Located in Memorial Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, the Houston Arboretum offers visitors a chance to learn about the local flora and fauna. Classes for children and adults are offered weekly, FREE walking trails (5 miles) and exploration in the Nature Center’s Discovery Room.
Discovery Room
The Discovery Room, inside the Nature Center has lots of fun educational stations to explore! We looked at water beetles, did leaf rubbings, hid inside a hollow tree and felt wild animal pelts!
Gift Shop
The Houston Arboretum is not funded by any tax dollars, and depends on it’s visitors and contributions. So go ahead and feel good about buying that cute stuffed animal in the gift shop!
Classes
The Arboretum offers some incredible classes for individuals, children and families. Click HERE to see a complete list!
Trails
There are about 5 miles of trails at the Arboretum. We did the Inner Loop (about .5 miles) so we could visit the Meadow Pond and the Outer Loop, about 2 miles. They are easy hikes, and there was quite a bit of shade under the big trees. All the trails were very well marked.
You can purchase a trail map at the Gift Shop for $3, or print the one on their website.
Take your time to enjoy the trails, and all the beautiful flowers! The blackberries reached up to the sky, and there were plenty of muscadine vines that will produce wild grapes in the early fall.
Meadows Pond is a lovely place to just relax, read a book and listen to the frogs! We brought along a couple of marbles to knock together, and were quickly answered by a love-lorn cricket frog!
Dogs, like our little Dublin here, are allowed on all the trails at the Arboretum! They should be leashed at all times, and kept on the trails and are not allowed to swim in the ponds. Be sure and bring along some water for your pup, too!
This red-eared slider has the right idea, just relaxing on a log.
There is a small, nature inspired play area for the kiddos, too!
Know Before You Go
Make a potty stop in the Nature Center’s real restrooms before you start the trails!
Don’t forget water, sunscreen and bug repellent.
We had phone service throughout the Arboretum, which was a nice surprise!
The Arboretum doesn’t have a picnic area, but there are plenty of tables in adjacent Memorial Park.
Things To Do in Houston (near the Arboretum & Nature Center)
Play
Watch the Sport of Kings at the Houston Polo Club! Click HERE for schedule and more information.
Memorial Park offers hiking, hard-surface bike trails and mountain bike trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and much more! Click HERE for more information.
You’re less than 2 miles from the Houston Beer-Can House, and you’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t at least drive by! Click HERE to read more.
Stay
Omni Houston Hotel has two outdoor pools, and FREE breakfast for children 12 and under. Click HERE to visit their website.
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
4501 Woodway Dr., Houston
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
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