My favorite part about this park is the southern live oak here. The trees here are big and grow…read morecrazy looking. I also like how big the space is at this park. There is a kids play area and a gazebo here. It is a really nice green space for the neighborhood. I have brought some out of town friends who never seen southern live oak, it is great place to show them what southern nature could look like.

It's a neighborhood park that sits in Midtown, right in the middle of the cutest brick and stucco…read morehouses. It's not a big park, which gives it so much character with the big trees. I didn't see a parking lot, and I must say, in the end, I was happy there wasn't a parking lot, or I didn't see one. But I was happy because it allowed me to see how charming this neighborhood was, and there were sidewalks. The trees display a life of their own, and that's in the park and neighborhood; the branches were shaped in all kinds of ways, with moss hanging low. Even the sidewalks had character; they were high, low, and some cracked, not from wear or tear; it's how it settled. Some houses were tall and stately, some looked to have that container look, and some were townhouses with alleys out back. And getting back to the park, a zigzag trail runs through the park, which is nice; there's a grassy area to sit and a children's area. I don't know what organization hosted the Mistletoe, but the location was great, and the event was wonderful! Santa was there taking pictures with families and furbabies. A wonderful band played, the decorations were pretty, and the vendors brought the holiday cheer!

This is a long review because I've worked on it for a long time…read more.. If you asked me to pick one place that defines Houston, it would be Buffalo Bayou Park. I've spent countless hours here running and riding my bike. Some days it's a quick evening jog, other days it's a long ride from Eleanor Tinsley Park toward Memorial Park or connecting through the trails to the University of Houston. No matter how many times I come back, it never gets old. The park has been the backdrop for so many of my favorite Houston memories. I came here for Free Press Summer Fest back in the day, Freedom Over Texas fireworks, the Art Car Parade, Pride celebrations, marathons, half marathons, 5Ks, and even the Texas Independence Relay. It's one of those places that feels completely different depending on the day. Sometimes it's quiet and peaceful, and other times it's filled with thousands of people celebrating everything that makes Houston unique. It also reminds me of some of the city's hardest moments. I'll never forget walking down after Hurricane Harvey and seeing the bayou swollen all the way up to Allen Parkway. It was hard to comprehend just how much water had moved through here. Seeing the park recover over time has been a reminder of Houston's resilience. One of my favorite discoveries has been the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. It's such a unique experience and a reminder that there's always something new to explore, even after years of visiting the park. What I love most is how connected everything feels. The trails weave through the city with incredible downtown views, public art, green spaces, bridges, and plenty of places to stop and take it all in. Whether you're training for a race, out for a casual walk, riding your bike, or just enjoying the skyline, there's a reason people keep coming back. Buffalo Bayou Park isn't just another park to me. It's where I've made memories, challenged myself, celebrated with the city, and found a place to unwind. Every visit reminds me why I love living in Houston. I already can't wait for my next run, and I hope to see you out there.

BEAUTIFUL PARK! I have lived in Houston for years and only ever scratched the surface of this…read moreBuffalo Bayou Park. It's so clean and I absolutely love all the wild flowers this time of year. This is one of the best place to bike in the inner loop with the separated biking and pedestrian trails. Connects to the heights and all major neighborhoods. A lovely place to get a walk or bike ride in on the evenings or weekends! There are quite a few manicured grass spots for picnics or to bring a book, as well as shaded areas. I have always felt very safe at this park. A 'not so hidden' gem as parking can be a little tough, but leads to not very busy trails. I never realized how beautiful this park is compared to the days I would only drive by!

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is a go-to place if urban life makes us feel overwhelmed at…read moresome points...... Just have a walk in Nature! Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is such a sanctuary for us to reconnect with Nature, reconnect with ourselves. You can find some other beautiful, less wild trails. Or you can explore this Ravine Trail, known for its wilderness, with most elevation change than the others. Deep shade. Tree community. Here and there you will see lovely bunnies and squirrels. Despite these facts, you still meet with other people here and there, peacefully and quietly making steps. And you might feel more safe because actually, you will hear the sound of cars moving fast in freeway. ( which I wish there is more silent and stillness ) All good. A sanctuary right in the heart of busy Houston. This is great! A BIG PLUS to me was NO MOSQUITOES! ( or maybe I was lucky yesterday.) I felt thankful for all of the effort and hard works contributed to Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. So we can have this beautiful place for our busy urban life. May we all have some time for ourselves, reconnecting to the space within, reconnecting to Nature. Best, Chloe P/S: very nice clean restroom located right at Nature Center - Wildflower Trail. Nature Center opens everyday 9am - 4pm. Plan ahead so you and your family can explore more.

