Nestled in the bustling city of Houston, Hermann Park offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and recreational activities. The park spans 445 acres right in the heart of the Museum District. Here you’ll find lush gardens, picturesque lakes, gardens, a zoo, museums, a golf course, and a wonderful playground and splash pad.
Parking
The park offers several parking areas, including a large parking lot near the Houston Zoo and the McGovern Centennial Gardens. There are several smaller parking lots around the park but they do fill up quickly. We lucked out on a Sunday evening to have someone leaving in one of the smaller lots and we were right there to take their spot.
Things To Do
The main reason we wanted to check out this park was for the playground and splash pad (obviously!) The all-new Play Gardens within the Commons area is a two-acre central playground designed to offer a wide variety of experiences.
The Swing Hill provides an old-school playground vibe with state-of-the-art swings, conveniently located near the Picnic Pavilion.
The Cypress Grove play area features colorful equipment shaped like snakes and alligators, celebrating Houston’s native flora and fauna.
The Gorilla Forest, a playful nod to the nearby Houston Zoo, showcases larger-than-life gorilla-themed play equipment.
Splash Cove is a very large water play area with towering spouts of water, and a “river” running through the area.
The Bayou gives the kids an interactive look at Houston’s natural water systems, with activities that explore water dynamics.
The Space Adventure area captivates with its 45-foot-tall Rocket Ship slide and space capsule for imaginative play.
And for the younger kiddos, The Thicket offers a safe, wooded area with features like The Burrow, Toad Hollow, and the Snake Den.
There is also a carousel you can pay to ride!
This park very much reminded us of Maggie Daley Park in Chicago.
Additional Attractions Within the Park
Houston Zoo – Possibly the most popular attraction is the zoo. It’s home to over 6,000 animals, representing more than 900 species. In the African Forest, you can watch elephants, giraffes, and rhinos in a naturalistic setting. The Kipp Aquarium and the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo are also big hits.
Hermann Park Railroad – This is a charming miniature train that takes you on a scenic tour through the park. The train ride lasts about 20 minutes and is conveniently located near the entrance to the Houston Zoo. Check on the hours of operation when you are there, though, it does close earlier than we were expecting.
McGovern Centennial Gardens – This beautifully landscaped garden features a variety of themed sections, including a rose garden, an arid garden, and a family garden with interactive exhibits. The centerpiece of the gardens is the stunning 30-foot-tall Mount, which offers panoramic views of the park from its summit.
Miller Outdoor Theatre – Throughout the year, the theatre hosts a diverse lineup of free performances, including concerts, plays, dance shows, and movies. You can bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of entertainment under the stars. Unfortunately, nothing was happening while we were in town.
Paddle Boats on McGovern Lake – McGovern Lake, located at the heart of Hermann Park, offers a serene setting for a paddle boat ride. You can rent paddle boats and glide across the lake, enjoying views of the surrounding gardens and wildlife.
Japanese Garden – this area offers a peaceful escape featuring traditional Japanese elements, such as koi ponds, stone lanterns, and carefully pruned trees.
Jones Reflection Pool – This is a long, rectangular pool lined with trees and benches. The pool’s still waters create beautiful reflections of the surrounding greenery.
Hermann Park Golf Course – The golf course here offers a scenic and challenging 18-holes. It’s open to the public and features tree-lined fairways, water hazards, and well-maintained greens.
Bayou Parkland – Located on the south side of the park, Bayou Parkland offers nature trails, picnic areas, and an outdoor fitness center.
Final Note:
We only had a day to spend in Houston, and this looked like the best way to spend it! It was extremely hot when we went, even though it was later in the day. There were bottle fillers in the area but the water was quite warm! There were plenty of people enjoying the park and it was rather crowded around the playground and splash pad. The kids had plenty of fun but didn’t last too long in the heat!
