Spring’s two distinct sides take center stage: its railroad history and parks with a range of natural and recreational features. You can tailor your stay to your interests—for example, by visiting historic sites and museums or exploring walking paths, nature trails, and waterfront attractions.
Railroad History in Spring
Spring grew considerably after the Houston and Great Northern Railroad was built through the town in 1871. Spring developed into a major rail yard with fourteen tracks and 200 railroad workers. The year and the details about the rail yard refer to different points of reference: 1871 marks the railroad’s construction through the town, while the tracks and employees indicate the importance of the rail yard.
Some individual sites also reflect the railroad theme. In Old Town Spring, a faithful replica of a historic railroad depot from around 1907 is used as a restaurant. Wunsche Bros. Saloon and Café is recognized as a Texas State Historical Structure and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Spring Historical Museum is housed in a building completed as a church in 1948 that later served as a courthouse for several years. The museum has a permanent model railroad exhibit. This brings local history and a specific railroad theme together in one place.
Museums and Other Culture
If you are interested in visual arts rather than regional history, you can plan a visit to the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts. Docent-led tours are available by appointment. Be sure to make arrangements in advance if you want to include a tour in your plans.
The historic sites differ in form: the rail yard and railroad depot tell the story of the railroad, while the Spring Historical Museum building reflects its former use as a church and courthouse. Together with the permanent model railroad exhibit, they provide a clear focus for travelers who want to explore Spring through its history.
Parks, Trails, and Water
The parks offer a variety of ways to spend time outdoors. Collins Park has nature trails and a canoe launch; access to fishing on Cypress Creek is limited. Cypresswood Trails, a single-track mountain biking trail with a natural surface, is also in Collins Park. Check current trail access before your visit.
Meyer Park combines paved paths and nature trails with a duck pond and a three-acre fishing lake. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stocks the lake with rainbow trout annually; it also contains sunfish, catfish, and largemouth bass. Since stocking practices may change, check the latest information before planning a fishing visit. The parks therefore differ in specific ways: Meyer Park offers paved paths and a lake, while Collins Park has a canoe launch and limited fishing access on the creek.
Walking paths, a butterfly and hummingbird garden, and access to Spring Creek are the main features of Dennis Johnston Park. If you would rather plan a park visit around a garden and creek access than a lake or canoe launch, you’ll find a different combination of features here.
The Spring Creek Greenway stretches from the San Jacinto River near Humble to Interstate 45 in Spring. A length of nearly 17 miles was reported in January 2018. This dated figure gives you a sense of the Greenway’s size; each park also has its own trails and features to consider when choosing how to spend your stay.
Discover more destinations: Crosby, Galena Park, Taylor Lake Village, Channelview, Bellaire, Webster, Seabrook, Houston.
For the broader travel overview: Harris.
