This huge national park located just south of the city's main urban area is a lush expanse of gardens and trees that provide a welcome escape from the city streets for both locals and visitors. The area also houses many monuments and museums, and has hill lookouts just a 20-minute walk uphill.

Discovery Green is Houston’s go-to urban park for outdoor fun, events, and community gatherings. Located in the heart of downtown, it features open lawns, a lake for kayaking, public art installations, and a playground for kids. Throughout the year, the park hosts everything from live concerts and fitness classes to outdoor movie nights and seasonal ice skating. With on-site restaurants and plenty of spots to relax, it’s a great place to take a break from the city buzz. If you're looking for more green spaces, Hermann Park and Sam Houston Park offer a mix of history and nature downtown, while the sprawling Memorial Park sits just west of the city center.

The Mondriaan House is the birth house of the famous Dutch painter Piet Mondriaan. The ground floor of the house details the development of the painter, the person, his art, and his life. On the first floor, you can visit temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists whose work reflects that of Mondriaan or who draw inspiration from his work.