29.7623, -95.3761

Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern

Houston, United States of America

Part ofBuffalo Bayou Park

About

The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is a former underground drinking-water reservoir built for Houston in 1926. Its 87,500-square-foot chamber contains 221 concrete columns and once held 15 million gallons of water. The city decommissioned it in 2007 after an irreparable leak. Buffalo Bayou Partnership found the largely forgotten chamber during park work in 2010, restored it, and opened it to the public in 2016. The dim interior and 17-second echo now support history tours and temporary art installations. Entry is timed, children under nine are not admitted, and the standard route covers about a quarter mile. A stationary or seated tour can be requested on arrival.

Supporting source: Legacy import provenance

Plan your visit

Hours

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun

Tour and installation entry times vary within public hours.

Admission

Prices vary by tour or installation. Military, youth ages 9-17, college students, and seniors 65+ receive a $2 discount with ID.

Booking

Booking recommended

Reserve → (opens in a new tab)
Sources: hours · pricing

Features & amenities

What to bring

  • Water
  • comfortable shoes

Good to know

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Photos allowed

More near here

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