This Underrated Texas Park Is A Marvelous And Historic Underground Site To Explore

Sometimes it takes something old to be new again, repurposed for the good of the entire community. This is the case with the underground Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern in Houston, Texas, which was built as a historic water reservoir in 1926. At the time, it held up to 15 million gallons of drinking water for the city. When an irreparable leak was found, the reservoir was closed and decommissioned in 2007. In 2010, Buffalo Bayou Park, in conjunction with Buffalo Bayou Partnership, began to restore the site and turn it into a beautiful public space for all to enjoy.

By design, the Cistern is held up by more than 200 25-foot tall concrete columns with a size that spans 1.5 football fields. The 87,500-square-foot cistern, which reopened in 2016, is used for contemporary art installations by well-known artists, music and dance performances, and offers several interesting tours. The Cistern also features a 17-second echo, a ground-level passageway, and an ADA-compliant walkway with guardrails. For those looking to visit, Houston is easy to get to via George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or Houston's Hobby Airport (HOU).

Under the direction of Buffalo Bayou Partnership, the Cistern sponsors a variety of artistic endeavors that take advantage of the natural acoustics and magical lighting. Live choral concerts and performances using innovative instruments are highlights of the events calendar. Tours of the Cistern's unique history and design are available Wednesday through Sunday from 10AM to 6PM and reservations are required. On the first Thursday of the month, free tours are offered, sponsored by KBR. Children must be 9 and up to visit. The 30-minute Experiential Tour features an introduction followed by a self-exploration of the Cistern. To explain how and why the Cistern was adapted, digital and printed fact sheets are distributed onsite for all guests. Private tours are also available for groups.

For something inspirational, try the 45-minute Sound Practice Meditation in the Cistern, led by Union is Creation and Youniversoul fest. Bring your mats and connect with mindfulness in this tranquil, acoustic space while using singing bowls and wind chimes to find your center. Tours are conducted Saturdays and Sundays at 10AM and Wednesdays at 6PM. 

Buffalo Bayou Partnership also maintains Buffalo Bayou Park, an almost 200-acre green space near downtown Houston that offers beautiful gardens, hiking and biking trails with permanent public art installations for both locals and visitors to enjoy. Picnickers on the grass can admire the Houston skyline, while furry friends can take a romp in the popular Johnny Steele Doggie Park. Look for their delicious food trucks and Flora, a Mexican kitchen near the park. Buffalo Bayou Partnership continues to expand its offerings with new trails along Houston's historic Bayou.  

For more outdoor recreation, head an hour north of downtown to the Sam Houston National Forest where outdoor activities are endless. Nature enthusiasts should take note that only a 90-minute drive from Houston is Texas' best birdwatching destination. Beach lovers will want to take a drive along Texas' beautiful coast on this perfect road trip.