Inner City – Exploring Houston, Texas – Buffalo Bayou
Buffalo Bayou is indeed the primary waterway that runs through downtown Houston. It stretches for approximately 53 miles, starting from the Katy area in west Houston and flowing eastward into the Houston Ship Channel.
The bayou offers scenic boat tours, allowing visitors to explore the waterway and learn about its history, wildlife, and environmental significance.
Additionally, there are canoeing and kayaking opportunities on certain bayou sections. Although we are usually found on 38+foot sailing vessels, a few of our sailing buddies got together on a Sunday morning and opted for a different water vessel – the Kayak. We took the self-guided kayak trip down the bayou, putting in at the Woodway Memorial Park and taking out at Sabine Street. The trip was around 3 hours, depending on how fast or slow the bayou is running.
A sandy bank to land our kayaks provided a great lunch spot. I assisted our friends in pushing them off safely into the bayou after lunch but managed to push off and flip our kayak over, landing in the Bayou. YEA, no photos of this debacle. Successful laughter and entertainment are provided for free.
On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit Texas. This impacted the greater Houston area, and the Buffalo Bayou crested at nearly 39 feet during Harvey. The remaining evidence of how high the water rose from this photo is a very unusual scene of the large tree trunk’s fork stuck in the overpass.
Overall, Buffalo Bayou provides a natural oasis in the heart of Houston, allowing people to connect with nature and enjoy recreational pursuits within an urban environment.
You can take this trip by contacting Bayou City Adventures
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About The Author
thannanimal
👋 Hi there, and thanks for Taking Another Route with me! I’m a late-blooming adventurer who discovered a passion for travel and exploration well into my professional career. What started as business trips quickly turned into a lifelong curiosity to explore every corner I could reach—across states, continents, and oceans. My family always saw me as fearless (even if they worried a bit!), and over time, they grew to love the stories I brought home. Eventually, someone said, “You should really share these,” and Take Another Route was born. To date, I’ve traveled to 46 U.S. states and 36 countries, often solo or with my best friend Susan—and now, with my loving partner Urs. Along the way, I discovered that my travel style didn’t fit neatly into one box. That’s why this blog features three types of adventures: 🌍 Long Haul – International journeys rich in culture, history, and wonder. 🧳 Short Haul – Weekend escapes and hidden gems that surprise and delight. ⚓ Drop Anchor – Sailing adventures that take Urs and me to unique, water-bound destinations. Whether you're dreaming, planning, or reminiscing, I hope you find something here that sparks your curiosity. 💬 Let’s connect! I’d love to hear your stories, questions, or feedback. Feel free to leave a comment or reach out via social media: 🔵 Facebook: Take Another Route 📧 Email: takeanotherroute@gmail.com Thanks again for stopping by. I’m so glad you’re here! —Thann aka Thannanimal