Parks in Houston and Garden Spaces

Created along the Buffalo Bayou Banks to commemorate the 150th birthday of Houston, Sesquicentennial Park is a multi-level park spanning over 20 acres. It is quite renowned for its waterfalls, fountains, promenade, lighting, hiking and biking trails, green areas, and waterways.

Address : 400 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
Activities and Attractions : Buffalo Bayou Regatta, The Common, biking and walking trails, waterfalls, fountain, gazebo, promenade, memorials and monuments
Parking : Bike parking

With its lush greenery, sloping hills, and downtown Houston’s skyline acting as a backdrop, Eleanor Tinsley Park is an ideal place to relax and unwind. A major site for hosting all the city’s events and festivals, including the fireworks from the Fourth of July, this park has got it all.

Address : 18-3600 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
Hours : Open 24 hours
Suggested Duration : 1 hour
Activities and Attractions : Amphitheater lawn, promenade, family pavilion, Eleanor Tinsley Garden, Jane Gregory Garden, walkways, picnics, sand volleyball court
Pets Allowed : Yes
Parking : Street parking, bike parking

Formerly known as Transco Waterwall and Williams Waterwall, Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is known for its multi-story U-shaped fountain. Nestled in the uptown district of Houston, Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park features a 64-foot fountain recirculating 11,000 gallons of water per minute. 

Address : 2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
Hours : 8 AM - 9 PM (daily)
Activities and Attractions : Walking, picnicking, 64-foot U-shaped fountain

Named after Terry Hershey, Terry Hershey Park is a county park acquired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1940s. Nestled along the banks of South Mayde Creek and Buffalo Bayou in western Houston, Texas, the park sits on a 500-acre land and features some of the best off-road bike trails in the country.

Address : 15200 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079
Hours : 7 AM - 10 PM (daily)
Activities : Off-road biking, cycling, walking, exercising, playground, picnic spots, gazebos, sundial
Parking : Bike parking, private lot parking, street parking

Nestled in Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston, Texas, Johnny Steele Dog Park is the most active spot in the Buffalo Bayou Park. This two-acre park set near Montrose Boulevard and Allen Parkway features drinking fountains, park benches, shade areas, and dog washing areas.

Address : 2929 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
Hours : 7 AM - 8 PM (daily)
Activities : Walking, playing with dogs, drinking fountains, pond
Parking : Bike parking, street parking

A park that blends aesthetics with functionality is the Arthur Storey Park in Houston, Texas. Nestled next to Vietnamese town and Chinatown, this 2.2-mile loop park showcases the importance of storing the floodwaters with stormwater detention along with catering to the park environment. 

Address : 7400 W Sam Houston Pkwy S, Houston, TX 77036
Activities : Picnics, children’s playgrounds, walking trails, Tai Chi court, visually impaired running, observation ponds, gazebos, nature trail, birdwatching
Parking : Bike parking, private lot parking

Famously renowned as the Sea of Tranquility, Tranquility Park is situated adjacent to the City Hall in downtown Houston. The park features grassy embankment, pools, water fountains, and walkways. The park was built to celebrate the first landing on the moon by Apollo 11 mission in 1969. This park is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Houston.

Address : 400 Rusk St, Houston, TX 77002
Hours : Open 24 hours
Suggested Duration : 45 minutes
Activities : Flowing water, structural elements, annual events, pools, walkways, fountains

Renowned as Dunlavy Park once upon a time, Ervan Chew Dog Park is nestled in the heart of Montrose. This is a beloved park for the pets and the pet owners. But that doesn’t mean it’s not meant for any other visitors. Kids will love this park for its splash pads, ball fields, and playscapes.

Address : 4502 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
Hours : 6 AM - 9 PM
Suggested Duration : 1 hour
Activities : Picnics, splash pads, walking, baseball and soccer fields, playscapes

Located in northeast Harris County’s Sheldon Lake reservoir, Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center is a state park established in 1984. This park is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The park has several things visitors can explore and indulge in.

