Buffalo Bayou, the 52-mile slow-moving waterway that was the site of Houston's founding in 1836, has become a destination for outdoor recreation near downtown Houston. It is one of the few bayous left in central Houston which was not reconstructed with concrete in the 1960s and 1970s. It contains an incredibly diverse urban ecosystem supporting dozens of native species of flora and fauna.

An innovative lighting program, designed for the entire Buffalo Bayou greenway, was unveiled with the Sabine-to-Bagby Promenade in June 2006. Diverse lighting treatments identify Buffalo Bayou as the spine of the city and a major destination for night-time activity. The lights, designed by artist Stephen Korns and international lighting firm L’Observatoire, brighten the bridges, trails, and water of the park with a blue-to-white color scheme changing in tandem with the phases of the moon.

Canoe and Kayak Trails:
See downtown from a new perspective. Buffalo Bayou is perfect for canoeing and kayaking. Whether your destination is Sesquicentennial Park or Allen’s Landing, the bayou wharfs make take out very easy. Click here for a map of canoe and kayak launches along Buffalo Bayou.

Hike and Bike Trails:
From Sabine to Bagby Street, 2 miles of trails now connect the Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive trails to Sesquicentennial Park and the Theater District in downtown. Click here for a map of hike and bike trails along Buffalo Bayou.

Click here for information on Buffalo Bayou boat tours.

Parks:
Many parks line the banks of Buffalo Bayou.

•  Allen's Landing
• Buffalo Bayou ArtPark
• Buffalo Bayou Park
• Guadalupe Park
• Hidalgo Park
• Memorial Park
• Sam Houston Park
• Sesquicentennial Park
• Spotts Park
• Tony Marron Park

The Buffalo Bayou Partnership is a non-profit organization that oversees Buffalo Bayou improvements from Shepherd Drive east to the Turning Basin. The Partnership coordinates the integration of major amenities and restoration projects into the Bayou greenbelt and seeks ways to increase community involvement through pedestrian, boating, and biking amenities; educational, volunteer, and recreational activities and tours; permanent and temporary art installations; and other natural and built attractions.

• Parks