Discovery Green

Open daily 6:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Restrooms operate 9:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.; fountain changing rooms 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; events and seasonal attractions vary.

Use metered perimeter streets or paid downtown garages, including Avenida Central beneath the park. Convention, arena, festival, and event traffic can sharply affect price and availability.

Use the Alkek Building and Gateway Fountain on the northwest side for information, restrooms, playground, and family water play; select the lake, stage, or dog-run edge for those destinations.

Public restrooms are on the south side of the Alkek Building near the playground and generally operate 9:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.; a women's restroom is also in Avenida Central Garage.

Admission, playground, fountain, lawns, dog runs, public art, and most public programming are free. Parking, food, boats, skating, rentals, and selected events cost separately.

Broad paved paths and level plazas serve the compact park; wheelchair users can participate in some seasonal rink experiences under posted rules.

Pets must be leashed outside the separate large- and small-dog runs. Dog-run users must remain with dogs and follow size, vaccination, and 45-minute rules.

Excellent compact family destination with a refreshed hill playground, free Gateway Fountain, lake, lawns, restrooms, changing rooms, and frequent programs.

METRORail, downtown buses, convention-district walking routes, and nearby bike facilities make transit practical; Convention District is the closest rail stop.

Gateway Fountain generally runs 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and shuts off for thunder or lightning. Private events and maintenance can close portions of the compact park.

Check Houston's hourly heat index, lightning, heavy-rain and flood alerts, air quality, and current facility notices. Outdoor surfaces and play equipment can become dangerously hot, and open pavilions are not safe lightning shelters.