Allen's Landing

Allen's Landing sits where Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou meet, with a concrete wharf and paths running along the water's edge. The park opens onto the river and connects to the downtown area through walkable routes that frame views of the waterfront.

The Allen brothers, Augustus Chapman and John Kirby, founded Houston here in 1836 shortly after Texas gained independence from Mexico. This spot became the city's first working harbor and grew into a center for river trade.

The Sunset Coffee Building, a restored industrial structure here, shows how Houston transformed from a working port into a modern city. The building stands as a reminder of when trade ships regularly docked and shaped the city's economy.

The park sits between Main Street and Fannin Street viaducts and has walking paths that lead to the University of Houston Downtown campus. The waterfront area can become slippery during wet weather, so sturdy shoes are a good idea.

This was Houston's original port, and in 1837 the steamship Laura arrived here, marking the start of regular shipping. That first vessel's arrival set the stage for the river trade that would shape the city.