How to Spend 4 Hours in Houston: POST Houston and Buffalo Bayou Park
Updated October 17, 2026
About five acres of rooftop park and a one acre farm sit on top of POST Houston, the old Barbara Jordan Post Office turned food hall, so lunch comes with a view over downtown. Then walk west along the bayou to Buffalo Bayou Park for lawns and views.
Buffalo Bayou winds through the north edge of downtown, and the city has spent years turning its banks into parks and trails. POST Houston sits beside it in the huge former Barbara Jordan Post Office, reopened as a food hall, a music venue and a rooftop park with views of the skyline. From there, the bayou leads west to Buffalo Bayou Park, a long ribbon of green between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive with trails on both banks. The walk between them follows the bayou, much of it in the sun, so carry water.
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The 4 hour plan, stop by stop
Stops and travel: 2 hr 27 min to 3 hr 17 min of 4 hours
The Barbara Jordan Post Office was built in 1962, and it reopened as POST Houston in late 2021. POST Market on the ground floor gathers food stalls from Houston chefs, with cooking from around the world. Upstairs, the Skylawn is a free rooftop park of about five acres with a one acre farm, paths, gardens and views over downtown. The building opens daily from late morning and stays open later on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Tip: Walk the food stalls once before you choose, then carry your plate up to the Skylawn; outside food and drink aren't allowed, and alcohol must come from the rooftop bars. During seasonal festivals, such as Winter Wonderlawn in late fall and winter, evening entry to the roof needs a ticket, so check the events page.
- Time here
- 1 hr 10 min to 1 hr 35 min
- Website
- posthtx.com
NaviTime to head out from POST Houston for Buffalo Bayou Park. It's a 17 minute transit ride if you leave now. Here's the link
This park follows the bayou west from Sabine Street toward Shepherd Drive, about 160 acres with trails on both banks, bridges, lawns and public art. Near the Sabine Street Bridge, the Water Works area has a lawn and restrooms, and Eleanor Tinsley Park slopes down to the water with a broad view of the skyline. The park is free, and the lit areas stay open until late in the evening, while the rest closes at dusk.
Tip: Cross the Sabine Street Bridge for the view back to downtown, then follow the south bank trail west to Eleanor Tinsley Park. Where you have the choice, use the asphalt Kinder Footpath, which is for walkers and runners, rather than the concrete Sandy Reed Trail, which cyclists share.
- Time here
- 1 hr to 1 hr 25 min
- Website
- buffalobayou.org
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