics and sculptures to a growing collection of art benches, there are many pieces to view, and enjoy. Make plans to visit the various mosaics, sculptures and a collection of art-benches, to view, enjoy, and of course, have a sit and a selfie!
The Woodlands Public Parks
Public Parks offer a wide variety of outdoor activities. A public park in The Woodlands is a short bike ride, or a nice stroll away along a nearby pathway. Wheel Friendly Parks are located in several villages, and the softer surface of Millbend Linear Loop in Grogan's Mill Village is favored by joggers.
The Woodlands Public Art Bench Project
The Woodlands Public Art Bench Project showcases local, national, and international artists who add their own flair to Town Center by contributing a custom built bench. The Woodlands Art Council oversees the benches up to installation prior to transfer to the The Woodlands Township.
The Woodlands Village Guide
Town Center
The Woodlands retail district - Woodlands Mall, Market Street, Waterway Square.
The Woodlands Texas Activities Guide
Family Activities
For the same reasons many choose to make their home here, families find charm and appeal in spending a day, a weekend or a week in The Woodlands.
Waterway Activities
The centerpiece of Waterway Square is the 120' Waterwall and circular fountain featuring regularly scheduled light and music shows. The public venue also features restaurants, hotels, and is the nightlife area of The Woodlands Texas.
Festivals in The Woodlands
Several festivals and other outdoor events held throughout the year in Town Center. Festival events are frequently held on the Great Lawn in Town Green Park including, the Annual Crawfish festival.
Sports Activities
From the jogging loop in Grogan's Mill, you can travel along the pathways to Disc Golf courses, pickle ball courts, Bocci Ball, and various playfields.
Swimming Pools
Live Music in The Woodlands
Throughout the year, you’ll hear about concerts, performance art shows, festivals and free live music, all happening in The Woodlands.