{"id":4496,"date":"2021-05-19T21:57:50","date_gmt":"2021-05-19T21:57:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/s37407.p1377.sites.pressdns.com\/resources\/10-kid-friendly-hike-and-bike-trails-in-the-houston-texas-area\/"},"modified":"2021-05-19T21:57:50","modified_gmt":"2021-05-19T21:57:50","slug":"10-kid-friendly-hike-and-bike-trails-in-the-houston-texas-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/10-kid-friendly-hike-and-bike-trails-in-the-houston-texas-area\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Kid-Friendly Hike and Bike Trails in the Houston Area"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 dir=\"ltr\">Get some fresh air by trekking along one of these family friendly trails.<\/h2><p>Houston might be known for its massive highways, huge refineries, and sprawling construction, but the area is also home to tons of green spaces. Its hundreds of acres of parks, nature centers, and waterways offer a wide variety of outdoor activities that are fun for the whole family, and riding or walking down one of the area&rsquo;s hike and bike trails is an especially great way for parents, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/babysitting-jobs\/houston-tx\">babysitters<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/nanny-jobs\/houston-tx\">nannies<\/a> to get kids outside for a little fresh air and exercise.<\/p><p>Whether you&rsquo;re looking to take a small nature walk or a long bike ride, the Houston metro area offers plenty of scenic hike and bike trails that are safe and fun for the whole family. Here are some of my favorites.<\/p><h2 dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/buffalobayou.org\/visit\/\">Buffalo Bayou Park<\/a><\/strong><\/h2><p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Address:<\/strong> 1800 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX 77019<br><strong>Hours: <\/strong>Open daily, dawn to dusk<br><strong>Phone:<\/strong> 713-752-0314<\/p><blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BDgCO_LtAWO\/\" data-instgrm-version=\"8\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:8px;\"><div style=\" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:33.24074074074074% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;\"><div style=\" background:url(data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC\/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5\/P8\/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo\/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI\/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf\/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;\"><\/div><\/div><p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BDgCO_LtAWO\/\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Today is the last day to vote for Buffalo Bayou Park as &ldquo;Best City Park&rdquo; in the USA Today 10Best Readers&rsquo; Choice Travel Awards. Polls close at noon ET &ndash; vote link in profile!<\/a><\/p><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/buffalobayou\/\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Buffalo Bayou Partnership<\/a> (@buffalobayou) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2016-03-28T14:45:39+00:00\">Mar 28, 2016 at 7:45am PDT<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><p><script async defer src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">For Inner Loopers looking for a simple, easy route to travel on foot or by bike, it&rsquo;s hard to find a better one than Buffalo Bayou Park. The 160-acre park follows along its namesake bayou from Shepherd Drive all the way to downtown, and includes myriad fun stops and activities along the way. In addition to interesting sculptures and plenty of beautiful flora, the park boasts an amazing <a href=\"https:\/\/buffalobayou.org\/category\/johnny-steele-dog-park\/\">dog park<\/a>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstontx.gov\/parks\/parksites\/leejoepark.html\">skate park<\/a>, and epic views of downtown.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Note: Parts of the lower trails were damaged during Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, but much of them have been repaired. Even so, be sure to exercise caution as some stretches might still have debris from the flooding.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">&nbsp;<\/p><h2 dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.memorialparkconservancy.org\/\">Memorial Park<\/a><\/strong><\/h2><p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Address:<\/strong> 6501 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77007<br><strong>Hours: <\/strong>Open daily, 6 a.m. &ndash; 11 p.m.<br><strong>Phone: <\/strong>713-221-0499<\/p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">How do you use Memorial Park? Use the hashtag <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MYmemorialpark?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#MYmemorialpark<\/a> to share your Memorial Park experience! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/houstonparks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#houstonparks<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/runhouston?