Points of Interest

ARID GARDEN

Water is essential to life on Earth, and recent and devastating droughts in Texas demonstrate that water conservation is essential to our survival. The Arid Garden showcases a range of plant species with low water and maintenance needs. Many of these agaves, aloes, and yuccas are native to the higher plateaus of northern and central Mexico, a reminder that political boundaries cannot divide our shared horticultural heritage. Dramatic, architectural forms and bright blooms make them a beautiful as well as water-wise choice for Houston gardens.

Would you like to name a garden? Donation opportunities are available. Contact mmiller@hermannpark.org or call 713-524-5876 ext. 339 for information.

BAYOU PARKLAND

Bayou Parkland is an 80-acre oasis for native plants and wildlife, nestled along Brays Bayou. Scenic trails, wetlands, prairie meadows and an urban forest offer a diverse nature experience. A multi-use pavilion provides a comfortable place for picnics. The area was once cut off from the Heart of the Park, but is now accessible through a pedestrian underpass below North and South MacGregor.

BILL COATS BRIDGE

Spanning 290 feet, this contemporary suspension bridge connects the banks of Brays Bayou in the Bayou Parkland area of Hermann Park. Named for a Conservancy founder, the bridge is an important link that connects the Park to nearby neighborhoods and to a 35-mile trail system. Cyclists and pedestrians enjoy the convenience and safety it offers.

BRAYS BAYOU

Houston’s 2,500 miles of bayous and waterways are an integral part of its landscape giving the city its nickname "The Bayou City." One early planner of Houston’s park system noted that the banks of Houston’s bayous were natural parks already. The banks of Brays Bayou in Hermann Park provide a natural setting for people and wildlife. The bayou runs for 31 miles, flowing eastward from Fort Bend County, through Hermann Park, to its confluence with the Houston Ship Channel, taking waters into Galveston Bay.

CELEBRATION GARDEN

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1500 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004

The Celebration Garden is a unique venue located outdoors within the McGovern Centennial Gardens. Tall hedges surrounding this magical garden will provide privacy for your ceremony or special event. The lawn measures 60’x44’ or 2640 sq. ft. The Celebration Garden can accommodate a seated ceremony for up to 240 guests, a seated dinner or special event for up to 220, and more for a cocktail party.

Click here for for information about holding your event in the Celebration Garden. For more information, email FacilityRentals@hermannpark.org or call 713-524-5876, ext 335.

CHERIE FLORES GARDEN PAVILION

1500 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004

The Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion serves as the main entryway to the Gardens and offers a stunning view of a 30-foot garden mount across the expansive Centennial Green. The Pavilion was designed by Apple store architect Peter Bohlin of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. The Pavilion is an elegant venue for weddings and other special events. It can accommodate many different events including a seated reception for up to 200 guests, a buffet reception for up to 150, cocktail parties, and meetings.

Click here for details about renting the event spaces. For additional questions, email FacilityRentals@hermannpark.org or call 713-524-5876, ext. 335.

DESTINATION MOUND TOWN (TRAIN TUNNEL) BY TRENTON DOYLE HANCOCK

Trenton Doyle Hancock, a Houston-based artist, has transformed the interior walls of the Hermann Park Railroad train tunnel into a fantastical landscape populated with creatures both real and imagined. Destination Mound Town is a contribution to Hancock’s ongoing narrative in his artwork of the Mounds, a group of mythical half-animal, half-plant characters. Train passengers are transported into a day in the life of the Mounds, beginning the journey as they arise in morning and exiting the tunnel as they settle in for the night.

Please note: Due to construction of the Commons, the tunnel is currently closed

FAMILY GARDEN

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This is an edible, interactive garden, designed to showcase vegetables, herbs, fruit, citrus, and berries that can be grown successfully in the Houston area. Children of all abilities are invited to partcipate in cultivating these beds, and to experience the touch, the scents, the colors, and the taste of fresh vegetables and herbs. You may see beds in various stages of production, from newly-planted all the way to harvest-ready. Herbs are highlighted for their many uses: culinary, medicinal, ornamental, fragrance.

