Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop
Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop - Residents and tourists alike will tell you that no quality time in Houston is complete without devoting at least one day to Hermann Park. Located just south of the Museum District, this 445-acre park features a beautiful infinity pool and is full of activities for everyone in your family to enjoy.
Source: cdn.houstonpublicmedia.org
Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop
Before arriving, time is well spent planning the ideal day at Hermann Park so you don't miss out on its many attractions. But with careful planning, you won't have enough time to squeeze in all the beauty of the garden in one day, so choose your priorities.
Really good news? Your memorable trip to the park doesn't have to break the bank. And free Hermann Park parking is available in the large central lots in front of the Houston Zoo, across the street from the Sam Houston Memorial and near the Miller Outdoor Theater.
Before you park, walk around Hermann Park Drive to find out where the places you plan to visit are. From there, start your adventure using the guide below. Thomas Barakat (left) and his father, Chris, put on the green at Herman Park Golf Course. Are you ready to spend some time with Mother Nature?
1. Tee Up At The Golf Course
This wooded resort is more than 100 years old and is open to the public. Lessons and tee times are available at Hermann Park Golf Course, and you can rent golf clubs if you don't have your own. The large clubhouse serves breakfast and lunch, so stop by when you've finished your evening.
Source: img.texasmonthly.com
Weekday appointments that begin at 7 a.m. can be booked online up to seven days in advance; So if you're an early bird, consider golf in the park your first stop. After hitting the links, head over to the Houston Zoo. The 55-acre garden is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so you can make this your second stop of the day.
From African jungle shows and cool bird habitats to sea lion shows and exciting encounters that will get you up close and personal with Galapagos sloths, tortoises and elephants, prepare to be amazed. Online reservations are required for all non-zoo members, so be sure to reserve tickets ahead of time.
Another highlight of your vacation is a visit to Hermann Park's Japanese Garden. Considering it's open every day and has free entry, it's a must. You'll find the entrance to the Japanese Garden near the Pioneer Memorial Obelisk (located in Molly Ann Smith Plaza, near the center of the garden).
2. Come Face To Face With The Animals At The Houston Zoo
To get your Zen on, wander through cobblestone paths and lush gardens, admire waterfalls and bridges near cherry trees, Japanese maples and dogwoods. This peaceful oasis can be just what you need to gather your thoughts and restore your energy for the rest of the day.
As a quick break, remember to factor in mealtime. Ginger Kale, conveniently located in Hermann Park, offers a variety of food including healthy sandwiches, salads, burgers, desserts, cold-pressed juices, coffee and tea. There is also a children's menu. If you choose to pack a picnic lunch, you may want to enjoy your meal at the multi-use pavilion at Bayou Parkland, a peaceful and beautiful 80-acre area on Brace Bayou.
Source: do9pgldf1gz4o.cloudfront.net
If time permits and you can squeeze an extra 20 or 30 minutes of garden time into your day, McGovern Centennial Gardens is definitely worth a visit for some Instagram-worthy shots. Although hours vary seasonally, the gardens boast 490 new trees of more than 50 species, 760 shrubs, 55,000 perennial bulbs, 650 azaleas and 4½ acres of grass.
The educational Family Garden has seasonal vegetables, herbs and fruit trees and other highlights include the Rose Garden, the Hawkins Sculpture Walk, the Pergola Walk and the Tudor Pine Hill Family Walk. You will find the main entrance to the gardens in the Cheri Flores Garden Pavilion.
3. Marvel At The Japanese Garden
Fun fact: The architect of this pavilion is Peter Bohlin, the same architect who designed the Apple stores. Aerial view of Pedal Boat Lagoon in Hermann Park, Houston. For a 30-minute visual experience along with some exercise, head to the Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop at Kinder Station on the Lake Plaza to purchase pedal boat tickets.
Weather permitting, pedal boats are available daily from 10am to 5pm. For a boat fee of $12, four riders are allowed per boat (no pets allowed). Riders must be at least 18 years old, children can sit alone and life jackets are required for everyone on board.
Take a scenic train ride through Hermann Park on the Choo-Choo train. For the perfect day at Hermann Park, you won't have time for both a pedal boat ride and a train ride, so you might want to pick one and stick with it. For train journeys, the shuttle lasts 14 minutes and departs from Kinder station approximately every 20 to 25 minutes.
Source: s.hdnux.com
There is another stop by the Houston Museum of Natural Science, so you may want to take the ferry as your transportation to the museum and then return to the park when your museum visit is complete. If you're only interested in taking one ride on the train, consider buying a one-time ticket;
4. Grab A Bite To Eat At Ginger Kale
But if you're going to drive up and down a few times, it's more cost effective to buy a day. It's no wonder why the Houston Museum of Natural Science is considered a favorite thing to do in Houston. Permanent exhibits cover five floors of astronomy, space science, Native American culture, paleontology, energy, chemistry, geology, sea creatures, and Texas wildlife—and that's not including all the special rotating exhibits.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office. Admission is free on Thursdays, but online reservations are not available. Thursday tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis. - Universal Studios is bringing a theme park to North Texas - You don't have to hide from the Houston Public Library cops anymore For the latest and greatest from the Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here.
Vicki Salemi is a freelance writer for Hearst. He is a nationally recognized career expert and travel and lifestyle columnist, writer, and author. His work has appeared in BBC Travel, Forbes, The Cut, The New York Post and more. Follow her adventures on Instagram @VickiSalemi and her website.
Lake Plaza is the crown jewel of Houston's famous Hermann Park. Led by the Hermann Park Conservancy, a non-profit citizen organization, in partnership with the city, the project received LEED Gold certification through energy efficiency and sensitive landscape renovation and integrated water management for the site.
hermann park conservancy houston, hermann park conservancy logo, hermann park conservancy address, hermann park conservancy gala