In the outskirts of Houston near Webster, Texas, you can find the Armand Bayou Nature Center.
Lush trees, swampy atmosphere, chirping birds, turtles, spiders, alligators… and BISON! (yes, bison!) You can find all of this and more at the nature center.
The Armand Bayou is one of my favorite places to escape to in my area. It has three main walking trails that are about 1-1.5 miles each that immerse you back into nature. The trails are very easy; they’re easily marked with gravel and no hills to climb. I’m from southern Arizona so I’m used to hiking up mountains, but this walk is the closest thing I can get in south Houston.
Many of the trails take you next to a little lake, which the bayou feeds.
There is an “interpretive building,” where you can find baby alligators, spiders, snakes and turtles in enclosures and learn about the native animals of Texas.
There’s also a garden, where you can learn about and see native Texas plants and walk around the garden. At certain times throughout the year, you can take a kayak tour of the lake that runs along the bayou, gardening classes, bat or night hikes, birding, birthday parties, and so many more different types of activities.
The autumn, winter and spring are the best time to go to the nature center because in the summer, the trails become covered in banana and orbweaver spider webs (and the spiders who made the webs) and infested with mosquitoes. That’s not to say that I don’t recommend visiting in the summertime (I’ve definitely gone a few times when I just wanted to escape the city), but just be prepared for that if you visit in summer. I was not prepared for the spiders the first time I went in the summer and it completely scarred me and I nearly had a nervous breakdown/panic attack on the trails (I really don’t like spiders…).
It’s $6 to visit, or, if you visit frequently, it’s $45 for a membership and I honestly might get a membership – that’s how much I love this place. There’s plenty of free parking as well.
It’s the perfect place for a picnic. There are several tables surrounding the nature center, so you can pick your favorite spot and spend the afternoon eating lunch after a walk. There’s also an adorable little farm area, where you can find old farmhouse structures and more picnic tables.
I could honestly go on and on about this nature center, but I’ll keep this post short and let you experience it for yourself.
I think that Armand Bayou Nature Center is the perfect place to take children and families because there’s really something there for everyone. It’s one of my favorite places to visit, and I hope that you like it too!
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Thank you for reading! Have you ever visited Armand Bayou Nature Center or have I convinced you to visit? Let me know in the comments below and like this post if you want more like it!
Xoxo’s
Emmalee
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Emmalee Mauldin 