A nearby day trip: The Woodlands — shopping, concerts and Waterway fun
Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe/Houston is a family-friendly lake resort on 186 waterfront acres with five outdoor pools, the Jolly Mon Water Park, beach access and boat rentals—making it an easy base for a nearby day trip to The Woodlands for shopping, concerts at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and the Waterway district. The Woodlands is about a 15–30 minute drive from the resort, depending on traffic.
In this guide
Getting there and timing your day trip
The resort’s address is 600 Margaritaville Parkway, Montgomery, TX 77356. From most points in The Woodlands the drive is roughly 15–30 minutes; from downtown Houston it’s about an hour by car depending on traffic.
Plan concert nights carefully: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and other venues in The Woodlands can draw heavy traffic before and after events, so allow extra time to drive (and to find parking) if you’re returning to the resort the same night.
- Nearest major airport: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) — commonly cited as about a 45-minute drive (times vary).
- No direct public transit links from the resort to IAH—taxis/rideshares or private car service are typical.
- If you want to shop or stay late in The Woodlands, expect a 15–30 minute drive back to the resort.
| From | Typical drive time (typical traffic) |
|---|---|
| The Woodlands | 15–30 minutes |
| Downtown Houston | About 1 hour |
| George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) | About 45 minutes |
Shopping, Waterway strolling and concerts in The Woodlands
The Woodlands is a convenient day-trip destination from the resort; its retail hub, The Woodlands Mall, contains over 160 shops and the Waterway district offers restaurants and walkable canals and parks.
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, the large outdoor amphitheater in The Woodlands, hosts touring concerts and summer events—expect event crowds and plan your return trip accordingly.
- Shopping: The Woodlands Mall (160+ shops) and nearby street-level boutiques.
- Waterway district: restaurants, canals and outdoor seating good for a relaxed afternoon.
- Concerts: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion — check event schedules and parking before you go.
| Activity | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Mall shopping | Large indoor mall with national retailers |
| Waterway strolls | Outdoor dining and canal-side walkways |
| Outdoor concerts | Major touring acts at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion; heavy traffic around shows |
Resort water fun: pools, Jolly Mon Water Park and lake activities
Margaritaville Lake Resort features five outdoor pools, including an 18+ infinity pool with a swim-up bar, a children's pool and the Jolly Mon Water Park (roughly three acres) with waterslides, a lazy river, splash pad and swim-up bar.
The property also has a private sandy beach on a protected cove of Lake Conroe and on-site watersports rentals such as kayaks and paddleboards; motor boating and other rentals are available through on-site operators or nearby vendors.
- Jolly Mon Water Park notes: riders must be at least 48 inches tall for slides; guests under 12 must be accompanied by an adult; the park posts no lifeguard on duty (swim at your own risk).
- Pools generally open from around 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM (hours vary).
- Lake activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, motor boat and pontoon rentals (reservations recommended).
| Facility | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Jolly Mon Water Park | Lazy river, waterslides, splash pad, swim-up bar |
| Private beach | Sandy beach on a protected cove of Lake Conroe |
| Adult infinity pool | 18-and-over pool with swim-up bar |
Where to eat and drink on-site
On-site dining covers island-inspired and New American options. LandShark Bar & Grill is a lakefront restaurant with a waterfront patio and boat slips, open to the public as well as guests; License to Chill Bar & Café serves breakfast through dinner with floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace overlooking the lagoon and lake.
For quick coffee, grab-and-go bites and pizza, Joe Merchant's Coffee & Provisions operates a market-style counter. Poolside snack and drink service is available at Lone Palm Pool Bar and the resort runs several other bars and lounges with live entertainment on certain nights.
- LandShark Bar & Grill: lakefront dining, 30 boat slips, lunch and dinner (first-come, first-served).
- License to Chill Bar & Café: breakfast, lunch and dinner; located on the second floor of the guest tower with indoor/outdoor seating.
- Joe Merchant's Coffee & Provisions: grab-and-go, Starbucks combinations, limited hours for breakfast/coffee and evening pizza delivery windows.
| Venue | Serves |
|---|---|
| LandShark Bar & Grill | Lunch & Dinner (lakefront) |
| License to Chill Bar & Café | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (all-day, lagoon views) |
| Joe Merchant's Coffee & Provisions | Coffee & Grab-and-Go |
Rooms and suites to consider for a day-trip stay
The resort is an all-suite property with a mix of tower suites and 32 lakefront Lake Cottage units. If you want a balcony and lake views, look for Balcony Suite, Lake View Balcony Suite, Lake View Executive Suite or Lake View Presidential Suite options; many suites and cottages open onto balconies, patios or terraces.
Families often choose Loft (Lake, with Loft) or Lake Cottage for extra sleeping space. Specific room names at this resort include Balcony Suite, Lake Cottage, Lake View Executive Suite, Lake View Presidential Suite and others — check room bedding types when you book.
- Examples of room names exactly as listed: Balcony Suite; Lake Cottage; Lake View Executive Suite; Lake View Presidential Suite; Loft (Lake, with Loft).
- The property totals 335 accommodations: 303 suites and 32 lakefront cottages.
- Pet policy: dogs are allowed only in designated Lake Cottage units and first-floor Tower rooms with reservation (max two dogs per room, $150 per-stay fee).
| Room type | Why pick it |
|---|---|
| Balcony Suite | Balcony access; flexible bedding options |
| Lake Cottage | Lakefront cottage with porch—dogs allowed in designated cottages |
| Loft (Lake, with Loft) | Extra beds/loft space for families |
Practical tips: bookings, check-in/out and reservations
Standard check-in begins at 4:00 PM CST and check-out is at 11:00 AM CST; the front desk operates 24 hours and early/late arrangements are available based on availability. Guests need a photo ID and credit card at check-in.
Reservations are recommended for spa treatments at St. Somewhere Spa and for golf tee times at The Golf Club at Margaritaville Lake Resort. Non-overnight visitors can use some resort facilities, but many activities (water park, pools, beach, mini-golf, tennis/pickleball, boat rentals) are reserved for resort guests, members or day-pass purchasers.
- Book spa treatments early — St. Somewhere Spa appointments can be made by calling the spa direct.
- Confirm restaurant and bar hours with the concierge; some venues have seasonal or event-based hours.
- Check day-pass pricing and availability if you intend to visit the water park without an overnight stay.
| Policy or service | Note |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in 4:00 PM; Check-out 11:00 AM (early/late subject to availability) |
| Spa & golf | Reservations recommended; call to book |
| Day passes | Required for some non-guest access (water park, mini-golf, arcade) — verify price and rules |
