Houston Arboretum & Nature Center image

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

Tourist attraction Non profit organization Arboretum

One of the Most Reviewed Non profit organizations in Houston


Address

4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024, United States

Website

www.houstonarboretum.org

Contact

+1 713-681-8433

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (3.4K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 7 am to 6 pm
  • Monday: 7 am to 6 pm
  • Tuesday: 7 am to 6 pm
  • Wednesday: 7 am to 6 pm
  • Thursday: 7 am to 6 pm
  • Friday: 7 am to 6 pm
  • Saturday: 7 am to 6 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: nature (29) trails (23) city (19) parking (18) park (15) walk (14) center (13) free (12) Houston (12) kids (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Ashley E. 1 year ago on Google
    Well worth the $5 to park, and free on Thursdays. This is such a green gem in the vast cityscape of Houston. It’s expansive and superbly maintained. I can only speak to the experience of a parent to young kids, but there’s way more to it than the much-appreciated play space and indoor discovery center. Trails upon trails, lovely views, pretty flowers, and plenty of shade. I saw plenty of hikers, cyclists, and puppy parents enjoying the space too. We’ll definitely be back.
    21 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 The K Green S. 1 month ago on Google • 892 reviews New
    A great place to walk and see nature happen while it's happening. Native plants growing with trails throughout that are easy to navigate. I used my maps app to make sure I really wanted take a certain trail or not. Little areas to stop and read and there is a nice lake with seats. Awesome kiddie area and a building with souvenirs and learning centers. Entry is free but parking is about 5 dollars.

  • 5/5 Mariel M. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely spot in the middle of the city. Lots of easy trails. No biking or running allowed. You do have to pay for parking, Friday - Wednesday, but a membership quickly pays for its self if you plan of visiting a few times a year. Highly recommend!
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Tho Thanh N. 2 years ago on Google
    Without a botanical garden, this arboretum seems lacking to me. So much potential to make this place more lively but this arboretum and nature center turned out to be very underwhelming except for some nice paths to walk on. If you’re looking to get away from people and to just walk along some trees then it might be worth it to visit this place. However, if you want to see more than just some trees then this place might not be it for you. This place is definitely not worth a visit if you’re out of state. Check out other Houston parks (like Hermann Park) instead! Parking is free on Thursday, otherwise you can pay $5 via meter or an app.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nghia T. 1 year ago on Google
    What a beautiful piece of nature in the city. Really love what they've done with the place. Will be bringing the family here for nature walks every weekend. So peaceful and pretty! Highly recommend. 5 dollars to park and enjoy the gorgeous scenery (especially in fall) is nothing. Definitely plan on getting the park membership.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 M Bilal Z. 1 year ago on Google
    The entrance off of 610 leads you close to the nature center. Even on hot days there are one or two shady spots. It's a fantastic place to spend a day and get some exercise in as well. There in an abundance of local and invasive flora and fauna which you will likely run into if it's not too crowded. There is a play area, shady trails and a few ponds and what is passable as a small lake. Sometimes there is a guy who sells great popsicles. If it gets too hot there nature center is there to cool off a little bit out does close so monitor the times. There is a water fountain and you can get cool if not cold water after running it for fifteen seconds. The bathrooms are always exceptionally clean and the staff/volunteers are fantastic. We come here almost every week.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aydée T. 5 months ago on Google • 149 reviews
    Really great place to spend the afternoon, you can expect great nature views and long walks. It also have few playgrounds for kids and adults. I had an amazing afternoon with my family, it also have bike roads so there's plenty activities you can do while you live with nature.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kellie W. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful hidden gem in the middle of the city! It's really an awesome get away without having to drive out of town. There are several trails, some short and some long so pick your path or just wander around. My kids LOVE this place. There are lots of butterflies, turtles, and birds. Highly recommend!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elizabeth 4 months ago on Google • 147 reviews
    OMG, the Houston Arboretum is absolutely amazing! 🌳 It's a nature lover's paradise. The trails are so serene and picturesque, surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful flowers. And guess what? I was lucky enough to spot an adorable armadillo during my visit! 🦔 It was such a unique and memorable experience. Whether you're into birdwatching, hiking, or just enjoying the tranquility of nature, the Houston Arboretum is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The parking in the lot here is very easy you can pay through the mobile app or at a pay station. You definitely don't want to miss it! 🌿🐾
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hector R. 2 years ago on Google
    It was the first time here with the family and we had a blast!!! The arboretum is beautiful!! The kids loved the play area so much. They had a blast playing in the sand making sand castles and climbing the 🕸️. We loved walking the trails. It was so nice to be in nature yet in the heart of the city!! We live in atascosita and we will be making the drive here more often!!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kevin W. 2 months ago on Google • 305 reviews New
    Peaceful wooded reserve in the middle of Houston Park is well-maintained with multiple (unpaved) trail options. Contains a nature visitor center and shop, multipurpose room, playgrounds, parking lots, and indoor restrooms. Despite being located close to the city, the arboretum is a great place to get away from the busy city life. Wish the parking was still free (like before).