Address : 14140 Garrett Rd, Houston, TX 77044
Hours : 8 AM - 5 PM (daily)
Suggested Duration : 90 minutes
Activities and Attractions : Birdwatching, wildlife observation, picnics, walking, fishing, boating, wildscape garden, John Jacob Observation Tower

One of the best urban parks in Houston, Texas, Burnett Bayland Park is a haven for skaters. Renowned for its skatepark - Gulfton Skatepark, Burnett Bayland Park is set in a neighborhood home to over 70 nationalities, making it one of the best and vibrant places to stay in the city.

Address : 6000 Chimney Rock Rd, Houston, TX 77081
Hours : Mon - Fri: 6 AM - 10 PM (closed on Sat & Sun)
Suggested Duration : 1 hour
Activities : Skating at the skatepark, walking trails, basketball pavilion, soccer and baseball fields, children’s playground, water playground, community center, community garden, picnic tables

Nestled next to the community center building in Houston, Texas, Hackberry Park was once home to the Hackberry Golf Course. This 22.5-acre park features a mile-long concrete loop trail, an outdoor pavilion, a weight room, a playground, a community center, and a splash pad. 

Address : 7777 S Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, TX, 77072
Hours : Mon - Fri: 8 AM - 7 PM; Sat: 10 AM - 2 PM (closed on Sunday)
Suggested Duration : 45mins - 1hour
Activities : Splash pad, community center, playground, walking trails, outdoor pavilion

Nestled next to the Orange Show, Smither Park is an artistic space for leisurely activities that was designed in collaboration between the late Stephanie Smither and architect - Dan Phillips. Although parks are all about greenery all round, Smither Park comes with a twist. Smither Park features a beautiful and wild fusion of vibrant mosaic, making it the top-rated Instagrammable spots in “The Bayou City.”

Address: 2441 Munger St, Houston, TX 77023-5139, USA
Attractions: Marilyn Oshman Meditation Garden, Memory Wall, Lindley Fish Amphitheater
Suggested Duration: 1-3 hours

Renowned as the oldest park in Texas and the oldest in Houston, Emancipation Park was once known to be the only park open to the African-Americans. Due to its rich history, the park is considered being one of the most important areas in the city. There are multiple amenities that are found here: recreational center, playgrounds, tennis courts, walking trails, and splash pad.

Address : 3018 Emancipation Ave, Houston, TX 77004
Hours : Mon - Thu: 9 AM - 9 PM ; Fri: 9 AM - 8 PM; Sat: 10 AM - 2 PM (closed on Sunday)
Activities : Walking, playing tennis, swimming, playground
Pets allowed : Yes
Parking : Street parking, bike parking

Set in the heart of Houston, Sam Houston Park is set close to the city’s buildings, giving it a perfect view of the splendid city’s skyline. The park was established in 1900, and is dedicated to the culture, history, and the buildings of the city’s past. Since 1954, the 19-acre Sam Houston Park has been home to the home of Heritage Society, which features around 8 historic buildings. 

Address : 1000 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Hours : 7 AM - 7 PM (daily)
Suggested Duration : 1 hour
Activities and Attractions : Small pond with fountain, Houston Armillary Sphere Sculpture, gazebo, Old Palace, Kellum-Noble House, USS Houston Memorial Sculpture, walking trails, garden, guided tours
Parking : Garage and street parking

A sprawling 12-acre park in Houston, Discovery Green is nestled in downtown Houston, right across George R. Brown Convention Center. The park has remarkable activities to indulge in - public art, workout classes, sculptures, and various community programming events. This 12-acre park is well-manicured, and it is inhabited by various wild flora and fauna by the 1-acre lake. This lake in the park is a great place to go boating or even kayaking. 

