Discover Houston’s Best Parks with GoTravelDaily

Visitors to Houston are spoiled for choice when it comes to green spaces. There are a staggering 582 parks in the city that cover over 66,000 acres of land – and there are plans to add even more in the next ten years.

We’ve gathered a selection of parks that allow visitors to experience Houston in a whole new way, whether that’s engaging in wildlife spotting, kayaking on bayous under the shade of the downtown skyline, or admiring public art amidst leafy surrounds. Here’s our pick of Houston’s best parks.

Hermann Park

Hermann Park is home to some of Houston’s biggest attractions including the McGovern Centennial Gardens, Houston Zoo, and the Japanese Garden. It’s no wonder the 445-acre park welcomes about 6 million visitors a year.

Children find joy in the Hermann Park Railroad or playing in the Buddy Caruth Playground for All Children, which is wheelchair accessible. When you’re not exploring parts of the urban forest or pedal boating on McGovern Lake, join runners on the Marvin Taylor Trail or catch a live show at the Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Memorial Park

Established in 1924 in memory of the soldiers who trained at Camp Logan (a WWI training facility that once occupied this site), Memorial Park is what it is today thanks to Miss Ima Hogg, a benefactor who protected the historic park from oil wells and construction.

The landscape here is wilder than other parks in Houston, featuring over 30 miles (48km) of trails for hiking, running, and strolling among trees and across small creeks. Outdoor activities include a playground, croquet, tennis, and volleyball. Additionally, the Memorial Park Fitness Center is popular for those interested in weightlifting and indoor swimming. Free yoga classes, nature walks, and historical tours are on offer year-round alongside delicious meals from the park’s fleet of food trucks, which are available seven days a week near the Eastern Glades.

Emancipation Park

Emancipation Park is the oldest park in Texas. Originally purchased by four formerly enslaved individuals, this site was the only public park and pool in the city available to African Americans until the 1950s, making it an important social hub for Houston’s Black community.

This legacy continues today, with the 10-acre space hosting the city’s annual Juneteenth celebrations and serving as a UNESCO Site of Memory, forming part of the Slave Route Project (which highlights significant landmarks associated with the slave trade). The modern park features a creatively designed playground, outdoor pool, and various sports fields. The Recreation Center includes a gym, basketball court, and hosts several events and classes.

Evelyn’s Park

Evelyn’s Park may only span five acres, but it is bustling with activities, from Tai Chi and Zumba classes to live music performances and bingo.

Moreover, the park provides a serene setting for those looking to unwind. The Great Lawn is an inviting space for picnics, with take-out orders available from the park’s café, Betsy at Evelyn’s Park. Visitors can walk along the trails to see the Wildflower Hill & the Native Meadow or appreciate sculptures that recreate the Alice in Wonderland tea party scene. Parents can watch their kids explore the Children’s Play Area, which features sand and water elements, or introduce them to the Butterfly Wall, a colorful mosaic of bugs and butterflies.

Levy Park

Levy Park caters to every kind of park-goer. The Children’s Park, located at the heart of this green space, includes a climbing wall, tunnels, a seven-foot-wide slide, and a water feature to stay cool on hot days. Above the park, the Overlook boardwalk meanders through the oak canopy, offering expansive views of the surroundings, from dog parks to the community garden.

If you prefer to relax, join others on the Activity and Event Lawns, often with take-out from the two restaurants – the Love Shack and Woodshed – that anchor the park on either side. Community offerings such as free Wi-Fi and carts with art supplies, books, and games are easily accessible. Check the calendar for free fitness classes, children’s storytimes, and musical events running at this Houston outdoor hotspot.

Buffalo Bayou Park

At 3.7 km long, Buffalo Bayou Park follows Buffalo Bayou near Downtown Houston. In addition to scenic trails and shaded picnic areas, the 160-acre park serves as a destination for various leisure activities.

The Water Works area is particularly popular as it frequently hosts live performances. Skaters from all levels can enjoy the expansive Lee & Joe Jamail Skatepark while children can engage with boulders and waterfalls at the Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area. As the sun sets, nature enthusiasts gather to witness the large Waugh Bridge Bat Colony, which emerges for its nightly search for food.

Smither Park

Find inspiration beyond nature at Smither Park, a creative urban space designed by innovative builder Dan Phillips and arts patron Stephanie Smither in memory of Stephanie’s late husband, John H. Smither.

The half-acre venue is home to public artwork created by self-taught artists from across Houston, including mosaic-covered sculptures and a 400-foot memory wall made of recycled and found materials. Visitors can view the Lindley Fish Amphitheater, which resembles the inside of a fish’s mouth, take a stroll through the stark-white Marilyn Oshman Meditation Garden, and indulge their playful side on the Hinton & Mathre Swings. On Saturdays at 10 a.m., artists can be seen at work creating new masterpieces for the park.