Reviews of Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. (Museum) in Houston (Texas).

Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern

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386 Comments

Museum

Historical place museum

105b Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007, United States

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Information of Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, Museum in Houston (Texas)

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Reviews of Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern

Board Game Black Hole

This place was so cool! It feels like something you would see in medieval Europe. The history of the Buffalo Bayou cistern was very interesting. The visual illusions from the light play off of the shallow water was really neat. The acoustics and echos were amazing. I loved the guided tour and highly recommend this to anyone visiting Houston.

Regina Lyster

I have lived in Houston my entire life and had never been to the Buffalo Bayou Cistern. We purchased $10 tickets for the guided tour (unguided tour $8). The tour is about 30 minutes and very informative. The guide was very knowledgeable and told us about the history of the Cistern. She even provided us with a small musically performance to enhance the sound and echo experience down in the Cistern. I will definitely go back, especially when a special event "art exhibit" is scheduled.

A- Lane

Fantastic park with clean bathrooms! The arch is the perfect spot for couples' pictures. It’s pretty entertaining to watch the skaters if you have nothing better to do. They are pretty good, and watching a few 45+-year-old men skate is undoubtedly worth watching.

e a

We visited this beautiful space for the first time yesterday. The illuminated experience is something to see. You are given twenty-five minutes to walk around and take in the wonder of it all. The only thing that put a damper on things is the end. A tour guide sidled up and said it was time to leave. We wanted to ask a question and she said we could, but as we walked out. She firmly asked us to walk out. And then proceeded to slowly escort someone else out as they discussed the cistern.

Y Lu

Very cool day date experience! My bf and I took the guided tour for $10, and it was definitely worth the history and background info on the cistern.

Otavio Maffud Cilli

Interesting place to visit. It is nice to see the architecture and how the system was supporting Houston decades ago. When we play "echo" inside the cistern is nice and the reflection of the pillars on the water is pretty interisting.

Josh Atkins (Josh Atkins Photography)

This park is a beautiful place for engagment sessions and family portraits! As a photographer, this is one of my go-to spots for both! Especially in the fall, the trees change colors and the lighting is wonderful. I highly recommend it!

Janelle Jagnanan

Really cool gem hidden in Houston. An underground water reservoir that was essentially shut down by a leak, Buffalo Bayou Partnership has converted it into a historical gem. We visited while there was an art exhibit and it was a great afternoon date.

Rob Fairman

Fascinating piece of Houston history. Parking is VERY limited, so be ready with a backup plan for a parking location. Also plan to purchase your tour tickets in advance. If it happens to be busy, there may not be space available when you show up for the tour. Tour only takes about 30 minutes.

Leslie Brooks

Booked a tour on a whim with friends in town visiting. What a hidden gem this place is! They should make a permanent light show exhibition. Too bad the gift shop didn’t sell anything with the blueprints on it or architectural drawings. Would love to hear someone singing in the space.

Mr. No Tengo Dinero

Great park for cycling 🚴‍♂️ early in the morning and walking 🚶 Did first bike ride here and I enjoyed feeling nature in Houston 😌 Come and enjoy your oasis here in Houston! 😇 …

Ces Arago

Found this place accidentally. Thank goodness we did. We had a great tour guide, Rosemarie. Oh by the way she can also sing.😊 We’ll be back to check out the current exhibit running til December. …

William Tate

Great tour. Rosemary was an excellent tour guide. If you love the city and its history, this is a really fun visit!

Mari Carmen Barrios

This place is a lot of fun, and one of the most unique Houston sights. I've gone twice, during art installations, which I think is the best way to experience it. The reservation is done online and the tickets are timed--highly recommend you get there early. A stroll through the park afterwards is a lovely way to spend a weekend.

Olga Rosino

Great place, the guide was FANTASTIC, she made the difference, be sure to take the guided tour, totally worth it

noon v

Great experience. Make reservations in advance on their website. Each tour take exact 30 mins. Be on time. Parking may be hard to find.

Trina

Beautiful space, the colored lights are from the holidays. The space is meant to be enjoyed quietly so small children may not appreciate the atmosphere. We will be back.

David William

A must-see in Houston. An underground water storage built over a hundred years ago that is not open for tours. Above, there is a park with a state area and an overlook to Sabine Street and the skate park. Also, you can get to it from the Buffalo Bayou trail system, which I frequently stop off while cycling through.

Marcus P

Very cool experience. Sort of a hidden gem and well worth the 30 minute tour

Alen Kirincic

Amazing hidden gem in downtown Houston! We took the 30 min tour and it was a great time! I want to go back to see the art exhibit (in place until 12/21)

Justin Tobias

It is basically a big square water tank with impressive columns and a large lit up walk way encircling the entire thing. The tour guide led us around the walk way and talked to us about the history of the cistern. We will definitely be going back to try out the sound bath tour, where they play crystal bowls and gongs for a refreshing calibration of your chakras! Enjoy our photo gallery and feel free to reach out if you or anyone you know needs help buying or selling real estate!

Ralph Perez

Really cool location. Hidden under the park there is a sistern that held excess water during flooding. It is eerie and dark but the acoustics and lighting are crazy. We came here by a recommendation from a friend and was truly impressed!

Rick Fast

Went to Cistern Illuminated with the Choral Group there singing. Lights, sounds, facility, all was awesome. Been wanting to see this place for awhile. My girls loved it too.

Jeffrey Miller

It was a delightful tour, with appropriate social distancing and everyone wearing masks. It was dense with information and alot to see, so I think going more than once would be a good idea. The tour guide was funny and informative. It seems like it would be a good fit for a mature 7-8 year old or older.

Eric Dunlap

Super cool! Totally worth the time and money. Our guide sings so with the echo it was heavenly. Cool stories and history about the place.

Tanzeem Chowdhury

Simple and fun! The entire area is nice and this is definitely worth a visit. There's a tour guide lady, who sings inside and it's amazing!

Sandy Hdz

Take a trip here if you haven't. There's a tour guide that will guide you . Get your tickets online. Sometimes there are art installations. Different pricing for that but not that much of a difference. It's a nice adventure for you in the city. 🌁 …

Chuck Hayden

Very interesting place and great tour!

Osula Lam

I did the $7.50 tour and it was 30 minutes long. It was surprisingly entertaining. The photos you get are pretty nice and our tour guide was fun. Drop by if you have nothing better to do but skip it if you're tight on time.

Charu Rao

Yesterday was my 4th time to visit the cisterns. I took my friend, who's a Houstonian, but never been before for his bday.. and it was just as beautiful as I remember the 1st I went. It's probably not a secret spot anymore, but it still needs to be promoted & given it's due respect. Every time I go, every docent puts their own twist on the tour & Rosemarie sang her own beautiful cistern song that gave me chills. I can't wait to go again very soon, with another friend who's never been. Thank you to the Buffalo Bayou Partnership team for your hard work, it is much appreciated!

Jess

This was a very interesting experience. The tour was very informative and the tour guide was quite knowledge. We attended both the historical tour and the art tour. The historical tour provided a lot of fascinating facts about Houston's history of water consumption and supply. The art tour was a somewhat interactive display of projected lights and sounds in the eerily dark and echoic cistern. While I might not go again, I'm definitely glad that I've been.

RL Private Account

Fascinating! Happy to see this unique public attraction at Buffalo Bayou Park. Our tour guide informed us that the city originally planned to demolish the cistern after it was removed from service so they could install a parking garage. Extremely happy that those original plans were canceled in favor of preserving a unique piece of our city's history.

Chris LaLonde

Like the other reviews have mentioned, make sure to reserve your spot (cost: $2/reservation) for a tour online beforehand or you will not be able to enter the Cistern. The tour only lasts about 20 minutes, but it is very informative and shows that Houston has a more interesting history than you would expect. The eventual plan to turn the space into an art gallery seems like a perfect addition for the Buffalo Bayou Park.

