Gladys Porter Zoo
-The Gladys Porter Zoo is a 31-acre preserve of lush
tropical plants and some 1,800 animals, the Gladys Porter Zoo is
known for its successes in breeding endangered species of wildlife.
Opened in 1971 as one of the first zoos in the country with no
barred cages, most animal species are displayed in settings that
closely resemble their own natural habitats. In a mere ¾ mile trek,
a visitor will encounter a diverse ensemble of animals and plants.
500 Ringgold St.
Brownsville, TX 78520
General Information: 956-546-7187
http://www.gpz.org
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Schlitterbahn
Beach Water Park - Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark on South
Padre Island offers the latest and greatest in water attractions.
Located on the south end of South Padre Island next to Isla Blanca
Park, Schlitterbahn Beach is spread across 26 acres. Open 4 pm-10pm
Monday -Friday and 11 am- 10pm Saturday and Sunday.
90 Park Rd, Highway 100
Phone: (956)772-7873 or (956) 772-9772
Email:
fun@schlitterbahn.com
www.schlitterbahn.com
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Wildlife
Refuges |
Laguna Atascosa
National Wildlife Refuge - Laguna Atascosa NWR is the
largest protected area of natural habitat left in the Lower Rio
Grande Valley, an oasis for wildlife with few alternatives. Open
daily from sunrise to sundown (about 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.). $2
per vehicle From South Padre Island,
take Highway 100 out of Port Isabel and exit right on Farm Road 510
at Laguna Vista. Continue 5.4 miles to the Cameron County Airport
road. Take a right and continue approximately 7 miles to the visitor
center.
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Sabal Palm Audubon
Sanctuary - The Sabal Palm Audubon Center is dedicated to
providing visitors, from school children to birders, with a uniquely
Audubon nature experience. The Center also contains educational
displays, a wildlife viewing area, and small gift shop.
Visitor Center is open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily
Sanctuary is Closed for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year's
Day.
- Sanctuary Trails are open year-round
7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sanctuary gates close at 5:00 p.m. for
incoming visitors
(Visitors must be out of the Sanctuary before dark)
- For safety reasons and to help preserve
our sanctuary Sabal Palm Sanctuary may be closed to the public
during inclement weather.
Visitors and volunteers can contact the
Manager for volunteer opportunities and job descriptions specific to
Sabal Palm Sanctuary.
Jimmy Paz, Manager
Sabal Palm Audubon Center & Sanctuary
P. O. Box 5169
Brownsville, Texas 78523
(956) 541-8034
FAX: (956) 504-0543
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Santa Ana National
Wildlife Refuge - Along the banks of the lower Rio Grande
is the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, a 2,088 acre refuge
established in 1943 for the protection of migratory birds.
Considered the ‘jewel’ of the refuge system, this essential ‘island’
of thorn forest habitat is host or home to nearly 400 different
types of birds and a myriad of other species, including the indigo
snake, malachite butterfly and the endangered ocelot. The Visitor
Center is open seven days a week (except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
and New Year's Day) from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
SANTA ANA/LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES
ROUTE 2, BOX 202A
ALAMO, TEXAS 78516
(210) 787-3079 787-7861
FAX (210) 787-8338
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Museums |
Historic
Brownsville Museum -The Historic Brownsville Museum, opened
in 1986, houses a variety of exhibits that interpret events from
Brownsville's past. These exhibits include data from the earliest
military fort in our area, the arrival of French teaching nuns and
displays of agricultural and ranching tools.
Phone: 956-548-1313
641 E. Madison St.
Brownsville, TX 78520
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Hidalgo County
Historical Museum - Hidalgo County Historical Museum
exhibits give a broad overview of the region, from prehistoric
tribes through Spanish exploration and colonization, the Mexican
War, Rio Grande steamboat era, Civil Var, early ranching and
farming, border wars and more. Partially housed in the 1910 County
Jail, HCHM includes a hangman's trap used for a public execution in
1913. Phone: 956-383-6911
121 E. McIntyre
Edinburg, TX
Open:
Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m
Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and
Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.
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Iwo Jima Memorial
Museum - This is the original sculpture used in casting the
famous bronzed Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, VA., depicting
the raising of the US flag over Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945, during
World War II. It is over 100 feet high and weighs 130 tons. It was
given to the Marine Military Academy in October of 1981.
Phone: 956-412-2207
320 Iwo Jima Blvd.
Harlingen, TX
Military and Texas gift shop.
Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and
Sunday 12 - 4 p.m. |