Explore the city from a vantage point most people don’t see: the waterway that gave Houston life and has been its backbone for 182 years. Architecture Center Houston (ArCH), in cooperation with Buffalo Bayou Partnership, invites you to a stroll along Buffalo Bayou Parkway for an overview of downtown Houston’s history and architecture from its beginnings in 1836 to the efforts to revitalize the central city today. The tour showcases the innovative bayou reclamation efforts of the City of Houston, Harris County, and Buffalo Bayou Partnership, while topically discussing history and preservation, contemporary architecture, the bayou, and adjacent parkland.

Tour meets at Architecture Center Houston (902 Commerce Street).


Street, lot, and garage parking are available in the area.
Parking fees are not included in registration.

$5 for BBP members too!

Established in 1986, Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) is the non-profit organization creating and stewarding welcoming parks, trails, and unique spaces, connecting Houstonians with the city’s most significant natural waterway. The organization’s focus is the 10-mile stretch of the bayou that flows from Shepherd Drive, through the heart of downtown and the East End, and on to the Port of Houston Turning Basin. In addition to spearheading award-winning green spaces such as Buffalo Bayou Park, BBP also operates comprehensive green space and waterway maintenance programs and engages tens of thousands of visitors each year through dynamic programming, public art, volunteer events, and recreational opportunities that enrich the quality of life in Houston.