Need a unique gift for someone special this year? Why hit the mall when you can explore the one-of-a-kind shops found in Old Town Tomball and support local businesses? Here you will discover a treasure trove of antiques, quirky clothes, handcrafted jewelry and more. Don’t forget to try some of the local eateries and take holiday photos in front of the Tomball Train Depot.
Browse the Shops
Pick up holiday swag for yourself or a friend at this adorable boutique offering clothing, jewelry, home goods and more.
Explore nearly 12,000 square feet of small shops to track down the perfect antique lamp, unique holiday décor, jewelry, folk art, quirky accessories and more.
Got a bookworm on your gift-giving list? Find rare first editions at this shop specializing in all things written.
Up your holiday décor game at this cute shop full of items old and new. Christmas pillows, ornaments, table decorations and more will have you returning again and again.
Find unique gifts galore at O’Suzanna’s, including hats, Vera Bradley masks, holiday sweaters, fashionable blouses and more.
Art lovers with a yen for the Old West will discover artists galore at this gallery specializing in Western art.
Stop for a Bite
No trip to Historic Tomball is complete without sampling the sumptuous Bread Pudding at the Whistle Stop Tea Room and Café. Made from croissants and drizzled warm Buttery Rum Sauce it’s a treat no one should miss. The café also offers an array of sandwiches, salads and beverages. There’s even a gift shop.
Chocolate and barbecue in one place? Yes, please. Considered one of the best restaurants in Houston, this is the place to go if you like your pulled pork with a side of salted caramel truffles.
Is there anything better than sipping a holiday cocktail by the firepit? We don’t think so and neither does Bonfire Grill. In addition to a tantalizing dinner menu, the restaurant features top shelf whiskies, bourbons and mixed drinks to enjoy on the patio. Need a gift? They’ve got growlers, bitters, Bonfire Spice, infused spirits and gift cards.
This adorable dining spot offers up delectable Siberian Blinis (similar to French crepes) in a range of sweet and savory flavors. Even better, they have gluten free, keto and vegetarian menu items. Don’t forget to browse their display of handknitted and crocheted items.
Building a home from the ground up is exciting. It’s an opportunity to build your dream home. A home where you have chosen everything from the floor plan to the paint on the walls. At the same time, all of these choices can seem overwhelming. Where do you start? Here are some tips that will help you design the home of your dreams.
Choose Your Builder
Not all builders are created equal and most vary in the types of floor plans, standard features, pricing and architectural flourishes they offer. In Amira, builders Beazer Homes and Perry Homes have sterling reputations — but there are differences. Visit the builders’ model homes for a 3D look. Talk to sales representatives to see if the available floor plans, structural options and upgrades will fit your lifestyle.
Choose Your Floor Plan
Builders offer more than one floor plan in a community. Choosing one depends on your lifestyle and budget. Keep in mind that floor plans are not set in stone. Beazer offers Choice Plans™, which allow you to personalize your living space at no extra charge. For example, you can change a secondary bedroom to a study or craft a kitchen suited for entertaining. Other builders offer many of these same options but charge extra for them.
What Do You Need?
It’s not always easy to imagine what your actual home will look like from a floor plan, but you can make choices based on your needs. Buyers who like to entertain may prefer a large living area open to the kitchen. Buyers who enjoy family time may rather a home that includes both game and media rooms. Love the outdoors? You are going to want an expansive covered patio.
A Visit to the Design Center
Personalization of your home happens at the design center. Here you will pick out your flooring, cabinets and paint colors, upgrade your appliances, add a standalone tub to your primary bath or a wet bar to your game room. Beazer and Perry maintain large design centers staffed by interior design experts. They can help you craft a home that fits your design ethos. To make the most of your trip, create a Pinterest board with your desired décor features. Build a wish list that includes must-haves and nice-to-haves. Prepare a budget ahead of time. Once you get there, describe your lifestyle. Take your time. You will likely be living with that tile and countertop for many years, so you want to get it right the first time.
Work With Your Builder
The most important thing to remember when designing your dream home is to work with your builder. Builders want happy homeowners and will take the time to ensure that you love every part of your home. Don’t believe us? Visit the Beazer and Perry model homes in Amira. You’ll see how easy it is to build the perfect home.
