Hermann Park in Houston, Texas ~ Something for Everyone

Hermann Park

My introduction to this fabulous city park in Houston, Texas which has a little something for everyone within its boundaries came as a matter of easy proximity. I had just started working at my very first job as an operating room nurse and was living in the nurse's dorm in the middle of the Texas Medical Center.

That was decades ago and as Hermann Park was just across the street on the north side of the Medical Center, it was an easy stroll and wonderful place to relax after a day of surgery.

The land for this park was presented to the City of Houston back in 1914 by George Hermann and it now proudly bears his name.

Today consisting of 445 acres ( 180 hectares ) it offers so much in the way of entertainment as well as relaxation that it is no wonder that it is a well frequented and utilized park in the heart of the fourth largest city in the United States.

Other cities have wonderful parks and we have been privileged to have visited a few of them, but let me show you one that is in our "backyard" so-to-speak. Hermann Park has many different venues within its boundaries. Let's get started viewing some of these family friendly places!

World War 1 Veterans honored...

The large spreading branches of mature live oak trees that adorn the promenade area of Hermann Park were planted to honor our World War 1 veterans in the 1920's.

More trees have been added since and these majestic living honorariums provide beauty as well as shade to visitors of this park.

The oak trees also harbor the nests of our avian friends and like many trees in the South are draped with the lacy foliage of Spanish Moss.

Hermann Park did not originally have all of the things seen there today but over the years it has continued to evolve.

We can thank the foresight, hard work and funding of visionaries who have carved out these wonderful venues now located within its borders and who continue to improve upon them as well.

Hermann Park is nestled between the Texas Medical Center, Rice University and the Museum District of Houston which is all south of the downtown area.

This is a beautiful area of town!

As a young woman who had lived all of her early life in small towns, and who did not yet own an automobile, it seemed an ideal setting!

Sam Houston Statue

This stately statue of Sam Houston astride a horse welcomes one into Hermann Park when entering from the west.

When Texas was still an independent nation, Sam Houston was the very first President of the Republic of Texas. After Texas had joined the United States, Sam Houston became a Senator for a time. He also served as a Governor of the State of Texas. Thus, he had a long political career as well as being a well known soldier.

Since our fair city was actually named in honor of him, it is fitting that a statue of Sam Houston is prominent in Hermann Park.

Mecom Fountains

Viewed from the statue of Sam Houston and probably driven around for most people entering Hermann Park, the Mecom Fountains are a landmark in Houston which have adorned this area for many years. Beautiful both daytime and at night when they are illuminated, they add a touch of beauty to an already gorgeous part of the city.

Reflection Pool 

The Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones reflection pool is seen from the backside of the Sam Houston Statue as well as other areas within the park.

It is 80 feet wide ( 24 meters ) by 740 feet ( 230 meters ) long and is a central feature along the promenade where those rows of live oak trees were planted honoring the World War 1 veterans.

Benches are situated along its length for people who wish to relax.  Ducks and other birds find delight in the fresh water that is continually circulated. 

It is a great picturesque setting for photos and many a bridal party has utilized this site to memorialize their special day.

Pioneer Memorial Obelisk

This monument which is situated at the opposite end of the reflection pool from the Sam Houston Statue was dedicated on August 30, 1936. 

McGovern Lake

This is an 8 acre lake within Hermann Park where almost anytime one visits, one can see people making their way across the aquatic site of rippling waves in rented pedal boats.

Smiles and gales of laughter echo across the water and it is fun to see people of all ages enjoying themselves.

For youngsters who bring their own poles, fishing is also allowed...but catch and release are the rules to be followed.

From this location one can catch some glimpses of a few buildings in the Texas Medical Center.

McGovern Lake is also near the Houston Zoo which is also located within the expansive Hermann Park.

Some islands in McGovern Lake offer refuge to migratory birds each year as they go from north to south and then back.

Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo has come a long way since the early days when I first began visiting it. As so many zoos across the country have done, spaces have been enlarged with more natural settings provided for the animals who call this location home.

From my single days to married ones and for the multiple visits in taking guests to the Houston Zoo within Hermann Park, another aspect besides the care of the animals is impressive.

The landscaped grounds are stunningly beautiful with blooming plants of many different varieties.

Depending upon the season and what may be in bloom, one could consider visiting the Houston Zoo much like one might visit a botanical garden to admire the textures, colors and shapes of plants and learn which ones thrive in this area.

I love visiting our zoo as much for the garden-like setting as well as seeing the wild creatures. It is a great combination enthralling all of one's senses.

Miniature Train in Hermann Park

Who doesn't like riding through a park on a miniature train?

Established in 1957, this miniature train has been taking young and old alike through the grounds of Hermann Park and its whistle can be heard operating from 10 AM to 5 PM each day. Whoo -Hooo!

One boards it from the parking lot area adjacent to the Houston Zoo. For those who might not be able nor wish to engage in the 2 miles of walking, jogging or hiking trails within the park, riding this train will give one an overview of the area and bring back the days of feeling like a child if one is past that tender young age.

