The Natural Side of Houston

By Nancy Foster

While many visit Houston for its famous space center, this high-energy city teems with tons of green space, making it perfect for a springtime visit. Outdoor parks, gardens, lakes and walkways encourage exploration, relaxing strolls, meditative reflections and dazzling photo ops to capture those beautiful memories.

An afternoon is not enough time to explore the massive 132-acre Houston Botanic Garden. Just past the coral stone Abendshein Family Fountain and through the entrance lies an immersive and fragrant experience. The Culinary Garden, with its array of edible and medicinal plants, is a big draw for budding foragers, while the interactive Family Discovery Garden gives guests an opportunity to get their hands dirty. The Global Collection Garden transports visitors worlds away with its arid, subtropical and tropical plantings. On exhibit now through August 13, 2023 is “Intertwined,” a fascinating display of large bronze and steel sculptures depicting clouds, nests and roots by renowned contemporary artist Steve Tobin. hbg.org

This 160-acre greenspace west of downtown features gardens, groves and meadows surrounded by hiking and bike trails. Onsite features include public art sculptures, the Memorial Fountain, cozy picnic spots, amphitheater and the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony. A fascinating highlight is the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, once Houston’s underground drinking water reservoir and now restored and repurposed for public viewing of dozens of majestic 25-foot-tall concrete support columns. buffalobayou.org

The eight-acre botanical garden, part of the 445-acre Hermann Park Conservancy, features multiple themed gardens and activities. A 14-minute tour on the Hermann Park Railroad provides a nice overview of the manicured grounds. The gardens are host to the Friendship Pavilion, a gift to Houston by its sister city Taipei; the Hawkins Sculpture Walk, which features 10 busts of globally recognized notables; and a relaxing pedal boat tour on McGovern Lake. hermannpark.org