Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Spring
Historic buildings, boutiques and cafes galore,
Old Town Spring
(
www.oldtownspring.com
;
shops:
10am-5pm Tue-Sat, noon-5pm Sun)
is a browser-and-buyers delight. Set up like a large village,
many of the old houses and storefronts moved here date to the early 1900s. Each of the
shops is unique, some more so than others. Shop at the hat store or the one dedicated
solely to birdhouses and you'll see what we mean. Crafts, gifts, antiques, even Texas
wines, are all to be had here. When you get hungry, food stands, tea houses and restaur-
ants offer nourishment.
Puffabelly's
(
www.puffabellys.com
;
100 Main St; dishes $6-18; 11am-3pm Tue &
Sun, 11am-3pm & 6-9pm Wed, 11am-9pm Thu-Sun)
, in an old railroad depot, not only has free peanuts
and big country-style main dishes, they serve up a Texas country singer-songwriter show-
case every Wednesday night.
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Sam Houston National Forest
East Texas has four national forests, the largest being
Sam Houston National Forest
( ranger sta-
tion 936-344-6205;
www.fs.fed.us/texas
;
394 FM 1375 W, New Waverly)
, covering 255 sq miles just north
of Houston between I-45 and I-59. Recreational facilities include lakes, camping, moun-
tain biking and hiking trails. At the time of writing, sections of the 128-mile
Lone Star Hiking
Trail
(
www.lonestartrail.org
) are closed indefinitely due to tree damage; maps and section
openings are posted online. Exercise extreme caution during deer-hunting season
(November to early January); call the ranger's office for exact dates.
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Huntsville
Thick, shady forests of tall pine trees: only 70 miles north of Houston, Huntsville feels far
removed from city life. Driving I-45 north, you'll know you've found the spot when you
see the humongous, 67ft-tall Sam Houston statue. The
Statue Visitor Center & Gift Shop
(
ht-
tp://samhoustonstatue.org
;
7600 Hwy 75 S, exit 109 off I-45; admission free;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm Sat &
Sun)
also has information about the area.