A beauuuutiful nature center surrounded by many trails you can take! I had a nice time looking at…read morethe exhibits inside & was a little disappointed to find there was a lack of Houston Arboretum specific merchandise to commemorate our visit. But, overall the trails were nice, everything felt lush and alive! Bring water and don't forget to pay for parking. This spot is a great escape from the city.

It's a special place. Peaceful tranquil lots of shade with benches around a fountainread more

This is a tiny park - just 1.15 acres. It is a city block that has been converted into a small,…read morecharming park located within the Museum District. There's not much to do and it will take just a few minutes to walk through, but it offers a serene escape from the busy museum district. Update: Bell Park was once home to a Christopher Columbus statue until June 2020. It was removed by the City of Houston after it was vandalized for the second time (first time in August 2017) as a form of protest. The statue had been donated to the city by the Italian-American Organization of Greater Houston. In its place, remains an empty pedestal.

This park is a beautiful area of greenery within the loop of Htown. There's a peaceful and serene…read morepond area where you can watch the turtles perch on rocks and swim around and you can also sit on benches underneath cottonwood, live oak, sycamore, and palmetto trees while reading a book or just enjoying the nature and city sounds of your surroundings. Even as the Bayou City art festival was going on, I found some serenity here. Thereare also cottages and houses showcased by the Heritage Society that display a taste of Houston's past.

How have I lived in Houston for 41 years my entire life and I've never heard of this park. I'm glad…read moreI moved downtown because I'm one of my early morning walk. I just randomly found this part. Also, how does this only have 33 reviews. That goes to show a lot of people don't know about this part because if they did, this would have over 2000 reviews like the side of it. If you're from Houston, I suggest you come by here and walk this park. Lots of Texas history. Lots of old homes. Just an amazing place to walk. I'm blown away that I've never seen this before. Thankfully, that I got to see it this morning. If you're visiting Houston and you're not from here, this is a must stop. Local or not this is a must check out. I didn't see too many homeless people hanging around so you don't have to worry about that other than that, though I highly recommend checking out this park. You can do guided tours and pay for that or you could do a tour by yourself and just simply scan the QR codes or download the app to get the narrative version of each house. Beautiful views of the city and the back of the nice buildings behind this park. I had no idea that old cabin was even right there in the heart of downtown with all of the other homes. I will definitely come by and pay for the guided tour. Amazing! 5 stars all the way.

This is an awesome little slice of serenity. It's a 20-acre patch of forest. Small enough where you…read morecan't get lost but large enough to feel like you're away from the city for a brief while. I was hoping to see more wildlife like birds and such but only saw a turtle. Very random -- wasn't expecting that. Might have been unlucky or there at a less-than-ideal time for birdwatching. Nonetheless, it's a great spot for a stroll and we're lucky to have such easy access to this place. Super simple parking as it's surrounded by residential streets on all sides. You can enter the park from any side. Highly recommended for nature lovers and anyone looking to disconnect for a bit.

West 11th Street Park is a surprising gem in the heart of the Heights!…read more What to know before visiting: Bring good shoes. There were some muddy areas along the trails despite the fact that it had not recently rained in a while. The park is located in the middle of the neighborhood and there is plenty of street parking nearby. Estimated length of time to explore the park: 30 min - 1 hour The park itself is a 20-acre forested area with a ground blanketed by fallen leaves and old oak and pine trees. The park features windy trails that cross paths with each other multiple times. If the park was larger, it might be easy to get lost. However, since you can see the streets surrounding the park through the trees it's no problem keeping your orientation. Even with the streets nearby and the soft sounds of cars driving by in the background, the forest felt relaxing and quiet. We absolutely loved the self-guided Wireless Wilderness audio tour provided by the park. There are multiple signs posted throughout the park with a phone number to call and a stop number to dial to learn about the ecology of the park. There are 16 stops that we found while wandering around. Overall, this park is definitely worth a visit!

Easy parking, always a space…read more The trails are well marked. we have seen snakes, rabbits, squirrels, and more. We can easily do 4 miles with no major issues.

The great lesser known part of the park; wooded trails located in the back that are nicely shaded…read moreduring summer time. Not all trails are bikeable, watch out for blind turns and rocks and roots in there. Follows nicely to the bayou to the south.

Peace and tranquility…read more Plenty of paths to take. Wide paths for bike riding. As you are taking a stroll you feel at peace enjoying all the shade from the beautiful trees. There was a good amount of parking. We went early during daylight so not sure how the lighting is at night. Truly enjoyed my walk and being outdoors

Same park, different entrance! When you are here, you can go east towards the sam Houston entrance…read morewhere you cut through Memorial. Or you can go west which leads you through Katy. Going west has the long mile + towards Kingsland BLVD. You'll see the scenes of I-10 W along that stretch. It's a perfect bike ride that'll give you a nice sweat. Beautiful trail and recommend everyone check it out when it's nice outside.