SUGAR LAND POP. 83,262
ALT. 82
MAP Q-20/TT-12
VISIT SUGAR LAND CONVENTION AND VISITORS SERVICES: 2700 Town Center Blvd. 281/275-2333.
www.visitsugarlandtx.com.
Originally, Sugar Land was Stephen F. Austin’s personal portion of the land he leased from Mexico. Sugar cane im- ported from Cuba proliferated inspiring the name Sugar Land and spurring sugar production. In 1906, the Imperial Sugar Company began creating a company town. In 1959, the town incorporated. Since then, it has been one of the fastest growing cities in Texas. Outdoor activities include disc golf; a BMX track; a
skate park; baseball, softball and soccer fields; hike-and- bike trails; and a mountain bike trail. Oyster Creek is home to the Greater Houston Rowing Club. Town Square boasts major retailers, boutiques, day spas
and al fresco dining. Nearby First Colony Mall offers high- end retail stores, dining and entertainment. Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center (
www.sugarlandice.com) dual rink facility offers public skating and is home to the Sugar Land Impe- rials 3HL minor league hockey team (season is Oct.-March). Major events include the Cultural Kite Festival in March;
Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair in April; Star Spangled Celebration on July 4; Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Regatta in October; and a New Year’s Eve celebration.
CONSTELLATION FIELD—Home to the Sugar Land Skee- ters, an independent Atlantic League baseball team, the ballpark also hosts live concerts and events. Includes a pool, playground, carousel, lawn seating, picnic area and inflatable zone. Stadium Drive (intersection of U.S. 90 and Texas 6). 281/240-4487.
www.sugarlandskeeters.com.
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE AT SUGAR LAND—The museum has a Paleo Hall with several dino- saurs; From the Surface of Mars to Hurricane Ike exhibit where Science on a Sphere creates the illusion of a planet, sun, moon or other celestial body; and an unparalleled array of geological wonders. 13016 University Blvd. 281/313-2277.
www.hmns.org.
SUGAR LAND ART CENTER & GALLERY—Local artists’ collective features working studios, a gallery and classes.
www.artistsallianceofsugerland.org.
TECHNO CHAOS—Put creativity and engineering skills to the test while playing with more than half a million LEGOs. The facility also hosts Robot Rumbles and other events. 281/410-1768.
www.techno-chaos.com.
WINERY—Circle S Vineyard. See WINERIES listing.
TEXAS CITY POP. 46,293
ALT. 12 MAP R-22/VV-18
TEXAS CITY-LA MARQUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 9702 E.F. Lowry Expressway. 409/935-1408.
www.texascitychamber.com.
Originally called Shoal Point, the town’s growth began in 1891 when financiers from Minnesota bought a site for real estate, rail and port development. Today, it is a pleasant residential area and a major industrial and port facilities site. It also is the location of the College of the Mainland. Recreational opportunities include boating, fishing,
swimming, picnicking, municipal golf course and all- weather municipal shooting range.
DIKE AND MARINA—The Texas City Dike extends five miles into Galveston Bay with a fishing pier beyond the tip of the dike. It offers the deepest water for pier fishing in the state. Visitors also find a beach, boat launching, bait, camping and a motel.
FRANK B. DAVISON HOME—This 1897 Victorian struc- ture houses period furnishings and archives dating back to the Karankawa tribe and Jean Laffite’s pirates. Admission charge. 109 Third Ave. N. 409/229-1660.
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TEXAS CITY MUSEUM—Facility features the history of Texas City, the birth of the U.S. Air Force, the 1947 Texas City explosion, and a replica of a 1913 Army camp. The Children’s Discovery Place offers a dinosaur dig, Mexican mercado and zoetropes. 409 Sixth St. 409/229-1660.
TOMBALL POP. 11,033
ALT. 196 MAP P-20 CITY OF TOMBALL: 281/351-5484.
www.tomballtx.gov.
The city was named for Thomas H. Ball, a U.S. Congress- man from Texas. In 1933, an oil gusher erupted just outside the city, starting an oil boom and tagging Tomball with the nickname “Oiltown USA.” Today, it is a hub of attractions and entertainment options, including music, antiquing, art galleries, nature trails, birding and historic buildings. It also is home to Lone Star College–Tomball. The David Wayne Hooks Airport is the state’s largest
privately owned airport. It’s also home to several vintage World War II aircraft. Annual events include the Tomball German Heritage
Festival in March, Tomball Night in August, Bluegrass Fes- tival in October, holiday parade in October and Tomball German Christmas Market in December.
DAVINCI ARTISTS GALLERY—Features professional art exhibits. The First Friday Artist Reception each month is an opportunity to meet artists and see them at work. 501 W. Main. 281/516-9595.
HISTORIC TOMBALL DEPOT AND MUSEUM—The old railroad depot was the backdrop when the community of Peck became Tomball in 1907. Find railroad artifacts from Tomball’s past in this restored building along the rail line. Free tours on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 201 S. Elm St. 281/351-5484.
www.tomballtx.gov.
TOMBALL MUSEUM CENTER—Twelve structures include a Victorian home with furnishings, a mid-1800 furnished
GULF COAST
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