  • 5/5 Kevin L. 4 months ago on Google • 12 reviews
    Nice place within the city to go for a short hike and explore several well curated ecosystems. Has around 5 miles of winding trails through 150+ acres with a prairie, woods, and wetlands. Did 2.5 miles in about an hr and a half, saw numerous butterflies and some squirrels. Lots of activities for children. Free entry, paid parking.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Spaceship Earth R. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place for walking, hiking, and running. Parking is unique, kind of all over place. It's a small green place, but the paths are extremely winding, so it makes it feel larger than it is. It's labeled as an Arboretum, but don't expect a big city style Arboretum, if you do you will be disappointed. It's more closer to a walking trail park. People have been polite. The maps, signs, and directions are not well made, so finding exact spots is tricky. They could use better/more significant landmarks and 'You are here' spots. Certain pond areas have overly aggressive mosquitoes, it was crazy. Just be aware and make sure to load up in bugs pray. I did not, so I'm hoping bugs pray would hinder the mosquitoes.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jody R. 2 years ago on Google
    What a delightful place! A nice maze of trails make it easy to do a short mile walk or a 5 mile walk. There is something interesting to see at every turn and it's easy to distance from people. The trails are beautifully maintained and it's nice to have access to a clean bathroom.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Izzy L. 6 months ago on Google
    I always love going to The Houston Arboretum for my nature photography shots. I have been trying to capture hummingbirds for years but rarely saw them. I was lucky to catch a few near the gift shop today! They are so tiny, and tough to capture lol. All in al the entire Park is an amazing adventure! Until next time!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eng K. 2 years ago on Google
    One of the most beautiful and greeny nature park in downtown Houston. I really love this park with many different trails to walk around and beautiful lake with many of nature tress and view within the park. This park is free for admission and there are parking fees you need to ready for your car. But there are free parking on Thursday.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Diana L. 1 year ago on Google
    This is amazingly a peaceful, quiet experience right in the middle of Houston. I like to come here when I want a bit of nature but don't want to drive too far out of the city. It looks different in every season, and the employees put a lot of work into this place. There has been construction for years around the Visitors Center but that has made a lot of progress and you are able to walk directly through the area now. There is a range of different habitats and the natural paths aside from the boardwalks allow for quiet walking without it being muddy. The Arboretum is quite dense. I've been to others where there are sprawling grass lawns, but here there is a lot of vegetation to protect, so you are for the most part limited to the paths, but they are spacious. You won't get fully disconnected from the city; there is a regular train nearby that you will most likely hear during your visit (especially if you're out on the edges), but you will still encounter lots of wildlife like a wide variety of birds, turtles, and squirrels. I like taking pictures of seasonal birds, butterflies, and flowers. And the Arboretum paths are so sprawling that it never feels crowded. You might pass someone and then walk for a few minutes without running into anyone else. Parking is $5 or you can opt to buy the annual pass for $40, which is definitely worth it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stephanie H. 1 year ago on Google
    Such a beautiful hidden gem right in the middle of our busy city! We had so much fun exploring the trails, playing on the nature playground, and learning some new things inside the education center! Definitely recommend! Parking is only $5 everything else is free!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mariana P. 1 month ago on Google • 38 reviews New
    Great place for a spontaneous stroll with your kids, your partner, or even on your own. The park is a perfect place to get in touch with nature. Especially if you work in the city and just need a minute to breathe fresh air during your lunch break. Overall, it’s a very cute place. We saw a bunch of beautiful birds. There’s a little nature center with a cute gift shop and it looks like a place for the kids to learn and do nature related activities. Definitely coming back with my kids.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 AlxCdog 3 months ago on Google • 97 reviews New
    Actually, we did a guided hike with a group called Bayou City Outdoors. They can be found on FB. The hike was at night and it was approx 2.8 miles. Our group was a decent size, like about, 30ppl. The trail was good, some mounds to hump over but nothing that couldn't be done. Although, the trail is not a flat trail by no means. Some of our guest did need assistance but they did it successfully. Overall great hike, with some cool scenery. Enjoy the pix. Btw, it's a public pay parking so you can use the "Park Houston" app to pay or on site at location.