Click here for a tree guide for the family garden

Would you like to name a garden? Donation opportunities are available. Contact mmiller@hermannpark.org or call 713-524-5876 ext. 339 for information.

TUDOR FAMILY PINE HILL WALK

This elevated corner represents a glimpse of the past – the piney woods of east Texas. It was the presence of mature pine trees in this area along Brays Bayou that made it a logical choice for future parkland, culminating in George Hermann’s gift to the City of Houston in 1914. Seeds of the Loblolly Pine, the most common of the southern evergreens, are a favorite of wildlife, attracting warblers, red-cockaded woodpeckers, ospreys and bald eagles, as well as deer and squirrels. The Friendship Pavilion that sits atop the Pine Hill was a gift to the City of Houston from its sister city Taipei, made for the United States Bicentennial in 1976.

FRIENDSHIP PAVILION

Sitting atop the Tudor Family Pine Hill Walk within the McGovern Centennial Gardens, the ornate Friendship Pavilion Friendship Pavilion was a gift to the City of Houston from its sister city Taipei, made for the United States Bicentennial in 1976. The pavilion was situated in Hermann Park in 1978 and was refurbished by the Houston-Taipei Society in 1995. The Friendship Pavilion originally placed in the Park’s Houston Garden Center was relocated to the McGovern Centennial Gardens upon their construction.

GINGER KALE

Ginger Kale is now open! It is located next to McGovern Lake, between Kinder Station and the pedal boat house, across the plaza from the Houston Zoo.

GRAND GATEWAY

The Grand Gateway, the historic main entrance to Hermann Park, includes the area from the Mecom Fountain to the Sam Houston Monument, erected in 1925, and the stretch of parkland along Main Street from the Fountain to the Texas Medical Center. Planned in 1915, the axis of Main and Montrose was punctuated with an elliptical sunken garden (later replaced by the Mecom Fountain), while South Main Street was designed as an oak-lined parkway.

The Grand Gateway renovation project has beautified the area while creating a safe connection to communities surrounding the Park and offering a proper welcome to one of Houston’s most historic green spaces.

PERGOLA WALK

The Pergola Walk flanks the 350-foot Centennial Green in the McGovern Centennial Gardens with a variety of colorful blooms.

HAWKINS SCULPTURE WALK

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The Hawkins Sculpture Walk is home to ten busts of notable figures from around the world. The sculptures have been donated to the City of Houston throughout the years and were situated in the Park’s International Sculpture Garden. During the transformation of the Houston Garden Center into the new McGovern Centennial Gardens, the busts were refurbished by the Houston Arts Alliance then returned to Hermann Park. They now line the entryway into the Gardens at the corner of Caroline and Hermann Drive. Full statues of Confucius, Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr. are located within McGovern Centennial Gardens, as well.

HERMANN PARK CONSERVANCY GIFT SHOP

The Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop, 6102 Hermann Park Drive, is located in Kinder Station, home to the Hermann Park Railroad. The gift shop offers a variety of Park-related souvenirs and sells tickets for train rides and the pedal boats. For more information, call 713-526-6891.

HERMANN PARK CONSERVANCY OFFICE

The Hermann Park Conservancy office is located at 1700 Hermann Drive, Houston, Texas 77004. Hermann Park Conservancy is a nonprofit citizen’s organization dedicated to the stewardship and improvement of Hermann Park – today and for generations to come. To learn more about the Conservancy and its initiatives, click here.

HERMANN PARK GOLF COURSE AND CLUBHOUSE

Built in 1922, the Hermann Park Golf Course is one of Houston’s oldest and most popular municipal golf courses. it was the first golf course in the country to be integrated. The golf course was redesigned in 1997.

The newly built Hermann Park Golf Course clubhouse, located at 2155 North MacGregor, offers a comfortable place for golfers to relax, dine, and shop. The Pro Shop offers high-quality golf accessories and the clubhouse restaurant makes a great place to stop for a tasty breakfast or lunch. The Clubhouse is located at the corner of Almeda and MacGregor.

