14 of the Most Amazing Parks Around Houston

Hello and welcome! We are a family of outdoorsers. You guys know what that means, right? Yes, you do. I just made up that word, but it fits right into today’s post topic. Outdoorsers love being out doors, and knowing where all the parks are, or as many of them as possible, is a must for us. Here are a few that we have been to.

Levy Park - Located at 3801 Eastside St, Upper Kirby, you can enjoy the community gardens and planned programs throughout the year. I do. Thinking of going? Pack a lunch and enjoy the available games and activities for all ages, or eat at any of the four restaurants located just across the street. Oh, on the weekends you may find a food truck or two, with mostly anti-diet treats. I personally love the Zumba class on Sunday mornings and the photography class held once a month. You can also check out the free yoga classes as well. I also like the Bollywood and Bhangra Dance class. So fun!  Oh! don't forget to bring biscuits, the family dog. There is a dog park. Her or she will love it.

Emancipation Park - Located at 3010 Emancipation Ave, in the historic Third Ward Neighborhood, features basketball courts, a baseball field, tennis courts, an aquatic center and gym, along with its own cultural center and theater. The 10 acres of land the park sits on, was purchased in 1872 for $1,000 by former slaves who were members of the community. The park is now maintained by the Emancipation Park Conservancy.

Elizabeth Baldwin Park - Located at 3200 Crawford St, and named after the second wife of William Marsh Rice, founder of Rice University. This historic Midtown park houses the remnants of one of Houston’s oldest water fountains.

Midtown Park - Find it at 2811 Travis St. A hybrid green space, one of Houston’s newest parks with an underground garage, a performance stage, and a giant chalkboard. Take a long, lazy, walk among the woodsy mini-trail while listening to the calming sound of stream and don’t forget to bring your furry friend with you. He/she/they will surly enjoy the dog park with its own hill.

Bell Park - Find it at 4800 Montrose Blvd. Art connoisseurs will find the proximity to the fine arts museum complex a breeze. You can always find the perfect spot within the park’s 1.15 acre to sit and read a book on one of the unique benches (my fave). A picnic, or some me time under one of the shaded area is perfect for any time of day.

River Oaks Park – Find it at 3600 Locke Lane. Also known as “Pumpkin Park,”  is a small park that is open to everyone and includes the pumpkin shaped carriage play structure. 

Menil Park – Find it at 1423 Branard St. On any given day, you can enjoy picnics or practice Acro Yoga under the shade of the oak trees.

Buffalo Bayou Park – Find it at 1800 Allen Parkway. Connecting to Elenor Tinsley and Spotts parks, this 160 acres park runs along the Buffalo Bayou with winding trails. Hikers, bikers and large dog park welcome. Love this park so much!

Hermann Park – Find it at 6001 Fannin St. If you have never rolled down the hill at the miller outdoor theater, you are totally missing out. I rolled. Totally awesome. Pure fun.

Spotts Park – Find it at 401 S. Heights Blvd. Spacious and hilly, it is one of the best park for an amazing workout and mind clearing. Love bats? Congrats, you have found your “Spotts” to watch the Waugh bat colony night flights from underneath the Waugh Bridge. Yikes!

Houston Botanic Garden – Find it at One Botanic Lane. Considered one of a kind, this 132-acre houses an impressive landscape of plants, vegetation, wildlife and pretty butterflies. Formerly the Glenbrook Golf Course, welcome to an exotic place with varying terrain, chatty birds, over active crickets, flowing water, live music and a host of other thing to do and see.

Eleanor Tinsley Park – Find it at 500 Allen Parkway. Home to the Fourth of July Freedom Over Texas celebration and the Art Car Parade. Oh, this park is often ranked as one of the best skate parks in Houston.

Memorial Park – Find it at 6501 Memorial Dr. Twice the size of Central Park, and still growing with what seem to be endless jogging trails. There is never a bad time of day to go. You can never go too early or too late. There is always people there. Even during this 2023 summer heat. I have been out there a bit past 2pm in the afternoon for a quick 5 mile and there were others. Best. Park. Ever.

Discovery Green – Find it at 1500 McKinney St. What was once two large parking lots for George R. Brown Convention Center is now a 12-acre playground filled with year-round activities to enjoy.

If it matters to you, it matters to us. We are always looking out for your best interest. As always, thank you so much for stopping by. We are here to help. Until next time...Diana