Robert Kessler

Very nice hidden gem near downtown. Art exhibit made the experience surreal. You get twenty minutes in the cistern for ten bucks. You must stay quiet. They have lab coats for you to wear while in, but I missed why this was.

G

A wonderful historic tour of this decommissioned underground drinking water reservoir with 221– 25-foot beautiful and tall industrial, slender concrete columns spanning the space. The tour requires walking a distance of one quarter mile. There are guardrails along the entire path. Our tour guide was wonderful. She sang a song towards the end of the tour to demonstrate the 17-second echo. There isn’t anything like this piece of architecture available for public viewing in the country. Indeed, I believe the closest one to it in design is in Instanbul, Turkey. Thank you Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) for restoring and repurposing the Cistern into a magnificent public space for locals and visitors to experience. P.S. if you have time, check out the Down Periscope upon exiting the cistern.

J. BISBAL

It is interesting to see this underworld by the Bayou. It is not anything like the Cistern in Istanbul as those are richly decorated, illuminated and can be roamed around; Houston's is just a 1/4 mile loop with some light installation, pretty cool though, you are allowed inside for about 20 minutes which is more than enough, the staff are the nicest. They should make catwalks and allow to roam around the columns and play some classical music. Lot or street parking, there is a very nice terrace above the visitor center as well as a large patch of grass behind the terrace, walk further and you will also find a skate park with downtown views.

J Koon Realtor

What an amazing gem. We took the tour and our guide Austin was amazing. His knowledge of the history was mind blowing.

Kate Downs

This is an awesome walk through Houston’s history, and a nice break from the heat. Our guide, Dwindle, was very knowledgeable and fun. He had a wonderful singing voice and was able to show off the amazing acoustics of the cistern. We went to the art show after which was fair, but honestly, I liked Dwindles performance better. Next show isn’t until 2023 so I’ll be sure to check it out. Parking wasn’t too hard and it’s well located in the Buffalo bayou park, which is beautiful. Centrally located to midtown.

Gene Sandefur

Excellent tour. Enjoyed hearing the history and details about this . Acoustics were cool and Rosemarie is an excellent knowledgeable guide.

N.A. P.

You have to go. Only 1/6 in the WORLD. Wonderful tour that was 30 minutes. $10/person. Park on a nearby side street & walk to it. Leave ample time to find parking because this is a busy place. Nice outdoor venue up top. Enjoy :)

gabe

Buffalo Bayou Cistern is a fun little-known activity on the edge of downtown. We took the guided tour for $10, and then walked some of the trails next to Buffalo Bayou.

Laura Hendricks

Nice place to visit a piece of Houston history for a small fee if you decide to stroll along Buffalo Bayou. It's location is also a location to rent bicycles for the day. The Cistern tour is under ground and was 1hr long. Hard to hear the guide talk since it does echo loud in this place.

Danette Connors

This place was so cool! The people working there are so friendly and offer great information. You are able to go into the cistern and see the light display for 10.00 a person. It is dark inside but you can see well and it didn't feel claustrophobic at all to me because of the huge size of the cistern. Definitely worth the visit if you enjoy a variety of art forms.

Joshua Miller

Really cool experience, we saw the choral concert / light show in the cistern and it was a memorable time, great date night.

Kaci Juge

A decommissioned cistern-turned Houston History Hotspot. Quick and easy tour, a great way to beat the heat, informative and interesting, and really quite cool! All that, plus price is super cheap.

Nicolai Mitchell

This is always a great park to visit, whether you're walking, running, taking a bike ride or just want to relax.

Ruby I

Super cool experience. It is worth the $ and very educational. The architecture is amazing.

Pam Wang

Not that many people know about this place. The entrance is actually easy to miss since it’s kind of hidden and the parking is limited. But, this place is definitely worth visiting. Reservation is required.

Karen Vaden (Taste of the Strand)

I have taken the history tour and one of the music events held here both are fun, but in my opinion, the music and art are the best and my favorites. This is such a unique and diverse space for so many unique experiences possibilities.✨️

Mary Morrison

We took the history of the cistern tour today. Not only did we learn about the cisterns history we learned about Houston's growth. The quarter mile stroll around the cistern on smooth pavement was easy and would be accessible for someone in a wheelchair. Our guide answered questions and even demonstrated the acoustics of the cistern by singing

Mudasser Zaheer (MAZ)

Good art installation. Don't expect to be impressed too much if you have visited other historic cisterns. Lot's of other activities in the area as well.

Mariam Othman

This location was awesome! It has the appearance of something from medieval Europe. The Buffalo Bayou cistern's history was really fascinating. The optical effects created by the light reflecting off the shallow water were incredibly cool. The echos and acoustics were superb. I would strongly recommend the guided tour to anyone visiting Houston.

Dennie Heije

A unique place in Houston, right next to the visitors center. A guide will show you around and explain the history plus demonstrate the echo. When they turn off the lights and use their flashlight, you experience the beauty of the architecture. Impressive yet serene.

Louis Gonzales

Will blow your mind. So Kool!

Jorge Pena

Great place to hike, walk your dog, or ride a bike! Has a skate park, you can rent a bike near by, and it has several trails for you to enjoy! Great for people that like nature and outdoors!!

Justin Doak

What a surprise this was! We've visited twice now. The first time was the standard tour, the second, was an incredible art installation (audio and visuals). Both excellent. The guides are friendly and informed and the groups are small. I highly recommend.

Jeff “Houpty” Houpt

I was able to visit while during a visual artist's concept was on display. Pretty neat place. I'll have to go again to go on the historical tour.

Rita Edmonds

What a great tour! Pretty cheap and very interesting and accessible. They even moved us to 430 when we couldn’t make our 4pm tour. The history of the cistern and the city’s water supply was interesting too. Talked about how it faired in hurricane Harvey as well.

S B

I really liked this place. The show was a little subdued until the great ending while the enchanting live singing This part really made it

Matthew Swartz

Great spot for a lunch/brunch on the park. The food is good, you can sit inside or outside, and there is plenty of seating to not feel rushed while you eat. We also recommend a post-meal walk around the area as there are some neat things to check out.

Chris

Photos and people talking about it don't do the art exhibit justice when visiting the cistern. If you have 45mins and $10, it's worth a visit.

Ken Lee

Tour is short but informative. The "echo" demonstration and the "reflection" at the end is very cool.

Brandon Szerwo

The cistern itself is interesting. The art piece right now is very cool with all the moving lights. I really enjoyed it. The staff that take you in and at the visitor center were extremely friendly and welcoming. Overall, a very fun visit that is a little out of the ordinary.

Daniel Rosenhaus

This place is unique and kinda cool but it’s pricey even at $10 per person. Art exhibitions change so I doubt you’ll see exactly what I posted below but this was a new type of art exhibit for me, so I appreciated that. Otherwise, you just walk around the perimeter and look at all the columns, didn’t even take us a half hour.

Jessica Sommer

Well worth the visit - lives in houston 20 years and was totally surprised when we toured it. Echoes reverberate for 17-20 seconds!! Soooo cool!

Evan Cotter

Awesome place. The tour gives some great history about it and Houston. Happy I went and I'll be going back soon.

Sarah “Shane” Gonzales

Wonderful hidden gem. Highly recommend going when it is raining to get the full affect

Pamela Findley

An excellent educational, family friendly and budget friendly outing. I was not expecting something like this to have so much beauty and artistic quality

Rolf Shmidt

Very few people know about the place, it is quite unique for any big city, amazing scenery for pictures

Jon Terrell

Very awesome and educated tour. Unique and peaceful. Will definitely be back.

Phoebe Chang

We really enjoyed the tour! It was totally worth it and saw the guide giving awesome introduction of the place. Very happy we enjoy the walk and sightseeing inside buffalo park bayou.

Yennifer Franco

Sucha cool hidden gem! It's a 30 minute tour that is very informative. Super cool and it's free on Thursdays, on other days I believe it is 5$.

