It's Outside Weather

Now is the perfect time to go on a fall 'park crawl' in downtown Houston

Festivals, food, and cooler temperatures make downtown Houston the perfect place to celebrate the changing seasons.

With great restaurants, coffee bars, and pubs, downtown offers some of the city’s best parks to enjoy and explore. Outdoor festivals, fall markets, inspiring public art, unique and scenic spots are accessible at parks located in the heart of the city.

Whether you are looking for a peaceful retreat, a place to reconnect with nature, or entertaining activities for the family, you can find it at a downtown park. You'll even find it's easy to take a scenic stroll between several downtown parks.

You may already be familiar with some of the more prominent parks — others, not so much — but all are worth taking the time to discover and experience their unique vibes, especially in such nice weather.

Trebly Park Houston yoga Can you imagine a more perfect Saturday morning than yoga in Trebly Park?Photo by Egidio Narvaez and Egidio Narvaez Photography

An ideal fall morning might begin with coffee at Tout Suite cafe in Trebly Park before perusing art installations at Market Square.

If a trip to the Theater District is on your agenda, pack a picnic lunch to share at Lynn Wyatt Square, then consider heading to Discovery Green to paddle a kayak or let the little ones explore kid-friendly playscapes.

To end the day, how about watching a beautiful Texas sunset from Sam Houston Park? No matter where you decide to start or end the day, here are a few suggestions to get you started on your fall park crawl.

Discovery Green
1500 McKinney St.

As one of the city’s most iconic parks, there is always something exciting happening at Discovery Green.

In addition to year-round features like public art installations, kid-friendly playscapes, a lake with kayaks, a nighttime flea market, and other live entertainment, a number of exciting fall-related activities are scheduled this year.

Bring a blanket or lawn chairs for family movie night under the stars, as Screen on the Green showcases The Nightmare Before Christmas the evening of Friday, October 24. Then, the following Saturday evening, October 25, take part in an annual favorite: Scream on the Green, which includes a costume contest followed by a showing of Beetlejuice.

Everyone is invited to join in the observance of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, on Sunday, November 2. This year’s unforgettable tribute will include live musical performances, a Latin Market, and a community altar created by Houston artist Angel Quesada. And, of course, fall is not complete without a pumpkin festival in the park, featuring the world’s largest bouncy pumpkin, a corn pit, and more than a dozen Instagrammable pumpkin-related photo ops. Don’t delay — the pumpkin fun runs through November 2.

Market Square Park
301 Milam St.

If you are looking for fitness with some funk, then Fitbreak: Hip-Hop Dance Fitness may be just what you need on Tuesday evenings. If that’s not your speed, try Relax & Restore exercise classes, on Monday evenings, for a more therapeutic session. Unwind, recharge, reconnect, at these free classes throughout November — don’t forget your mat, towel and water bottle!

Market Square Park Houston Blanket Bingo Spread out for Blanket Bingo at Market Square Park.Photo by Egidio Narvaez and Egidio Narvaez Photography

For those who love Bingo, how about spicing up your Thursday evenings with Blanket Bingo? A $10 donation helps benefit the park. In honor of Dia de los Muertos, Bingo-goers are offered a free on-site photo printing as a tribute to loved ones on October 30. Be sure to make it back to Market Square on October 31 to celebrate with mariachi, ballet folklorico, face painting, interactive art, and cultural workshops at Una Noche en Market Square Park.

Movies Under the Stars gets two thumbs up with must-see classics like Lilo & Stitch and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Grab your loved ones and bring them by the park on Thursdays from 8-10 pm.

There are also board and lawn games available to play all day, any day, at the park.

Trebly Park
1515 Fannin St.

Downtown’s newest green space, Trebly Park, offers a number of ways to savor the sunshine while also getting fit throughout the fall season. On Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings in November, Flow & Breath sessions invite you to find your inner yogi and perfect your shavasana.

