Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Tucked away off Memorial Drive, in the Memorial Park area, Bayou Bend is just a lovely old mansion along Buffalo Bayou. It was given to the people of Houston by Miss Ima Hogg, who originally owned the home. The house, furnished in period furniture, is open at specific times for docent-​lead tours. It’s quite interesting. Other times, the house and grounds are open for the free Bayou Bend Family Days. These days are open and focus typically on a theme. In January, it was «Early America at Work.» There were various hands-​on type displays, a blacksmith working, a lady demonstrating toys that were played with back in the day, etc. The grounds warrant a stroll. Filled with azaleas and magnolias, in the spring, they are magnificent. Although somewhat «formal,» they are not what you find in the formal gardens of Europe. The entrance to the house and grounds is over a really «cool» pedestrian bridge over Buffalo Bayou. There is a large, free parking lot, but it gets filled up quickly. Alternatively, park up at the Kilroy Center, which, also, houses displays, a lovely gift shop, restrooms. There really is not adjacent public street parking. Well worth a Sunday stroll.

I would have loved to visit the museum, but I did not get the chance to do so. I arrived on a Sunday afternoon, Family Fun Day, and tried to park in the visitor’s center, but there were not any spots open. I noticed many cars parked alongside the curbs of the parking lot, so I parked my car along a curb and went inside to ask if that was okay since several other cars did the same. Inside, I asked the receptionist who said she’d asked another employee. Said employee answered, «I don’t know what you’re talking about.» The receptionist asked another employee who said, «No, you can’t park on the curb, that’s not a spot.» When I told him it didn’t seem like I really had a choice, he said, «If there’s no parking, you can’t park.» Thank you, Captain Obvious.

One of my favorite places in Houston. Went to the 1^st Christmas Village event and it was great! Very tastefully and artistically done. They paid a lot attention to the details with decorations and the tour of the house. I enjoyed the performance in the house tour. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is bc we had to wait 20 minutes just to cross the bridge n buy the tickets. More people showed up than they had anticipated so we had to wait for people to leave. Also, I think they could use more lights and decorating more areas. Overall, it was a great experience and I hope they do it again next year.
* camellia flowers in February and Azalea flowers in March are amazing here.

The garden is nice and green. I love that I don’t have to drive too far to get some cute pictures of scenery. It is smaller compared to other gardens, but it’s a nice and quiet little area to visit if you’re on that side of town. Admissions are $ 5 if you just go to the garden.
There’s not much to do or see once you’ve made one round and it’s not very big. I honestly don’t think I’ll come back anytime soon, but maybe once a year wouldn’t be too bad.

This place was so cool. It had a suspension bridge that you have to walk over to get to the gardens. We didn’t stay long, but will enjoyed the time we were there for. The gardens were beautiful and there were a lot of nice statues as well. My favorite part was all the different little benches. We saw a couple of wild hares, which was cool! Those things were fast! I would love to visit again and see the rest of the gardens.

Let’s just say this place is where you bring the kids to burn off all that youthful energy. Don’t forget sunblock, bug spray, snacks, & lunch!!! Lots of events for the little ones great for all ages.

My first visit here for the Children’s Art Festival on a horrible raining day! It wasn’t so much the rain, but the poor communication of the fact that they moved it and the officers who saw families walking into the gardens were not helpful. Not even knowing what was going on. Despite that experience, the festival and staff made it possible for the show to go on! It was a fun experience for my children. On a side not, I sure hope that wooden moving bridge is safe to walk on… that was a nerve wrecking walk across with a stroller in the rain! And a scary fall in the water if it was to break!

Very beautiful place, my family and I had a fun time at the family event. I however am terrified of the swinging bridge, idk if they maintain it or not but it does seem too old for people to still be able to walk over it.

Very unprofessional. The lady at information told us if we got to the house by 4:15 we could take a tour. We got there at 4:13. We waited in the rain, the lady came out at 4:15 and told us she would not let us in because it was 4:15. Sorry. We were 2 people she insisted we could not be let in. Nice attitude.

Pretty nice that they have activities that center around the Fourth of July with employees dressing up as soldiers from 1776. The gardens is huge too – sitting right in the middle is a mansion. A nice suspension bridge that gets you from A to B – just be careful not to walk with multiple persons it may give way in fall in the water.
Distance from the water seemed pretty far.
The grass was fairly muddy when my sister and I came as the garden was packed with people for the event.
Pink azaleas, roses, tall trees, and a water fountain all paralleled with each other.
The employees even served cake and lemonade to celebrate the birth of America.
Now the gift shop is like most gift shops it’s pricey and for the tourists.

Don’t get me wrong. Bayou Bend is gorgeous. The gardens are expertly manicured and the rooms really take you back to the time.
But the price of $ 10-​$ 12 per person is far too much. I’m sure the upkeep is expensive, but the cost relative to the experience, particularly when Houston has other free artistic experiences, is much less worth it.

The place was wonderful. Mr. Wilson turned my 90 minute tour into a two hour. A great place to spend part of a day, inside tour and the grounds tour.

Where can you view beauty at each and every turn? This year’s azalea trail did not have azaleas tripping over one another in luscious blooms, but the $ 5 for each individual tour is a bargain to be surrounded by such bountiful views. A treasure to witness the creativity and blissful gardens, hats off to the garden club members that make it possible for us to drool at the buds.
Check out the monkey that zip lines!

I think the place itself is beautiful! From the outside, the grand mansion overlooking the garden is just gorgeous! From the inside, there’s a lot of culture and history to look at. I went with my family to their Yuletide Night event. It basically means you’re taking a tour around the old mansion, and looking at how wealthy people lived and ate back then. And boy did they eat good! However, the only reason I knocked down 1 star, was that the event description stated we might be able to try some food items that people at back then. What we ate was nothing impressive. Stale gingerbread cookies, some nuts, sugar coated grapes (probably the only interesting food item), and watered down punch. Otherwise, as far as viewing pleasure, you can’t go wrong here.

Bayou Bend is tucked back off of Memorial right on the Bayou. Housing the decorative arts collection of the MFAH, the Greek Revival home displays numerous cohesive pieces of furniture, ceramics, paintings, and silverware from different art movement periods. In addition to the gorgeous home and artwork, the expansive formal gardens surrounding the home are made to linger. Be sure to check out the Sip ‘n Stroll evenings in the Fall and Spring to fully enjoy the flora and fountains. The individual ‘rooms’ in the gardens provide a romantic date with privacy or at least a little quiet time.

Thanks to my Siri & AT&T maps, I found this place by accident while trying to go to the actual Museum of fine arts. I believe that places you find by accident usually turn out the be the most memorable and this place did not disappoint.
After realizing that this clearly wasn’t the museum, we decided to head over the bridge and see what this place was all about. I pretty much fell in love right there while standing on the beautiful, though slightly shaky, bridge hanging over the bayou. We paid $ 5 each to tour the gardens and off we ventured through lush vegetation and beautiful fountains. The main green «courtyard» so to speak was incredibly beautiful; looking up toward’s the Hogg manor from below the stairs was simply striking.
We went through each garden and every pathway, taking tons of pictures and videos, of course, and didn’t give a darn about the blistering heat. We made our way to the front of the manor and sat down at the patio tables planning out my friend’s future wedding at Bayou Bend (I’m not joking)! We spent a few hours at the gardens in total, although it would probably take 30 – 45 minutes to tour the grounds in its entirety. We just didn’t want to leave: D
I have to come back in the springtime when all the flowers are in full bloom and take a tour of the house! I feel like this would be a great day– date idea for a nature lover like myself, so fellas, keep this place bookmarked. I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of this place before but hopefully all of these reviews will get newbies like me out here to see this hidden gem!

This house, previously owned by Ima Hogg — made wealthy in the TX oil industry of yore — was converted by her into a museum at the end of her life. Each room in the house is devoted to furniture and art style of different periods, such as rococo, classical, or federal to name a few. All of this and more you can learn if you purchase the docent-​guided tour. $ 15 for 1 ½ hour tour and $ 12 for a 1 hour tour.
I went on the 1 ½ hour tour and was the only one, so I was able to ask the docent a lot of questions. Even if you have others with you, the max is 6. This makes the experience more intimate and personal. The docent was friendly and gave a very informative tour and discussion of the different periods represented. If you love American history, architecture, or art, then there is something for you here at Bayou Bend.
The grounds are beautiful and have many paths that stem off from the main yard. It’s very peaceful to walk through and enjoy them. Definitely a great respite from the hustle and bustle of life in Houston. Easy to get to if you need a quick break from daily life!

Established neighborhood home in Houston river Oaks– kept by a gardener or two– and tours given of the home or you can wander the garden at your own pace– Limited number of varieties of Camellia Japonica and Azaleas in bloom in early spring–
Part of the Azalea trail (This year, begins March 8^th, 2013)
$ 5 entrance to gardens– hug a huge tree that is older than you are!
Enjoy an oasis in the midst of Houston’s traffic jam of a City.
Bring friends. Also tune in for open houses and events held on site that are for kids or holiday related. Always a treat!
PS– Rienzi– a neighboring property is the Collection of Collectibles and VERy WORTH a visit!

This is my new favorite spot in Houston. We arrived around 1pm and there were probably arounf 10 other people at the garden. There is plenty of parking and to take a self guided tour of the garden is $ 5. TOTALLY WORTH IT! For another 12.50 you could tour the house, I am sure that too is worth the money but we didnt do it. The weather was perfect for a relaxing stroll through the garden. Plenty of flowers were in bloom and there werent many bug. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. THere are so many benches that if you wanted to you only have to walk 20 feet at a time, because I guarantee there would be another bench. The fountains and statues were very pretty and the pamplet they provide helps explain each attraction. I look forward to comming back in May and seeing how much things have bloomed.
It is so nice knowing something this beautiful can be found in Houston.

Very nice and serene in the middle of busy Houston. You won’t even know it’s there until you GPS it and realize you’ve been driving by it the whole time!
My advice would be to go early in the morning so it’s not as hot. Plus go in the spring so the flowers are in full bloom.
The water fountains are lovely and so is the landscaping. You can take a tour of the house as well.
Check out my pictures as well, as it’s a good opportunity to practice with your DSLR!