Lupe Castellanos

So fun! Definitely worth it. Make advance reservations to secure your spot.

Tejas Patel

Good to see something different. The optical illusion of reflection makes the room look much deeper which feels pretty cool

ilene!!!

our tour guide was funny, nice, and so informative! the cistern was way cool, especially when the lights reflected off the water and gave an illusion of it being much deeper than it is! i really recommend this for every audience!!

Nadia Hakim

A super cool spot to learn about an unusual part of Houston’s history. The art installations are really eccentric and neat. Great for unique photos, if you know how to work in low light. Thursday’s are free!

Katherine Goldsberry

Very neat and educational tour that lasted about 20 minutes at a slow walk (~1/4 of a mile) that takes you clockwise around the outside edge of the cistern. At the end, you get to have some fun with the 17 second echo of the chamber, which is really cool. My friend made the reservation online and had read somewhere that you could stay in up to an hour after the tour ended, but this was not the case. Also, they do lock you in "underground" (it's technically ground-level with the embankment built up above) so if you are claustrophobic, this is not the tour for you. Future plans are for a light and/or sound installation, which would be pretty neat.

Tom Riggins

We took the tour during the artistic installation and loved it. We will definitely come back for an historic tour when they're offered. It was about 30 minutes and kicked off our day of exploring downtown.

David Coyle

Saw Anri Sala's Time No Longer piece. This was our first time in the Cistern and we found it to be something nice and unusual, out of the ordinary! The art piece was completely appropriate for the venue.

Brandi Cuevas

Perfect excursion on a Friday night after getting off work! Short n’ sweet, enriching. Easy access to parking. Visitors center full of things to do in local area. Close to local restaurants. Guides knowledgeable in history of Houston, specifically cistern. Demonstrated acoustics by singing acapella. Sounded as if we were in one of the old cathedrals in Europe. Breathtaking! Worth the trip!!! You will not regret it.

Robyn Pass

Fantastic historical spot! The guide was wonderful, the views were amazing! You might get a surprise near the end. The guides accept tips!

Eddie H

Unique and beautiful artistic design with carefully crafted laser lighting. Free admission on Thursday.

Basilio Panjoj

The best park ever I love to come here Just looked at this view

Gingerblueeyedgirl03

Wonderful tour..tip your guide!! Very educational and pretty cool echos.

Laura Rainey

I loved it here. It was very cool hearing our voices echo for so long in the cistern. The optical illusion cause by the water reflection is fascinating. The guide who gave us the tour was very knowledgeable and had a wonderful singing voice. I am definitely returning to see the art installations. I will also be visiting the park to ride my bicycle on the trails.

laura newman

Do the guided tour! Its really unique and interesting.

John Harris

Took both the history and light show tour (a out 30 minutes each). Interesting and beautiful. Plan to go again.

Season Davis

Great place to adventure outdoors with young ones! Slide is fun and musical stations were a hit.

Carlos Lopez

Beautiful and unique place. If you like architecture, engineering, brutalism... this is definitely worth seeing. The historical tour is short and you get to see plenty (there isn't much anyways) by walking around the perimeter, the place is massive and the echo chamber effect is outstanding. The perspective distortion created by the water is crazy!

Swasti Niramaya

this place is so cool! Whoever likes history, art, engineering, architecture, this is one of the places in Houston you gotta visit. Employees are friendly and helpful too!

Jenni Stukin

Cooler than I was expecting! Get the tour guide that sings! I'd love to come back for the art show and sound meditation.

Keegan Sullivan

The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is such an awesome hidden treasure of Houston. It's beauty is outstanding but what makes it even more breath taking is the light shows they put on down there that just mesmorize you! We have been telling all of our friends to go check it out, so I would highly recommend it and also look up some the awesome videos on YouTube that people have posted.

John Moffitt

This place is amazing and a must see. I was aware this space existed for over 10 years and simply never made the time to come down and see it. It was finally this art exhibition that lit a fire under me and got me to get tickets and come on down. I must say that the art and music was only 5 or 10 percent of the joy from today's visit. Most of my astounding GawdAMighty experience comes from just the awe inspiring empty space and the quarter mile walk around the perimeter of the cistern. I love the space, the feelings, the sounds and the beautiful shadows. Parking was not a problem.

Liang-Kai Chu

A fun and uncommon place to visit

KD C

What an amazing find. So glad to have seen it and experience the history and amazing 17 second echo. Heard Pokemon even hide in here lol. Fall of 2016 may bring tours to an end. Thursdays are free...make reservations.

Noemi

Beautiful place for run, bike, walk and have fun! I love go to run at Buffalo Bayou!

Juliana Chesser

It was fun to walk around, yell & hear the echo of mine & the group"s voices. Would be awesome to attend an event with a light show and music down there

Becca Burford

This place is awesome! Take the tour. Short, sweet, & cool.

David E. Huerta

A very cool hidden gem in Houston. One of many hidden gems in out city. These were taken during the Carlos Cruz-Diez at the Cistern ezhibit: Spatial Chromointerference On view through January 13, 2019

Sherri C

Unique, memorable and affordable place to visit in Houston. Our teens enjoyed the space. We will definitely return for future art installations.

Yiyis PP

Beautiful park!! Perfect for family time!!!

Jason Bailey

Our guide DWENDOL was amazing! The cistern is fantastic too! I’m a native and can’t believe I’ve never visited/ toured. A must see houston experience. First Thursday of the month is free!

Neal Rigney

Excellent tour, very interesting story and location. Absolutely worth the price!

Justin Chu

Literally a hidden gem along Buffalo Bayou. Great to see and learn about the backstory of Houston's infrastructure. Love how the cistern is repurposed to display artist work. Great place to spend an hour or so.

Donna Hutchins

Loved the historical tour and the fun special effects of sight and sound in the cistern. Put it on your H-town bucket list! Great tour guides.

Kristen Thompson

Very cool to see! The guided tour walks you around the large cistern, and talks about its history. She also sang (which was absolutely beautiful) to show how the acoustics work. She also turned out all the lights and the whole pool of water looked like a perfect mirror. Definitely not something you see every day and we're glad we saw it!

Jason Scott

Interesting tour, Steve was helpful at the front. Kat could use a little more training, but did ok overall.

shandebord

We did the history tour, and it was well timed, with wonderful explanations of the coaster and its history in Houston. I loved the sound experience at the end. Now I want to go back for the art exhibit and the sound meditation sessions.

KD Mick

I've done the tour, which is cool, but they also have other events in the cistern. We took a healing sound meditation class here as well. We liked the class so much that we are taking it again. It was only $15 for one hour. It's cold and damp inside the cistern. Get here early because the parking situation is terrible.

Sierra

Definently a cool experience it's free I think everyone should go :) and social distancing and mask were enforced to keep everyone safe.

Chelsea J

Very interesting, Winston I believe was our guide he’s did a great job at sharing the history and even put on a little show for us, talented and charismatic. Great experience 🤗 …

Christopher L. Godfrey

This place is a nice treat but even more so due to art exhibit on display at the time (Time No Longer by Anri Sala). Very much appreciated the history behind the art and the cistern. Although brief, our guide was friendly and unforgettable! The space is not very large so you can walk the space inside in under ten minutes. Happy to have been here but even more delighted with the exhibit because it would be impossible to get the colors I got from these shots without it. Get your tickets while you can, be respectful of the space and have fun. #salainthecistern

XP Liu

I have to say whoever turned it to be a museum is very creative. For most people I think it would be just a big pond but this person saw the potential in it.

Chris Emdin

This park is where I take my family at least once a month. We eat good food up stairs in the covered area, take long walks across the bridge, and play soccer out on the lawn. One of my favorite places to go in all of Houston.

Kathryn Hatfield

We did the double a couple of weeks ago - the art installation followed by a regular tour. Both were enjoyable; I'm glad I did it in that order, to get the atmospheric, other-worldly effect of the art installation first (a projected movie and music, both very avant garde) before the more prosaic tour. Our guide was new and still learning his spiel; he was find but would love less formulaic info that we could find on the website and more anecdotes and fun obscure facts. I hope he incorporates this as he gets more confident :) Parking is free; the visitors' center is nice and the bathrooms are clean; the food truck that appeared later was also pretty impressive. Definitely worth a visit.

Spencer Williams

I really enjoyed the cistern and art exhibit inside. I'm rating 3 stars because when you pay for a tour they don't issue tickets or anything. This lead to our tour guide accusing us of not paying and embarrassing us in front of the whole tour.

Lindsay Konlande

Took a work group here for a private tour and it was amazing. Rosemarie was our guide and she made the experience so unique and special. This is a true gem in our city and something everyone should experience!

Brian Collette

To get the most of this tour, do the Historical one. Otherwise no big deal.

Brooke H

We enjoyed an amazing history tour. The guide was so good, she enhanced an already cool experience. She sang and that was amazing. Will return soon to view the art installation.

Diane Langan

Beautiful place, may have been interesting too.... but the tour guide talked SO FAST, with the echo you couldn't keep up or take in all she said. People complained we couldn't hear her, she said "NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THAT ITS A BIG GROUP". Well don't sell as many tickets if those from middle to back can't hear you! It was too much info jammed into too short a time if you have yo speak that fast.

Y Hart

This is something nice to do to kill a bit of time. We did the art tour, took some interesting pictures and danced to some interesting music. Overall I wouldn't come back, but I'm glad I went.

Zach Massey

This experience is not long, but totally worth it for a cool and different date. We did the light show option and really enjoyed learning something and doing a different activity for a date. Then you can walk after and enjoy the bayou. Bathrooms are available and food trucks are sometimes there too.

Suzan Yh

Had a amazing tour. This place was awesome!

Rachel Hayden

It was interesting brief cool and when I say cool I mean temperature and the guide sang and the sound quality was fantastic it was really cool so were the optical illusions that she showed us. The park is really pretty I am sorry that we didn't know that there was kayaking available otherwise we would have gone kayaking as well as taking a tour of the cistern.

Katie Banick

We came here for something different to do. Lots of fun - the guide was friendly and informative. Beautiful place! I've lived in Houston my entire life and never had any idea this existed. Definitely a neat peek into Houston's history. Recommend!

Cheryl Kidd

We took a guided tour of the cistern and it was interesting and fun! The light play and the acoustic demonstrations were amazing.

Julie Lockhart

Took my second historical tour of the Cistern with family today and it was just as good — if not better — as the first time. This is such a great half hour tour and covers tons of great Houston historical facts. If you have out of towners, bring them here to get a quick infusion of Houston history! Bonus: today our tour guide sang in the cistern and it was one of the most enchanting Houston experiences of my life.

christine cruise

Seems really cool, though we did not get to enter the cistern. The hours are very limited and I wish they made visitors more aware. The visitor center was open and they told us about rotating art exhibits in the cistern that sound really neat! Wish we could have seen. Would recommend but check hours carefully! The surrounding ark is very nice to walk in either way ☺️

Amy Kugali McWilliams

This place is amazing! I'm sad it took me so long to get here, but everyone really must do the tour. It's cool (literally because it's underground) and so awesome to hear this unusual Houston history. I brought a friend who was visiting from out of town but now it's a place I come to on my own, particularly when they have art installations. Such an amazing space and really knowledgeable tour guides!

Natalie Misasi

A fun and beautiful experience. Have not done the Hostpry tour yet but the art exhibit is great!

Melissa Padilla

A must see when you visit Buffalo Bayou. It's cool and it's cool! Learn about the history.

Sean Y

Grew up in Houston and didn't even know about the existence of the cistern. Our tour guide was awesome and the cistern was an incredible sight. Highly recommend you check out this place, and help support a great nonprofit, Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Good place to take the family.

Bradley Luster

Must see historical Houston architecture. Come when there is an art exhibit to fully experience the scale of this underground marvel.

Steve Ohhh

Time no Longer, the art installation is very trippy, and introspective. The cistern itself is timeless in it's almost mundane beauty.

Camden Redden

Fun tour, I was expecting something extremely different but I enjoyed it none the less.

Malachi Small

By far the best thing in houston museum wise. I had very high expectations and they exceeded them. Our tour guide was very nice and she even sang for our group. Definitely a memorable place.

B Armour

Love love love this place. It's probably the coolest tourist attraction in Houston. The staff are super knowledgeable. We go every time there's a special event or we have friends in town who've never seen it. The pictures don't do it justice. See it for yourself.

John Stuppnig

Amazing place. This is a must see if you're in Houston.

Angela Ferr (Read_Eat_Travel_Repeat)

This is a great guided tour, and a hidden gem. If you want to learn some Houston history and see an architectural masterpiece, don't skip this. Sometimes they have special art installations as well which is amazing.

David A

The tour was fantastic. They also have performance art performances, so make sure that you ask for all the options. Skateboard park and outdoor venue is also in grounds

Chris Joffrion

This place is great for tourists and Houston natives! We learned some interesting history if our city's water usage and then followed it up with the art installation tour that really blew us away. Do both tours if you have the chance to see an art installation down there. Theyre always bringing in new, innovative artists to transform the space into something out if this world. What a great way to make use of this space - it was so cool!

Alana

We had an absolutely wonderful tour today with the talented Ben as our tour guide! Ben was extremely informative and relayed the history of the cistern in an engaging manner. We definitely will be back for the next art installation and sound bath yoga!

Annelies Van de Ven

Wonderful guided visit to the BBP Cistern. Our guide Rosemarie was AMAZING. So knowledgeable and friendly. Would definitely recommend!

Larry Reeves

Nice to be in a cool place when it's so hot and muggy outside. And, this place was neat! Half hour walking tour learning about the history and planning for the water needs of a major metropolis. Favorite parts were at the end when the lights are turned off and a flashlight beams reveling the awesome reflect from the water and columns. And, yelling on the count of three and hearing it echo for over 15 seconds. Recommend the History Tour. Will return for the art tour!

James Conklin

This place is cool...just the history of it is kind if ab interesting historical site for Houston. Then they do some art installations and the place is an all new experience... when guests come from out of town we like to take them there...its about 30-45 minutes and it is really cheap. Everyone that goes thinks it's a pretty cool part of history

Ariel Martinez

Very quick & affordable little tour. Definitely something interesting to do, we had a very cool tour guide even sang us a song.

MARIO GARZA

Excellent guide very knowledgeable went that extra mile to give us a tour and ensure we had a memorable experience

Jan P

The Saturday Singing Bowls Meditation gets 5 stars! It was well worth the $15. Would return! The lady from the visitor center that let us in gets zero stars. She was NOT friendly or welcoming. She could use major lessons in how to. smile and customer "service!" (I used to be a tour driver.) The visitor center refused my exact change cash for a $1 postcard. Really? (Worried my coins have covid? Wash your hands. Sigh.)

Miranda Acevedo

Super cool experience, had a great tour guide.

S E S

Very impressed. The entire area where I walked and sat was clean. Beautiful views.

H-town Shortstop

Took my son on the 'Unguided Tour' and loved it. Great experience. However if it's your first time going I recommend the 'Guided Tour'. A must see in Houston. Also I believe Thursdays are Free.

John Pozadzides (John P.)

I would NOT recommend the art tour. Imagine being underground in an amazing space - and turning off all the lights. That's the art tour. Instead wait around till the 6pm historical tour when they'll actually turn on the light so you can see something. Otherwise you might as well just throw your cash down in the cistern.

Heli Kimhi

My favorite place for a nice relaxing walk

Noel Gomillion

A hidden gem under Houston. The symmetry, order, and balance of the cistern are remarkable, especially since it was never intended to be seen. The lighting brings and reflection make this a hauntingly beautiful place to visit. The echoing in the chamber is also striking. I'd love to go back for one of their musical events or art installations.

TREES INC

This place is a hidden gem! It's cheap $10 box per ticket. 30 minute tour. Tour guide very professional, and knows her stuff!! Thank you for such a beautiful time!!will go again, and most definitely tell everyone about this.

Jen Martinez

I grew up in the greater Houston area and never knew about the cistern. I love that it is now a part of Houston history and accessible to the public! I made a visit with a friend to enjoy the sound healing meditation with Pralaya Yoga. What an experience! The space is gorgeous, and made even more enchanting with the vibrations of the meditation sounds. I highly suggest spending the 45 minutes to connect with yourself and the underground space one Saturday morning. Definitely bring a yoga mat or cushion because the concrete is HARD.

Elizabeth Conley

The cistern tour is one of my top stops any time I have visitors in town and I've done it almost a dozen times since it opened. It is always a hit. It's a wonderfully informative tour on the history of Houston's fresh water system inside one of the most unique structures in the city. It's a climate-controlled structure, so a nice break from Houston's heat or threat of rain. Bravo to the partnership for taking advantage of the structure and not turning it into a parking lot!

Tips 4U

You need to make sure you make reservations before going especially on Thursday. If you are looking for a place to film a zombie apocalypse this would be the place. It’s pretty trippy when you first walk in. Great place to go if it’s 100 degrees outside and there is nowhere else to go but it’s an underground reservoir not much more than that- however I would go for a light show because I can see how that would be pretty spectacular in that place.

Jack Danger

I’ve been twice now. Both exhibits were pleasing but not spell-binding. For first time Houston visitors, this isn’t the must see of the city. For people who live here or find themselves coming through, it is worth the visit to see how you take a giant flood cellar and turn it into something spooky, disorientating, yet entertaining.

Kim Lytle

A fascinating structure with history, we enjoyed the historical tour most but the art installation did give a completely different interpretation of the space. The tour guide was informative and had a lively pleasant presence.

Stephanie Craig

How cool is this place??!!??!! Definitly a spot to take visitors, or to go see yourself if you haven't yet. I felt like we were entering Moria with the tall columns and expansive space - both deceivingly so! Our guide gave a very informative tour and had an excellent singing voice- which we were able to enjoy as part of the demonstration of the unique acoustics. Plus, they partner with artists to have displays! Take 30 minutes and check it out, I will definitly be back!!

Gerald Evans

Wonderful site I never knew existed. Great guide, very informative! Loved it!

Jeremy R.

Been in Houston most of my life and had no idea this was here. Had a great time at the skate park next door and very cool experience under ground. We will bring our friends next time we are in the area. Great art exhibit as well.

MARTIN SIMON

The Finale of Piano in the Park the 6th Session By Chavez and My Birthday Celebration, Well Done Miss Trudie and Staff.

Brandi R.

Being inside the cistern is actually quite surreal the first ... oh, 60 seconds. After that the tour guide walks you around in a circle, talking a mile a minute. I couldn't even absorb what she was saying, she talked so fast. What I did understand was very informative about the city's history with water. There is apparently an art installation in here I'd love to see, but that wasn't part of the tour.

Susan Miller

Very unique and full of history!

Rhonda Gilezane

It's probably the coolest tourist attraction in Houston. The staff are super knowledgeable. We go every time there's a special event or we have friends in town who've never seen it. The pictures don't do it justice. See it for yourself.

Cecilia

A great hidden (air conditioned!) respite from the sun with a bit of history and if you’re lucky the occasional art installation too... Minimal tour costs can be booked online or onsite but best to book ahead, and if you have the time and not so much the money, Thursday tours are free! 😉 …

Charles Carter

Interesting piece of Houston's public works history.

Brian Kwan

this place is so cool!! my friend and i were looking for something to do in the middle of a hot Saturday afternoon and decided to finally make it out here! we booked tickets 10 minutes online before their scheduled tours and it was so cool to learn about the cistern with our guide down below

Britta Schwab

Great experience, loved the cistern tour and learning more about this important part of local history.

Stacey

This was our second time in this area for the Women's March. We drove all the way from Alvin and just love how Houston comes together. There was close free parking nearby and both times I felt really safe walking around. Houston is such a beautiful and diverse city! Love it!

Stephanie Galvez

Loved the tour and can only imagine what the art installations looked like in the past. It is gorgeous down there when the light reflects off the water and the sound is amazing. A must see!!

David Cook

Great little known piece of Houston. Tucked in below buffalo bayou park, next to the skate park. Perfect for a family outing or a date. The tour guides are friendly and knowledgeable and you will come away with some great pictures I would recommend this place to anyone, and be sure to get a reservation

Tom Puls

What a cool experience! Need a place to get the guests or visitors out of your house for an easy city outing? This is the place. A 30 minute expedition filled with mystery, science and history. Check it out but make a reservation online first.

Timothy Flathers

Interesting artifact of Houston history. The brief tour is a worthwhile glimpse into the past at this unique location. Glad we took the time to see it.

Jin Laxmidas

Great venue and skyline views of Downtown Houston. Sits above the cistern. Houston's original water supply storage tank.

Christina Connelly

Amazing place with amazing history. Our guide was fantastic. She knew lots about the cistern and the history of Houston. Well worth seeing. It's quite surreal when you inside

A Pettway

If you are looking for a unique experience in the Bayou City this is it. We visited on free night Thursday (reserve tickets on the website). The tour guide was very engaging while sharing the history of the cistern and its impact on the city water supply.

Tommy Samson

Really enjoyed my visit. Cool and damp way to get out of the heat!

Sarah S

Absolutely gorgeous. Good date spot. V romantic.

C Williams

This is a lovely park space for any curious Houstonian native or non-native. You will find history, charm and mystery walking through the cistern below or strolling to the plush grass covered roof. A picnic here is romance waiting as you have the city skyline captivating the evening sky as the bustle of traffic on US I-45 reminds you we are a busy city! You will find stress free urban living here!

TeRay Marine

It's like being in a sensory tank? Only gigantic... the echo is amazing. Otherwise, it's so dim, serene, surreal, and naturally cool even during hot days... can't wait to go again for the immersive art installations.

Désirée Rodriguez

One of the best parks in Houston for scenic views of the city skyline... not to mention it's size. Aside from jogging trails there is biking trail. Public restrooms are also available & are kept clean. There is also a play ground for kids & a new skate board park.

Eric Williamson

I live in Dallas, and I wish we had a park like it. All around great experience.

Kristy Payne

My crew and I love to explore different sights and sounds around Houston. We were interested in the seeing the Carlos Cruz -Diez tour of the Cistern. Unfortunately it wasn't all that we expected. I appreciate the concept, but it didn't seem that much of a tour or experience. As an art lover, I was a bit disappointed .

Christopher Buck

Tucked away and hidden from view, you'd never know this was here unless you were looking for it. Reservations are required but can be obtained when you arrive unless you have a large group or if they are very busy. Can't wait until they begin to host art exhibitions here.

Rich Ross

A great activity for a hot day! The tour is interesting. Its an amazing structure and it's cool inside!

QA QC CWI

Great history. Rain presentation was great. Nice n cool place to beat the heat for a few minutes. Great neighborhood skate park and easy access to trail system.

Keelan Cook

Pretty neat experience. The cisterns are a great piece of Houston history. The art exhibit in them currently is wonderful. It's pretty pricey, but we were glad we went.

Bruce Krause

Made reservations for the light show & tour at the cistern on Sunday, December 18th @ 11am. Our first time to see the cistern. Did not understand the purpose of combining the tour around the perimeter with the light show. The light show content did not change as a result of moving the viewers around the building, and some vantage points were better than others. Personally I think the experience would have been better had there been a tour & explanation of the cistern followed by the light show. The only other issue: the staff on duty, when we attended could hardly have been more indifferent or detached. The BBP would do well to employ a staff that is engaged, welcoming & enthusiastic. Other than that we enjoyed our visit.

Margarita Llanas

I love the cistern. Tour guides have always been really nice and friendly. So had the other staff. Very accommodating when we had to reschedule.

Katrin Kinderknecht

Super interesting tour in houstons underground Cistern. Amazing insight and beautiful view.

Stephanie Kae

Always a great site to visit. October's haunted cistern is always a treat. Their art instalments are stunning, and their staff is always friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to answer questions and share fun facts. A must see! Plus, the cistern is free on Thursdays.

Justin Raine

Beautiful historic space - something so rare in Houston - with a very informative short tour. I think this rehabilitation is a testament to our growing acceptance of historic preservation and good urban space. Also, the instructions aren't hard, people: you have to make an online reservation beforehand. It literally takes a couple of minutes. Don't harp on the Buffalo Bayou Partnership for not bending the rules for you.

Chris Flannery

Interesting tour. The acoustics are fun. Our tour guide sang to us and gave a light show with her flashlight.

Dave Peterson

Incredible place to visit and see some of Houston's history. This is a little known place that many more people ought to experience. Totally worth the very low admission price.

Fernanda Vazquez

Interesting, spooky and peaceful all at the same time.

Chris Slovacek

I've walked on the lawn that is above the cistern without knowing where it actually was. The tour is a quick 20 to 25 minutes. Very interesting. Normally $5 per person but on Thursdays, it's free!

Tony Nguyen

Its a decent place, parking can be limited and don't expect much during rush hours. One of the many location for pictures and hangout. I do recommend you stop by if your in the area. Its worth the checking out.

Rosemary Ciletti

Omg, so freaking cool!!! What an amazing and unique space. Our tour guide, Ben, did a great job and has an amazing singing voice that sounded so cool in the Cistern!! Can't wait to come back for the sound therapy soon!!

Alyssa R

I love coming here to ride my bike. It's a place to break free from the busy city routine while enjoying the beautiful view of Houston's skyline. I see people come here for photography, Zumba classes, picnics, volleyball.. only thing I don't like is their kids play area. I don't see how a kid can play on cement or steel. I see the set up and I think of my kid possibly getting sent to the ER after playing there. Maybe it's just me being over protective but id rather have a traditional playground .

Michelle Daniel

Have lived here for 30 years and never knew this was here. Very cool. Awesome 30min tour, nice and cool when its blazing Houston heat outside. Such a cool place to visit.

Mark Reese

Hard to hear the guide but it was a worthwhile time. Perhaps a microphone? There were so many people we were strung out and hard to hear them from the back. Very good staff. Recomend doing this.

Golie-Lorenzo Green

This is by far my favorite park in Houston. Its great for getting in outdoor activity or just hanging out. You can ride bikes, canoe, skate. It's the best!

Francisco Ramirez (ivanfilios)

Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern at The Water Works 105 Sabine Street, Houston, TX 77007 Days and Hours of Operation: Thursdays & Fridays, 3:00 – 6:30 pm(last tour at 6:00 pm)Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (last tour at 4:00 pm)Docent-led tours every 30 minutes. Maximum of 30 people per tour. Tickets: Due to the popularity of the Cistern, we strongly recommend that you purchase tickets in advance. $2 per person (no children under the age of 9 permitted) for a 30-minute, docent-led tour.Free on Thursdays, but reservations are still required.Tickets can be reserved online only 60 days in advance. Parking: A number of parking options are available around Buffalo Bayou Park.

Jeannie Banh

Born and raised here, didn't know abt this until recently! Saw the Rain exhibit which was cool but didn't get to hear abt the history of the cisterns. Go on a Thursday, it's free through the Houston Museum day!

Michael Wesselman

The history tour has got to be better than the art installation. The self guided art installation tour is dulll, not very creative. The cistern is a great space to explore sound and the art installation is meant to be viewed in silence, a missed opportunity.

Paulo Beccaro

A nice little nugget of Houston history, for a 2 dollar fee you get to learn about the cistern and also see it inside. Worth the visit, there is a moment you get to experience the 17 second echo the cistern can produce due to it's architecture. Fun and educational.

Enrique Olivas

These aren't the Roman aqueducts, but at least they are intact. Visited during an art installation this week and paid $10 for a 30min walk-through in a light show. Explored perspective/vantage points/reflections above water/trippy illusions.

Ben Wallace

I recommend this for anyone that lives in Houston or is looking for a spot to bring a visitor. Went here to see an art installation called "Rain" that is being held in the Cistern. It's a light and sound show that mimics a rain storm. I can't put any description in to words that will do it justice. It's an experience that I wasn't sure that I'd enjoy, but here I am giving it a 5 star review. You should definitely check it out!

Casey Wilson

Awesome site that everyone should see! Great tour and an even cooler experience once we got to hear the echo and turn off the lights. A must see in Houston!!!

Emily -

This city works venue is an absolute gem. Take a tour and learn about Houston's water history or (in 2017) have an art experience at one of the light & sound shows. While you're at the Cistern, be sure to check out the park nearby along Buffalo Bayou. There's a small parking lot, and street parking available.

Candice Bedford

Closed when I arrived but the walk around the park was nice despite the construction going on. A surprising amount of wildlife too.

Deisy Gonzales

Rosemarie is wonderful tour guide.

Rachel Ward

Another fun installation at the Cistern. A Houston hidden gem

vin hallen

Long beautiful parc. I suggest you travel through it with a bike

sea lo

The last angle is beautiful，The docent's song is beautiful

Richard von Eye

Fantastic. Great art displays and historic place. 2nd largest cistern in the world. If you can go.

Shivangi Srivastava

Reflection of colorful lights form patterns on the pillars and walls. With 10$ entry fees it’s a good place to take pictures and show off artistic side of Houston to visitors.

M D (Hue Manna)

Great quick company history tour of the Cistern. Nicely restored facilities.

Justine Hernandez

Being outdoors has never really been my thing. I prefer staying in, eating pizza, playing video games, binge watching a TV series... you know... like a normal person. On a whim fueled by weight gain and sunshine deficiency, I decided to trek Buffalou Bayou Park. Now I must say... I can't wait to go back. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and I had zero difficulty parking my car. At first I was overwhelmed, unsure of where to start or which direction to head. Being an expert at getting lost, I was afraid of taking a misstep in the 160 acre park. Trust me - you will not mind getting lost here. Circular tracks often leave me bored and ready to leave after the first go-around. Buffalou Bayou Park is vast, beautiful, and full of attractions that made me wish for more hours in the day. I wandered for hours, admiring the scenic views and art displays. The park has different levels with several tracks, bridges, and gathering places. The incredible downtown skyline backdrop filled me with appreciation, even during my 45 minute walk back to the car. There are so many amenities that I didn't get to experience: bike & boat rentals, a skatepark, play area, dog park, and even an audio tour. Buffalo Bayou Park will turn the most introverted homebody into a nature-loving outdoors enthusiast. Bring a friend. Bring your dog. Bring your kids. Or be like me and get lost all by yourself. No matter who you go with, your adventure is sure to bring you closer to nature (with a touch of Houston's urban charm).

andrew donaldson

Not really worth it quick tour in a dark damp tunnel

Jacy Rawls

Very good tour, super informative and entertaining. Really spooky, if you're into that, because it's so dark and vast and quiet. It was quite an experience.

Wholesale Septic Supply

What a delightful tour of Houston water history. Our tour guide Sydney hit it out of the park and brought tears to my eyes with your singing at the end of our tour. Totally made the private tour worth more than the price.

Hamidreza N

Would highly recommend! It's a unique experience you can't get anywhere else. They have managed to turn the cistern into an artpiece. Just one of the many things you can do at Buffalo Bayou Park.

Paula Sitter (QUEEN)

The lighting effects make for a tremendous visit. 2.00, can't beat it in Texas. History, architecture, Lighting, still working. Wonderful for art, music appreciation.

Yaya W.