Watch free family-friendly movies on Thursday evenings, then, on Friday, October 31, celebrate Dia de los Muertos with a screening of the movie Coco. If you are into games, you’re in luck — every day you can find board or lawn games to play at Trebly from 11 am until 9 pm.

Trebly Park Houston dog park Bring your furry friends to Yappy Hour at Trebly Park.Photo by Egidio Narvaez and Egidio Narvaez Photography

Trebly Park is also the ideal place to hang out with your fur baby. The park’s Yappy Hour offers special activities designed especially for you and your four-legged companion on Friday evenings throughout the fall season.

Lynn Wyatt Square
601 Capital St.

This 1.5-acre park located in the center of downtown's Theater District offers theatergoers and patrons of the arts a way to enjoy the outdoors before or after a performance or show.

As Houston’s gateway to culture, this intimate green space is the site of gardens, water features, unique seating, and a performance lawn for concerts and other free programming. Take a walk, plan a lunch, and embrace the creative energy at Lynn Wyatt Square.

Sam Houston Park
1000 Bagby St.

This park offers a glimpse of Houston’s fascinating past while also providing a scenic place to appreciate nature, green space, and art.

Tour the historic homes in Sam Houston Park, or just enjoy the nature. Photo by\u00a0Lance Childers/Houston First Corporation

Ten historic homes from 1820 through the early 1900s have been restored by The Heritage Society and are available for tours. Activities include home tours, exhibits, interactive art installations, speakers, lunch-and-learns, and much more.

This fall, The Heritage Society will host a Dia de los Muertos Festival and parade November 1, from 4-11 pm. A pre-celebration of Navy Fleet Week in Houston is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, at 6 pm featuring Erik Eriksson with Port Houston. The combination of history and nature makes Sam Houston Park a unique city treasure.

Trebly Park Houston Dia de los Muertos Several of the parks are celebrating Dia de los Muertos.Photo by Egidio Narvaez and Egidio Narvaez Photography

Photo by Egidio Narvaez and Egidio Narvaez Photography

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Trebly Park with a screening of the movie Coco.

Allen’s Landing on Buffalo Bayou
1019 Commerce St.

Considered the site of Houston’s birthplace, Allen’s Landing — at the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou — is the place where brothers August and John Allen stepped ashore in 1836.

This scenic spot, once the city’s original port, now offers trails for walking, hiking, biking, and beautiful views of the downtown skyline. This is the perfect place for relaxing and enjoying the views as you imagine Houston’s early years before skyscrapers and freeways.

Click here for additional downtown parks and green spaces.

Navigating downtown

Walking is the best way to navigate downtown and feel the magic of H-Town. With the cooler temperatures, it’s easy and healthy — simply park the car, put on your most comfortable shoes, and get to stepping!

Public transportation

You might also consider one of the public transit options to easily get around downtown: Buses, METRORail, or the Community Connector.

The METRORail Green and Purple Line trains run from east downtown in the Convention Center District, which includes Discovery Green, to west downtown, which includes the Theater District and is only a short walk to Sam Houston Park.

The METRORail Red Line connects you with Market Square Park in the Historic District and Trebly Park.

METRO now offers a free, on-demand microtransit service in downtown and nearby neighborhoods: the Community Connector. This new initiative provides access to fill in gaps in public transportation and uses climate-friendly, electric vehicles that are available on-demand through the downloadable Ride Circuit app.

Parking

In addition to downtown street parking, which is free after 6 pm Monday-Friday and all day on Sundays, visitors can park in the underground Theater District Parking Garage that is connected to several performing arts venues and Lynn Wyatt Square park.

Additionally, on the east side of downtown near Discovery Green, there are Avenida North, Avenida South, and Avenida Central garages available daily.

Head over to VisitHouston.com for more information on downtown parking.

Dining + entertainment

Find out more on downtown restaurants, performing arts, entertainment, nightlife, and upcoming events at VisitHouston.com.

