Downtown Houston Bat and Skyline Kayaking Tour

POST Houston is a dynamic cultural and commercial hub in downtown Houston, transformed from the historic Barbara Jordan Post Office into a vibrant destination for arts, dining, and events. Opened in 2021, this 550,000-square-foot space retains its industrial charm while incorporating modern design elements. The venue features the 713 Music Hall, a 5,000-capacity concert venue, and Skylawn, a five-acre rooftop park offering panoramic views of the Houston skyline . Visitors can explore a diverse food hall with various culinary options, participate in cultural events, and enjoy the blend of historic architecture and contemporary innovation. Recognized as one of TIME magazine's "World's Greatest Places 2021," POST Houston exemplifies sustainable urban redevelopment .

As you paddle along Buffalo Bayou in a kayak, the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts rises gracefully beyond the trees, its gleaming glass façade reflecting the afternoon sun. From the water, the building feels both grand and serene—an elegant contrast to the natural flow of the bayou. You catch glimpses of its distinctive columns and curved architecture, framed by the skyline behind it. The gentle splash of your paddle is the only sound as the theater quietly watches over the city, a cultural landmark tucked between nature and downtown’s buzz.

Gliding through the calm waters of Buffalo Bayou in a kayak, Eleanor Tinsley Park unfolds like a green amphitheater along the banks. Rolling hills rise gently from the shore, dotted with native trees, winding trails, and the occasional jogger or cyclist. The Houston skyline towers in the background, creating a stunning contrast between urban energy and natural calm. From the water, the park feels open and inviting—its wide lawns and open sky making it a peaceful, scenic stretch in the heart of the city.

Glenwood Cemetery, nestled along the banks of Buffalo Bayou, is a peaceful, tree-shaded landscape rich in history and beauty. Winding paths lead past ornate monuments, towering oaks, and carefully tended gravesites. It’s the final resting place of many notable Texans, including oil tycoon Howard Hughes, former governors, and influential civic leaders. As you explore, you’ll find stunning Victorian-era headstones and mausoleums that tell the story of Houston’s past. More than a cemetery, Glenwood feels like an open-air museum—quiet, reflective, and deeply rooted in the city’s legacy.

The Buffalo Bayou Cistern is a hidden gem beneath Houston’s surface—a vast, underground reservoir built in 1926 and repurposed as a public space. Step inside and you're met with a hauntingly beautiful forest of concrete columns stretching into the darkness, their reflections shimmering on a thin layer of water. The space is cool, quiet, and echo-filled, often hosting art installations that play with light and sound. It’s a surreal, almost cathedral-like experience that reveals a striking blend of history, architecture, and atmosphere.

From the calm waters of Buffalo Bayou, Buffalo Bayou Park stretches out on both sides, a vibrant ribbon of green weaving through the city. Towering oaks and native grasses line the banks, with modern pedestrian bridges arching gracefully overhead. You’ll see joggers and cyclists on winding trails, art installations tucked into the landscape, and the downtown skyline rising in the distance. Birds glide overhead, turtles sun on rocks, and the hum of the city fades into the rustle of leaves and the dip of your paddle.

From the seat of your kayak on Buffalo Bayou, the Waugh Drive Bridge looms ahead, its concrete arches casting long shadows over the water. As dusk settles, a ripple of movement begins—tens of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats spiral out from beneath the bridge in a swirling cloud. The air buzzes with energy as the bats fan out into the twilight sky, their silhouettes dancing against the fading light. From the water, it's a front-row seat to one of Houston’s most unexpected and mesmerizing natural spectacles.