A new practice facility and driving range was added in 2013. It is the only driving range located inside the 610 Loop and is lighted year-round. The course is open seven days a week. To contact the clubhouse, call 713-526-0077.

Visit the Hermann Park Golf Course website to book a tee time or learn more.

HERMANN PARK RAILROAD

The Hermann Park Railroad has been a favorite with children for over 70 years. The train winds its way around the Park on a scenic tour, delighting riders of all ages. Riders can board at Kinder Station, the main stop for the train, or at one of three substations. The train drops off and picks up riders at the M.D. Anderson Train Station, whose destinations include the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Mullenweg Station accommodates METRORail riders and walkers from the Texas Medical Center and Rice University areas. Weekly Station services The Commons and the Lott Family Carousel. Train day passes are 6ドル.00 on weekdays, excluding holidays and 7ドル.00 on weekends and holidays. Tickets can be purchased at the Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop, online at hermannpark.org, from QR codes at our remote train stations.

HOUSTON ZOO

The Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Drive, offers a 55-acre lush tropical landscape for more than 6,000 permanent animal residents. More than 1.86 million guests visit the zoo each year to enjoy learning about a wide variety of animals and the ecosystems they live in. The Houston Zoo is a private, non-profit organization. For hours or information, call 713-533-6500.

WOODLAND GARDEN

Extensive shade can be a challenge; the desire for shade can offset the gardener’s ability to showcase bright blooms. Azaleas and camellias, species native to Southeast Asia, were introduced into Houston gardens as early as the 1920’s, and have become enormously popular as well as successful transplants into this semi-tropical environment. These showy species prefer acidic, woodland soils and dappled light conditions. The Woodland Garden features broad sweeps of azaleas and camellias as well as native understory trees, shade-loving ferns, and naturalizing bulbs.

JAPANESE GARDEN

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With its waterfalls, bridges, and stone paths that wander among crepe myrtles, azaleas, Japanese maples, dogwoods, and cherry trees, the Japanese Garden is a peaceful hideaway in Hermann Park. The garden was designed by world-renowned landscape architect, Ken Nakajima. Natural materials are used, such as rock, wood, and plants, to give a feeling of serenity. The Japanese Garden features a teahouse and winding paths to explore the lush gardens.

On October 19, 2012, 20 cherry trees were planted in the garden to commemorate the original gift of cherry trees to the United States by Japan in 1912.

The Japanese Garden is open daily for your enjoyment and there is no admission charged.

Japanese Garden Hours:
March 1 through October 31: 9 am to 6 pm
November 1 through February 28: 9 am to 5 pm

The entrance to the Japanese Garden is near the Pioneer Memorial obelisk just off Molly Ann Smith Plaza near the Heart of the Park. The closest parking lot is Lot A located just off Sam Houston Monument circle. To get to the Japanese Garden from Lot A, follow the decomposed granite path along the Jones Reflection Pool under the double allée of trees and you’ll see the entrance just off the plaza with the obelisk. View our interactive map for more information.

For more information on the history of the Japanese Garden, click here to visit the Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s page.

For information on plants in the Japanese Garden, click here.

Click here to donate to the Japanese Garden.

The Japanese Garden is not available for rentals.

KINDER STATION

Following a 2ドル million donation by the Kinder Foundation, Kinder Station was built as a new central rail station for the Hermann Park Railroad. Here, riders buy tickets and board the train for a 20-minute scenic trip on the Park’s train. The Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop is also located in Kinder Station.

LAKE OVERLOOK AND MOLLY ANN SMITH PLAZA

Located on the north shore of McGovern Lake, picturesque Lake Overlook and Molly Ann Smith Plaza offer picnic areas on a raised lawn, shaded seating, and playful interactive fountains for children to enjoy. The Pioneer Memorial obelisk honors the early pioneers who founded Houston.

LAKE PICNIC AREA

Through a partnership with the City of Houston, Hermann Park Conservancy developed the new Lake Picnic area. This enhanced space is located between Miller Outdoor Theatre and Lake Plaza and includes: picnic tables and BBQ grills, a swing set, a boardwalk and new trails.

