Harris – Nature, History and Special Experiences

Harris combines impressive nature experiences with spaceflight history, waterways and cultural discoveries. At Independence Plaza, you can enter the Independence shuttle replica and explore the historic, original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home for their trip can use the desired mix of nature, city, history and activities as a guide when choosing a location.

Nature Between Lake, Wetlands and Prairie

Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center is a 2,800-acre park for environmental education and recreation in northeastern Harris County. The park contains a lake, ponds, wetlands, forests and prairie. Possible activities include fishing, hiking, paddling and nature observation. There is also no entrance fee. This makes the park an independent focal point for a stay in which landscape and physical activity play an important role.

Baytown Nature Center also places a clear emphasis on nature and trails: The 500-acre peninsula has 7 miles of trails. Birdwatching, fishing, kayaking, cycling and hiking are possible there. At Armand Bayou Nature Center, you can look forward to 5 miles of walking trails, including a Discovery Loop Boardwalk and a platform for observing bison. The Armand Bayou Paddling Trail follows Armand Bayou upstream from an area near its confluence with Clear Lake, through Armand Bayou Nature Center and as far as Horsepen Bayou.

Trails for Active and Relaxed Days

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center has 5 miles of trails and paths through a 155-acre nature preserve. The Outer Loop is 1.76 miles long, mostly gravel-surfaced, and passes through savanna, prairie and forest habitats. The Habitat Hikes are self-guided walks, each passing an educational station and showing, among other things, ponds with diverse wildlife as well as other points of interest. The trails at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center are intended exclusively for hiking.

At Buffalo Bayou Park, you can get around on foot, by bicycle or on the water. Bicycles, kayaks and canoes can be rented through partner providers. The Sandy Reed Memorial Trail is a ten-foot-wide concrete path that extends through the park on both sides of the waterway. Depending on your travel plans, this allows you to combine walking, cycling and paddling without blurring the distinct character of the different offerings.

Houston, Spaceflight and Texas History

For a more urban day itinerary, Discovery Green offers a 12-acre urban green space in the heart of downtown Houston. A historical counterpoint is the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, a drinking-water reservoir built for the City of Houston in 1926. The Cistern offers a fully guided tour of its history and architecture.

The Battleship Texas fought in both world wars. In 1948, the ship was transferred to the State of Texas to serve as a museum and memorial; the Battleship Texas later arrived at the San Jacinto Battleground near Houston, Texas. The Battle of San Jacinto is considered one of the decisive battles in American history. Anyone interested in natural sciences and animal life will find more than 600 different animal species at the Houston Zoo. The Galápagos Islands exhibit creates an environment that recreates the archipelago’s unique landscapes and marine habitats. The Houston Museum of Natural Science also houses a butterfly center, a planetarium and an IMAX theater.

The Right Base for Planning Your Trip

Harris can be experienced in many different ways: Nature trails and paddling routes are ideal for active days, while the Cistern, Battleship Texas, spaceflight and museums provide cultural and historical focal points. When searching for a holiday apartment, you can therefore first decide which experiences should occupy the most space in your trip.

More Local Pages for Your Planning

If you would like to structure your search beyond Harris, separate pages for Houston, Humble, Seabrook, Spring, Deer Park, Pasadena, Taylor Lake Village, Cypress, Tomball, Baytown, La Porte, Channelview, Webster, Jersey Village, Galena Park, South Houston, Bellaire, Jacinto City, Piney Point Village and Crosby are also available.

For the overarching travel overview: Texas.