Spring is almost here, Houston. That gives us a couple crucial weeks of good weather before summer forces us indoors or whatever body of water we can find. In between patronizing one of Houston’s patio bars, brunch restaurants, and neighboring fields of flowers, make sure to take a stroll out to the best parks in Houston.
1. Buffalo Bayou Park
Located just west of downtown Houston, Buffalo Bayou Park spans 160 acres of green space. It offers visitors the opportunity to experience stunning gardens and native landscaping, traverse hiking and biking trails, engage in a nature play area, visit the popular dog park, explore public art installations, and find charming spots for picnics and relaxation in the great outdoors.
Buffalo Bayou Park is home to Eleanor Tinsley Park, bayou boat tours, and the iconic Waugh Bridge where visitors can gather at sunset to experience the emergence of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats.
The park is currently undergoing a 10-year, $100 million development that will entail the addition of new parks, trails, cultural destinations, and infrastructure improvements.
2. Eleanor Tinsley Park
Eleanor Tinsley Park is a Houston mainstay equipped with a well-maintained lawn, rolling hills, and a stunning backdrop against the downtown skyline. Spanning 10 acres inside Buffalo Bayou Park, Eleanor Tinsley features a a built-in network of trails for joggers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts alike. Situated along Buffalo Bayou, Eleanor Tinsley Park provides an ideal setting to settle in for a picnic, toss a frisbee, and/or watch the sunset!
3. Hermann Park
Nestled in the heart of Houston, Texas, Hermann Park is a lush, 445-acre oasis offering a myriad of recreational and cultural experiences for Houstonians to enjoy.
Inside Hermann Park is McGovern Centennial Gardens, an exquisite 15-acre garden featuring vibrant flower beds, water features, and meticulously manicured landscapes. The gardens provide a serene escape for nature lovers and a picturesque setting for leisurely strolls.
The park is also home to the Miller Outdoor Theatre, the zoo, McGovern Lake offers paddleboat rentals, allowing families to enjoy a leisurely ride on the tranquil waters, as well as a wonderful Japanese garden.
4. Memorial City Park
Located in Uptown, Houston, Memorial City Park is Houston’s largest, urban-center park. Spanning 1,500 acres, park officials like to tout how the park almost doubles the size of New York’s Central Park. Now a State Archeological Landmark and a State of Texas Legacy Park, Memorial City Park features over 30 miles of natural and surfaced trails for hiking, biking, and jogging.
Memorial City Park is a favorite among runners, and is home to 18 tennis courts, an 18-hole public golf course, four sand volleyball courts, multi-use fields, fitness center, and a 600-acre urban forest encompassing the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center.
5. Discovery Green
Discovery Green is a 12-acre urban park located in Downtown, Houston. Featuring unparalleled views of the downtown skyline, Discovery Green wonderfully blends nature, art, and family-friendly community events. Here, visitors can enjoy beloved seasonal activities, such as Houston’s only outdoor roller rink, live concerts, open-air movie screenings, outdoor yoga, and more.
Other features at the park include jogging trails, a children’s playground, and a pond where visitors can explore by way of paddleboat. Discovery Green is also home to The Grove, a beautiful two-story restaurant and rooftop bar.
6. Sam Houston Park
Established in 1899, Sam Houston Park is a 20-acre park that blends the modern with the historical. Officials originally styled Sam Houston in the fashion of a “Victorian wonderland” with pathways along an old mill, rustic bridge, and murmuring stream.
Nowadays, visitors can visit ten historic houses situated in Sam Houston Park, including the Fourth Ward Cottage, San Felipe Cottage, and the Kellum-Noble House.
7. Levy Park
Levy Park is a vibrant, 6-acre green space nestled in the Upper Kirby district. Complete with a community garden, play spaces for the kiddos, splash pad, dog park, kitchen and bar, this hidden gem makes for a swell place for human and animal parents alike!
8. River Oaks Park
Affectionately referred to as Pumpkin Park, River Oaks Park is a fenced-in, five-acre plot adorned with giant oak trees, gardens, granite trails, and grassy areas. The park features a Little Free Library, volleyball court, Wishing trees, basketball court, and tennis courts.
The feature draw for this quaint little park is the Cinderella-like pumpkin carriage situated at the children’s playground.
9. Smither Park
Immerse yourself in the dynamic fusion of nature and art at Smithers Park, an imaginative urban oasis adorned with vibrant mosaic installations, a tranquil meditation garden, playful swings, and various other enchanting elements!
Spanning just half an acre, Smither Park ingeniously houses an outdoor museum featuring fantastic interactive mosaic installations. Adjacent to the park’s boundary is the impressive Lindley Fish Amphitheater, a grand arching mosaic masterpiece shaped like an anglerfish. This captivating stage regularly showcases a diverse array of live performances throughout the year.
10. Lake Houston Wilderness Park
Situated approximately 30 miles north of Houston, Lake Houston Wilderness Park spans a wooded area encompassing around 5,000 acres of vibrant natural scenery. The park features an extensive network of over 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and running.
Visitors can also partake in various outdoor activities such as camping, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, and birdwatching, all within the enchanting surroundings of Lake Houston Wilderness Park.
11. Trebly Park
Trebly Park is a recently developed new green space and park in Houston that provides a backyard for area residents and employees. The L-shaped park is located at 1515 Fannin and features an event space, playscape, dog-running course, and a seasonal rotation of art installations.