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#runhouston<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/bikehouston?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#bikehouston<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/PJ6l1dvESW\">pic.twitter.com\/PJ6l1dvESW<\/a><\/p><p>&mdash; Memorial Park Conservancy (@MemorialPark) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MemorialPark\/status\/887313609331757057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 18, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">With more than 30 miles of hike and bike trails, Memorial Park is another great Inner Loop hot spot. Trails range from short and paved to windy and rustic &mdash; depending on what you&rsquo;re up for &mdash; and a few are structured as loops for easy rides or walks. Despite the park&rsquo;s location just a few minutes&rsquo; drive from downtown Houston, the babbling creeks and towering trees along some of the paths can make you feel like you&rsquo;re far out in the country, providing a nice reprieve to the city&rsquo;s usual hustle and bustle. For information on where to access the different trails, check out the park&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.memorialparkconservancy.org\/visit-memorial-park\/memorial-park-map.html\">map<\/a> available on its website.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Pro tip: Bolder families interested in mountain biking should check out the MTB trails located in the southwest section of the park.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">&nbsp;<\/p><h2 dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/houstonarboretum.org\/\">Houston Arboretum and Nature Center <\/a><\/strong><\/h2><p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Address:<\/strong> 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77024-7708<br><strong>Hours:<\/strong> Tuesday &ndash; Sunday, 10 a.m. &ndash; 4 p.m.<br><strong>Phone: <\/strong>713-681-8433<\/p><blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bb69vmIn27R\/\" data-instgrm-version=\"8\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:8px;\"><div style=\" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;\"><div style=\" background:url(data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC\/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5\/P8\/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo\/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI\/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf\/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;\"><\/div><\/div><p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bb69vmIn27R\/\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Our trails were made for explorers like you. It&rsquo;s a beautiful day to get outside! #Repost @alexisreneesassard<\/a><\/p><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/houstonarboretum\/\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Houston Arboretum<\/a> (@houstonarboretum) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2017-11-25T14:19:22+00:00\">Nov 25, 2017 at 6:19am PST<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><p><script async defer src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Located on the western edge of Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center includes 5 miles of well-maintained walking trails traversing through a nature-filled wonderland. Several of the trails are shorter than in Memorial Park and wheelchair accessible, and the main trek is a walking-only (no bikes or jogging) trail that wraps around the grounds in a 2-mile loop that is perfect for strollers and\/or slow-moving toddlers. Visiting the trails is free, but if you want to participate in some of the other fun activities or events throughout the year, the family memberships at the Houston Arboretum are under $100 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/stories\/12730\/10-family-memberships-to-houston-texas-attractions-that-are-totally-worth-it\/\">definitely worth it<\/a>.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">&nbsp;<\/p><h2 dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/houstonparksboard.org\/projects\/white_oak_bayou_greenway\/\">White Oak Bayou Bike Trail <\/a><\/strong><\/h2><p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Address: <\/strong>Starts near 11th Street and TC Jester Boulevard<br><strong>Hours: <\/strong>Open 24\/7<br><strong>Phone:<\/strong> 713-942-8500<\/p><blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BNQMW7MD5to\/\" data-instgrm-version=\"8\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:8px;\"><div style=\" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;\"><div style=\" background:url(data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC\/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5\/P8\/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo\/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI\/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf\/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;\"><\/div><\/div><p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BNQMW7MD5to\/\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chose to #OptOutside today and took a stroll along White Oak Bayou in #Houston. #whiteoakbayou #biketrail #houstontx #fall #autumn #gettingoutside #eveningstroll<\/a><\/p><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/robyncorrell\/\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Robyn Correll<\/a> (@robyncorrell) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2016-11-26T00:20:12+00:00\">Nov 25, 2016 at 4:20pm PST<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><p><script async defer src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/p><p>Meandering its way through Houston&rsquo;s Historic Heights neighborhood, the White Oak Bayou Bike Trail (also often referred to as the Heights Hike and Bike Trail) is a safe and easy way to make your way around the area. The dedicated path has limited exposure to busy city streets, and the all-asphalt surface makes it a smooth ride for even the most novice of riders. For families with little ones in tow, the bike trail zooms right by Donovan Park &mdash; one of the city&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/stories\/12876\/10-best-houston-area-playgrounds-for-babies-a\/\">best parks for babies and toddlers<\/a> &mdash; providing a nice pit stop or destination for a family ride.<\/p><h2 dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yelp.com\/biz\/paul-carr-jogging-trail-houston\">Paul Carr Jogging Trail Heights Boulevard<\/a><\/strong><\/h2><p><strong>Address:<\/strong> Along Heights Boulevard, from I-10 to 20th Street<br><strong>Hours: <\/strong>Open 24\/7<\/p><figure class=\"wp-caption\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.kinsights.com\/content\/images\/robyncorrell-201810261810647229.jpg\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image via Visit Houston\/Hugh Hargrave<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Unlike some of the other jogging trails around the city, the pace on this trail is decidedly slower. You can take your time as you make your way down, gazing at some of the beautiful, historic homes and street art along Heights Boulevard. The path is unpaved, but it&rsquo;s easy enough to push your stroller along. And while slow-moving trikes are OK, fast-moving bikes should stick to the bike lane on Heights Boulevard or (better yet) White Oak Bayou Bike Trail. The two paths intersect near Donovan Park.<\/p><h2 dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pct3.com\/Parks\/All-Parks\/bush-park\">George Bush Park<\/a><\/strong><\/h2><p><b>Address: <\/b>16756 Westheimer Parkway, Houston, TX 77082<br><b>Hours: <\/b>Open daily, 7 a.m. &ndash; 10 p.m.<br><b>Phone: <\/b>281-496-2177<\/p><figure class=\"wp-caption\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.kinsights.com\/content\/images\/robyncorrell-201811261811220656.jpg\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image via Flickr\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/billjacobus1\/4787924071\/in\/photolist-SuJmvE-YShSA1-YQLhME-ykYmtC-oXJABf-peXAyP-peXzSD-pfern4-oXJh1B-pfcqE3-XPXuaP-gDiQ9e-SJsHZn-YQLoAd-XPXusH-YwjhDY-8i9Bsu-8i9B6s-8i9AMh-8i6n22-79ztg1-peXzf6-oXKfxT-pferM2-7aKbyZ-oXJALy-oXKga4-oXJB5Q-oXJBph-oXJgVM-pdcvYW-oXJBSb-oXKgUS-oXKim9-pfcqiG-oXJhMr-peXzEe-eYMinb-5X239n-21cye21-pfcqWL-pdcvEu-oXKfPK-oXJB8A-oXKeyt-pfeqEc-pfeqTZ-oXJhSr-oXKfZp-pferGx\">Bill Jacobus<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><p>For families living on the west side of town near Katy, George Bush Park offers a ton of wilderness to explore on foot or pedals. The park is a jaw-dropping 7,800 acres (or roughly nine times the size of New York City&rsquo;s Central Park) and features a windy, paved hike and bike trail that connects to Terry Hershey Park. At 11 miles, the trail might be too long for tiny legs to pedal, let alone walk, so be sure to check out the trail map on the park&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pct3.com\/Parks\/All-Parks\/bush-park\">website<\/a> before you go to figure out your best starting and stopping points.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Pro tip: Shade is a rarity along the trail. Visit during cooler months or in the mornings to avoid getting overheated.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">&nbsp;<\/p><h2 dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pct3.com\/Parks\/all-parks\/terry-hershey-park\">Terry Hershey Park<\/a><\/strong><\/h2><p><b>Address: <\/b>15200 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77079<br><b>Hours: <\/b>Open daily, 7 a.m. &ndash; 10 p.m.<br><b>Phone: <\/b>281-496-2177<\/p><figure class=\"wp-caption\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.kinsights.com\/content\/images\/robyncorrell-201812261812100720.jpg\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image via Facebook\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/terryhersheypark\/photos\/a.571587796223865.1073741828.164200290295953\/571587809557197\/?type=3&amp;theater\">Terry Hershey Park Hike &amp; Bike &ndash; The Anthills<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Just across Highway 6 from George Bush Park near Houston&rsquo;s Energy Corridor, Terry Hershey is a popular park for Houston-area bikers. The nearly 500-acre park follows Buffalo Bayou and boasts more than 12 miles of hike and bike trails. In addition to orderly, paved trails, the park has some muddy mountain bike treks that are great for families who like an adventure. Heavy rains can make some of the unpaved trails impassable, though, so be sure to exercise caution if visiting in the spring or summer when the weather gets wet.