Perfect Places to Picnic in Houston for Spring and Summer

Just about any season in Houston is a good time to grab the picnic basket, a blanket and umbrella, and head out to the park, a pavilion, lake shore or some other location for an afternoon picnic. Fall brings the colorful leaves on the many trees in this area of Texas. Spring brings the flowers and buds of new life, colors and scents. Summer brings more green, more flowers and full blooms to enjoy.

So grab your picnic gear and let's look at a few of the best picnic locales in and around the Houston area.

Herman Park: Picnic, Pavilions, Family Fun in Houston, Texas

No list of picnic locations in Houston would be complete without mentioning the Herman Park complex and all the attractions there. Whether walking the trail, visiting the reflecting pool, snacking on the picnic tables around the pavilion and park, there is a perfect spot somewhere at Herman Park for any type of picnic, from the romantic to the family fun picnic.

Located near the Houston Zoo, if the kids are with you, spend the day at the zoo and pop over to the park for a picnic and check the schedule to see if there are any shows at the outdoor amphitheater.

Herman Park, Hermann Park Conservancy

6201-A Hermann Park Drive

Houston, Texas 77030

Website

Clear Lake Park: Houston Suburb, Water, Play and Scenery

A short drive from downtown Houston, in the suburb town of Seabrook, you can find the Clear Lake Park. Located on the shore of Clear Lake, with public boat docks, playground equipment, outdoor BBQ grills, picnic tables, a sand pit, and plenty of lush green grass for picnic blankets, Clear Lake Park is a gorgeous place to consider a family picnic or a romantic picnic basket for two in the early evening, watching the sun set over the lake.

This park doesn't allow animals, which was the one downside for us, but it is a gorgeous park, well-maintained, and during day hours has a park station staffed with employees, public clean restrooms and assistance.

Clear Lake Park

5001 NASA Pkwy

Seabrook, TX 77586

Website

League Park: Bandstand Pavilion, Picnic Tables, Basketball Courts and More

Located in the historic downtown of Houston's suburb of League City, Texas, League Park is a gorgeous location to have a picnic this spring or summer. Doubling as a bandstand for special musical events, and it's not uncommon to see a wedding ceremony going on in the gorgeous white gazebo. This park has amazing old oaks shading a large portion of the lush green grasses, and has ample parking, walkways and foot bridges for those wanting to take a stroll after their picnic.

The gazebo can be reserved for special occasions, as can the entire park.

League Park

Off off FM 518 (Main St.)

& Park Avenue

1.5 miles East of I-45

Helen's Garden: Picnic Park with Flowers, Fountains and Memories

Not too far from League Park on Main St. in the Houston suburb of League City, you will find Helen's Garden. This beautiful block park is home for beautiful fountains surrounded by flowers, foot paths, and landscaping that has to be seen. Bring your camera if you plan to picnic at Helen's Garden, because the flowers and plants in this garden park are amazing. With benches, picnic tables and plenty of grassy areas to spread a picnic out, this is a great picnic getaway location.

Location: Under the oaks on FM 518 at the corner of East Main Street and Kansas.

Bolivar Peninsula (Bolivar Island): Picnic Getaway, Over the Ocean

Most residents of Houston likely never venture out to the ferry boats that The Texas department of Transportation runs, free of charge, 24-hours per day between Houston/Galveston and Bolivar. For me, when I moved here as a new resident, having never been on a drive-on ferry, it was one of the first things I wanted to do. The twenty or so minute ferry ride was fun, and it's perfect for packing a picnic to eat on the island; just be sure to pack a loaf of bread or crackers to feed to the seagulls off the back of the boat.

Once on Bolivar, it's a short drive to the Inter-coastal Waterways for Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, where you can rent fishing equipment (or bring your own), visit my favorite seafood restaurant, Stingaree's, or find a place off the shore of Crystal Beach and simply kick back and enjoy your picnic basket. Bolivar was hit hard by Hurricane Ike in 2008, but it's making a comeback and the more people who visit and help make it active and thriving again, the better. Stop by the local shops for your picnic supplies, and enjoy your picnic off the ocean.

Bolivar Ferry Information

More About Bolivar Peninsula

All of these locations are well-suited for picnics this warm weather season, and are just a short drive from just about anywhere in the Houston area. Take the time to drive around the suburbs of Houston and you'll find plenty additional locations perfect for a picnic. Don't forget the sun tea, because no picnic in Houston, Texas is complete without it.