LAKE PLAZA

Scenic Lake Plaza, renovated in 2008, is situated along the eastern edge of McGovern Lake and is adjacent to the main entrance to the Houston Zoo. The Plaza includes Kinder Station (the main station for the Hermann Park Train), the Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop, Pinewood Cafe, public restrooms, the Tiffany & Co. Foundation Bridge, a pedal boat lagoon, and landscaped promenades around McGovern Lake.

Lott Hall

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department office is located in the historic Spanish-style clubhouse at 6201 Hemann Park Drive. Designed by Arthur E. Nutter in 1933, the cozy building was the original Hermann Park Golf Course clubhouse. Renovation of the Clubhouse was completed in late 2020 and after dedication is now called Lott Hall, in honor of Tommy and Sherry Lott.

To book Lott Hall for a private event, click here.

MARVIN TAYLOR TRAIL

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The Marvin Taylor Trail offers runners and walkers a picturesque two-mile path, much of it under the shade of historic live oaks. Renovated in 2011, the former carriage trail now features a decomposed granite surface with concrete curbs, new light poles, and improved drainage. The trail is named for Marvin Taylor, a community leader who helped organize runners and neighbors to clean up Hermann Park. His volunteer group was one of several that joined forces to become the Friends of Hermann Park, now Hermann Park Conservancy.

To see locations of mile markers along the trail, click here.

MARY GIBBS AND JESSE H. JONES REFLECTION POOL

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One of the most popular features in Hermann Park, the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool measures 740 feet long and 80 feet wide. Sculpted stone edges create an attractive border for the pool and a black bottom offers maximum reflection. Both sides are lined with beautiful mature live oak trees.

MCGOVERN CENTENNIAL GARDENS

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1500 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004

In celebration of Hermann Park’s 100th birthday in 2014, the 15-acre site where the Houston Garden Center previously stood was transformed into the new McGovern Centennial Gardens. The Gardens delight visitors with traditional features like a rose garden, and new areas to explore such as an interactive family garden, an arid garden, a 30-foot garden mount, and a sculpture promenade featuring public art donated by countries around the world.

The McGovern Centennial Gardens hours change seasonally and are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Gardens are free and open to the public.

The Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion and the Celebration Garden can be rented for special events. For rental information, click here.

Garden Etiquette:

For Your Enjoyment and Safety, and to Preserve and Protect This Garden:

• Leash your dogs (6′) max and clean up their waste.
• Do not pick flowers or plants, and please stay out of planting beds.
• Walk your bicycle.
• Scooters/Skateboards/Skates are prohibited.
• No active or team sports, and no exercise groups.
• No open flames or barbecues.
• Keep out of the cascade, pools, and fountains.
• Groups require an advance reservation.
• Weddings in the garden require a reservation.

Click here to make a donation to McGovern Centennial Gardens.

MCGOVERN LAKE

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The scenic, eight-acre lake offers Park visitors a beautiful spot to relax and watch birds or take a pedal boat ride. Major improvements to the lake were started in 1999 when the old lake was drained, enlarged, and concrete edges were added for safety. The lake now includes three islands, with two islands set aside for migratory birds. Catch-and-release fishing is permitted for children under 12 and senior citizens over 65 at Bob’s Fishing Pier. Pedal boats are available for rental in Lake Plaza.

MECOM FOUNTAIN

In 1964, oil magnate John W. Mecom and his wife Mary presented the Mecom Fountain as a gift to the City of Houston. The spectacular fountain, located in the traffic circle where Montrose and Main Streets connect, is an iconic Houston landmark. Designed by Eugene Werlin, the fountain was the largest in the city when it was built.

MECOM ROCKWELL COLONNADE

The attractive Mecom Rockwell Colonnade and fountain were added to Hermann Park in 1968 using the limestone columns from the original Miller Outdoor Theatre, built in 1923.

MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE

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Miller Outdoor Theatre offers one of the most diverse seasons of professional entertainment of any Houston performance venue. Theater-goers can take in a show in the covered seating area or enjoy a performance and picnic on the hillside. All performances at Miller Theatre are family-friendly and free of charge.

