Sam Houston Park, Houston
A tranquil green oasis in the thick of Downtown, this is Houston's oldest park, surrounded by old, beautiful oak trees and housing numerous monuments and historic buildings. For tourists and locals alike, it's an excellent place to get a better understanding of how the city looked like during the early years while at the same time absorbing the exceptional panorama of its stunning modern skyline. This clash of old & new is outstanding from a photographer's viewpoint.
The park is friendly and there are organized events hosted by the Heritage Society, the organization that here operates ten historic structures (dating from 1823 to 1905), all destined for destruction as a more modern Houston was evolving. The result is now a treasure trove of several different styles of older housing that would have otherwise been lost forever 鈥� including a rustic log cabin (The Old Place, 1823), Houston's oldest brick dwelling (Kellum-Noble House, 1847), the first house in town built with an attached kitchen (Pillot House, 1868), and the first to have electric lights (Staiti House, 1905).
St. John's Church, is still a functioning ministry right in the heart of the park, and from its door the city's skyscrapers are in full view. Other historic buildings now relocated to the park include the Greek Revival-style Nichols-Rice-Cherry House (1850), the Yates House (1870), and the Fourth Ward Cottage, which may predate 1858.
Most people have experienced this park before/after a race or for a beer/wine fest but you should make the most of a gorgeous day and just head on your own for a self-guided walking tour or a picnic 鈥� yes, a picnic, while enjoying the sites and the sun, or the occasional tunes and performances. The Heritage Society also has a small museum on the site, which, apart from telling the story of the city's development, operates a "general store" with plenty of things to look at and touch.
Tip:
Make sure to come during the day, as the park does close down after dusk. Entry is free and you can either walk around the outside of the buildings or pay a fee for the museum and tours.
The park is friendly and there are organized events hosted by the Heritage Society, the organization that here operates ten historic structures (dating from 1823 to 1905), all destined for destruction as a more modern Houston was evolving. The result is now a treasure trove of several different styles of older housing that would have otherwise been lost forever 鈥� including a rustic log cabin (The Old Place, 1823), Houston's oldest brick dwelling (Kellum-Noble House, 1847), the first house in town built with an attached kitchen (Pillot House, 1868), and the first to have electric lights (Staiti House, 1905).
St. John's Church, is still a functioning ministry right in the heart of the park, and from its door the city's skyscrapers are in full view. Other historic buildings now relocated to the park include the Greek Revival-style Nichols-Rice-Cherry House (1850), the Yates House (1870), and the Fourth Ward Cottage, which may predate 1858.
Most people have experienced this park before/after a race or for a beer/wine fest but you should make the most of a gorgeous day and just head on your own for a self-guided walking tour or a picnic 鈥� yes, a picnic, while enjoying the sites and the sun, or the occasional tunes and performances. The Heritage Society also has a small museum on the site, which, apart from telling the story of the city's development, operates a "general store" with plenty of things to look at and touch.
Tip:
Make sure to come during the day, as the park does close down after dusk. Entry is free and you can either walk around the outside of the buildings or pay a fee for the museum and tours.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Houston. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Sam Houston Park on Map
Sight Name: Sam Houston Park
Sight Location: Houston, USA (See walking tours in Houston)
Sight Type: Park/Outdoor
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Houston, USA (See walking tours in Houston)
Sight Type: Park/Outdoor
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Houston, Texas
Create Your Own Walk in Houston
Creating your own self-guided walk in Houston is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historic Downtown Walking Tour
Clean, shiny, new, and impressive, Downtown Houston 鈥� a true metropolis 鈥� rises high above the dusty plains and swamplands of Texas. Just like the other major Texan city of Dallas, Houston has been described as a concrete jungle (or a spaghetti bowl) of endless freeways. Yet, it somehow manages to tower over the stream of engines, with a glittering uber-American presence. There is much to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Museum District Tour
Houston is often considered more of a business obligation than a tourist destination, which is unfortunate since many of the city's museums and cultural attractions are first-rate. Those who make the effort to visit them, be it for personal or professional reasons, will discover several days' worth of intriguing activities. To maximize your experiences during a brief visit, head to the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles