What we’re about
City Walks Houston is a walking group that offers members an up close view of the city with 6-7 mile hikes exploring the parks, neighborhoods, and bayous around us. In addition to hikes, City Walks Houston arranges occasional tours of the parts of our community that you never see from behind the steering wheel. City Walks Houston is for active people who want to see more of this place and meet others so inclined.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- City Walk East River 9 and Clinton Drive, 7.0 miles65 Hirsch Rd, Houston, TX
Starting in the shadow of downtown at the EastRiver9 golf course , we will walk around old industrial Houston, with vast work shops, bashed and battered streets and Brown and Root's old headquarters, and new developing Houston with its town homes, recently refurbished Japhet Creek Park, and coffee bars. Then a nice walk along the Bayou to finish where we began for a great view of the sunset over downtown. After all that excitement we head home.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. The heat in Texas is always a concern so let someone know if you are having a hard time. For more information about hiking check out this very useful hiking website: https://www.hatsandmore.org/
Our organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with hiking ideas and get the hike started. Take the same precautions you would if hiking alone, including the fitness needed to make long hikes. Then enjoy the hike among friends.
COVID PRECAUTIONS:
Bring and wear a mask when not hiking and follow the best practices to prevent the transmission of COVIDGathering Place:
EastRiver9 Golf Course
65 Hirsch Rd, Houston, TX 77020
Directions to EastRiver9 golf courseCall or text Alan at 713 863 8038 if you need help.
The Hike:
The walk is mostly paved but is very rough in several places. Trail is very sunny.Weather Forecast:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=29.7821&lon=-95.3967Hike map is in the photos.
Optional After Hike Event:
## The Bar at EastRiver9
- City Walk: Scandalous, Unseemly and Outrageous, 5.7 MilesRiver Oaks Community Center, Houston, TX
Want to know real scandals of the city's best addresses? This week we walk past many Scandalous, Unseemly and Outrageous residences in the River Oaks neighborhood.
Dr. John Hill
Accused of murder by omission of his wife, Joan Olive Robinson Hill. Defended by premier criminal defense attorney Richard "Racehorse" Haynes. The investigation only occurred because Joan's father believed Hill had poisoned Joan. The second wife's testimony of deliberate poisoning contradicted the charge of murder by omission.Verdict: Mistrial but later gunned down by a masked intruder in his River Oaks mansion.
Andrew Fastow and Lea Weingarten Fastow
Once the ultimate Houston power couple. She was a CPA and art business owner from a prominent Houston family. He was CFO of the powerful innovative energy company, Enron. Lea was charged with tax evasion in her role in hiding Andy's ill gotten gains from Enron. Andy charges were mitigated by testifying against his co-conspirators before serving time. The scandal erupted while renovating the house and they never lived her.Verdict: Guilty, Guilty, Guilty!
Candace Mossler
Former model and socialite indicted along with her nephew and paramour for the murder of her estranged husband. The pair's defense team included criminal defense powerhouse, Percy Foreman. She paid the legal retainer with jewelry, diamonds, and furs. Foreman never put on a defense.Verdict: Acquitted
Jeffrey Skilling
Primarily architect of the transformation of Enron from a staid pipeline company into a energy trading powerhouse. He followed an "asset light" model (Ask Tom....), leading the company to falsely believe they had found a new way to make money. Growing scrutiny uncovered the underlying criminal financial misrepresentations forcing Enron into liquidation.Verdict: Guilty
Elizabeth Holmes
Entrepreneurial even in high school at St. Johns. She greatly admired Steve Jobs and emulated his style of dressing in black turtleneck sweaters and his dropping out of college to start a company. Theranos promised to revolutionize medical testing in the way that Apple did for personal computers. The machines didn't work as promised and Holmes was charged with misleading investors, partner businesses and regulators.Verdict: Convicted, currently serving time near Bryan, Texas
Baron Enrico di Portanova
A grandson of Texas oil magnate Hugh Roy Cullen. Son of an Italian baron. He returned from living in Rome to claim his share of the Cullen family fortune. While there was plenty of money to go around, he hired notorious lawyer Roy Cohn, formerly an associate of Sen. Joseph McCarthy, to sue the estate for mismanagement. Behind his River Oaks home he enclosed the pool and garden in an air conditioned green house so they could throw A-list garden parties all year. Guests included Henry and Nancy Kissinger.The cover photo is the di Portanova home.
