Things to Do in Sugar Land

Inside Texas Rock Gym, over 14,000 square feet of climbable surface wait to be gripped and clambered over by novice and expert climbers, who navigate routes that are regularly altered to keep things fresh. The gym’s mandatory orientation ensures that each visitor observes proper safety measures during their climb. Following orientation, climbers can strap themselves to a harness at one of more than 40 rope stations and begin top-rope climbing up lofty heights, while more advanced climbers lead trips up over complex courses or the stone faces of former presidents. Climbers can also skip the harnesses altogether and try their hand at bouldering across height-restricted surfaces, or head to one of the gym’s Tai Chi or Yoga classes.

Those who know they learned everything they need to know in kindergarten shouldn't be allowed to drive, but they do know that painting ceramics is ecstatic craftitude. For $15, today's deal gets you $35 worth of pottery to paint at Glazed Over Ceramic Studio in West Houston. Glazed Over is a spacious, comfortable studio where friends and family can paint, stencil, and sponge imagery that's wildly innovative, beautiful, or commemorates the ancient Athenian victory at Marathon onto pottery ready to be filled with flowers, pencils, or just wishes.

Del-Mar Lanes is set up for bowlers of all abilities: If you want to take your game to the next level, you can sign up for their league-bowling competitions, which meet five nights a week. Alternatively, players can also choose to plug the gutters with optional bumpers, which help level the playing field for younger players or those who prefer to bowl with footballs. As guests chase strikes and spares, Del-Mar Lanes’ snack bar keeps appetites at bay with fried mushrooms and hot dogs, which can be washed down with soft drinks or beer.

Most camp counselors can teach children how to tie-dye a t-shirt or braid a friendship bracelet. Very few, however, have experienced the exhilaration of vaulting into the end zone for a goal-line touchdown or intercepting a game-winning pass in front of thousands of rabid football fans. Across the country, Sports International Football Camps grant participants the opportunity to learn firsthand from professional athletes, whose gridiron battle scars have been forged by bell-ringing collisions with fearless opponents and reckless mascots on motorcycles.

Since 1983, the organization has partnered with veteran high-school coaches and pros, such as three-time Pro Bowl running back Priest Holmes, All-Pro linebacker Brian Cushing, and Super Bowl champion–cornerback Terrell Thomas. In those years, the camp has schooled some 91,000 alumni, including current NFL quarterback Byron Leftwich. Coaches break campers into groups by age, position, and ability and run practices that are competitive yet fun and supportive. For in-depth focus on the specific techniques of skill-position players, the camp also offers special academies for passing and receiving as well as kicking, punting, long snapping, and cooler lifting for Gatorade victory showers.

At the dine-in movie theater Star Cinema Grill, concession stands are obsolete. By pressing a button, customers signal a server and are able to order restaurant-style without disrupting their viewing experience or screaming at an usher for a lobster bib. From angus sliders to ice-cream floats, Star Cinema Grill's menu appeases all ages with its gourmet-pub cuisine served amidst the glow of screenings and first-run film releases.