Leagues & Teams

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best playground/park in Houston, Hermann Park is a vast urban green space, home to the Houston Zoo, Miller Outdoor Theatre, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the first desegregated public golf course in the United States.

The park's eight-acre McGovern Lake can be toured in four-seat pedal boats, which are available to rent at the boathouse for $8 per half hour. Limited fishing is available at Bob's Fishing Pier; fishing is restricted to kids ages 12 and under, and seniors ages 65 and over. "Catch and release" is required.

Plenty of great, shaded picnic spots can be found throughout Hermann Park, and kids are particularly drawn to rolling down the grassy hill near Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Peaceful strolling options include the the Reflection Pool and the Hermann Park Japanese Garden, which features shaded paths, bridges, and scenic ponds. And those on the run with baby joggers can enjoy a two-mile jogging trail, shaded by mature live oak trees.

The Hermann Park Miniature Train has been a Hermann Park tradition for over 50 years. The train runs daily from 10am to 5pm; tickets cost $2.25. For more information, call Buffalo Rides at 713.529.5216.

The Playground for All Children features play equipment for children of all abilities, most of it handicap-accessible. Children can cool off in the interactive water playground, and picnic pavilions may be rented for family gatherings or birthday parties. For rental information, call 713.845.1003.

Hermann Park is owned by the City of Houston; for further details, visit the City's website at www.houstontx.gov/parks/hermannpark.html.

Putt for a hole-in-one in the relaxed atmosphere of trickling waterfalls and colorful landscaping on your choice of three challenging 18-hole courses. Tickets for mini-golf are $5.50 for one game, $13.50 for three games.

Also outdoors, baseball and softball batting cages are available at a cost of four arcade tokens for 18 pitches.

Splash and bump your way across the water in your own bumper boat. Drivers must be at least 44 inches tall. Tickets for a five-minute ride are $5.50. If taking a passenger, the driver must be at least 16 years of age; passengers must be between 36 and 44 inches tall.

The space-themed gameroom has dozens of video games for all skill levels, and the rock climbing wall features five climbing areas 22 feet high. The highly interactive LightSpace game features a nine-by-nine foot LED lighted floor where customers can play nine games (dodgeball is the favorite), six activities, or six light shows.

Taking up almost all of the second story of the FunHouse restaurant is a laser tag arena. Tickets are $5.50 for 7-1/2 minutes. Putt-Putt also features a simulated thrill ride movie in its XD 3D Motion Theater.

Kid's Space is a free interactive child's play area for children eight and under. Activities include the Shadow Wall, Infinity Mirror, Knock-Down Dominos, Talking Bob, Interactive Train Play Station, and several computer and video kiosks.

Celebrate a birthday party at Putt-Putt and get 90 minutes of party supervision with your very own Party Entertainer, who entertains guests with magic, ballon art, and games. The party package comes with a private party room, and a choice of mini-golf, laser tag, bumper boats, or arcade tokens. Themed parties are also available.

The FunHouse Cafe dishes up a variety of family foods, including pizza, hot sandwiches on handmade Italian ciabatta bread, salads, and an ice cream parlor.

Sam Houston Equestrian Center is a 25-acre site with two outdoor arenas, a covered horse pavilion, and a huge indoor party room.

Lessons are offered year-round for riders of all skill levels, Tue-Fri after school, and Sat-Sun throughout the day. Summer camps are available all summer long, and include not only horseback riding, but also grooming and shampooing the horses, classroom studies, and videos. The Equestrian Center also offers spring break camps.

Birthday party packages include horseback riding and use of the party room for one additional hour. Trail rides are also available for families and out-of-town visitors.