<\/p><h2 dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/state-parks\/brazos-bend\">Brazos Bend State Park<\/a><\/strong><\/h2><p><b>Address: <\/b>21901 FM 762, Needville, TX 77461<br><b>Hours: <\/b>Open daily until 10 p.m.<br><b>Phone: <\/b>979-553-5101<\/p><figure class=\"wp-caption\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.kinsights.com\/content\/images\/robyncorrell-201812261812850455.jpg\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image via Facebook\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/306833977750\/photos\/a.10153347951547751.1073741835.306833977750\/10153347952472751\/?type=3&amp;theater\">Brazos Bend State Park &ndash; Texas Parks and Wildlife<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><p>At a 45-minute drive outside of Houston, Brazos Bend State Park isn&rsquo;t exactly the closest option for many Houstonians, but it&rsquo;s still a favorite hike and bike spot with locals for one awesome reason: alligators. The park is home to hundreds of alligators &mdash; many of which are bigger than 6 feet long and can often be seen from the many trails throughout the park. While often depicted in kids&rsquo; movies as ferocious creatures, the gators here are actually quite harmless (to date, no visitor has ever reported being injured by a gator at Brazos Bend State Park), and getting to see one in the wild is the stuff memories are made of. Even so, it&rsquo;s a good idea for visitors to brush up on these <a href=\"https:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/state-parks\/park-information\/alligator-safety\">safety tips<\/a> before heading out for some gator-watching.<\/p><h2 dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hermannpark.org\/\">Hermann Park<\/a><\/strong><\/h2><p dir=\"ltr\"><b>Address:<\/b> 6100 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030<br><b>Hours: <\/b>Open daily, 6 a.m. &ndash; 11 p.m.<br><b>Phone: <\/b>713-524-5876<\/p><blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BK8iwf0hbKk\/\" data-instgrm-version=\"8\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:8px;\"><div style=\" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:38.24074074074074% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;\"><div style=\" background:url(data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC\/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5\/P8\/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo\/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI\/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf\/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;\"><\/div><\/div><p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BK8iwf0hbKk\/\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gorgeous day for a walk in the Park!<\/a><\/p><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/hermannpark\/\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Hermann Park Conservancy<\/a> (@hermannpark) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2016-09-29T16:08:20+00:00\">Sep 29, 2016 at 9:08am PDT<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><p><script async defer src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/p><p>Hermann Park&rsquo;s great walk and bike trails have the added benefit of, well, being in Hermann Park! The grounds house a ton of fun activities and sites off the trails, including the Houston Zoo, a kiddie train, playgrounds, and duck ponds. The various trails form a loop, with some stretching longer than others, and you&rsquo;re never far from a bathroom, water fountain, or food stand. While some of the trails are designed more for joggers than cyclists, the paths are smooth enough to be safe for slow-moving bikes, too. Just be sure to be respectful of others on the path.<\/p><p>Pro tip: Adults who don&rsquo;t have a bike of their own can rent one for just a few dollars at any of the park&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/houston.bcycle.com\/\">BCycle<\/a> stations.<\/p><h2 dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rice.edu\/maps.shtml\">Rice University Outer Loop Running Trail<\/a><\/strong><\/h2><p dir=\"ltr\"><b>Address: <\/b>The trail loops around Rice University on Main Street, University Boulevard, Greenbriar Drive, Rice Boulevard, and Sunset Boulevard.