Sea Center Texas is a fish hatchery, aquarium and nature center on the coast, run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The nature center has a self-guided tour with various displays of saltwater and freshwater fish. The aquarium is in two parts, a touch-tank and a salt marsh tank. The park has a restroom but no food or refreshments. There is a gift shop and an outdoor nature trail.
Sea Center Texas
300 Medical Dr.
Lake Jackson, TX
979-292-0100
tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/seacenter/
Matagorda Island State Park is a 20-mile long and less than a mile wide strip of barrier island off the coast of Texas in Matagorda Bay. The Park has no facilities, so you must take with you anything you might need, including water. The only access to the Island is by ferry or private boat. Primitive camping is allowed. There are many trails, but no roads or vehicles on the Island. People who visit the Island can walk along miles and miles of white-sand beach, or on the many trails in the marsh lands. The park is also home to a 92-foot tall lighthouse built in 1852.
Matagorda Island State Park
P.O. Box 117
16th St. & I/C Canal
Port O'Connor, TX 77982
512-983-2215
tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=48
Varner Hogg Plantation State Historical Site is run by the Texas Parks Department and is a coastal historic site.The antebellum mansion was built by slaves, and the property's history goes back to sugar cane producers in the early 1800s. It was also the home of a Texas governor at one time. Besides the mansion, which is furnished with many antiques, there are pecan orchards, numerous outbuildings and sugar cane mill ruins. Gov. James S. Hogg, had a special bathtub built outdoors because he was a very large man. That tub can still be seen.
Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site
Hogg Ranch Rd.
West Columbia, TX 77486
979-345-4656
visitvarnerhoggplantation.com
