Sweden, Welcome to Houston!

Hermann Park truly has it all! A golf course, an outdoor theater, a jogging track, a beautiful rose garden, picnic spaces, a butterfly exhibit, and even a museum. This green space is surrounded by the Texas Medical Center, several museums, Rice University, the Houston Zoo, and more. Located just minutes from Downtown, the cultural and recreational hub boasts a number of amenities and activities, including a miniature train!  

The park offers water features, a significant amount of open green space, and a giant hill that beckons all who are able to roll down. The McGovern Centennial Gardens and Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion are stunning attractions for park goers that feature more than 490 trees of over 50 different species, 350 roses in the Rose Garden, and so much more.

Japanese Garden - photo by Lance Childers

The Japanese Garden , designed by renowned landscape architect Ken Nakajima, symbolizes the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. The peaceful oasis in the bustling part of the city is a gorgeous escape for locals and visitors looking for outdoor respite from the fast pace of the city. Miller Outdoor Theatre is a free, open-air theater with a variety of multi-cultural events and performances throughout the year that make for perfect picnic entertainment. The nearby McGovern Lake is an 8-acre masterpiece featuring birds, pedal boats, and even fishing.The miniature train traverses one of the three islands in the lake! 

Hermann Park is a huge attraction for families, couples, solo trips, and truly anyone looking to enjoy the variety and beauty of nature in one sprawling space. 

Memorial Park, aka “the largest urban park in Texas,” is a sprawling park with vast green spaces, nature trails, a scenic land bridge, sports complexes, popular running and walking trails, a robust forest, and so much more! Located just inside Loop 610 and Woodway Drive, this local favorite for fitness and social gatherings encompasses 1,500 acres packed with unique charm and nature located right in the hustle and bustle of the city. 

Health and wellness shine at Memorial Park! The Seymour Lieberman Trail is a popular three-mile loop that attracts runners and fitness newbies alike from all across the city. The diversity of the city truly shines on the trail where a variety of languages and cultures are represented on any given day. Bikers are welcome to enjoy a selection of riding at Memorial Park. The Commuter Trail and Bayou Wilds are just a couple of options for gliding through the park on two wheels. A nearby golf course, tennis complex, sand volleyball courts, and more all make this an oasis for those looking to work up a sweat and have some fun. The 400-meter timing track is perfect for fitness lovers who aren’t keen on running on the trail. Looking to work up a sweat and soak up some culture? Memorial park is the place for you. 

Along the trail is one of the park’s newest additions, the Clay Family Eastern Glades. The lush landscape offers a beautifully manicured green space, perfect for throwing a frisbee, enjoying a picnic, or simply gathering with friends for a peaceful retreat into nature. The nearby Hines Lake & Bowden Terrace offers a glimpse into the wildlife supported in the area, which is easily observed from the overlook areas and bridge that serves as a walkway around the perimeter of the lake. The surrounding area of the park features Gulf Coast prairie, savanna, and forested woodlands that offer shade and opportunities to see some uniquely Texan wildlife. The Kinder Land Bridge that goes over Memorial Drive offers a safe option for people and animals to get to the other side to enjoy the Cyvia & Melvyn Wolff Prairie, which offers more wildlife exposure and walking trails. 

This is a one-stop shop for leisure and fitness. The perfect combination of nature and wellness, Memorial Park is a top spot for visitors and locals alike to enjoy the great outdoors! 

Scenic downtown views, acres of green space, hike and bike trails, a sand volleyball court, and more all await at Buffalo Bayou Park. The park, located just outside of Downtown Houston stretching from Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street offers 160-acres of park space in the city. Complete with public art, gathering spaces for picnics, paved and natural trails, meticulously designed gardens, and even a dog park make this one of Houston’s most popular parks. From several areas of the park, dissected by Buffalo Bayou with multiple bridges connecting either side, the downtown skyline offers a picturesque backdrop for workouts, gatherings, or outdoor strolls along and within the park. 

Located at one end of the park near Sabine Street is the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. This repurposed underground reservoir turned public space offers tours that highlight the architecture and history of the space, and even houses art installations. Beat the heat and enjoy a snack from a nearby food vendor that is typically set up just outside of the entrance. 

Buffalo Bayou Park perfectly blends the natural beauty of Houston with the architectural and urban magnitude of the surrounding area.  

Escape into a beautiful oasis complete with exotic and native plants, flowers, and trees at the Houston Botanic Garden. Offering a close up look at the diverse color and beauty of plants from around the world, there is truly something to discover down every winding path at the Botanic Garden. From beautiful flowers to serene wildlife, educational opportunities to photo ops, the gardens will make you forget that you’re in a major metro area. The 132-acre space also offers themed collections, family and community spaces, and even seasonal events.

The grounds feature curated spaces, such as the tropical and arid plant section, the Global Collection Garden, a Culinary Garden, Stormwater Wetlands, a Coastal Prairie, and more! This outdoor living museum of sorts also features a Discovery Garden with interactive water elements and a dedicated Community Garden where organic produce grows.

Houston Botanic Garden is conveniently located just a few miles from downtown Houston and Hobby Airport, and invites all to throw on some comfy shoes to explore the world-class space.

For the nature-lover at heart, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is the spot for you! Just a few miles down from Memorial Park, this center offers an opportunity to experience the natural world right inside of the city. Offering visitors five miles of trails, free of charge, the center is perfect for nature lovers of all ages. 

This sanctuary provides a quiet escape, as well as an educational facility, with a mission of protecting native Texas plants and wildlife. The interactive center, The McGovern Education Campus, provides guests with a Nature Shop , interactive activities, a live aquarium and more. The Nature Playscape is an outdoor space for kids to climb, balance, and interact with the natural environment. Spotting wildlife is a sure thing at the center, which boasts eight ponds that make catching a glimpse of turtles, frogs, and birds easy and fun. Escape the busyness of the city, traffic, and noise at this nature haven that makes for a perfect outdoor day in Houston.