The whimsical wooden sculpture pictured to the right sits along-side the train tracks at one point of this miniature train ride though the park.

Golf

For golfing enthusiasts, Hermann Park boasts a public course which is open year round and according to Golf Digest rates 3 1/2 stars.

The setting is lush and green as is much of Houston but it also sports those majestic old oak trees. 

For those that enjoy a bit of trivia...it was one of the first desegregated golf courses in the nation.  How about that! 

Miller Outdoor Theatre

From 1923 and going forward to this day, people have been congregating in the seats of the Miller Outdoor Theatre or spreading blankets out on the lawn which rises up behind the seated area to enjoy a variety of shows, festivals and the like free of charge.

Walking from the Texas Medical Center, I saw my very first live performance of a ballet and also a symphony performance among other things. The small towns in which I had previously lived did not provide such opportunities at any price.

Every type of musical rendition takes place on stage as well as other types of performances for a season which spans 8 months of the year.

Most performances start in the early evening, but one can also sit in those seats or on the lawn enjoying rehearsals earlier in the day as one of my photos below shows.

What a great way to introduce one's children to operas, ballets, symphonies or more raucous and toe tapping events if they would be too active or noisy to comfortably enjoy this type of entertainment in a more formal setting.

This is a very family friendly place and people of all ages can be found enjoying themselves at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.

Japanese Garden

Hermann Park also sports a most beautiful Japanese Garden and one that is free of charge to visit. I had previously written about this in a hub so for more details and many more photos click on the link provided to the right.

Suffice it to say, it offers a soothing and restful place in which to spend some time in the heart of a busy city and it is pretty in a different way during each season of the year.

Springtime showcases the gorgeous azaleas in bloom while summer has the crape myrtles putting on their glorious show. Other times of the year feature natural attractions such as masses of iris in bloom or colored Fall leaves providing a different color palette.

A native stone, that of Texas Granite, is appropriately utilized in this well designed Japanese Garden which has many of the usual elements such as water features, a tea house and little vignettes common to Japanese Gardens everywhere.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Situated just across the road from Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park this is one of the busiest Natural Science museums in the country.

For numerous years my husband and I had family memberships and have utilized them well taking many people to various sites within the museum and seeing many special exhibits.

Besides the permanent exhibits which are great...my absolute favorite being the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals which is nicely featured in the video to the right with over 750 crystallized mineral specimens of amazing colors and size...there are traveling exhibits which always add interest and make one want to return over and over again to the museum.

There is an IMAX theatre which continually has shows on a screen that is 6 stories high and 80 feet in width making one feel as though one is in the middle of any action on the screen which also has amazing sound which envelops one in the total experience.

The Burke Baker Planetarium lets one lean back in comfortable chairs as one gazes towards the ceiling where the shows are broadcast in a darkened room. One travels through space and time during these amazing shows...that is if one does not fall asleep! I have known people who have taken a short nap after a busy day seeing other sites inside the Museum of Natural History. I promise that no names will be revealed! Haha!

The Cockrell Butterfly Center is another wonderful addition to the Museum of Natural History. This multi-storied glass encased tropical venue with cascading waterfall and plantings that have butterflies of various sizes and hues fluttering about draws visitors from near and far.

By no means is this an exhaustive listing of all the many sites within this natural science museum.  One could spend the better part of a day here just enjoying a couple of the exhibits.

Buses of school children are taken there on a regular basis during the school year and what a great way for them to learn things in this interactive environment.

Like many other sites in Hermann Park the Natural Science Museum has expanded over time and continually offers additional reasons to visit it on a regular basis.

For people on a budget, there is free admission to the permanent exhibit halls every Tuesday after 2 PM.

A link to the right can tell others of times, ticket prices, special exhibits, etc. 

We Houstonians should be proud of this Natural Science Museum in our city located within Hermann Park and take advantage of all it has to offer.

Houston Garden Center

A short walking distance from the Houston Natural Science Museum and across from the Miller Outdoor Theatre one finds the Houston Garden Center where many of the garden club members regularly meet in Hermann Park.

Beds of magnificent and labeled roses entice one to admire the many colors and sniff the fragrance and perhaps try one or more of these beauties in one's home garden.

There is a fragrance garden where herbs and other fragrant plants are grown.

A garden for the blind not only encourages the use of other senses like touch and smell but identifies each plant in braille.

There is also a Chinese pagoda on one stretch of lawn in the Garden Center.

From my earliest days when I was a newly minted young RN in the operating room living in the nurse's dorm near Hermann Park to these many decades later, this beautiful and family friendly city park still invites visits for those of us living here as well as travelers to our fair city.

For people who just wish to take a picnic lunch and enjoy the wide open tree shaded spaces and do some people watching...to those who wish to improve their golf swing...to those who want to hear some fine entertainment at Miller Outdoor Theatre...or others who wish to learn more about our natural world inside the Natural Science Museum...that and more can be accomplished within Hermann Park.

By now hopefully you realize why Hermann Park in Houston, Texas has something for everyone within it's borders. Hope to see you there!