World Tourism Day is September 27! Established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, this holiday highlights the cultural and economic impact of tourism on a global scale. The theme for 2025 is Tourism and Sustainable Transformation, where participants strive to understand diverse cultures, foster new connections, and promote eco-friendly tourism practices. Here are a few ways you can celebrate!

The camera looks down the length of a kitchen counter, where seven men and women of various ages and backgrounds prepare a meal as instructed by a chef (off-screen).

A young chef with curly brown hair, round glasses, and a black denim apron holds up a metal garlic press as he instructs a cooking class (students off screen). Various pots, pans, hot plates, and other cooking utensils are spread out on the counter before him. Behind him is "Sur la table" written in large, black, cursive.

TAKE A COOKING CLASS

Expand your palate with a multicultural cooking class at Sur La Table! Between savory Bavarian schnitzel, tangy Korean barbeque, and mouthwatering French pastries, you can travel the world without ever leaving the kitchen. Each two-hour class provides all the tools you need to sharpen your skills and make new friends.

 

GET UP AND DANCE

Tune in to new cultures through the power of song! Each fall, The Woodlands is home to several free concert series showcasing local talent across genres. Enjoy lighthearted Caribbean and bluesy Tejano tones at Concert in The Park on Sundays. On Thursdays, lean into Latin tributes at Rock The Row or step to country and Zydeco beats during Market Street's Fall Concert Series.

 

The MoCo Food Bank is a tan-brick building with lots of windows and a white entrance with the full name of the organization in bright red and black text. The second "o" in "food" looks like a minimalist apple. On the right is a docked 18-wheeler that reads, "Fighting Hunger | Feeding Hope."

The VTW Sales & Marketing Committees volunteer at the MoCo Food Bank. The camera looks down the length of a conveyor belt. Five women and two men stand on either side of the belt, counting various types of produce and placing them in boxes for shipping.

GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Practice sustainable tourism by giving back to the communities you visit! If you would like to donate to The Montgomery County Food Bank, they are always looking for non-perishables like canned fruits and vegetables, dry rice or pasta, and healthy snacks. You can also volunteer in the Produce Rescue Center!

 

EXPLORE NEW CUISINES

Take your tastebuds on a world tour while supporting locally owned restaurants! Experience the vibrant Indian-inspired flavors of Amrina, the fresh and flavorful Mexican cuisine at Caffé Di Fiore, or the award-winning Cajun-Creole classics at Schilleci's New Orleans Kitchen. There's also Mimi Garden and Lucky Café for Chinese and Vietnamese favorites.

 

During the grand opening of the library, Kevin Brady reads the children's book, "House Mouse, Senate Mouse." About a dozen children sit on the floor in front of him (their backs to the camera). The camera peeks through the heads of parents sitting behind them.

HIT THE BOOKS

Read about distant cultures at your nearest learning center! Indulge your curiosity at Village Books or Buy The Book, two locally owned shops perfect for meeting new people and inspiring young minds. The new Kevin Brady Library and Community Center features dedicated areas for all ages and genres, offering boundless opportunities to explore new places, languages, and ways of life.

 

TAKE A HIKE

Tour your own destination with a hike or bike ride through nature! The Woodlands is home to more than 150 parks and 220 miles of pathways, so you can take in the sights, get some exercise, and maybe leave the environment better than you found it. The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and The Woodlands Resort offer bike rentals for a small fee, even to non-guests!

George Mitchell Nature Preserve

Town Green Park

W.G. Jones State Forest

Rob Fleming Park