5 Of The Most Beautiful Parks In Houston

#1 Buffalo Bayou Park

Location: 1800 Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive, River Oaks

Why We Love It: The heart of the main artery of this city, Buffalo Bayou, is a green space that spans over 160-acres, built along 10 miles of a stunning waterway. This park cost around $58 million.

What To Do: You can enjoy the waters on either a pontoon boat or kayak, ride your bike on the Sandy Reed Memorial Trail, take your children to the Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area, or walk the Kinder Footpaths.

Who You Will Find There: All types of Houstonians, but especially younger Inner Loop denizens that enjoy fantastic recreational opportunities, in an ideally situated location.

When To Visit: It depends on what you enjoy. Weeknights and weekends, this park is home to a lot of dogs, bike, and foot traffic, while weekdays seem to be quieter, offering the ideal spot for a bit of quiet contemplation.

#2 Evelyn's Park

Location: 4400 Bellaire Boulevard, Bellaire

Why We Love It: Evelyn's Park may have only opened to the public last year, but it pays homage and respect to the Teas Nursery, which once occupied this area for more than a century, by filling the pathway-lined landscapes with flora and several flowers.

What To Do: Spanning over 5-acres this park hosts farmer's markets, food trucks, fitness classes, along with other family-orientated and fun events of the grassy central lawns.

Who You Will Find There: Grannies that love to garden and ladies who enjoy lunches (this park is ideal for low-key strolls).

When To Visit: Sunday mornings are the perfect time to visit a pop-up café concept, at the Yellow House, which features an oak-shaded patio, along with gorgeous views across the park.

#3 Levy Park

Location: 3801 Eastside Street, Upper Kirby

Why We Love It: In the earlier parts of the 2000s, Upper Kirby Management District took over the maintenance part of this once neglected park, built back in 1941. It has just recently debuted, a year's worth of upgrades and renovations.

What To Do: Weekly piano concerts for the public, and a beautiful outdoor reading room, Houston Public Library teen-poetry slams, and storytimes, make this park one of those green spaces that double up as one of the cultural destinations.

Who You Will Find There: Proud parents of both fur babies and humans (the large playground and the dual-dog parks are one of the biggest draws), composters, and community gardeners.

When To Visit: Saturday mornings where you can take part in a 10 am yoga class or an 8.30 am boot camp for free. Then head over to the other side of the street to enjoy the large Eastside Farmers Market, and head on back to enjoy your picnic breakfast.

#4 Emancipation Park

Location: 3018 Emancipation Ave, Third Ward

Why We Love It: This was the first of the public parks in Houston, established in 1872, which has just undergone a $33 million overhaul. This has included all-new facilities, which include dual-twisty slides, and a beautiful swimming pool.

What To Do: The park's fitness center provides everything from an indoor gym and weight room to weekly line-dancing and Zumba classes.

Who Will You Find There: adolescents and athletes, that all take full advantage of the softball fields, and lighted tennis and basketball courts.

When To Visit: Any of the days that you can catch the Crumbville, TX Bakery (2316 Elgin Street), or the RO Seafood Boiler Shack (2901 Emancipation Avenue). You could also grab one of the to-go meals such as fried shrimp PO-boys from Wendell Price's restaurant, and convince your children to finally leave the playground by buying them one of Ella Russell's renowned "stuffed cups", cupcakes with cookies baked inside.

#5 Buffalo Bend Nature Park

Why We Love It: Recently renamed the Yolanda Black Navarro Buffalo Bend Nature Park after a committed East End civic leader, this park was built in 2016, from remains from the construction-fill site close to the Port of Houston's Turning Basin.

What To Do: Wander through reconstructed wetlands that are supposed to resemble the original landscapes of this area, which helps you to see a totally different side of Buffalo Bayou.

Who Will You Find There: Bird watchers and solitude-seekers. The bird watchers are treated with sightings of blue herons, black-bellied whistling ducks, white ibis, along with other types of migratory species.

When To Visit: Weekday evenings, when the bustling park is packed, for an evening jog that features more wildlife spotting rather than people-watching.

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