The video above takes you on a tour through Spring, Texas — a town about 25 miles north of Houston right off I-45. With a population around 60,000, Spring has that small-town feel but sits close enough to both Houston and The Woodlands to pull from the best of both. The real draw here is Old Town Spring, a walkable historic district full of independent shops and local businesses where you won't find a bunch of chain stores cluttering things up. David Bridwell stopped through on his way to a gig in Conroe and spent some time exploring what the area has to offer in terms of food, music, and general character.
Old Town Spring: What to Expect
Old Town Spring is the kind of place where you just walk around and stumble into interesting stuff. There's a doll hospital, a gun store, a toy and collectibles shop, an apothecary, a fudge shop, and apparently you can grab funnel cake and fried Twinkies. One of the standout structures is the Wunsche Brothers Saloon — one of the oldest buildings in town with a deep history and a reputation for being haunted. It's a distinct piece of Spring's past and worth seeing even if you're just passing through. The whole area has been revitalized without losing its original feel, which makes it a solid stop if you're driving between Houston and points north.
For food, Corkscrew BBQ is the spot. It's popular enough that a line is basically guaranteed, and they sell out of food later in the day. The brisket alone made the wait worth it.
Where Can You Find Live Music in Spring, Texas?
Spring has a couple of reliable spots for live music, especially if you're around on a Thursday night. Here's what to check out:
- Puffabelly's — A longtime local hangout that hosts an open mic on Thursdays, run by Kenny Corville. The walls are covered with photos and history of musicians who've played there over the years.
- Trilogy Brewing Company — Also runs a Thursday open mic with a younger crowd and a good look at the local music scene and culture in Spring.
- Wunsche Brothers Saloon — One of the oldest buildings in the area with a storied past. Known more for its history and atmosphere than a regular music calendar, but it's a piece of the town's identity.
Nearby Venues Worth the Drive
David Bridwell's trip didn't stop in Spring — he continued up to Conroe for a gig and caught more live music that same night. A couple of nearby spots worth knowing about:
- The Firm Meadery (Conroe) — An intimate venue where you can drink mead, including a bourbon barrel-aged option, and catch solo and small-act performances. Bridwell played a set here and picked up a bottle on his way out.
- Red Brick Tavern (Conroe) — Just a block from The Firm Meadery, this is where he caught Johnny Falstaff performing — a musician with a long history in the Houston area and someone worth seeing if he's on a bill near you.
Spring is an easy detour if you're already in the Houston or Woodlands area, and the Thursday night open mic scene gives it a regular heartbeat of local music that a lot of suburban towns just don't have. Hit the comments on the video and let us know if there are other spots in the area we should be covering.