BAYOU PARKLAND
Bayou Parkland is an 80-acre oasis for native plants and wildlife, nestled along Brays Bayou. Scenic trails, wetlands, prairie meadows and an urban forest offer a diverse nature experience. A multi-use pavilion provides a comfortable place for picnics. The area was once cut off from the Heart of the Park ...
SEE MOREBILL COATS BRIDGE
Spanning 290 feet, this contemporary suspension bridge connects the banks of Brays Bayou in the Bayou Parkland area of Hermann Park. Named for a Conservancy founder, the bridge is an important link that connects the Park to nearby neighborhoods and to a 35-mile trail system. Cyclists and pedestrians enjoy the ...
SEE MOREBOOGIE WOOGIE BY PATRICK DOUGHERTY
Patrick Dougherty and a team of Hermann Park Conservancy volunteers constructed this site-specific installation, Boogie Woogie, in Hermann Park using saplings gathered from Generation Park, a master-planned enterprise development in northeast Houston. Volunteers worked under the close direction of the artist over the course of three weeks in January of ...
SEE MOREBOYS CRY TOO BY ORLY GENGER
New York-based artist, Orly Genger, re-imagined a previous work for Hermann Park’s landscaping alongside Brays Bayou. An emerging talent, Genger has garnered attention for her large-scale constructions of brightly painted, knotted nautical rope. Spanning the genres of craft and fine art, Genger mines the intimate, domestic, and traditionally feminine ...
SEE MOREBUDDY CARRUTH PLAYGROUND FOR ALL CHILDREN
The Buddy Carruth Playground for All Children, opened in 1995, provides play equipment for children of all abilities, most of which is accessible by wheelchair. Designed by landscape architect Lauren Griffith & Associates, the playground also provides a fun interactive water play area, perfect for cooling off. The playground and nearby ...
SEE MOREDESTINATION MOUND TOWN (TRAIN TUNNEL) BY TRENTON DOYLE HANCOCK
Trenton Doyle Hancock, a Houston-based artist, has transformed the interior walls of the Hermann Park Railroad train tunnel into a fantastical landscape populated with creatures both real and imagined. Destination Mound Town is a contribution to Hancock's ongoing narrative in his artwork of the Mounds, a group of mythical ...
SEE MOREDILLIDIIDAE BY SHARON ENGELSTEIN
A former Core Fellow and a resident of Houston for many years, Sharon Engelstein is known for her organic, bubbly sculptural forms. For Hermann Park, Engelstein designed one taller element, Mamadillidiidae, poised on the site surrounded by several smaller pieces called Dillidiidae. These “wandering” forms are not immediately recognizable as ...
SEE MOREHERMANN PARK CONSERVANCY GIFT SHOP
The Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop, 6102 Hermann Park Drive, is located in Kinder Station, home to the Hermann Park Railroad. The gift shop offers a variety of Park-related souvenirs and sells tickets for train rides and the pedal boats. For more information, call 713-526-6891.
SEE MOREHERMANN PARK GOLF COURSE AND CLUBHOUSE
Built in 1922, the Hermann Park Golf Course is one of Houston’s oldest and most popular municipal golf courses. it was the first golf course in the country to be integrated. The golf course was redesigned in 1997.
The newly built Hermann Park Golf Course clubhouse, located at 2155 ...
SEE MOREHERMANN PARK HISTORIC CLUBHOUSE
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department and Hermann Park Conservancy offices are located in the historic Spanish-style clubhouse at 6201 Hemann Park Drive. Designed by Alfred E. Nutter in 1933, the cozy building was the original Hermann Park Golf Course clubhouse.
SEE MOREHERMANN PARK RAILROAD
The Hermann Park Railroad has been a favorite with children for over 50 years. The train winds its way around the Park on a scenic tour, delighting riders of all ages. Riders can board at Kinder Station, the main stop for the train, or at one of three substations. The ...
SEE MOREHOUSTON ZOO
The Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Drive, offers a 55-acre lush tropical landscape for more than 6,000 permanent animal residents. More than 1.86 million guests visit the zoo each year to enjoy learning about a wide variety of animals and the ecosystems they live in. The Houston Zoo is ...
SEE MOREJAPANESE GARDEN
Japanese Garden Hours:
March 1 - October 31: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
November 1 - February 28: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
With its waterfalls, bridges, and stone paths that wander among crepe myrtles, azaleas, Japanese maples, dogwoods, and cherry trees, the Japanese Garden is a peaceful hideaway in ...
SEE MOREKINDER STATION
Following a $2 million donation by the Kinder Foundation, Kinder Station was built as a new central rail station for the Hermann Park Railroad. Here, riders buy tickets and board the train for a 20-minute scenic trip on the Park’s train. The Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop is also ...
SEE MORELAKE OVERLOOK AND MOLLY ANN SMITH PLAZA
Located on the north shore of McGovern Lake, picturesque Lake Overlook and Molly Ann Smith Plaza offer picnic areas on a raised lawn, shaded seating, and playful interactive fountains for children to enjoy. The Pioneer Memorial obelisk honors the early pioneers who founded Houston.
SEE MORELAKE PICNIC AREA
Through a partnership with the City of Houston, Hermann Park Conservancy developed the new Lake Picnic area. This enhanced space is located between Miller Outdoor Theatre and Lake Plaza and includes: picnic tables and BBQ grills, a swing set, a boardwalk and new trails.
SEE MORELAKE PLAZA
Scenic Lake Plaza, renovated in 2008, is situated along the eastern edge of McGovern Lake and is adjacent to the main entrance to the Houston Zoo. The Plaza includes Kinder Station (the main station for the Hermann Park Train), the Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop, Pinewood Cafe, public restrooms, the ...
