Houston may be the country’s oil and gas hub, but it’s also the Bayou City: A nickname that pays tribute to the area’s many natural waterways. The city’s landscape includes an abundance of greenery, nature areas, parks, and preservation centers. Though it may be surprising to those who view Houston as a concrete wasteland, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department system includes encompasses over 37,871 acres.

Houston has many must-see parks like Emancipation Park in The Greater Third Ward which has a rich but troubled history dating back to the Civil War; the bright and modern Levy Park in Upper Kirby; and Buffalo Bayou a 10-mile stretch of trails, bridges, and parks. However, the following list offers a representative guide to Houston’s greenest neighborhoods.

Downtown

Market Square Park photo courtesy of Brian Reading

Market Square Park

Opened over 150 years before Discovery Green, Market Square Park is one of the city’s oldest parks. Located in Downtown Houston’s historic district, the park was the original site of four city halls and a bustling produce market. Market Square Park was redeveloped in 2010 and now has two dog runs for off-leash play, public art, gardens, and Niko Niko’s, a beloved Greek eatery that began as a sidewalk cafe in Montrose. The park hosts blanket bingo, outdoor movies, and serves as a monthly meeting place for Bayou Bikers.

Discovery Green

Discovery Green is an urban park in Downtown Houston. The park, dedicated to environmental sustainability, is powered by renewable wind energy and solar panels. Now celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Discovery Green was constructed to add a splash of greenery to Downtown’s concrete jungle and earned the position of Houston’s favorite playground. Active residents enjoy the park’s jogging trails, bocce ball courts, shuffleboard, and putting green. Playgrounds, splash pads, dog runs, and the Kinder Lake kayaks offer an activity for every member of the family. Discovery Green hosts weekly events like fitness classes, dance lessons, and flea markets. Spread a blanket on the lawn in front of the stage and watch concerts, performances, and outdoor movies.

Sam Houston Park

Sam Houston Park is a historic park and preservation site. The park, which houses 10 historic structures, represents different eras of Houston’s ever-changing cityscape. Built in 1847, the Kellum-Noble House (with original brick walls) is the oldest building in the city. The San Felipe Cottage showcases the lives of Houston’s 19th century working-class European immigrants. The Old Place, originally constructed in 1823, is a restored cedar wood cabin that gives visitors a glimpse of the colonial Texas frontier. At Sam Houston Park, visitors can spend the day traveling through time.

Museum District

Hermann Park

Hermann Park

Hermann Park is a 445-acre greenspace located in the Museum District. The park is the site of a golf course, a railroad, and the Houston Zoo. Points of interest include the Brays Bayou; Buddy Carruth Playground, which is wheelchair accessible and provides play equipment for children of all abilities; McGovern Centennial Garden; the reflection pool; the iconic Sam Houston Monument; the Pedal Boat Lagoon on McGovern Lake; and the Miller Outdoor Theater, a movie and performance venue.

Memorial Park / Washington Corridor

Memorial Park

Memorial Park

At nearly 1500-acres, Memorial Park is the largest greenspace in the city. The park features over 30 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails as well as a lighted running path with workout stations, restrooms, and water fountains en route. The smoothly paved Picnic Loop is ideal for road bikers and skaters. Options for sports include a soccer pitch, croquet court, sand volleyball courts, and a tennis center with 18 courts, lockers, and shower facilities. The Vale-Asche playground has an accessible park for children of all abilities. Memorial Park also has an indoor pool and fitness center and an 18-hole golf course on the grounds.

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is technically located in Memorial Park, but the 155-acre nature sanctuary is fairly self-contained. The park aims to protect the city’s native plants and animals. With five miles of intimate hiking trails, a secluded birding platform, a sensory garden that aims to stimulate all five senses, and a 1-acre pond with turtles, dragonflies, and bullfrogs—the Houston Arboretum is a nature-lover’s paradise. The Discovery Center features interactive exhibits, microscopes, and puzzles that make learning fun for everyone.