For most of its history Houston was a big city without a botanic garden. That changed in 2020, when the Houston Botanic Garden opened on 132 acres in the Park Place neighborhood, on the site of the old Glenbrook Golf Course. Sims Bayou curls around the property, so the walk has a wilder edge than a manicured city garden: native Coastal Prairie grasses and Stormwater Wetlands sit alongside the designed beds. The Global Collection Garden gathers plants from around the world, the Culinary Garden grows herbs, fruit and vegetables and hosts cooking programs, and the Pine Grove and Woodland Glade give you shade on hot afternoons. Families head for the Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden, with water play and nature structures built for climbing. The fall 2026 calendar includes Birds, Blooms and Books on September 25, Houston Plant Bingo on October 3 and Monarchs and Marigolds on October 11.
What to expect
- The garden is cashless, at the ticket window and for snacks in the Garden Shop.
- Restrooms and bottle fillers are at the Welcome Pavilion and Family Discovery Garden.
- Shade is mostly the covered seats under the Alcoves and the Welcome Pavilion veranda.
- No pets except on scheduled Dog Days; service animals are always welcome.
- Bring your own stroller or wheelchair; none are available to borrow.
What to do
- Walk the Global Collection Garden, then cross toward the Pine Grove and Woodland Glade
- See what is growing in the Culinary Garden
- Let kids loose in the Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden's water play
- 132 acresSize
- 2020Opened
- Glenbrook Golf CourseFormer use
- $12Adult ticket