Houston patch

Houston Region

Complete this region and you could win a prize package from the Clute Visitors Bureau.

San Jacinto Monument in bright sunlight

History • Houston

San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site


Location

3523 Independence Parkway South | La Porte

Fees

Monument: Adults: $10 • Children 11 and under: $5 • Admission to grounds is free


Rising 570 feet into the sky, the San Jacinto Monument honors those who fought for and won Texas’ independence. Visit the museum of history at the base of the tower, or get a bird’s-eye view from the tower’s observation floor.

Selfie Instructions:

Snap a selfie with the San Jacinto Monument in the background.

crab rock sculpture at Baytown Nature Center

Splash • Houston

Baytown Nature Center


Location

6213 Bayway Drive | Baytown

Fees

Adults: $4 • Seniors and children 5-12: $1 • 4 and under: Free


A 500-acre peninsula surrounded by three bays, Baytown Nature Center provides habitat for 317 species of birds and a variety of aquatic species including shrimp, crab and fish. Bring a fishing rod and cast a line from the park’s four fishing piers, or just enjoy watching the wetland wildlife do their thing.

Selfie Instructions:

Snap a selfie in front of one of the many splashy animal sculptures (or from the pirate ship) in the Billy Barnett Children’s Nature Discovery Area. Or avoid the crowds and set off on a Nature Center adventure and snap a selfie under the gazebo at Golden Bloom Pond.

Butterfly wings mural at Armand Bayou nature center

Wild • Houston

Armand Bayou Nature Center


Location

8500 Bay Area Blvd. | Pasadena

Fees

Adults 13+: $6 • Kids 4–12: $4 • Children 3 and under get in free


Approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown Houston, the Armand Bayou Nature Center is one of the largest urban nature preserves in the United States. Walk on the Discovery Loop and get a glimpse of the center’s natural wetlands, prairie grasslands and forest. Check out reptiles, fish and amphibians at the Environmental Learning Center, or catch a glimpse of bison from the viewing platform.

Selfie Instructions:

Snap a selfie at the butterfly wings mural in the McGovern Children’s Discovery Area.

Clute, Texas Great Mosquito Festival rock art

Quirky • Houston

Great Texas Mosquito Festival


Location

100 Parkview Drive | Clute

Fees

Thursday $2 all ages • Friday & Saturday $10 adults; $5 children/seniors


Here’s a festival that really sucks — in a good way! For more than 40 years, the 26-foot-tall mosquito WillieMan-Chew has welcomed visitors to the town of Clute for the Great Texas Mosquito Festival. The three-day event runs July 27–29 and features a carnival, games, contests, races and live entertainment, all organized by a “swat team” of volunteers.

Selfie Instructions:

This is our only time-sensitive event. Snap a selfie with Willie as the backdrop. Can’t make it that weekend? Then snap a selfie in front of the “Great Texas Mosquito Festival” rock at Clute Municipal Park.

Birdwatching at Brazos Bend state park

Grand Adventures in State Parks

Natural Encounters

Visit any state park and you’re likely to have an animal encounter. Some are cute (butterflies), some are annoying (mosquitos), and some may even startle you (armadillos tend to do that). We’re not the only creatures who find state parks enchanting, so be a good neighbor, follow park safety rules and give wildlife room to wander. Parks are big enough for all creatures to enjoy together.
 
In the Houston area, here are some parks where you’re likely to bump into some nature buddies:  

GALVESTON ISLAND: In addition to the birds, fish and rabbits that make Galveston Island State Park their home, look for our favorite residents: the spookily named but adorable ghost crabs. They can be hard to spot during the day, as their bodies blend into the sand and they move quickly — up to 10 mph.

LAKE LIVINGSTON: Lying on the southern edge of the East Texas Timber Belt, Lake Livingston State Park is home to a wide array of wildlife; in addition to the white-tailed deer that frequent the park, look for armadillos, raccoons, opossums and southern flying squirrels. The best way to interact with these animals is to view them from a distance.

Selfie Instructions:

Snap a selfie at a Houston-area park, and let us know where you’re at and what animal(s) you’ve seen in the post caption or comments.