Verdict: Died in old age not having spent his all of his fortune.
Also included are the outrageous Tony Busby and the Battle of River Oaks and the unseemly affair of Fayez Sarofim.
Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing, comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. The heat in Texas is always a concern so let someone know if you are having a hard time.
Our organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with hiking ideas and get the hike started. Take the same precautions you would if hiking alone, including the fitness needed to make long hikes. Then enjoy the hike among friends.
Gathering Place and Parking:
River Oaks Community Center
3600 Locke Ln, Houston, TX 77027
Google Maps LinkPark along Locke Lane. Pay attention to the "No Parking" signs on the north side of the street.
Call or text Alan at 713 863 8038 if you need help.
Bathrooms:
None at the gathering point or along the hike.The Walk:
The walk is on paved city sidewalks in a mix of sun and shade.Weather Forecast:
Downtown weather forecastHike map in the photos.
Geolocated Maps:
Scandalous WalkOptional After Hike Event:
Goode Company Hamburgers and Taqueria
Google Maps Link4902 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Menus - Goode Co. Taqueria - City Walk Houston Summer Splash Time , 6.0 miles1500 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX
Let's try this one again.... Last year the water was turned off at most of the places we went. This early summer walk starts late at 5:00 pm, and takes us from one cool spot to the next. Bring raincoats, swimsuits, umbrellas and your waterproof hiking boots and get as wet as you want. From the walk-able fountains at the Obelisk to the run-able ones at the Glassell School and on to the Ervan Chew neighborhood park for a splash and back, we should never be too far away from a cool splash. If we see an ice cream truck, I am definitely getting one. After the walk we meet at Bodega's.
Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing, comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. The heat in Texas is always a concern so let someone know if you are having a hard time. For more information about hiking check out this very useful hiking website: https://www.hatsandmore.org/
Our organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with hiking ideas and get the hike started. Take the same precautions you would if hiking alone, including the fitness needed to make long hikes. Then enjoy the hike among friends.
COVID PRECAUTIONS:
Bring and wear a mask when not hiking and follow the best practices to prevent the transmission of COVID.Gathering Place:
McGovern Centennial Gardens
1500 Hermann Dr.
Directions to McGovern Centennial Gardens
Lots of free street parking, neighborhood parking and parking at the Judson Robinson Community Center at 2020 Hermann Drive just down the street
Directions to Judson Robinson parking
Call or text Alan at 713 863 8038 if you need help.The Hike:
The walk is mostly paved and is a mix of sun and shade.Weather Forecast:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=29.7161&lon=-95.3902Hike map is in the photos.
Optional After Hike Event:
Bodega Tacos/Fia's Pizza
1200 Binz St, Ste 160,
https://goo.gl/maps/eh99pDUyz918oFUs9 - City Walk Wooden Streets, 6.5 milesPlatypus Brewing, Houston, TX
Sorry, there are no wooden streets left in Houston (the last ones were replaced in the 1950s) but at one time we had as many miles (3) of wooden streets as we did of brick (3), and asphalt (3) pavement. Wood paving blocks were durable, easy on horses' hooves, and could be smoothed out with a hammer and chisel. The only real problem was when they floated away in a flood. Today's walk pokes around downtown as we visit the locations known to have had wooden pavers in the past.
Wooden Streets in Pittsburgh PA
Parking:
There is plenty of free parking around the Platypus.Wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. The heat in Texas is always a concern so let someone know if you are having a hard time. For more information about hiking check out this very useful hiking website: https://www.hatsandmore.org/
Our organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with hiking ideas and get the hike started. Take the same precautions you would if hiking alone, including the fitness needed to make long hikes. Then enjoy the hike among friends.
Gathering Place:
Platypus Brewing
1902 Washington Ave Suite E · Houston, TXCall or text Alan at 713 863 8038 if you need help.
The Hike:
The walk is over paved sidewalks and is a mix of dark and urban shadows.Weather Forecast:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=29.7591&lon=-95.3629Hike map is in the photos.
After Hike Event:
Platypus Brewing
1902 Washington Ave Suite E · Houston, TX