Make it a weekend stay

After enjoying and exploring downtown’s parks, perhaps you don't want the adventure to end. Consider making it a weekend getaway and continue the adventure! Check out the exciting stays in downtown Houston at VisitHouston.com.

To always be in the know, follow and tag @Visit_Houston. Be sure to use the hashtags #ExploreHou and #VisitHouston in your photos from your downtown fall park crawl!

parks discovery green market square park trebly park lynn wyatt square sam houston park buffalo bayou downtown houston downtown houston parks downtown houston parking downtown houston restaurants promoted

weekend event planner

Here are the 14 best things to do in Houston this weekend

Courtesy of the Balloon Museum.

See Hypercosmo at the Balloon Museum.

The holidays (aka Mariah season) are in full swing, which means a lot of holiday-themed events happening around Houston. On Thursday alone, we have opening night of Houston Ballet’s annual Nutcracker Market, a holiday pop-up bar, and a very soulful Christmas show going on at The Ensemble Theatre.

For those who aren’t quite ready to feel the holiday spirit, cool things are still going down, like a new Disney on Ice show, the Islamic Arts Festival, a concert featuring Wynton Marsalis, and not one but two opportunities to consume a lot of wine.

Basically, we don’t think anyone can look at this rundown and – to paraphrase some band from Ireland – say they still haven’t found what they’re looking for.

Thursday, November 13

45th Annual Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market
All this weekend, the 45th annual Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market will give shoppers a chance to browse through a curated selection of holiday goods, gourmet treats, apparel, unique jewelry, and gifts. More than 270 merchants from across the nation — including more than 25 newcomers — will showcase their offerings. It is the best way to shop and give back during the holidays, as proceeds from each admission and special event ticket that is purchased, plus 11percent of all merchandise sold, goes back to Houston Ballet. 10 am.

The Chifley Hotel’s Tinsel Town Holiday Pop-Up Bar
Step inside one of Houston’s most immersive Christmas pop-up bars, where Christmas lights, bold cocktails, and wall-to-wall Christmas decorations create a one-of-a-kind seasonal experience. Tinsel Town transforms the space into a dazzling winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, holiday cocktails, and chef-inspired bites. Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday, themed nights, and special events all season long. Through Saturday, December 27. 5 pm.

The Ensemble Theatre presents Take the Soul Train to Christmas
Nate, Ida, and Rosa are assigned to write a research paper that chronicles how African Americans have celebrated Christmas throughout history. Granddad is immediately interested and summons the magical Soul Train to transport them all into the past so they can witness, firsthand, how Christmas was celebrated. The holiday spectacle introduces them to African drumming, Harlem Renaissance jazz, civil rights beat, disco party jams, and hip-hop battle sounds. Through Sunday, December 21. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday).

Friday, November 14

Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party
Disney On Ice will present Mickey’s Search Party, an adventure filled with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics, and unexpected stunts. Audiences can look for clues in the search for Tinker Bell through immersive, fantastic worlds, explore the colorful spirit realm of Coco, sail away with Moana as she bravely saves her island, see Belle in the sky as the enchanted chandelier comes to life, and sing-along with Elsa in the icy world of Frozen. 10:30 am and 7 pm (11 am, 3 pm and 7 pm Saturday; 1 and 5 pm Sunday).

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston presents Mario Ayala: "Seven Vans" opening day
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston presents Mario Ayala: "Seven Vans," the artist’s first solo museum presentation in the United States. The exhibition expands his signature shaped canvases to debut seven life-size paintings of the backs of vans. Derived from the word "caravan," the van bridges histories of commerce and counterculture and acts as a tool for working people to modulate as a means of survival and expression. Through Sunday, June 21. 11 am.

A Taste of the Valley: Hudson Vineyards Pairing Dinner at Le Jardinier MFAH
Experience a taste of Napa Valley in the heart of the Museum District with Hudson Vineyards at Michelin-starred Le Jardinier MFAH. Discover a fice-course dinner by Le Jardinier’s acclaimed culinary team, alongside specially selected wine pairings by Hudson Wines; priced at $350 per guest. 5 pm.