Address : 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
Hours : 6 AM - 11 PM (daily)
Activities and Attractions : Farmer’s markets, concerts, kayaking, paddleboating, community events, lake, sculptures
Wheel-chair access : Yes
Pet-friendly : Yes
Parking : Street parking, garage parking, private lot parking, bike parking

Buffalo Bayou Park is unlike any other park in Houston, Texas. Renowned for being the biggest bat colony in the city, the park is also home to various wildlife species as well. Although the park is quite narrow but long, it is perfect for a serene stroll amidst waterways of Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway.

Address : 1800 Allen Pkwy &, Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77019, USA
Hours : 6 AM - 11 PM (daily)
Activities and Attractions : Fountains, sculptures, art installations, skate parks, dog parks, biking and jogging trails, kayaking, Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, landscape gardens, The Dunlavy restaurant
Suggested Duration : 4-5 hours

One of the best urban parks in Houston, Texas Memorial Park is a 1,466-acre park, where 75 percent of the space is not manicured. Boasting around 40 park amenities and activities, this park perfectly fits in the list of ‘things to do in Houston.’ Golf, flag football, swimming, costumed medieval fights, softball, and croquet are just some of the many activities available to do here.

Address : 6501 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Hours : 6 AM - 11 PM (daily)
Activities : Cycling, mountain biking, walking, swimming, golfing, croquet, sand volleyball, softball, picnics, costumed medieval fights, and skating
Suggested Duration : 3-4 hours
Parking : Private parking lot, street parking, and bike parking
Pet-friendly : Yes

The 100-acre park in Houston’s East End park - Mason Park offers two benefits: flood control and recreation facility. Mason Park contributes to 3.5 acres of the park and it has been transformed into wetlands - a place where ponds are home to multiple plants and wildlife, but also protects the surrounding areas and residences from overflowing waters because of the heavy rains.

Address : 541 S 75th St, Houston, TX 77023
Timings : Mon - Thu: 8 AM - 10 PM; Fri: 8AM - 9 PM; Sat: 10 AM - 2 PM (closed on Sunday)
Activities and Attractions : Disc golf, tennis, baseball, football, baseball, swimming pool, Brays Bayou
Pet-friendly : Yes

One of the largest, and notably one of the most beautiful parks in Houston, Hermann Park is famous for housing the Sam Houston monument - a recognized statue in the city. Along with this, the park is also home to the renowned Houston Zoo, which means one can explore a plethora of things in a day - taking a train ride, walking on the park trails, golfing, and checking out a range of animals in the zoo.

Address : 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Suggested Duration : 3-5 hours
Hours: 6 AM - 11 PM (daily)
Attractions and activities: Japanese Garden, McGovern Centennial Garden, Railroad, Pinewood Cafe, Miller Outdoor Theatre, Houston Zoo, Bayou Parkland, Art in the Park, rent a pedal boat, rent a bike, go swimming in the lake, fishing
Pets Allowed: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Parking : Street Parking
Activity Pass : Train - $3.75 USD, Paddleboating - $10 USD

A unique park nestled on the Heights Boulevard in Houston, Texas, Donovan Park is considered as one of those playgrounds that have originally been built by the Heights neighbourhood in 1996. The families who lived in the Heights pitched in to build the playground featuring all-wooden structures, resembling that of a train and a castle. 

Address: 700 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007, USA
Suggested Duration: 1 hour
Activities and Attractions : (Mainly for children) Slides, zipline, swings, tunnels, treehouse, pre-K tykes.
Parking: Street parking, bike parking

One of the newest urban and popular parks in Houston, Levy Park, is located in the centre of Upper Kirby District of Houston. The park features a children’s section that isn’t anything like a typical playground. There are stone slides, plastic slides, and even a spherical jungle gym, which acts as an alternative to the monkey bars. 

Address : 3801 Eastside St, Houston, TX 77098
Timings : Open 24 hours
Attractions and Activities : Performance pavilion, outdoor reading room, dog park, community garden, table tennis, activity lawn, food trucks
Suggested Duration : 2-3 hours
Pets Allowed : Yes