Close your eyes. Now imagine yourself basking in the sun while palm trees sway in the cool breeze overhead — your favorite magazine in one hand and a frozen margarita with fresh squeezed lime in the other. The kids? You hear their giggles as they splash under flowing waterfalls and zoom down winding waterslides. Open your eyes.

Your family’s summer vacation destination is within reach just 30 minutes north of Houston at The Woodlands Resort, a sprawling, 350-acre forested retreat where several days’ worth of entertainment awaits including a tropical poolside experience, a well-appointed spa, 36 holes of challenging golf, tennis and many more recreation options for everyone in your family.

Just minutes after exiting the interstate, the resort’s winding, tree-lined drive lets you know you’ve arrived.

The first stop after check-in is the dazzling Forest Oasis Waterscape™, an aquatic adventure where kids of all ages blast down winding waters slides, explore an underwater 3-D mural (with underwater music) and chase synchronized pop fountains. The resort’s activity team prepares scheduled games and crafts to keep the kids busy for hours. On summer days, listen to live music, face painting by Muffy the Clown and amazing balloon artistry. In the evenings, roast gooey s’mores over the fire pit and watch family-friendly “dive-in” movies under the stars.

When you are ready to trade the water for the greens, walk over to The Oaks and Panther Trail, the resort’s on-site championship golf courses. A fully stocked pro shop, lighted putting green, driving range and staff of PGA professionals are available to take your game to the next level.

If tennis is your game, swing away on 21 indoor and outdoor courts with hard and clay court surfaces.

With sparkling views of Lake Harrison and the golf course, The Woodlands Dining room offers a Texas-sized breakfast buffet to start the day. Think Belgian waffles, made-to-order omelets, fresh breads and pastries. A world of other delights is available for lunch and dinner. When it’s time for poolside lunch or an afternoon snack, visit Cool Water Café which offers juicy cheeseburgers, wraps and a variety of tropical drinks. The creamy Oreo milkshake is not to be missed. Watch the sun set from The Lobby Bar while sipping premium cocktails and snacking on lighter specialties. The adjacent game room is fitted with flat-panel televisions and table games including pool, shuffleboard and foosball.

The resort experience isn’t complete without a visit to The Spa where its nature-inspired treatments — from body scrubs and mud wraps to hot stone massages and facials — create that “ahhh” moment. With separate facilities for men and women, spend an extra few minutes unwinding in the Eucalptus steam room, dry sauna or whirlpool. The best part? These spa extras are complimentary to all resort guests.

When it’s time to step out, hop aboard the resort’s complimentary shuttle for a visit to The Woodlands Town Center. With endless shopping, dining and entertainment, it’s easy to see why Travel + Leisure Magazine named The Woodlands as one of the nation’s “Coolest Suburbs Worth A Visit.”

Stroll Market Street, home to one-of-a-kind boutiques and dining spots including Texas’ only Tommy Bahama Café or Jasper’s, helmed by Iron Chef America winner Kent Rathbun. Popular stops at Waterway Square with its dancing boomer fountains include Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Luca & Leonardo and The Goose’s Acre, a genuine Irish pub completely designed and built in Ireland prior to being shipped to the U.S. In the evenings, don’t miss the views from Crush Wine Lounge’s rooftop bar.

Take advantage of all this and sophisticated accommodations with affordable rates, plenty of free self-parking and no resort fees.

Get out of your daily routine and make the most of these summer days. To plan your close-to-home summer getaway, visit www.woodlandsresort.com or call 866-882-9996.