River Oaks and Bayou Bend
Tour the toniest of tony neighborhoods in Houston! Magnificent River Oaks, home to billionaires and millionaires, is a Discover Houston Tour you won’t soon forget. Learn who the movers and shakers are in Houston,where they live, and the lives they lead.
One of the unique aspects of the tour is visiting the Museum of Fine Arts House Museum in River Oaks, Bayou Bend . Bayou Bend was the magnificent estate of Ima Hogg(1882-1975), the matriarch of the city of Houston. Miss Ima, as she was affectionately known, was the founder of the Houston Symphony in 1913. Together with her brothers, William and Michael found River Oaks 14 years later. Today the home houses one of the finest collections of American antiques known to exist. Miss Hogg dedicated her life to bringing refinement and beauty to everyday Houstonians, and also dedicated her life to the procurement of a wonderful collection of American antiques from the past four centuries.
She donated her home and the 14 acres it sits on to the Museum of Fine Arts in 1957, and oversaw its development from home to museum over the next ten years.
Early each spring Bayou Bend is the main attraction on the annual River Oaks Azalea Trail. Proceeds of Azalea Trail go to plant trees around Houston and beautify our great city. The home was also been featured on the television program “America’s Castles” on the Arts and Entertainment and History Channel networks.
Because this is a tour of a venue where reservations and an entrance fee are required, Discover Houston Tours asks that you contact us at least 48 hours prior to the time you would like to start your tour. At that time we will advise you of our fee based upon the length of time and any additional places in River Oaks you would like to visit. Tours of the Museum are generally after 1PM.
Suggested tour time for the tour of River Oaks and the Museum is 4 1/2 hours.
Contact Us
Call 713-222-9255