Hermann Park is a 445-acre urban park in Houston, near downtown, the Texas Medical Center, Rice University and the Museum District. You can plan a visit around McGovern Centennial Gardens, McGovern Lake and the park’s outdoor attractions. Sterling Inn offers motel rooms for a visit to Hermann Park.
- Location: 6100 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030.
- Park hours: Open daily
- Garden admission: McGovern Centennial Gardens are free and open to the public.
- Seasonal planning: Garden hours vary between spring and summer and fall and winter.
What to See in Hermann Park
Hermann Park combines open parkland with a lake, gardens and visitor attractions. Begin with McGovern Lake, then choose a garden visit or another outdoor stop to suit the time you have.
McGovern Lake covers eight acres and has three islands, two set aside for migratory birds. Pedal boats are available to rent at Lake Plaza. At Allan Sidney Dearing Fishing Pier, catch-and-release fishing is permitted for children under 12 and seniors over 65.
The Hermann Park Railroad and Lott Family Carousel are open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, though hours may change with weather and season. The Mecom Fountain stands over the site of a sunken garden built in 1917 as an entrance to the park; the fountain was placed there in 1964.
McGovern Centennial Gardens and Park Landscapes
McGovern Centennial Gardens are an eight-acre garden complex with themed garden rooms arranged along the Centennial Green. The Gardens were created on the former Houston Garden Center site to mark Hermann Park’s centennial in 2014.
The planting includes more than 490 new trees representing over 50 species, 760 hedge shrubs, 55,000 perennial bulbs and 650 azaleas, alongside 4.5 acres of grass. The Japanese Garden is another distinct garden space within the park.
McGovern Centennial Gardens are free to enter. In spring and summer, they are open daily from 9 am to 7 pm, with last entry at 6:45 pm. In fall and winter, hours are 9 am to 5 pm, with last entry at 4:45 pm.
The schedule follows Daylight Saving Time. The Japanese Garden’s daily hours are 9 am to 6 pm in spring and summer, and 9 am to 5 pm in fall and winter, also following Daylight Saving Time.
Dogs in McGovern Centennial Gardens must be leashed to a maximum of 6 feet. Keep out of planting beds and do not pick plants; bicycles must be walked. Scooters, skateboards and skates are prohibited, as are active or team sports, exercise groups, open flames and barbecues.
Paths, Outdoor Spaces and Seasonal Planning
Hermann Park is open daily from 6 am to 11 pm, while some individual attractions follow separate hours. If you’re planning around the gardens, check their seasonal schedule and last-entry time before setting out.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 6 AM–11 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
The Hermann Park Railroad, Lott Family Carousel, pedal boats, Sunday Press and Koko cafes, McGovern Centennial Gardens, and the play and water gardens in The Commons close on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. McGovern Centennial Gardens also close on those two holidays.
Free parking is available at the Sam Houston Monument (Lot A), the central lots in front of the Houston Zoo (Lots G and F), Lot H across the street, and Lots E and D near Miller Outdoor Theatre. For current hours and parking details, check the official site before you go.
How do you get from the Reliant area to Hermann Park?
From Sterling Inn, Hermann Park is about an 11-minute drive or a 59-minute walk. The park’s address is 6100 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030.
Hermann Park Conservancy identifies three METRORail stops: Hermann Park/Rice University at Fannin and Sunset, Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo at Cambridge and Fannin, and Museum District between Ewing and Binz.
METRO’s Red Line stations in the area also include Dryden/TMC, TMC Transit Center, Smith Lands and Stadium Park/Astrodome. Its approximate northbound travel time from Stadium Park/Astrodome to Hermann Park/Rice U is 11 minutes.
If you’re planning to use transit elsewhere in the Reliant and Medical Center area, how to use Houston Metro from the Reliant area is useful context for the local network.
Places to Pair with a Park Visit
Hermann Park’s surrounding destinations include the Houston Zoo, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Rice University, Texas Medical Center and Museum District. You can combine a park visit with one of these areas, depending on what you want to include in your day.
Miller Outdoor Theatre is among the park’s named attractions, and Lots E and D are near the theatre. For details on performances and practical planning, see what to know about Miller Outdoor Theatre shows, tickets and getting there.
McGovern Centennial Gardens can also be the focus of a visit in its own right. The gardens’ themed rooms, extensive planting and seasonal opening hours make them a distinct stop within the park.
What to know about visiting the Hermann Park gardens covers that part of the park.
FAQs
Is Hermann Park free to visit?
McGovern Centennial Gardens are free and open to the public. The park also has free parking at several lots.
What are the opening hours for Hermann Park?
Open daily. Individual attractions and gardens have their own schedules.
Can you rent pedal boats at Hermann Park?
Yes. Pedal boats are available to rent at Lake Plaza on McGovern Lake.
Which METRORail stop serves Hermann Park?
Hermann Park/Rice University is one of the stops at Fannin and Sunset. Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo and Museum District are also stations.