Montgomery County is riddled with places to learn about its rich cultural history as the birthplace of the Texas flag, sports, art and music, or to kick back at a bed and breakfast. 1. 3 Palms Action Sports Park Originally opened in 2000, this 255-acre park specializes in motocross for children, beginners or experienced riders. It offers three motocross tracks, a woods track, a pit bike peewee track, hiking trails, fishing pond, camping and RV hookups. One of the nation's largest sports parks, dirt bikes, four-wheelers, side-by-side utility task vehicles and pit bikes are welcome. 15100 I-45 S., Conroe 936-321-8725 www.threepalmsesp.com 2. Heritage Museum of Montgomery County This museum, in the historic Grogan-Cochran home, remembers the rich history of Montgomery County’s oil industry, although it has a background rooted in sawmills. The site is also home to the Strake-Gray Oilfield House and Roughneck Bunkhouse, constructed during the early 1930s. 1506 I-45 N., Conroe 936-539-6873 www.heritagemuseum.us 3. Hodge Podge Lodge A longtime bed and breakfast event venue in historic Montgomery, Hodge Podge Lodge added a restaurant to its suite in September 2018. The 1854 estate’s new restaurant, open to the public, has pecan pie on the menu—straight from the pecan tree in the back garden. Wedding parties or those who want bed and breakfast can stay in refurbished suites (Instagrammable clawfoot tub included) and celebrate inside or outside in the old world brick courtyard. 300 Prairie St., Montgomery 936-203-2200 www.hodgepodgelodge.com 4. HydroRockets Located on Lake Conroe, HydroRockets offers jetboard and flyboard lessons along with rental equipment to fly over the water. Trained instructors teach one-on-one lessons for steering control, taxi position, flying position, recovery and landing—and the company sells the hydroflight equipment. 15264 Hwy. 105, Montgomery 832-202-3612 www.hydrorockets.com 5. John Burge Park at Shadow Lakes This 39-acre park is one of only a few in Conroe that offers a disc golf course—aside from McDade Park and the Gwen Hruska Disc Golf Course—and it is an 18-basket championship course. John Burge Park also has a covered picnic area, an outdoor learning center amphitheater, a playground and a one-mile walking trail. 11050 Little Egypt Rd., Conroe 936-522-3842 www.cityofconroe.org/departments/parks-recreation/parks/john-burge-park-at-shadow-lakes 6. N. H. Davis Pioneer Complex and Museum This museum showcases time-period furniture and memorabilia in an original 1851 home. It notably is home to a replica of the original sketch of the Lone Star Flag and the Republic of Texas seal. 308 Liberty St., Montgomery 936-597-4360 www.lakeconroesplash.com/nh-davis-museum

Off the beaten path

7. The Lowery Art House of Montgomery This local art gallery in the countryside is made from two historic homes conjoined in 2006. Open quarterly for themed art events—the next one slated for sometime in February, with plans for a bonfire—the art house collaborates with local artists and musicians who perform or show and sell their work here. 2833 Bobville Road, Montgomery 281-738-3362 www.facebook.com/theloweryarthousemontgomery