THINGS TO D O
THIS SUMMER
BATS / BOATS / BAYOU 12 13 24
Cruise down Buffalo Bayou on a pontoon boat for a unique excursion to watch the bat colony take flight from their Waugh Bridge home at dusk. Summertime means the bat pups are just learning how to fly. Cue the “awwwws” and squeals of delight here, however, human pups, aka, kids under the age of four, are not allowed on the boat tours. Tours leave around a half hour before sunset and last around 1.5 hours. Tickets are $30 a person, and reservations can be made for June 10, 24, July 8, 22 or August 12, 26 online at buffalobayou.org/boat-tours
June 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., cruise down Buffalo Bayou from Allen’s Landing to the Port of Houston Turning Basin for the Port to Port boat tour. Find out the historical context from guide Andrew Groocock and see a side of the bayou’s upper channel that not many Houstonians have experienced. Cost of tickets—$45.
downtownhouston.org
14 15
Ahh, the delights of Houston summer twilights. The sun goes down and summer seems somewhat bearable yet again. Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership on a half hour ride down the bayou between 6–8 p.m. Spots are first come, first serve, but there are several rides throughout the evening in case you don’t make it on the first ride out. Bring mosquito spray as well as $7 for adults and $4 for kids ages 4–12. Alligators have been known to lounge lazily on the banks, so there could be some excitement in store. Dates: June 15, July 17, August 19.
Summer is for scavenging along Buffalo Bayou, and the grand prize is a discount for bike rentals at Bike Barn or Buffalo Bayou Partnership pontoon boat tour passes. All you have to do is pick up a worksheet at the Lost Lake (3422 Allen Parkway) or Wortham Insurance (105 Sabine Street) visitor centers, explore a section of the bayou, answer the questions and enjoy the journey.