Visit the Miller Outdoor Theatre website for a full list of events.

O. JACK MITCHELL GARDEN

The O. Jack Mitchell Garden is named for the former dean of the Rice School of Architecture. The picturesque garden is located along the side of the Jones Reflection Pool across from Arbor in the Pines.

PAUL CARRINGTON CHAPTER MONUMENT

Dedicated on September 16, 1989, this monument commemorates the 200th anniversary of the United States Constitution, which was first ratified in 1788. The monument consists of three granite disks, each eight inches thick, weighing a total of 22,000 lbs. It was gifted to Hermann Park near the entrance of the Houston Zoo by the Paul Carrington chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

PEDAL BOAT LAGOON AND DOCK

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Hermann Park’s Pedal Boat Lagoon is the starting point for pedal boat rides on McGovern Lake. Boaters get up close and personal with the many ducks and water fowl that call Hermann Park home, as well as fish swimming below the surface. The cost is 13ドル per boat for 30 minutes. Boats accommodate up to four people. For hours and information about riding the pedal boats, click here.

PIONEER MEMORIAL LOG HOUSE MUSEUM

Teaching Texas history since 1936, this authentic log house is supported by the San Jacinto Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The house and grounds are a memorial to the pioneer women and men of Houston. For information, call 713-522-0396.

PIONEER MEMORIAL OBELISK

The Pioneer Memorial granite obelisk, located on Molly Ann Smith Plaza between the Jones Reflection Pool and McGovern Lake, honors the early pioneers who founded Houston. The monument was placed in Hermann Park in 1936 to celebrate the centennial of Texas Independence. It was created by a German Immigrant, Frank A. Teich, who came to the U.S. in 1878.

SAM HOUSTON MONUMENT

General Sam Houston, sitting atop his horse, Saracen, has watched over the entrance to Hermann Park at Montrose and Main streets since 1925. The bronze sculpture was created by Enrico Filiberto Cerrachio (1880-1956) and was funded by the Women’s City Club. Frank Teich (1856-1939) sculpted the massive granite arch that supports Sam Houston and his horse. The iconic statue was lovingly restored by the Houston Municipal Art Commission in 1996.

SARA H. AND JOHN H. LINDSEY PLAZA

The Sara H. and John H. Lindsey Plaza provides an attractive entryway to Hermann Park, leading from the Sam Houston Monument to the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool. Colorful landscaping and paving bricks create a beautiful spot welcoming visitors to the Park.

TIFFANY & CO. FOUNDATION BRIDGE

The attractive Tiffany & Co. Foundation Bridge spans the corner of McGovern Lake near the pedal boat lagoon and connects the Lake Plaza and Lake Picnic areas. A 1ドル million grant from Tiffany & Co. Foundation in 2008 made this scenic bridge possible. The bridge was designed by Overland Partners with White Oak Studio.

URBAN FOREST

A small urban forest, tucked away in Bayou Parkland along the banks of Brays Bayou, provides cooling shade and a quiet place to rest. The numerous species of trees and undergrowth are a source of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. The forest is the perfect retreat from stress of city life.

WHISTLESTOP PRAIRIE

This special grassland was planted in 2009 to give visitors a chance to experience Houston’s natural heritage as a prairie and to enjoy a patch of wilderness in the middle of a busy city. This prairie planting is part of Project Blazing Star, an effort to bring native prairie plants back to Hermann Park where they once thrived. Many animals are attracted to the Whistlestop Prairie. The colorful flowers provide food for wildlife such as the monarch butterfly and other insects. Migratory birds find seeds, insects, and shelter here as well.

ROSE GARDEN

Formal rose beds have been a feature in Hermann Park since the earliest plans were made for the Houston Garden Center in the late 1930’s. These re-designed rose beds feature a broad range of antique roses: found garden roses, polyanthas, Chinas, Bourbons, teas, climbers, and roses which have received the coveted ‘Earth-kind’ designation. Earth-kind roses, tested by the Texas AgriLife Extension service, have demonstrated superior pest tolerance along with outstanding landscape performance and reduced maintenance.