Improv Houston presents Adam Ray
You may have seen comedian Adam Ray playing Vince McMahon in Young Rock, Jay Leno in Pam & Tommy, and starring in The Bellmen. But comedy fans know him mostly for his dead-on impersonation of Dr. Phil, which he does regularly on his own YouTube show Dr. Phil: LIVE! He’s even gone face-to-face with the doctor on the Netflix special Adam Ray is Dr. Phil UNLEASHED. Catch him and his hilariously unhinged impressions at Improv Houston this weekend. 7:30 and 9:45 pm (7 and 9:30 pm Saturday; 7:30 pm Sunday).

Saturday, November 15

Balloon Museum presents Pop Air
Pop Air, the first Houston exhibition presented by the Balloon Museum, is a group show where each work represents an interpretation of air through the ingenuity of international artists. Inspired by the Pop Art movement, when artists drew inspiration from mass and commercial culture, Pop Air adds a dimensional and architectural element, ensuring a unique experience that will characterize all the Balloon Museum’s exhibitions. Through Sunday, April 19. 10 am.

The Grow & Gather Market
Celebrate 27 years of Central City Co-Op — one of Houston’s hidden gems — at The Grow & Gather Market, a new pop-up experience in the heart of the Heights. Spend the day connecting with local growers and makers while enjoying great food, live music, and good company. Expect farm-fresh produce, artisan goods, community favorites, food and drinks, and wellness-inspired activities, including a morning sound bath, that capture the spirit of Houston’s oldest organic, sustainable co-op. 10 am.

Islamic Arts Society presents Annual Islamic Arts Festival
The 12th Annual Islamic Arts Festival will feature artists from across the country and will celebrate diverse forms of Islamic arts. It will also feature a live Sufi music program, a stand-up Muslim comedy show, a film festival, a spoken word program, an art workshop, and an academic seminar. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase art, engage in interactive art sessions, live art demonstrations, children's art activities, learn about Islamic art and culture, attend workshops, and savor ethnic food. 10:30 am.

Kemah Boardwalk presents Fall Wine Fest 2025
Join Kemah Boardwalk this weekend for a day filled with delicious wines, live music, and waterfront views. Sip and savor the rich and diverse flavors of Spain's finest wines – 72 in total, from bold reds to crisp whites – and explore the unique grape varieties and blends that make Spanish wines so unforgettable. Make it a weekend escape and stay at the Boardwalk Inn Hotel. 2 pm.

Sunday, November 16

Meow Wolf presents Phenomenomaly
This new production turns Meow Wolf into a living stage. The event invites guests to explore at their own pace through every dimension of the exhibition with special performances by Houston artists throughout the season. Every visitor’s path becomes its own story, every interaction a moment of true theater. Phenomenomaly stands as both an immersive Meow Wolf experience and a showcase of Houston’s extraordinary artistic talent. Through Sunday, January 4. 1 pm.

CityCentre presents Starfall Serenade: Coldplay & U2 on Strings
Experience the music of two legendary stadium bands — Coldplay and U2 — reimagined for string quartet. Join the Listeso String Quartet at the CityCentre Plaza as daylight fades and stars begin to appear. Songs includes hits such as “Viva La Vida” and “With or Without You,” transformed into arrangements for strings. 5 pm.

Jazz Houston presents Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, America’s premier jazz ensemble, is led by the legendary Wynton Marsalis. The orchestra will bring its trademark swing, soul, and sophistication with a performance that celebrates the rich heritage and boundless innovation of jazz. From timeless classics to bold new compositions, this world-renowned group of musicians delivers a night of music that’s both deeply rooted and freshly inspired. 7 pm.

Courtesy of the Balloon Museum.

See Hypercosmo at the Balloon Museum.

event-planner weekend events