Under An Hour From Houston Is An Up-And-Coming Texas City With A Scenic Lake And Historic Downtown

As the biggest state in the lower 48, Texas is full of hidden gems like Conroe, an up-and-coming city that around 116,000 people call home. Less than an hour from Houston and just under a three-hour drive from Austin (the funky southern city that was named one of the U.S.'s best college towns), Conroe is known for its namesake lake and historic center. It's also one of the fastest-growing places in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report, coming in at number nine on the list of 25 towns and cities across the country.

Conroe is especially popular with thirty-somethings (the median age is 33.8), and it's easy to see why. Homes average just over $300,000, unemployment hovers around 3%, and there are lots of green spaces and a beautiful lake nearby for outdoor recreation. As a visitor, you can spend the day on Lake Conroe, then head downtown to explore the city's historic streets, get dinner at a local restaurant, and grab a nightcap at one of the breweries.

The best way to reach Conroe, Texas, is by driving. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston is the nearest transport hub just 30 minutes south if you're flying in from further afield. Conroe makes the perfect weekend escape for outdoor lovers and history enthusiasts.

Conroe was founded in 1881 by Isaac Conroe, a retired Civil War captain from Houston. Although just a forest at the time of his arrival, Conroe built a sawmill just outside town, as well as a tram to transport his lumber, which would ultimately make him a wealthy man. In 1886, that lumber was used to build the first schoolhouse, and by 1889, the population had grown to nearly 300. The city's first mayor, J. F. Collier, was elected in December 1904.

A walk through Conroe's historic downtown will take you past Isaac Conroe's home, which was built in 1885, and the Old First National Bank, built in 1901. You can get a haircut at Shepard's Barber Shop, established in 1912 and the oldest barbershop in Texas, then head over to Crighton Theatre, built in 1934, to catch a matinee — however, long gone are the 50-cent movies. If you're hoping to take in even more history and culture, you can hit up the Madeley Building. Built in 1911, the space used to be a meat market but today is a gallery run by the Conroe Art League.

When it comes to finding a bite to eat downtown, there are plenty of spots. The Pacific Yard House offers classic American fare in a former 1907 ice factory, as does The Corner Pub (in addition to live music), which resides in a building built in 1911. According to legend, Elvis Presley took the stage here in 1955.

What makes Lake Conroe the main attraction of this up-and-coming city is its 22,000 acres of water surrounded by idyllic pine forests. The lake is perfect for all sorts of water-related activities, like fishing — largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish are most common — plus swimming, boating, and paddling. The lake's 147 miles of shoreline give you no shortage of places to sunbathe on its sandy beaches, and you can even rent a cabana from the Lake Conroe Beach Park. Pavilions and a gazebo are available for various events, including weddings. On Lake Conroe, you can enjoy a sunset cruise on private, captained boats. If you really want to go all out with your boating experience, book an evening with Southern Empress Cruises, which includes dinner, drinks, dancing, and even murder mystery events. 

While the lake offers a lot of activities for people of all ages, don't miss the nearby Sam Houston National Forest, one of Texas' best-kept secrets with endless outdoor activities. It's full of hiking and biking trails, including part of the 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail, the longest continuous trail in the state. So even if you don't plan on hiking all of it, being able to say you did a bit of it just might give you bragging rights at your next family cookout. For another scenic Texas spot, visit Stillhouse Hollow Lake, sandwiched between Austin and Waco.