Explore This Hidden Gem: A Historic Underground Park in Texas

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Explore This Hidden Gem: A Historic Underground Park in Texas

Sometimes it takes something old to be new again, repurposed for the good of the entire community. This is the case with the underground Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern in Houston, Texas, which was built as a historic water reservoir in 1926. At the time, it held up to 15 million gallons of drinking water for the city. When an irreparable leak was found, the reservoir was closed and decommissioned in 2007. In 2010, Buffalo Bayou Park, in conjunction with Buffalo Bayou Partnership, began to restore the site and turn it into a beautiful public space for all to enjoy.



By design, the Cistern is held up by more than 200 25-foot tall concrete columns with a size that spans 1.5 football fields. The 87,500-square-foot cistern, which reopened in 2016, is used for contemporary art installations by well-known artists, music and dance performances, and offers several interesting tours. The Cistern also features a 17-second echo, a ground-level passageway, and an ADA-compliant walkway with guardrails. For those looking to visit, Houston is easy to get to via George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or Houston’s Hobby Airport (HOU).

Take a tour and experience the art at Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern

Live concert beneath Houston Cistern



Explore Bayou Park with views of the Houston skyline

Houston skyline and Bayou Park

Buffalo Bayou Partnership also maintains Buffalo Bayou Park, an almost 200-acre green space near downtown Houston that offers beautiful gardens, hiking and biking trails with permanent public art installations for both locals and visitors to enjoy. Picnickers on the grass can admire the Houston skyline, while furry friends can take a romp in the popular Johnny Steele Doggie Park. Look for their delicious food trucks and Flora, a Mexican kitchen near the park. Buffalo Bayou Partnership continues to expand its offerings with new trails along Houston’s historic Bayou.  



For more outdoor recreation, head an hour north of downtown to the Sam Houston National Forest where outdoor activities are endless. Nature enthusiasts should take note that only a 90-minute drive from Houston is Texas’ best birdwatching destination. Beach lovers will want to take a drive along Texas’ beautiful coast on this perfect road trip. 

Dave Pennells

By Dave Pennells

Dave Pennells, MS, has contributed his expertise as a career consultant and training specialist across various fields for over 15 years. At City University of Seattle, he offers personal career counseling and conducts workshops focused on practical job search techniques, resume creation, and interview skills. With a Master of Science in Counseling, Pennells specializes in career consulting, conducting career assessments, guiding career transitions, and providing outplacement services. Her professional experience spans multiple sectors, including banking, retail, airlines, non-profit organizations, and the aerospace industry. Additionally, since 2001, he has been actively involved with the Career Development Association of Australia.