The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern In Houston, Texas Is A One-Of-A-Kind Attraction Brimming With Creativity
By Katie Lawrence|Published September 22, 2020
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
We’ve written about the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern in Houston before, but new life has been breathed into it since then. Hiding beneath Texas’ largest city, this underground labyrinth is one of the most unique places you can go in the Lone Star State.
Dating to 1926, the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern served as a drinking water reservoir for Houston until an irreparable leak was discovered in 2007. The underground labyrinth sat abandoned for several years before the Buffalo Bayou Partnership repurposed it into a beautiful public space that would house rotating art installations.
Upon arriving at Buffalo Bayou Park, not even your wildest dreams would imagine the sprawling chamber that lies beneath. Check out the Visitor Center, complete with an open-air pavilion, before or after the tour. It's such a nice place to grab a seat and relax -- especially on days when the weather is nice.
Aboveground, you'll see the wheels that once controlled the flow of water through the cistern. These historical relics remain surprisingly unchanged, even after so many years, and they're an incredible sight to behold.
30-minute guided tours of the cistern are held Thursday-Sunday, every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The cost is $7 per person, or $5 for college students, military and seniors 62+. The tour is free on Thursdays.
The quarter-mile walking tour showcases the true splendor of this incredible man-made wonder. Measuring at 87,500 square feet, the cistern features over 200 columns and a 17-second echo, and holds up to 15 million gallons of water.
A special, one-hour tour for amateur photographers takes place from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on weekends. Tickets are $10, and the tour highlights the very best angles to capture photographs for personal use.
In 2016, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership began hosting art installations in the cistern. From video projections to light shows, these immersive exhibits allow all who traverse them to have their own unique experience. We can't wait for the next one!
Tickets can be purchased online up to 60 days in advance. Only 10 people at a time may enter the cistern, and face coverings plus the use of hand sanitizer beforehand are required. Private, one-hour tours are also available from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday-Sunday for maximum social distancing.
No children under the age of nine are allowed in the cistern. Visit the Buffalo Bayou website or Facebook page for a complete list of rules and other important information.
Have you ever toured the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern? If so, what was your favorite thing about it? Let us know in the comments, and check out our previous article for another unique attraction.
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