  • 5/5 Lauren H. 7 months ago on Google
    We always love an arboretum visit! Have been many times! Great spot for a hot day because there is shade and an indoor nature center to explore and cool off! All three of my kids have a blast for different reasons. We love the water pump and rope web to climb on, and we love all the critters inside! Parking is $5 all day (pay by machine or app) free on Thursdays!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brittany G. 10 months ago on Google
    Wonderful center, I love to go on hikes there when you want to be surround by nature away from the city. The grounds are very well maintained. We love seeing the goats when they are there. Always so many flowers in the spring time. One of my favorite places to go in Houston. You do have to pay for parking, but it is not a large amount to pay. It can get crowded on the weekends. They also have lots of cool events that happen at the center.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sew R. 11 months ago on Google
    Breathtaking. Nature in its truest form. Wear your walking shoes or rubber boots and hit the trails. Very awe inspiring. The Nature Center is outstanding with beautiful displays. Free to walk around but specific events have ticket prices.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Heather H. 9 months ago on Google
    I loved this place. Perfect place for a day of science and biology. They also have day camp here and regular events and activities. Clean, a place for water and restroom, and a playground in the back. There is a butterfly villa and trails to walk and explore
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sarah 8 months ago on Google
    A true sanctuary, with carefully arranged trails [some shaded, some veryyy sunlit]. Seems like there's been a lot of conservation steps taken to revitalise the local ecosystem, so that makes the path-only requests all the more significant. There are plenty of benches throughout for folks like me that needed to sit&think. Really grateful that there's a spacious natural place in this otherwise car&road-heavy city.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Patty R. 6 months ago on Google
    I'm pretty sure this place is amazing to walk through when we have enough rain to keep trees and flowers alive. Even so, we had a nice time cruising through its paths.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Louise M. 1 year ago on Google
    Just gorgeous. Parking was $5. Wonderful afternoon spend meandering and walking through nature. Very well maintained, near zero litter, nice clean restrooms at the nature center, and beautiful plants throughout.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amanda S. 9 months ago on Google
    This hidden gem was a pleasant surprise. Well maintained walking trails and plenty of natural areas. Spent a few hours exploring & walking all the trails. Free to go but costs to park, except on Thursdays. I paid $5.50 to park all day, so not bad, especially if you carpool.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 CC A. 1 year ago on Google
    Love the arboretum! It's so relaxing walking around here. Most people don't know about it in the city so it's not usually crowded. I think parking is free on Thursdays but double check that. It has an awesome playground for the kids but just know dogs aren't allowed. Ample disabled parking spots. Trails are fairly accessible as well if you count a little bit of flat gravel. There are some nice trails here that can lead you to some pretty awesome secret spots. Doesn't even feel like you're in the city.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daval 1 month ago on Google • 12 reviews New
    A lovely place to visit midweek for exercise and contemplation. Quiet and peaceful and very well maintained with great facilities. I also came across a few ‘local residents’ ie turtles, snake, lizard and birds. As it was dry and sunny on the day of the visit, comfortable shoes/ trainers were suitable on most paths. Suggest if it’s rained in the previous 24hrs, then consider walking boots. Dogs allowed. Although walked to the center and hence no info on parking costs, plenty of parking space available weekdays.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 nicolo alexis d. 1 month ago on Google • 79 reviews New
    The arboretum seemed more like a walking park in the trees. Nice refuge from in the city. You also get to see the famous armadillo rubbing around!

  • 5/5 Rachelys M. 1 month ago on Google • 41 reviews New
    If you love nature, this place is amazing to you. You can walk or ride bicycles. It is pet-friendly, families with kids everywhere and also couples. It is an excellent place to spend time with your loved one. It is free, but you have to pay to park.

  • 5/5 Julianne W. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely gorgeous. Spaced out and places to rest. We were able to stay away from people and enjoy nature. We saw a rabbit too! Very exciting for in the middle of Houston. Plenty of shade and perfect spot for a picnic! We didn't end up going on the trails because we found a lovely spot so fast. No one bothered us which we appreciated. Everyone was chill and enjoying the day.

  • 5/5 Kim E. 2 years ago on Google
    Love love love this tranquil Place w/loads of paths in shade + in sunshine!! It has a very neat resource center too where you can see liquids + insects! Workshops, classes, etc!!

  • 5/5 Lauren S. 4 months ago on Google
    Loved getting to bask in nature in the middle of the city! It's a great place to take photos and bring family. It's worth the price of parking (but you should note that you will have to pay to park; therefore entrance is truly not free).

  • 5/5 Antwone H. 4 months ago on Google
    This is a beautiful place to visit while in the Downtown area! It is a well designed nature park with ample parking if you come early in the day. I did not visit the Nature Center on this trip, instead I came to simply walk the trails and soak in some sunlight. The trails are easy to access from the parking area and there are shorter trails and longer ones. I enjoy the views and the wildlife! A memorable part of Downtown Houston 💯

  • 4/5 N C. 4 months ago on Google
    The arboretum itself is free, but it's paid parking except Thursdays. Came here in November and enjoyed my walk here. Tons of butterflies. Dog friendly as well.

  • 5/5 Stefanie G. 2 years ago on Google
    We have always loved the nature walks at the arboretum but the new playground and activities are a bonus! My son is excited to learn about all of the insects, creatures and plant life we can spot along the trails. A beautiful way to spend the day with family.

  • 4/5 hector h. 8 months ago on Google
    It's a great play to take the kids. But don't take your puppy cause they're not allowed everywhere and you'll be limited. But overall, we had a good time anyway.


Call +1 713-681-8433 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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