Though Houston may be a sprawling metropolis, it provides ample opportunities for locals to get outdoors at parks like Discovery Green. This modern green space and community hub hosts beautiful gardens, playgrounds for the little ones, and an ever-changing array of inspirational outdoor art installations.

The park’s large pond is often used for canoeing around Houston’s beautiful cityscape, while in the winter, it doubles as an outdoor ice rink for visitors of all ages to enjoy. There are sprawling green spaces where people can play catch or enjoy a picnic, walking paths for those who want to get a bit of exercise, and even a dog park where you can take your furry friend. Discovery Green contains a few different restaurants on its grounds, and there are also areas where the park hosts live music performances, outdoor movies, and festivals during the summer months.

For a full list of happenings at Discovery Green, visit the park’s website!

Discovery Green
1500 McKinney
Houston, TX 77010
(713) 400-7336
www.discoverygreen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/discovery-green-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr She Paused 4 Thought

Discovery Green in downtown Houston is a newer urban park that hosts many cultural activities throughout the year, from art shows to weekends dedicated to activities for Fido. As it's name implies, Discovery Green is a "green" park. Not only does the park employ a high-efficiency irrigation system and solar panels, Discovery Green earned a Gold rating from the LEED Green Building Rating System for its use of sustainable building methods and energy conservation.

Now for the really fun stuff: This park is a great spot to mix up your exercise routine with free classes that range from yoga to hoop dancing. In summer, kids love cooling off in the splash park fountains, and in winter, the ice skating rink draws a crowd to downtown. If you work nearby, the park is great for a quiet outdoor lunch.

Discovery Green
1500 McKinney Street
Houston, TX 77010
(713) 400-7336
http://www.discoverygreen.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/discovery-green-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Alexis Fam Photography