5 new entertainment venues open or coming soon in Shenandoah and The Woodlands area

Within the span of 2024-25, the city of Shenandoah will have three new entertainment venues open for business, and two other family-friendly businesses are opening in The Woodlands area.

Shenandoah has grown in attracting new businesses, including entertainment venues, because its location on I-45 and near Houston makes it an attractive site for businesses, said John Mayner, director of the city’s convention and visitor bureau, Visit Shenandoah.

“It’s an exciting time, and these should provide both visitors and residents with lots of new places and things to do, whether they’re looking for themselves and/or their families, or for groups to enjoy,” Mayner said.

What you need to know

New openings in Shenandoah include Game Show Battle Rooms, which opened Sept. 5, offering game show-style competition for teams.

Mayner said the Metropark Square and Sam Moon Shopping Center in Shenandoah have expanded with new indoor activities for greater North Houston and The Woodlands area.

The new venues joins an AMC cineplex with IMAX, Dave & Buster’s, Main Event and an Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park in Metropark Square, Mayner said. Other new openings early in 2025 included Cheeky Monkeys, an indoor playground, and Color Me Mine, a pottery-painting shop.

“This will be a gamut of folks from individuals, to couples, families, as well as a wide variety of groups that might be looking for activities and things to do,” Mayner said.

Another September opening in The Woodlands region is Activate, located on Sawdust Road in Spring with options for parties and groups to engage in physical and mental games such as dodging lasers and shooting hoops.

What’s next

Escapology—an escape room facility—and Brkthrough, which features featuring 40 immersive high-tech challenge rooms, will also open in Shenandoah in Metropark Square before the end of the year, Mayner said.

“Both Brkthrough and Escapology should be open by the holidays, so it’s an exciting time, and these should provide both visitors and residents with lots of new places and things to do, whether they’re looking for themselves and/or their families, or for groups to enjoy,” Mayner said.

Outside of Shenandoah, north of FM 1488 in The Woodlands area, the company Sports Developers plans Dudley Sports Plaza in 2025 with two offerings—the Elite Pickleball Club, with 15 pickleball courts, and Slick City Action Park, a family entertainment center.