Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Houston Arboretum Pixabay Public Domain
Welcome to one of Houston's finest free attractions, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. This 155-acre wildlife sanctuary was one of the first nature education facilities for children in the state of Texas, serving over 200,000 people annually, 10,000 of them specifically school groups.
The Arboretum is located within Memorial Park, one of the largest in the country. The park holds integral history for Houston, serving as a WWI training camp from 1917 to 1923. After it served its military purpose it was put aside as both a public park and nature preserve.
While here your student group will be able to participate in several activities, from the regular onsite activities offered to all guests, to customized educational journeys specifically put together for your group.There are half day guided field trip experiences and Discovery Room programs that are particularly popular with groups, and a full day option that combines the two to provide hands-on indoor and outdoor educational activities in relation to nature and wildlife. Your group will learn about life cycles, food chains, habitats, and food webs, among other related topics. Your group can also book a full day Special Program that revolves around Earth Science and Weather Phenomena.
Outside of the educational programs, your group can also choose to merely enjoy the over 5 miles of trails, numerous ponds, and countless wildlife viewing opportunities. Explore the Charlotte Couch Birding Platform, or Biomicry Trail before you go, and then head over to the Nature Shop to pick up educational books, toys, and souvenir t-shirts.
*We suggest saving money on a meal out and packing a picnic lunch or dinner for this stop.
