Do you ever feel like Houston is missing that “natural backdrop” other cities have?

I’ve been living in Houston for a while now and I love a lot about it – the diversity, the food, the neighborhoods, the sense of community. But one thing that always feels missing to me is a strong natural landscape or visual identity tied to nature.

When I visit cities like Denver, Austin, Seattle, or even smaller places like Asheville or Santa Fe, there’s always some defining natural presence – whether it’s mountains, lakes, hills, or dense greenery. Houston, on the other hand, feels incredibly flat, spread out, and heavily industrialized. The bayous are unique, but they often feel more like flood control channels than nature escapes.

Even our parks (Memorial, Hermann, Buffalo Bayou) are well-maintained and enjoyable, but they’re still pretty urban. There’s not really that “wow” moment where you feel immersed in untouched nature unless you drive out of the city for an hour or more.

Do any long-time Houstonians feel this too? Is it something you just get used to? Or are there hidden spots I’m overlooking that could change my perspective?