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All 172 Houston Attractions »

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77024
713-681-8433
Ranked #17 of 126 attractions in Houston
4.5 of 5 stars 17 Reviews
Type: Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Owner description: A 155-acre nature sanctuary 4 miles west of downtown. Five miles of walking trails through forest, meadow and pond habitats offer opportunities to see...... more » Owner description: A 155-acre nature sanctuary 4 miles west of downtown. Five miles of walking trails through forest, meadow and pond habitats offer opportunities to see frogs, turtles and other wildlife. Building houses gift shop, library, restrooms, and Discovery Room which includes aquariums, microscopes, interactive exhibits including the 15 ft. model "Learning Tree". Grounds: Daily 7 a.m. to dusk; Building: daily 9 - 5, except major holidays. Discovery Room: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm. Admission free; donations appreciated. « less
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17 reviews from our community

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dcrrwall
Houston, Texas
Contributor
18 reviews
2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 4, 2012

The Arboretum is a wonderful place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Houston and wander in an urban forest. The trails take you through trees and clearings and to observation paltforms to see Buffalo Bayou and life in and on the water. A great getaway for families with young children. Bring mosquito repellent if it been raining. More

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TTJFamily
Houston, Texas
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 1, 2012

Very informative and great staff! Great place for birthday parties and the trees shade you from the heat in the summers! More

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Karbose
Texas
Senior Contributor
23 reviews
4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 1, 2012

Don't go when it is too hot, you'll be miserable. But on a temperate day it is a lovely experience. The visitor center is nicely maintained. It is a natural area, so don't expect gardens galore. More

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50poof
Houston, Texas
Senior Contributor
22 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 30, 2012

They have a variety of plants trees and flowers, a botanical garden. They also have a large pavillion for large gatherings like family reunions and bar-b-que's. More

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princzz
Houston, Texas
Top Contributor
68 reviews
6 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed January 21, 2012

Well...needless to say the place needs work and there aren't many people visiting here! More

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amyemilia
Houston, Texas
Senior Contributor
42 reviews
27 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 16, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

A nice little oasis in the big city. Memorial Park is huge, and mostly used for recreational activities. The arboretum is a much smaller garden area, more intimate. Walking on the trails, you lose the sound of traffic and remember yourself. More

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Nathatt
Kansas City, Missouri
Top Contributor
60 reviews
24 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 30, 2011
1
person found this review helpful

I have visited a couple of times and we really enjoy the various trails. The variety allows for multiple visits. For anyone who wants to see wildlife in Houston, this is a great choice. The visitor center is ok but certainly not enough to warrant a visit alone or for a rainy day activity. The new multi sensory trail is... More

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Aussietraveller53
Senior Contributor
32 reviews
14 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed December 22, 2011

You would never know you were in a big city. Tranquil park and walking trails. Very good for families as 'hands on' in the Nature Center More

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BloatedBelly
Boston, Massachusetts
Senior Contributor
29 reviews
24 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed December 13, 2011

Though the Arboretum is intended for people to learn about and enjoy nature, it's also a great place to walk your dog. There are a plethora of trails, ponds, trees, wildlife (i.e. squirrels, snakes, armadillo) to stimulate your senses for both you and your dog. They have a Nature Center with programs for children and it's a great place for... More

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rrrich7
Houston, TX
Contributor
13 reviews
1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 28, 2011

The Arboretum is a nice (and free) place to get away from the noise and hubbub of city life. It is maintained as close to natural as possible. More

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