GreatSchools.org, a leader in providing data to parents that empowers them to choose the best schools for their children, recently recognized Tomball High School with a College Success Award.
For the past three years, GreatSchools has recognized public high schools with an outstanding track record of getting kids prepared for and enrolled in college with the College Success Awards.
Awards are based on school-level college readiness and postsecondary data shared by their state, including the number of students who enroll in college, those prepared for college-level coursework and those who remain in college beyond their first year. Schools are rated on a scale of one to 10.
Tomball was one of only 21 percent — or 2,158 schools across 29 states — to receive the award. It was one of 314 schools in Texas. This is the second year in a row the school has received the award.
The high school boasts a 95 percent graduation rate. Last year, 87 percent of those graduates went on to attend a two- or -four-year college.
Another measure of success for the school is the number of Advanced Placement classes offered. AP classes are as rigorous as college general education courses. Tomball offers 27. Of the students taking AP classes, 73 percent scored a three or higher and 14 percent scored a five. The school also offers 10 dual enrollment classes through Lone Star College.
Numerous athletic teams, arts programs and extracurricular clubs supplement the strong academic program.
We are very proud of our Tomball Cougars and congratulate them on this award.
Each year, noted online research service Niche.com rates schools and districts to help parents find the best schools for their children. This year, we are pleased to report that all Amira schools and Tomball ISD received an A on the 2021 Best Public Schools list.
Tomball ISD garnered an A+ and was rated one of the top 20 school districts in Texas. The school came in at No. 20 out of 1,019. On a national level, Tomball ISD ranked in the top 3 percent of the 10,760 school districts across the U.S.
Scores for each district were based upon data collected in eight categories. The grade for academics counted toward 50 percent of the district grade and is based on state testing performance, SAT/ACT scores and survey responses from students and parents.
Schools are ranked by considerations of state test scores, graduation rates, diversity and quality of school administration. The Department of Education, U.S. Census, Common Core and parent surveys provide the data.
Rosehill Elementary received an A. Considered by Niche to be in the top 100 elementary schools in Houston, Rosehill is known for strong academics and as the home of the new Two-Way Dual Language Academy biliteracy program, the school focuses on high academic achievement, character growth and responsibility.
Tomball Intermediate School also boasts an A rating. The school is considered one of the 15 top middle schools in Harris County. In 2019, the school earned five distinctions on state-mandated testing in mathematics, science, comparative academic growth, comparative closing the gaps and postsecondary readiness.
Rounding out the Amira schools that received an A is Tomball Junior High. According to Niche, the school ranks among the top 25 Best Public Middle schools in Harris County. Tomball Junior High has a strong academic program bolstered by access to pre-AP classes. Students are able to express their individuality by participating in an excellent performing arts program.
Tomball High School got an A- with top marks in academics, college preparation and diversity. The school ranked No. 36 out of 138 schools in Harris County for Best College Prep High School. The school offers 30 Pre-AP and AP classes, as well as 11 dual credit courses through Lone Star College.
Congratulations to the students, teachers and staff at all of our schools. You’ve proved you have the right stuff!
If you’ve been on the fence about buying a new home in Amira, now is the time to get off. Mortgage interest rates are at a historic low, which means the home of your dreams is within your grasp.
Bankrate forcasts that the low interest rates buyers have been seeing since the first half of the year will continue to remain low in September.
In August, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 3.33 percent. A year ago, that rate averaged 3.85 percent. Rates for mortgages change daily, but many forecasters expect mortgage rates to hover around 3 percent for the rest of the year.
You can use the money you save each month for other things or you could keep the higher monthly payment and roll options and upgrades such as a media room, outdoor kitchen or a wet bar into your mortgage and into your new home.
Homes in Amira are priced from the $200,000s, which means you can get a beautiful new home with the options and upgrades your lifestyle demands.
You also get a year-round staycation with Amira’s luxurious amenities such as The Resort at Amira featuring sun-drenched courtyards, lake views, a clubhouse with a fitness room, children’s reading nook, kitchen, yoga studio and sparkling pool.
Not sure if you qualify for a low interest rate? Talk to a Realtor or one of our builders. Many of them have preferred lenders who can help you research the right mortgage for you and lock in the low rate.