Great learning about the history of this “water storage”.

marijan jurcic

Above the Cistern, the green a great place to relax. Covered pavilion and stage. Free parking at street level.

Kate Shoemaker

This is definitely a must-visit for tourists and locals alike, especially if you can catch it while there is an art installation there. It’s so beautiful, and is a whole other world just steps from the street.

Joey Zepeda

Great place to visit, full of history and a unique venue for unique art exhibits.

Chris Augustine

Amazing display of artistry if you live in town or are coming from out of town would definitely recommend!

David Kane

Amazing example of civic design and infrastructure. Amazing repurposing. Cool public plaza. Great view of Houston skyline. The acoustics are bananas. 17 second reverberation.

Kristen Colander

Everyone who lives in Houston needs to see this bit of history of our city! I've been through the historical tour and when there was an art installation. Both were great!

jessica Therrien

Beautiful! The artist has more of a psychodelic lighting.....not my favorite

Shiv Brahmbhatt

Awesome vibe. Dwindle was our tour guide. I don't know of a voice more beautiful than his.

Juan Carlos Barrientos

Few people visit this place, the optical efects made by the water is impresive. And If you have a chance to hear music inside, it is phenomenal!!

Andrew Winterbottom

Great place! Great tour, tons of info about Houston...and we did not get attacked by any C.H.U.Ds!!

Jeanette Chang

Clean restrooms and a place to rent bikes from the bike barn. They charge per hr or for the day (8hrs). There is also a skateboard park amidst the beautiful landscaped park.

ISE Cold

A great part The bike trails are wonderful. Rent a Bike from the bike barn or B-Cycle which has locations available throughout the city. Affordable prices

Adan Kiyama

Hidden gem in Buffalo bayou. Very artistic, quick visit.

erin harris

Great view of the city and fun natural looking playground set up for kids, but limited. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

CHARLIE 2.0 EVERINGTON

The Bayou Cistern is massive lots of columns but I wish it wasn't so dark with the light at show..would love to go back when and if its light up ..need to see the structure real architectural beauty..

Sandra Clark

This place is a god send when you need a break on your long runs. The entrance to the restrooms is outside and they’re always super clean!

Yolanda F

Wonderful fun and cool tour. Good history lesson of Houston. The tour is $5 and 30 minutes.

John Doe

Much more interesting than I expected. Our tour guide was really great as well.

Amir Befroui

Very unique space in Houston that's inexpensive and fun for adults and kids. Great for a change of pace date or a family fun day at the park.

K. Infante

Excellent tour! A must-see for locals and visitors to Houston

Paul Wallace

One of the most amazing places I have ever been. Once held drinking water for Houston. Over 2 acers under roof. It's like a different world.

Qimar Alfasi

If you haven't been here yet get tickets!! I made this as part of a tour of Houston for a friend who was visiting. Most Houstonians know nothing about it.

Michael Passalacqua

Great space, and the art exhibit is really cool

Steve Griegoliet

Frequent tours made squeezing this into our day very easy. Well worth a visit and a good start to wandering the buffalo bayou paths.

Me

It is interesting experience. Something not expected in Houston. I wish the tour has more essences into it. Overall it took 20 min

Quaid Tinwala (SMB Films & Images)

Beautiful park for the outdoor photoshoot

Lori Doucet-Alexander

Grateful that this gem is preserved for everyone to enjoy. The art installations are a so wonderful way to keep it relevant. They do a great job maintaining it!

Dave Younce

Great way to beat the heat & learn about this cool underground space

Me Myself

What an awesome space and AMAZING tour. Very informative and tons of Houston history. A must see for every Houstonian!

Steven Rodriguez

Saw a great arr exhibit with musical accompaniment. Such a cool space!

Lauren Richardson

We did the photography tour just for fun and it was a beautiful experience. I would recommend going if you have an hour to spare.

Alex Podturkin

Very meditative.

Son Pham

This is one of the best park of Houston. You can see city skylines from here. There are miles of trail for walking and cycling.

Stewart Faus

Experience of a lifetime! A combination of Blade Runner and 2001.

Seth K

Great place to hangout especially with the family fun for all ages

Dramatic Queen

You do need to purchase tickets at the visitors center, but we'll worth the time.

Frederic Roberge

Built in 1926, the Buffalo Bayou Cistern was one of Houston's first water reserves. It provided both fresh clean drinking water and water for fire fighters for decades. It was decommissioned in 2007 after an unrepairable leak was discovered.

Aditya Bhatt

Historical place not in use anymore for water distribution .. it still save Houston from flooding

Troy Nagel

I always enjoy the different installations.

carla bankhead

Really great tour! Our guide was Steve. He was very knowledgeable. I will surely come again and bring family.

Bri P.

Never knew about these! Cool history.

caro

It was a really cool experience, I went there to look the cistern as an extra I found an art exposition.

Brian Hagan

Awesome little hidden gem in Houston. Definitely worth doing the tour. Pictures and videos are welcomed.

Carin Johnson

Loved it! Rosemarie was awesome!

A E

Really unique place! I really enjoyed the tour and learning more about Houston's history.

O B

It was interesting to see it. I saw the one with the art installation. Go to say you saw it but not sure if it's a return to see it again type of thing.

Zheng Jia

The tour is short mainly because there isn’t too much to see. The installation is cool but not that worth the ticket price.

hector ramos

Great place, also you have an ootion to rent a bike has an skate Park and also you can take amazing pictures

Rhonda S

Lots of places for photo options. We had 13 adults and 5 kids under 6. There is a restroom available too.

Andrew Torres

This was a cool little place to visit and learn a little bit about Houston's history. The $5 tour was well worth it.

Rev. Shane McGinnis (Rev. Shane, Gaspergu)

Really cool, huge, love the columns, Go winners in art show going on 20 23rd avenue art show anywhere from six months to a year

Joel Recinos

They had the exhibition of "Rain: Magdalena Fernández at the Houston Cistern" that is a out 20 to 25 minutes with a walk of about 1/4 of a mile. Be prepared for low light photography.

Vincent Clark (Gradplanner)

Pretty cool piece of Houston history. It's best to go during the week to avoid the crowds.

Phaedra Koonz

Really cool experience, guides give an interesting history of Houston's water supply and the place itself is surreal.

Collin Jones

Definitely a cool history lesson on houston

Justin Kelloway

Great place for events or even just a walk

Mohammad Ali Ranginwala

Cool to go once if you have time and nothing else to do. But not the most exciting place I've been too

Samantha Crispin

Really interesting tour although shorter and slightly less than I was expecting. Definitely has a lot of potential.

Anali

It was ok. Is not that big.

Brad Swift

Love this place, it always feels so nice to be outside and under the Houston skyline. Even at night it's quite a nice place to be.

Raymond Corpuz

Never been and it was a very cool experience and learn some history about Houston.

Susan Austin

This is a lot of fun, kind of an outer space experience. Don't forget to take the stairs to park area above the cistern for a nice downtown view.

Damon penn gilbert

This place was so much fun me and my boyfriend wentnherr forna date and it was amazing.

Bob Youens

Spectacular contrast between green grass and trees against glass, steel and concrete of Houston skyscrapers. Beautiful park.

Helena Mouskouri

Just. Wow.

Simon Jung

Never knew what a cistern was until my visit. $5 per adult. Something different. (Great guides BTW.)

Jonathan McCalister

Entertaining tour guide lead the group around this artistic cistern. The acoustics are incredible.

John Cody

Definitely worth going to see and with the light show held over until 4/7 I would say don't wait.

Steve Keck

What a cool place with a great history. Short tour, very informative guides

Hannah S

Great place to visit. Short tour, but a LOT of fun.

Jessica Henson

Went while they had a cool light installation. Very unique and neat thing to do in Houston!

Athena L

Fun, interesting place to visit!! Reasonably priced and you'll learn quite a bit.