<br><b>Hours: <\/b>Open 24\/7<\/p><blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BTj9aR-AiVD\/\" data-instgrm-version=\"8\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:8px;\"><div style=\" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.45161290322581% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;\"><div style=\" background:url(data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC\/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5\/P8\/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo\/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI\/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf\/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;\"><\/div><\/div><p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BTj9aR-AiVD\/\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">We are so happy to be recognized by the @arbordayfoundation as a Tree Campus USA! ?? #RiceUniversity<\/a><\/p><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/riceuniversity\/\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Rice University<\/a> (@riceuniversity) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2017-05-01T19:42:46+00:00\">May 1, 2017 at 12:42pm PDT<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><p><script async defer src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">For older kids or children in strollers, the running trail around Rice University offers a nice loop that&rsquo;s easily accessible. It&rsquo;s a popular path among university students and staff, as well as those working or visiting the Texas Medical Center, so it can get a little busy when the weather&rsquo;s nice, but if you go during the summer or early mornings, you can often get the whole stretch to yourselves. One of the best features of the loop is the live oak trees lining it. Their towering branches shade the entire route, which can be a godsend during Houston&rsquo;s brutal summer heat.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">&nbsp;<\/p><h2 dir=\"ltr\">What&rsquo;s your favorite hike and\/or bike trail in the Houston area? Share it in the comments below!<\/h2><h2 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Care.com City Guides: <\/b><\/h2><p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Atlanta\/\">Atlanta, GA<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Austin\/\">Austin, TX<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Baltimore\/\">Baltimore, MD<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Boston\/\">Boston, MA<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/BurlingtonVT\/\">Burlington, VT<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Chicago\/\">Chicago, IL<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Cleveland\/\">Cleveland, OH<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Dallas\/\">Dallas, TX<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Denver\/\">Denver, CO<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Detroit\/\">Detroit, MI<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Houston\/\">Houston, TX<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/LasVegas\/\">Las Vegas, NV<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/LosAngeles\/\">Los Angeles, CA<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Miami\/\">Miami, FL<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Minneapolis\/\">Minneapolis, MN<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/NewHaven\/\">New Haven, CT<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/NewYorkCity\/\">New York, NY<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Orlando\/\">Orlando, FL<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Philadelphia\/\">Philadelphia, PA<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Phoenix\/\">Phoenix, AZ<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Pittsburgh\/\">Pittsburgh, PA<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/SanDiego\/\">San Diego, CA<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/SanFrancisco\/\">San Francisco, CA<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/SanJose\/\">San Jose, CA<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Seattle\/\">Seattle, WA <\/a>| <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Tampa\/\">Tampa, FL<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/Toledo\/\">Toledo, OH<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/WashingtonDC\/\">Washington, DC<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Get some fresh air by trekking along one of these family friendly trails. Houston might be known for its massive highways, huge refineries, and sprawling construction, but the area is also home to tons of green spaces. Its hundreds of acres of parks, nature centers, and waterways offer a wide variety of outdoor activities that <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/10-kid-friendly-hike-and-bike-trails-in-the-houston-texas-area\/\">Read more&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1154,"featured_media":26374,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"enable_toc":false,"care_reviewed_by":0,"care_post_updated_flag":false,"care_updated_date":"","last_update":"2021-05-19","view_count":3400,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"member-type":[4],"vertical":[6],"platform":[2],"class_list":["post-4496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","member-type-all","vertical-children","platform-resources"],"acf":[],"created":"2018-01-26","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1154"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4496"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4496\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4496"},{"taxonomy":"member-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/member-type?post=4496"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=4496"},{"taxonomy":"platform","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/platform?post=4496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}