601 Fannin Street, Houston Texas 77030
Hermann Park is a 445 acre park in Houston, Texas. The park is located in the Houston Museum District, and is near Rice University and the Texas Medical Center.
The main entrance to the park has an enormous statute of Sam Houston riding his horse. The park has a lake, the Houston Zoo, Miler Outdoor Theater, and multiple gardens.
You can ride a train through the park, or rent a pedal boat for the lake, or a enjoy a free show at Miller Outdoor Theater.
Museum District
Hermann Park is located on the edge of the Museum District in Houston.
Across the street from the park is the Houston Museum of Natural Science which has the Cockrell Butterfly Center and the Burke Baker Planetarium.
On the other side of Mecom Fountain is the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
Miller Outdoor Theater
Miller Outdoor Theater is located inside of Hermann Park that hosts a wide range of performances over the summer. The theater is outdoors and admission is free. There is a covered area with individual seats that need to be reserved in advance. Further away from the stage is uncovered seating on the hillside, where you can just bring your own blanket or camp chair.
Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo is located within Hermann Park. It is the second most visited zoo in the United States. Tickets must be purchased online in advance unless you have a membership.
There are 6,000 animals in the zoo. You can see the elephants take their baths or visit the newest exhibit which is about the Galapagos Islands. You can have lunch at the Cypress Circle Cafe or get a refreshment at Flamingo Terrace.
The zoo is accredited but the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and participates in animal conservation projects.
Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop
Open daily from 10 AM – 6 PM.
The gift shop sells tickets for the train and the pedal boats, and souvenirs.
Hermann Park Railroad
Tickets for the park train are $3.75 per person or $7.50 for a day pass. The train tickets can be purchased at Kinder Station inside the Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop.
The train runs daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. The route takes 14 minutes to go around the park.
The main station is Kinder Station, where you can buy your tickets. You can board the train at an outlying station without a ticket, and then purchase your ticket when the train arrives at Kinder Station.
Food, drinks, and pets are not allowed on the train.
Pedal Boats
Pedal boat rentals are $13 for thirty minutes. Each boat can hold up to four people. At least one person per boat must be an adult with a photo ID.
Pedal boat tickets can be purchased at the Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop.
Boats can be rented from 10 AM to 5 PM daily, except for certain holidays and inclement weather.
Life vests are mandatory and pets are not allowed on the boats.
Ginger Kale
Open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Ginger Kale is the restaurant inside the park. It is located near the Kinder Station.
The restaurant has light and fresh foods like salads, avocado toasts, and chia puddings. There are also plenty of sweet treats to be had at the pastry counter.
Japanese Garden
Entry to the Japanese Garden is free. It is a walled off section of the park located near the reflection pool.
The garden is open from 9 AM to 6 PM in the summer, and 9 AM – 5 PM in the winter.
The Japanese Garden is a quiet area with a path that wanders around a large pond. There are fish in the pond and little bridges and cherry trees. It is a very peaceful and relaxing area.
Centennial Garden
Entry to the Centennial Garden is free. It is a gated off section of the park located near the Natural Science Museum.
Centennial Garden is open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. It has formal gardens and a hill with a spiral path leading up. From the top of the hill there is a nice view of the park.
Celebration Garden and Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion can be rented out.
Picnics and Grilling
You can have a picnic in the park. There are lots of picnic tables near the lake. There are also plenty of grills available. Most of the picnic tables are located in areas with plenty of shade.
Hermann Park Golf Course
Hermann Park Golf Course is located within Hermann Park. The course is open to the public. Contact the golf course directly to reserve a tee time and for information about rates.
Getting to Hermann Park
Driving and Parking
Most people in Houston get to the park by car. The main entrance is at the Sam Houston Statue near the Natural Science Museum.
There are free parking lots located around the park and near the zoo. During weekends and holidays these spots can fill up fast, so be sure to arrive early.
There is some metered parking spot around the perimeter of the park. City meters are free after 6:00 pm or all day on Sunday. These spots can also fill up, and some of them can be a bit of a walk to the park.
Light Rail
Hermann Park/Rice U station on the Red Line serves the park. The Red Line runs along Main Street. It connects Downtown Houston, many of the museums, Hermann Park, and the Texas Medical Center.
The station is just a platform on the side of the road. It has vending machines to purchase train tickets, benches, and a minimal amount of shade.
Dogs in Hermann Park
Dogs are allowed in Hermann Park. Dogs must be kept on a leash not longer than 6 feet. Owners must pick up after their dogs.
Dogs are not allowed on the train, on the paddle boats, or in the zoo. Dogs are also not allowed inside buildings in the park.
Unlike other Houston parks, there are not dog waste stations throughout this park, so you must be sure to bring plenty of dog waste bags. There are trash cans throughout the park to dispose of pet waste in.
Hermann Park does not currently have a dog park. The McWilliams Dog Park is currently under construction, and hopefully will be open soon. Plans for the future dog park include play areas for small and large dogs and dog wash stations.
Restrooms in Hermann Park
There are public restrooms available in Hermann Park during the day. In addition to the main areas of the park, there are also restrooms located within the Japanese Gardens and the Centennial Gardens.
Drinking fountains are also located throughout the park.