Visit the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, one of Houston's cultural treasures. The Bayou Bend home was built in 1927, and houses one of the most important collections of American decorative arts in the U.S.
Indulge in flights of fancy at the Cockrell Butterfly Center, located at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The three-story glass structure is built around a 50-foot waterfall and includes a simulated tropical rainforest filled with exotic plants and hundreds of living butterflies.
Nestled like a shiny pearl in an unassuming shell, The Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden invites you to experience an array of line, tone, movement, texture and shape located at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. This amazing sculpture garden diligently houses works by Henri Matisse, Auguste Rodin & Pablo Picasso and other well known and appreciated artists.
The garden is a small but well displayed and beautiful venue to discover and unveil with only a casual stroll. Tables and chairs are thoughtfully allocated to proffer guests a quiet, relaxing space to think, or a spot to enjoy a beverage while viewing the garden, or to sit and sketch. There is no cost to view this garden, only your time.
Birders will want to visit the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, an outdoor hotspot for migrating species that can't be found anywhere else. A restored log cabin on site serves as a visitor's center with a variety of education programs.
Journey to a place and time where cattle and cotton are king and Texas is a country all on its own. Visit the George Ranch Historical Park and discover a treasury of Texas traditions. The George Ranch Historical Park is a living history museum that tracks four generations of one family over one hundred years of Texas history. Visit the 1830s Jones Stock Farm, the 1860s Ryon Prairie Home, the 1890s Davis Mansion, and the 1930s George Ranch Complex. Enjoy historic home tours, cattle-working demonstrations, a working blacksmith shop and more.
Experience the soothing sounds of rushing water in the amazing sculptural fountain known as the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park. The horseshoe-shaped fountain is a concave wall of cascading water that recycles 11,000 gallons per minute.
Ride the Hermann Park Train through the tranquil park, where you'll also find jogging and recreation trails, a golf course, garden center and nature trails.
Escape from the hustle and bustle of city life at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. This 155-acre urban nature sanctuary sits on the western edge of Memorial Park. Explore outdoor walking trails, learn more in the Discovery Room, or shop at the gift store.
Grab your board and head over to Lee Joe Skatepark, Houston's premier outdoor skate park that covers roughly 30,000 square feet. The park has areas for skaters of all levels, from the seasoned pro to the beginner.
Get active at Memorial Park, a favorite place for weekend warriors, thanks to its recreation amenities like excellent jogging trails, tennis courts, playing fields, a fitness center, swimming pool and six miles of mountain and recreational bike trails along the bayous.
Visit the quaint and nostalgic side of Houston located in Sam Houston Park, where The Heritage Society maintains an enclave of historic homes and a museum open to the public. Historic structures, preserved from the early 1800s and the turn-of-the century, include the Kellum-Noble House, Nichols-Rice-Cherry House, San Felipe Cottage, Pillot House, St. John Church, Old Place, Staiti House, Yates House, Fourth Ward Cottage, and the Baker Family Playhouse. Choose from a variety of tours, take a stroll through Sam Houston Park, or take home a souvenir of Houston history from the gift shop.