Sam Houston Park
1000 Bagby St., Houston, TX
Discover the history of Texas at Sam Houston Park, a unique oasis in the heart of downtown Houston. It’s the oldest park in the city and serves as a portal through time, with nine historic buildings on-site. The buildings are landscaped into a Victorian wonderland, with rustic bridges, streams, water fountains, and plenty of walking trails.
Sam Houston Park is both an urban green space and living history museum. Established at the turn of the 20th century, the park today is a popular place for modern Houstonites to exercise, relax, and play alongside historical buildings, informative plaques, and public artworks.
Stroll through the Kellum-Noble House, a building dating back to 1847 that now operates as a public museum with artifacts and memorabilia from the city’s history. Be transported even further back in time as you explore the Old Place Cabin, which was built in 1823 and relocated to the park to join other meticulously preserved historic buildings.
Plan ahead to join timed docent-led tours of several of the historic buildings in Sam Houston Park for a fee.
The park is accessible to wheelchair and stroller users, although not all historic buildings are. The park provides free golf cart services upon request for those who need assistance traversing its nearly 20 acres (8 hectares).
Bring sun protection and water with you, especially during the hottest summer months.
The area surrounding the park is served by public transit. Take the number 44 bus to Bagby Street to reach Sam Houston Park. Those who drive will find limited free parking at the nearby Heritage Society’s lot at 212 Dallas Street. Paid parking is available at the Heritage Clay Street Garage.
Sam Houston Park is open from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. The best time to visit Houston to explore the outdoors is in the spring months of March to May or in fall from September to November. During this time the temperatures are more comfortable, with peaks around 86°F (30°C) in May and September. The humidity during these months is lower, as well, making outdoor adventures more bearable.
Discover what’s thought to be the oldest remaining structure in Houston’s Harris County, the Old Place Cabin. This log cabin is believed to have been built in 1823, and the structure has been moved twice in the intervening time, most recently in 2003 after storm flood waters from the Buffalo Bayou reached the roof. Today, you can enter the cabin to see furniture and home goods common to the late 1800s.
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