Tucked away on the western edge of Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and the opportunity to experience the natural world.

The 155-acre non-profit urban nature sanctuary provides education about the natural environment to people of all ages. It plays a vital role in protecting native plants and animals in the heart of the city where development threatens their survival.

Visitors can explore more than five miles of nature trails, including forest, pond, wetland and meadow habitats. The grounds are open daily 7am to dusk. Gates close at 6:30pm.

The Discovery Room, inside the building, offers hands-on interactive exhibits, microscopes, touch screens and more for learning about the habitats and plant and wildlife found at the Center.

Click here to learn more.