5 Must Do Things in Greater Katy

In our series of Must Do Things Around Greater Houston, we take a look at Houston’s vast array of neighborhoods to bring you five fun, tasty, and enticing reasons you should give each a visit. 

This historic neighborhood was known as Cane Island in the mid-1800s, named for an area creek which was thought to have been filled with cane by early settlers for fur trapping. In 1893, the Missouri–Kansas-Texas or MKT Railroad began laying rails throughout the prairie land, and after railroad officials started calling it “the Katy,” a new name was born. You’ll still find the MKT Depot along with the Katy Heritage Society Railroad Museum in Katy today, plus these other 5 must do things.

Note: For the purposes of this list, Greater Katy includes the suburbs that surround the Katy city limits west to Pederson road, east to Fry road, north to FM 529 and south to FM 1093/Westpark Tollway Parkway.

5 Must Do Things in Greater Katy

1. Have a drink at at a local booze emporium – Fact: One of Houston’s hottest breweries sits in good ol’ Katy, and that’d be No Label Brewing Company. No seriously, it’s hot – have you ever tried its Don Jalapeño Ale? Stop by the family-friendly taproom to get a freshly poured pint of the spring seasonal or a year-round brew like the light and refreshing El Hefe Weizen. Monday through Friday 3pm to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday noon to 10pm. Click here for directions to No Label. Spirits fans will also want to check out the neighboring MKT Distillery, which makes its own bourbon, whiskey, gin, moonshine, and more in the Katy Rice Silos. Click here for directions to MKT Distillery.
2. Explore, eat, shop, and play at the upscale La Centerra – Located in the neighboring community of Cinco Ranch, this upscale mixed-use development is a shopping and dining destination. Hit the lawn for special events, festivals, movie nights, and concerts; indulge in spa and salon treatments; shop boutique stores and national brands; and check out the mosaic of great eats. You can dine on chef-inspired modern eats at Dish Society, share a pancake flight at Snooze, and indulge in coffee and crepes at Sweet Paris. Click here for directions.
3. Take a journey through wines at the Cellar Door – Wines produced with local grapes go from the cellar straight to your table at this sophisticated wine bar and restaurant, and there’s excellent, globally-inspired food to match. Go for a mix of local and exotic wines paired with tapas and large plates. Or hit one of their many events, including jazz night, wine dinners and tastings. Click here for directions.
4. Shop local in Old Town Katy – Sure, you can go outlet shopping at Katy Mills Mall (and you should because that’s always fun), but you can also support the quaint local businesses that line historic Katy. There’s Junk Street Market, a vintage boutique with unique furniture finds; the Cottage Door, a gift shop with plenty of jewelry and home décor; and KT Antiques, with everything from shabby chic furniture to old school toys, for starters. Click here for directions.
5. Embark on an epic food crawl in Katy Asian Town – Did you know Houston has more than one Asiatown? This newer Asian dining and shopping experience sits off Colonial Parkway, rocking a massive H-Mart and a host of awesome restaurants. Grab some of the best creampuffs you’ve ever had at Japanese-born bakery Beard Papas, dig into Korean corn dogs at Chung Chun Rice Corn Dog, get fiery Sichuan fare at local favorite Mala Sichuan, go for Chinese bbq and offal at Chung Wang BBQ, slurp miso mussels and crawfish at Yummy Seafood and Oyster Bar, hit Phat Eatery for Malaysian specialties from roti canai and beef rendang to sizzling tofu and coconut prawn, and don’t miss the Pho-rench Dip banh mi at YELO. Click here for directions.

Bonus – In the hotter months, cool off at Typhoon Texas, the adventure-filled 45-acre water park open seasonally. Click here for directions.