SEE MOREMARVIN TAYLOR TRAIL
The Marvin Taylor Trail offers runners and walkers a picturesque two-mile path, much of it under the shade of historic live oaks. Renovated in 2011, the former carriage trail now features a decomposed granite surface with concrete curbs, new light poles, and improved drainage. The trail is named for Marvin ...
SEE MOREMARY GIBBS AND JESSE H. JONES REFLECTION POOL
One of the most popular features in Hermann Park, the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool measures 740 feet long and 80 feet wide. Sculpted stone edges create an attractive border for the pool and a black bottom offers maximum reflection. Both sides are lined with beautiful mature ...
SEE MOREMCGOVERN LAKE
The scenic, eight-acre lake offers Park visitors a beautiful spot to relax and watch birds or take a pedal boat ride. Major improvements to the lake were started in 1999 when the old lake was drained, enlarged, and concrete edges were added for safety. The lake now includes three islands ...
SEE MOREMECOM FOUNTAIN
In 1964, oil magnate John W. Mecom and his wife Mary presented the Mecom Fountain as a gift to the City of Houston. The spectacular fountain, located in the traffic circle where Montrose and Main Streets connect, is an iconic Houston landmark. Designed by Eugene Werlin, the fountain was the ...
SEE MOREMECOM ROCKWELL COLONNADE
The attractive Mecom Rockwell Colonnade and fountain were added to Hermann Park in 1968 using the limestone columns from the original Miller Outdoor Theatre, built in 1923.
SEE MOREMILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE
Miller Outdoor Theatre offers one of the most diverse seasons of professional entertainment of any Houston performance venue. Theater-goers can take in a show in the covered seating area or enjoy a performance and picnic on the hillside. All performances at Miller Theatre are family-friendly and free of charge.
Visit ...
SEE MOREO. JACK MITCHELL GARDEN
The O. Jack Mitchell Garden is named for the former dean of the Rice School of Architecture. The picturesque garden is located along the side of the Jones Reflection Pool across from Arbor in the Pines.
SEE MOREPEDAL BOAT LAGOON AND DOCK
Hermann Park's Pedal Boat Lagoon is the starting point for pedal boat rides on McGovern Lake. Boaters get up close and personal with the many ducks and water fowl that call Hermann Park home, as well as fish swimming below the surface. The cost is $10 per boat for ...
SEE MOREPINEWOOD CAFE
Located in Hermann Park's Lake Plaza, next to Kinder Station, Pinewood Cafe features fresh salads, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, a kids' menu, and smoothies, plus a fun build-your-own grilled cheese menu. The dining terrace overlooking McGovern Lake is an unbeatable setting for an enjoyable meal. Call ahead for pick up ...
SEE MOREPIONEER MEMORIAL LOG HOUSE MUSEUM
Teaching Texas history since 1936, this authentic log house is supported by the San Jacinto Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The house and grounds are a memorial to the pioneer women and men of Houston. For information, call 713-522-0396.
SEE MOREPIONEER MEMORIAL OBELISK
The Pioneer Memorial granite obelisk, located on Molly Ann Smith Plaza between the Jones Reflection Pool and McGovern Lake, honors the early pioneers who founded Houston. The monument was placed in Hermann Park in 1936 to celebrate the centennial of Texas Independence. It was created by a German Immigrant, Frank ...
SEE MORESAM HOUSTON MONUMENT
General Sam Houston, sitting atop his horse, Saracen, has watched over the entrance to Hermann Park at Montrose and Main streets since 1925. The bronze sculpture was created by Enrico Filiberto Cerrachio (1880-1956) and was funded by the Women’s City Club. The iconic statue was lovingly restored by the ...
SEE MORESARA H. AND JOHN H. LINDSEY PLAZA
The Sara H. and John H. Lindsey Plaza provides an attractive entryway to Hermann Park, leading from the Sam Houston Monument to the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool. Colorful landscaping and paving bricks create a beautiful spot welcoming visitors to the Park.
SEE MORETIFFANY & CO. FOUNDATION BRIDGE
The attractive Tiffany & Co. Foundation Bridge spans the corner of McGovern Lake near the pedal boat lagoon and connects the Lake Plaza and Lake Picnic areas. A $1 million grant from Tiffany & Co. Foundation in 2008 made this scenic bridge possible. The bridge was designed by Overland Partners with White ...
SEE MOREUNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON MICRO PAVILION: REFRAME X FRAME
The project is a collaboration between professors in the University of Houston Graduate Design/Build Studio in the College of Architecture, the Graphic Communications Program in the School of Art, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. It proposes the development of a semi-permanent open-air installation within a ...
SEE MOREURBAN FOREST (BAYOU PARKLAND)
A small urban forest, tucked away in Bayou Parkland along the banks of Brays Bayou, provides cooling shade and a quiet place to rest. The numerous species of trees and undergrowth are a source of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. The forest is the perfect retreat from ...
SEE MOREWHISTLESTOP PRAIRIE
This special grassland was planted in 2009 to give visitors a chance to experience Houston’s natural heritage as a prairie and to enjoy a patch of wilderness in the middle of a busy city. This prairie planting is part of Project Blazing Star, an effort to bring native prairie ...
SEE MOREWIND WAVES BY YVONNE DOMENGE
Wind Waves, by Mexican artist Yvonne Domenge, is a thirteen-foot tall Ferrari-red steel orb weighing close to 6 tons. The sculpture draws on organic, curvilinear forms and, like most of her work, is influenced by mathematics, physics, the natural world, and the traditional art of Mexico. Her artwork has been ...
SEE MORE