UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN COASTAL STUDIES LABORATORY—Features marine life and representative examples from the Gulf and Laguna Madre, including fish, mollusks and plants, as well as an extensive seashell collection. 100 Marine Lab Drive. In Isla Blanca Park. 956/761-2644.
www.utpa.edu/csl.
SPRING POP. 58,156
ALT. 101
OLD TOWN SPRING VISITORS BUREAU: 888/878-6746 or 281/288-2355.
www.shopspringtexas.com.
Settled by German immigrants in 1840, the city served as a railroad center in the early 1900s, but then the population declined until it was caught in the surging growth of nearby Houston.
JESSE H. JONES PARK & NATURE CENTER—The center includes exhibits on plant and animal life, as well as a special children’s program. Buildings represent an Akokisa homestead and Redbud Hill Homestead. A hiking trail meanders through woods, over a pond, ending at Spring Creek. 20634 Kenswick Drive. 281/446-8588.
www.hcp4.net/jones.
MERCER BOTANIC GARDENS—See HUMBLE. The Texas Zoo in Victoria has about 300 native and exotic animals.
SINTON POP. 5,712
ALT. 48
SINTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 361/364-2307 or 361/364-2381.
www.sintontexas.org.
This town has unique shops, antiques stores, and the largest squirrel in Texas outside Aunt Aggie De’s Pralines Candy Store. Texas Heritage and American Independence murals are at Jackson Square. The Rob and Bessie Welder Park, is a 300-acre
park with an 18-hole municipal golf course, RV Park, baseball and soccer complexes, fishing pier, bird watching and basketball courts.
TAFT BLACKLAND MUSEUM—Housed in a building that was once the headquarters for the giant Coleman- Fulton Pasture Co. Exhibits feature antique farm and ranch equipment, household items of early settlers, and valuable memorabilia from the Taft Ranch. 301 Green Ave. in Taft. 361/528-2206.
http://blacklandmuseum.com.
WELDER WILDLIFE REFUGE—This is the largest privately endowed wildlife refuge in the world. Acreage and a large administration museum building occupy a portion of the Welder Ranch, established from a Spanish land grant more than 150 years ago. Call to arrange group tours. North of the city off U.S. 77. 361/364-2643.
www.welderwildlife.org.
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND POP. 2,962
ALT. 5 MAP Z-18/CC-21
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND VISITORS CENTER: 610 Padre Blvd. 956/761-6433 or 800/767-2373.
www.sopadre.com.
This small resort town is on the southern tip of Padre Island just across Laguna Madre, the bay separating the island from the mainland. Access is via the causeway on Texas 100. Visitors find a wide range of accommodations: campgrounds, family motels, luxury hotels, condos, marinas and cottages. Restaurants feature fresh Gulf seafood. South Padre is known for its water sports, including
jet skiing; bay, surf and deep-sea fishing; parasailing; sailing; kiteboarding; wake lessons; and windsurfing. Other island activities include bicycling, tennis,
74 MAP U-17
shelling and horseback riding on the beach. Sand castle lessons are available from expert builder Anthony Hancock (
www.sandcastlelessons.com). The popular Laguna Madre Nature Trail for nature enthusiasts and birders is north of the city next to the convention center. Fishing is available from beach, piers and jetties.
Group boats provide bay and deep-sea fishing for full or half days; charter cruises are available.
www.sopadre.com.
HORSES ON THE BEACH—Enjoy horseback rides along the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre on South Padre Island. Horses are suited for riders of all experience levels, ages 6 and up. Groups welcome. 956/761-4677.
www.horsesonthebeach.com.
ISLA BLANCA PARK—Features more than one mile of white beach, picnic and playground areas, two beach- front pavilions, fishing jetty, restaurants and clubs, a full-service marina with daily charters, a water park, a sea walk, and boat ramp. Camping facilities include RV sites. Admission charge. 33174 State Park Road 100. 956/761-5494.
www.co.cameron.tx.us/parks/ isla_blanca.htm.
SCHLITTERBAHN BEACH RESORT—The indoor and outdoor waterpark offers tube chutes, uphill water coasters, the Sand Castle water fun house, the Boogie Bahn surfing ride and the award-winning Rio Aventura. Soaring Eagle Zip Line, a specially designed seated ride, opened in 2013. Includes a restaurant and free use of inner tubes. Admission charge. 33261 State Park Road 100. 956/772-7873.
www.schlitterbahn.com/south-padre-island.
SEA TURTLE, INC.—This is the living museum of the “Turtle Lady,” Ila Loetscher. Suggested donation. 6617 Padre Blvd. 956/761-4511.
www.seaturtleinc.org.
TOURS—Breakaway Cruises—Includes dolphin watches, eco-tours, parasailing, deep sea and bay fishing, fireworks cruises and amphibious tours. 1 Padre Blvd. 956/761-2212.
www.breakawaycruises.com.
Isla Tours South Padre and Captain Murphy’s Fishing Charters—Offers bay fishing, deep-sea fishing, firework cruises, dolphin watch and sunset cruises. Sea Ranch Marina. 956/761-4752.
www.islatours.com.
The Original Dolphin Watch—
33256 State Park Road 100, Suite 104. 956/761-4243.
www.theoriginaldolphinwatch.net.
OLD TOWN SPRING—This restored railroad village from the early 1900s includes unique shops, Texas wine tasting rooms, museums, art galleries and restaurants. Exit 70A off I-45, one mile east or Exit 1960 from Hardy Toll Road on frontage road north. 281/353-9310.
www.oldtownspring.com.
SPRING HISTORICAL MUSEUM—Historical documents, photos and memorabilia tell the story of Spring and the surrounding area. Spring Cypress Road and Gentry Street. 281/651-0055.
WET ’N’ WILD SPLASHTOWN—This water park offers rides, slides, live entertainment and special events. Enjoy the Wild Wave Pool, Tree House Island Adventure, Kids Kountry and the Texas Freefall. Admission charge. 21300 I-45 north. At Louetta Road. 281/355-3300.
www.wetnwildsplashtown.com.
SUGAR LAND POP. 81,898
ALT. 82 MAP Q-20/TT-12
VISIT SUGAR LAND CONVENTION & VISITORS SERVICES: 2700 Town Center Blvd. N. 281/275-2045.
www.visitsugarlandtx.com.
Originally, Sugar Land was Stephen F. Austin’s personal portion of the land he leased in 1823 from Mexico. Sugar cane imported 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.
WHOOPING CRANES
THE ENDANGERED WHOOPING crane is celebrated each February in Port Aransas with a festival. The event offers opportunities to get a good look at the birds. It includes renowned speakers, birding trips, boating trips, nature tours and photography work- shops. For more information, visit
www.whoopingcranefestival.org.
★ PHOTO: MICHAEL AMADOR/TXDOT MAP P-21
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