David Biniek

Certainly worth it for $2. Learned a lot. I really can't complain since our guide was so nice and knowledgeable

Dan Hines

It was an ok art exhibit. Can imagine a lot more ways to lay out this facility. Was cool to see the actual cistern.

Ann Guilinger

Very cool experience. Very immersive and feels like you're in a trippy different world. Opportunity for cool photos as well

Greg B

What a wonderful place to visit in Houston! V unusual history that has been preserved for us to enjoy.

Chris Collins

A very simple tour, but it was worth seeing in person. The pictures do not do it justice.

NC Craven

Great experience very educational our guide was nice and knowledgeable.

Gina Guajardo

Born & raised in Houston and never knew about this place till now. Great spot to visit and learn a few things.

Latotcha Davis

It is a great Park to relax at and enjoy walking through. I love the atmosphere around the park as well as the people.

Travis Hookham

Amazing place. A definite part of Houston's history and development. A unique experience.

Tamara Williams

Excellent place for concerts. Just discovered there’s more to do there; I will go there again.

GQ Smooth

This Right Here Is The Spot To Go To With Your people. Even that One on One with The Girl Of Your Dreams. It's a Must! But Like It Goes , you need to set up a Reservation and call up. Beautiful Spot. And If You Anything Like ME, Say!!! ' I CHUNK IT UP FOR MY CITY. ' ..............HOME OF THAT SCREW AND THEM DA&#! GREY TAPES. THIS G.Q.SMOOTH ....................................THE TRUE............ & .......YOUR ONE .......& .......ONLY...Hit Me Up On Facebook.... Stay Up and Enjoy Life. It's About The Way You Perceive Things To Be, to be Truly, what they are. Unless Persuaded DIFFERENT . Look at The Outside Of The Cup. Put Your Faith In 'GOD' AND TRUST IN HIM. IN THE NAME OF JESUS. AND EVERYTHING ELSE, WILL FALL INTO PLACE. I'M OUT. ...........GQSMOOTH.............

Duke Ensell

Both calming and historic.

Jeremy Shoemaker

Very interesting. Who knew this was here? It's also next to the skate park and that's always fun to watch, then take a stroll in the park.

Kirk Barilleaux

A very unique experience and one of Houston's Best kept secrets.

Jennifer Arredondo

This place a hidden tourist gem packed with so much history! Remember to book you tickets in advance.

Arthur

Love this park, great scenery. Always new areas to explore and awesome trails to run.

Chris Lao

The only appeal of this landmark is it's size but it's awe wears off long before you can make your way around the system. Only come if you're already in the area or it's on sale/free.

Bill Crosier

Very unique place. Light show they commissioned for summer 2018 makes it more interesting

mark iacampo

Lovely walk in downtown Houston. Art along the way and though we missed the cistern this trip we did see the bats!

Mary K D

Unsual gallery with great art displays. Don"t miss this hidden gen

Alyn Hillhouse

Kinda pricey for 30 minutes, but the AC was nice and enjoyed the show.

Amy Jahn

Cool to see, light show wasn't all that exciting to me. Still enjoyed the visit overall.

Courtney Tate Abrams

We went and saw the spatial chromointerference not really knowing what to expect. It was facinating and I'm glad we stumbled upon it!!

Robert M

So cool! Must do the historical tour!!

Phillip S

You get to walk around in a cistern that used to hold millions of gallons of water; very unique experience.

Mark Wilson

Nice historical and interesting place to visit. Good for kids and adults.

Suzy Stevens

Great place to learn Houston water history and take great pictures. A must see.

Latoya Ellis

Lovely outdoors area. The Cistern is great art exhibit. It's a gem.

Jason Guerard

It was great being able to tour inside of the cistern and learn about the history.

Manuel Fuentez

Rosemarie was Awesome. Definitely a must see.

Carolina Alvarez

Really Pretty but super small circle you walk around. The area outside it beautiful!!!

Georgia Hackleman

It was so amazing to experience the quiet stillness in the space. A much needed escape in the middle of the city!

Rodney Bell

One of my favorite places to go. Awsome experience

vicki gassen

Very interesting tour with lots of facts about the history of the cisterns. Highly recommend.

Jonathan Harris

Enjoyable tour!

Craig Rivers

Worth seeing, I was lucky enough to see a light exhibit and it was awesome.

Ernie Rodriguez

Great historical spot! Enjoyed learning about Houston's neighboring lakes.

Michelle Tincher

Very nice. We enjoyed the art and music .

Rodo G

Short tour but good experience to understand this place an the feeling and sounds of the cistern

Mariah Owen

Very interesting tour and a little bit eerie inside!

sandy

Wonderful experience.

Abraham Hamad

Great park! The Cistern is really cool, especially if there's an art installation.

Braggij

Very cool place to visit hidden deep in Houston, it is a quick visit with not much else to see

Ashley Pfeil

I recommend doing both the art tour and the history tour. Both are really cool.

Cary Drott

One of the most unique places in Houston.

Rachel Courtney

Lovely exhibit! Definitely worth the time to go visit

Barbara Forgy

Very interesting place. Good history and unexpected structure for 1929.

Herbert Cumbaa

Had the best time with my husband and walked 16 miles. Beautiful day

Shelia Thanars

Beautiful spot for family gatherings

Jacob Laser

It was cool and we got the tickets for free so it was a great deal.

lee preimesberger

Amazing to visit - probably coolest thing in downtown/midtown.

Emmie Parczany

Tour guide Rosemarie was wonderful, and the cistern is magnificent

Gopalakrishnan S

Awesome park with all activities and facilities.. Loved this park.. Good for all ages

Kirk Chantraine

Amazing space and very cool when there's an exhibit on.

Jennifer Hudson

Love this bike trail. Clean public restrooms

Nareman Darwish

Very nice place to go to during day but during night it's quite dark there and no good lightening around.

Sandra H

Pretty cool history.

Ian Conery

very cool, like a cave

Josh Hammel

Really cool historical tour of a former water system structure and reservoir

Joseph Cerasuolo

Really cool place to visit.

Reyes Ramirez

Great visit, it is a must visit place. Historical, former water storage.

J.Christopher

Nice experience, but would be improved with a lowkey audio component added in.

Tara Stanford

Highly suggest the tour. We loved it!

J777 999

A lot potential for this place. So far it is just the beginning. The shows MUST improve a lot, if not it will be a place to be one time in your life

Korin Tangtrakul

Dwendol was an incredible tour guide!

Amber Rigney

Fascinating piece of Houston history. The tour is very informative.

Virginia Montes

Love this park. It's not well lit so I wouldn't be out there too late.

Valerie Renz

Such a unique site! Our guide was excellent too!

Miguel Monforte

Great place for Family and many activities

Barbara Glasgow

Great way to spend an hour, and a good history lesson for the city.

aisen caro chacin

Incredible space for sound and art experiences.

William Gilbert

Great details from a bygone era and a unique aspect of a major American city. Water facts rule.

Kara Brown

What a striking piece of urban architecture directly connected and inspired by the cistern in Istanbul!

Adam Renz

You have got to see this place - the BBP system is phenomenal and the work they do is beyond top notch.

Trapper Meadors

Seems neat, wierd hours, I haven't been able to go inside yet.

Reginald Yarbrough

A great place for kids and the whole family checkbit out one day you love it I do

Hamza Haroon

This park is always awesome. It's well maintained and beautiful.

CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT

Don't forget your reservations. You cannot get in without them and they won't let you fill for a "no show".

Macy M

Check out the art installations!

Joshua House

A hidden gem that surprises teens that expect a boring field trip but always delivers.

Gerardo Jimenez-Topete

Nice liked it

Scott D

fascinating site and a wonderful venue for art

Cole Moxley

Had a blast

Jorge Rueda

Really nice place for out door activities with the family and friends.

Sharon Wilfong

Interesting art exhibit and a nice walkthrough. Calm and cool

Marie “Marie” Woodward

Great place must see in Houston

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