Parks & Natural Wonders

Matzke Park provides delightful picnic and playing areas, sports fields, exercise stations, a short trail, a free speech area, and seasonal events in NW Houston. It bears the name of an honored teacher.

The Barringer Meteor Crater located a few miles east of Flagstaff, AZ, is the only visible meteor crater on earth. It is similar to craters on the moon and has changed very little since the impact 50,000 years ago. The crater attracts visitors from all over the world.

This beautiful Houston neighborhood park contains some vintage playground equipment plus a totem pole birdhouse, setting it apart from the norm. See photos.

Maxwell Park is only 13.9 acres situated along Cypress Creek in Cypress, Texas, in the Houston metro area. Moss-laden trees dot the landscape of this tucked-away park amid nearby homes. We happened upon the cutest scene, and you can view it here.

Fourteen acres of land comprise the Katy Dog Park in Katy, TX. Shade trees, wide-open grassy areas, a pool for canines, and a walking path all add to the pleasure of spending time there.

Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre (PTWRC) is located outside of Phnom Penh and is run by Wildlife Alliance. They rescue and rehabilitate animals from the illegal wildlife trade and provide a permanent home for those they cannot release. Tours run daily from Phnom Penh.

This article includes an itinerary and description of hiking at Caesar's Head State Park and visiting Greenville in South Carolina.

Though still in progress, the Crazy Horse Memorial is stunning and an important stop for anyone heading to its more famous cousin—Mount Rushmore.

Howard Park is one of those true hidden gems that offers a beautiful beach area combined with a wonderful multipurpose park that has something for everyone.

My husband and I didn't want to miss a chance to witness the beautiful view from the top of Millcreek Canyon, and we have beautiful images to share!

Antelope Island State Park is mesmerizing. Situated in the Great Salt Lake, it's one of the most breathtaking places I have visited in the beehive state of Utah. The island is a picturesque backdrop for hiking and wildlife viewing.

Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts and offers visitors stunning views, miles of hiking trails, and a wonderful mountaintop experience.

Well-known philanthropists Gus and Lyndall Wortham have a park and a fountain bearing their name in two distinct areas of Houston. See what makes each unique and special, and learn some Houston history.

A guide to finding elk in Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, Colorado. Information on where to see elk in all four seasons along with photos.

Useful information, links, and photos of the South Dakota Black Hills area, including Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park.

In addition to three community parks, the Willow Fork Drainage District in Katy, TX, maintains many miles of channels as well as interconnecting trails. See photos and learn about the parks here.

The ruins of Casa Grande National Monument date back centuries. Located in the Sonoran desert of Arizona, the massive "big house" and other structures were abandoned in 1450. Learn about it here.

The Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark is one of the largest of such parks in all of Texas. If you are a skateboarder, you will definitely wish to see this fantastic place near Houston.

We are lucky to have this wondrous nature sanctuary in the heart of Houston. One seems far removed from the hustle and bustle when walking in this natural habitat.

The Tim Bailey sculpture titled "Shady Grove" in Houston's Eleanor Tinsley Park holds meaning for victims of crime. It is one of several notable sculptures in this park.

The "Monument au Fantôme" by Jean Dubuffet in Discovery Green Park, located in downtown Houston adds much to the public art scene in our art-loving city.

Located in Cypress, TX, the 58-acre Little Cypress Creek Preserve is a rustic nature reserve amid surrounding subdivisions. Birders like this place!

The pretty 6.5-acre Paseo Park is on the wide esplanade of Bellaire Boulevard in Bellaire, TX. It has a streetcar, art, clock, war memorial, and historical markers.

Located in western Houston, Congressman Bill Archer Park is a popular dog park for both large & small canines. A small skate park is also located there.

Mandell Park is one of the many Urban Harvest community gardens in Houston located in the Montrose area. Community involvement has beautified this spot.

Hermann Park is filled to the brim with attractions, including golf, an outdoor theater, museum, zoo, lake, Japanese garden, miniature railroad, playgrounds, and so much more.

The Seabourne Creek Nature Park in Rosenberg, Texas, consists of 164 acres of open prairie, lake, wetlands, and bird sanctuary. It is educational and amazing!

One item that makes Evelyn's Park in Bellaire, TX, unique is the fantastic sculpture of Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter Tea Party.

Theis Attaway Park is a 4-acre nature preserve in Tomball, Texas, with a pond, observation platform, amphitheater, 1/4-mile trail, lawn area, and restrooms.

The 80-acres of Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve has forested areas + 40-acres of Marshall Lake. View wildlife, walk the trails, enjoy scout activities & more.

The McGovern Centennial Gardens is a 15-acre portion of Houston's Hermann Park. These lovely gardens include a garden mount, pavilion, sculptures, and more.

Listening Vessels are stone sound sculptures in downtown Houston's Discovery Green Park. People can sit and whisper and hear one another from 70 feet apart!

Houston's Levy Park is fantastic! It has a playground, elevated boardwalk, lawn area, art, restaurants, community garden, books, games and more!

One of Houston's oldest fountains, the antique dolphin fountain, is located in the half-acre Lamar Park in the Hyde Park neighborhood established in 1893.

"Large Spindle Piece"—a sculpture by Henry Moore—graces Eleanor Tinsley Park on the banks of Buffalo Bayou in Houston, Texas. See photos, Henry Moore quotes, and a video.

"Frozen Laces - One" is a steel sculpture installation in downtown Houston created by well-known artist Louise Nevelson. See photos and videos about her life story.

Goforth Park in Cypress, TX, named after Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth, consists of a playground, dog park, and a 1.97-mile trail surrounding water.

Oyster Creek Park in Sugar Land, Texas, is a beauty! Trails, spectacular water features, art, a pavilion, lawn spaces, and more delight people of all ages.

The Lombard Lamp on Heights Boulevard was a gift from the people of Hamburg, Germany, to the City of Houston. It is a beauty! See photos and learn about it here.

Donovan Park is a fabulous children's playground owned and managed by the Houston Heights Association.

The Japanese Tea Garden is a portion of the more massive Hermann Park in Houston, Texas. Learn about what makes it unique, and see photos plus a video of this beauty.

Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park offers visitors a unique mountaintop experience with a 360-degree view of the stunning Maine coastline.

Ben Woitena created this striking red sculpture called "Three Quarter Time" in 1975, and it has been situated in Memorial Park since 1984. It is owned by the City of Houston.

For a relaxing and scenic kayaking option, check out the newly opened Werner Boyce Salt Springs State Park kayak launch. The winding inlets, small ponds, and salt marsh make for an interesting and stress-free adventure.

Isle Royale National Park is one of the most remote areas of the country. Accessible only by seaplane or ferry, it's considered a hiking and kayaking paradise. Yet folks of all ages can have a comfortable, safe, and adventurous wilderness experience without needing a tent and sleeping bag.

One of the most memorable ways to explore California is to spend a weekend or week visiting its State Parks. I believe there's no better way to discover the beauty of my state.

Firefighters deserve to be honored, and fires need to be respected at all times. One retired firefighter, Mark Chavez, chose to honor both at the site of a large fire by creating a series of chainsaw sculptures.

The Nitobe Memorial Garden is located in Vancouver, British Columbia. It's a beautiful and often peaceful Japanese garden that is filled with symbolism.

Southern Minnesota for the most part consists of corn and bean fields with a not so interesting landscape. Minneopa, however, is a charming little State Park with a waterfall and Bison range.

Standing Stone State Park in Tennessee, a relatively small park located on the Cumberland Plateau, is brimming with history, natural beauty, and recreational activities. It is a great place to be unplugged.