Tours - Buffalo Bayou Partnership

Cistern Tours

The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is a former drinking water reservoir built in 1926 for the City of Houston. BBP restored and repurposed the 87,500 square-foot Cistern into a magnificent public space for tours, performances, and art installations.

Tours offered Wednesday – Sunday from 10am – 6pm

Reservations are required to visit the Cistern. Free First Thursdays generously sponsored by KBR. Children ages 9+ only. Please see options below.

Learn More About The Cistern

General Information

TOUR INFORMATION

Reservations are required to visit the Cistern.
No children under the age of 9 are allowed inside of the Cistern.
Please allow approximately 30 minutes for parking/check-in. Latecomers may not be admitted, and tickets are non-refundable.
Full participation in the tour requires walking a distance of one-quarter mile in 25 minutes. Accommodations can be made for those needing stationary or seated tours.

PARKING

Limited, free parking is available adjacent to the Cistern in The Water Works parking lot (105-B Sabine Street) and along Sabine Street.

Additional parking options in the area include City of Houston Parking Lot H and along Allen Parkway.

PRICING AND DISCOUNTS

$2 discount for military, youth (ages 9-17) college students, and seniors (65+). Must present I.D. upon checking in.
BBP Members receive discounted tickets for select tours. Learn more about Membership here.
All Cistern tours are free on the first Thursday of the month thanks to generous support from KBR. Reservations are required.

Cistern Experiential Tour

Bilingual Experiential Tour / La Experiencia de la Cisterna en Español y English

Great for first time and repeat visitors alike, the Experiential Tour includes an introduction followed by an opportunity to explore the Cistern independently.

Excelente para los visitantes nuevos como para los que repiten, el recorrido experiencial incluye una introducción seguida de la oportunidad de explorar la Cisterna a su propio ritmo.

DURATION / DURACION

30 minutes / 30 minutos

SCHEDULE / DIAS Y HORARIOS

Saturdays, 1pm / Sábados a la 1pm

Cistern History Tour

Private Cistern History Tour

Sound Healing Meditation

Boat Tours

Hop aboard Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s pontoon boat to see Houston from a new angle! From nature-focused tours, guided history tours, or your own private celebration, there’s something for everyone. Children ages 4+ only.

Public Tours

Take a cruise through the heart of Houston with your friends and family on one of BBP’s public boat tours. Throughout the year, BBP offers a variety of ticketed pontoon boat experiences, including:

45-minute nature-focused Buffalo Bayou Cruise
History Tours and Port-to-Port excursions to learn the behind-the-scenes of Houston’s past with a historian
90-minute rides to watch the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony emerge at dusk with a wildlife expert (available spring and summer)
Seasonal cruises for holidays and special occasions

Book Now

Bilingual Tours

Bilingual Buffalo Bayou Cruise / Crucero de Buffalo Bayou

These 45-minute boat rides are a great way to spend the time on the water with your family and friends. Escape the bustle of the city and enjoy the cool breeze as you glide along Buffalo Bayou’s waters. Look for graceful herons, jumping fish, and even an occasional alligator on the banks. Children ages 4+ only.

Estos paseos en bote de 45 minutos son una excelente manera de pasar tiempo con su familia y amigos. Escápese del bullicio de la ciudad y disfrute de la brisa fresca mientras se desliza por las aguas de Buffalo Bayou. Observe garzas elegantes, peces saltadores e incluso un caimán en las orillas del agua. Solo niños de 4+ años.

DURATION / DURACION

45 minutes / 45 minutos

SCHEDULE / DIAS Y HORARIOS

First Saturday of the month, 10am / Primer Sábado del mes a las 10am

DEPARTURE LOCATION / LUGAR DE SALIDA

Allen’s Landing: 1019 Commerce Street (en Main Street). Continúe hasta el muelle por las escaleras en cascada (adyacente al Sunset Coffee Building, el edificio de ladrillo marrón de 3 pisos). El barco estará atracado en el muelle.

Private Tours

Great for friends and family, team-building with co-workers, or hosting out-of-town visitors, BBP’s private pontoon boat tour cruises through the heart of downtown along historic Buffalo Bayou, past iconic sites and industrial relics. The boat can accommodate up to 21 guests ages 4+ only. Outside food and beverages are welcome. Add a historian for an additional $100. View the Private Boat Tour FAQ here.

DURATION

90 minutes

COST

$600

Book Your Private Charter Here

General Information

For safety reasons, children under the age of 4 are not allowed on the pontoon boat.
The pontoon boat can accommodate up to 21 guests at a time.
Please note that ticket purchases are non-refundable and support the work of Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Guests will receive a full refund in case of cancellation due to weather.

DEPARTURE LOCATION

Allen’s Landing: 1019 Commerce Street (at Main Street). Proceed down to the wharf via the cascading stairs (adjacent to Sunset Coffee Building, the 3-story brown brick building). The boat will be docked at the wharf.

Walking Tours

Enjoy expert-led tours along Buffalo Bayou on topics including wellness practices, the ecology of the bayou, the meanings and musings behind our public art, and more.

Wellness Walk

Nature Walking Tour

Self-Guided Tours

Take one of our self-guided tours at your own pace and learn interesting facts about areas along Buffalo Bayou Park.

A Guide to the Birds & Plants of Buffalo Bayou Park

Bloomberg Connects

Audio Tour

The Buffalo Bayou Revealed audio tour is presented by Houston Public Media. This audio experience provides you with interesting facts about areas along Buffalo Bayou Park. Listen below, or download the tour as a .zip file.

1. Welcome to Buffalo Bayou Park 1:31

Audio Player