Location: Brazoria
Top Things to do in Brazoria
- 1. Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site
- 2. Sea Center Texas
- 3. Brazosport Museum of Natural Science
- 4. San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
- 5. Columbia Historical Museum
- 6. Lake Jackson Historical Museum
- 7. Wilderness Golf Course
- 8. Mammoth Lake Dive Park
- 9. Brazoria County Historical Museum
- 10. Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Church & Cemetery
10 Things to Do in Brazoria That You Shouldn't Miss
Brazoria (/brəˈzɔːriə/ brə-ZOR-ee-ə) is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, in the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area and Brazoria County. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the city population was 3,019.
Restaurants in Brazoria
1. Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site, a Texas Historical Commission property, is situated on 66 acres along the Brazos River, 50 miles south of Houston in Brazoria County. The site was donated to the state in 1957 by Miss Ima Hogg, daughter of Texas Gov. James S. Hogg, and dedicated and opened on March 24, 1958. Today, the site tells the story of the plantation's 134-year history. Although the land was first settled by Austin colonist Martin Varner in 1824, the antebellum mansion was built by slaves of the property's second owner, Columbus Patton, using handmade bricks from the Brazos River mud. In 1901, James S. Hogg, the first native-born Texas Governor, purchased the land for oil speculation. The site includes the majestic plantation house, pecan orchards, numerous original outbuildings and outdoor features including the governor's bathtub, Patton's cemetery, and sugarcane mill ruins.
Reviewed By Andrew H - Duncan B.C.
We visited for two hours on damp day out from Houston. Wonderful oasis of extensive lawns and trees . There are symmetrical limes of pecans, magnolias and some gnarled and old oaks. The plantation is impressive. The history of the Varner ownership followed by the Patton and later the Hogg family's purchase is of great interest.Associations with slavery, sugar plantations and sugar refinery, as well as oil drilling are all discussed in helpful exhibits and a great tour of the plantation house by a knowledgeable guide were helpful to building the story of this place. This was enjoyed by us all but as part of a day trip and definitely not a full day!
2. Sea Center Texas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Sea Center Texas is a marine aquarium, fish hatchery and nature center operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. See saltwater aquariums showcasing the diversity of the Texas coast and tour the largest redfish hatchery in the world. Reservations required for hatchery tours. Hours for visitation are Tuesday through Saturday 9 am-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm, Closed Mondays. Aquarium feedings Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 am. Free Admission and Tours.
Reviewed By Jerry G - Granite Shoals, Texas
We visted Sunday August 20. Four of us toured. A great educational venue for Saltwater habitats and fisheries. Definitely a place for children. They will enjoy the touch tank and the display of the different types if fish.
Best of all its free!
Plan to spend some time with tje family
3. Brazosport Museum of Natural Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Kathy J - hawkins, United States
This museum has a very friendly atmosphere and is not intimidating at all. The girls loved looking at all the exhibits and then the interactive part for children was just great. We stayed for about 3 hours. I will definitely put it on our "Must Do" list for next year.
4. San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By P1313 - Peoples' Republic of Boulder
You have to do some driving in Brazos County, TX to find this National Park. There are two large segments to this park which is near the coast southwest of Freeport, TX. Turning off the county blacktop road, you enter the park on a dirt/gravel road that loops through wetlands where many different birds are in evidence. About a third of the way through you can take a boardwalk past a large pond where, if you look closely, you probably will see an alligator resting across the way. You also can walk down a back road to a large body of water with a viewing platform where many ducks, etc. can be seen. We also saw a swimming snake in one of the wetland ponds we walked past. This is not a place that seems to be visited by many, but it is peaceful, beautiful, and intriguing - especially to someone coming from the mountains of Colorado.
5. Columbia Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Kaiser_D - Texas
This museum has been steadily expanding its scope of interest and concurrently its collection over the past few years. Seemingly, this Museum has begun to look at more successful models of governance and development, and now has a Board and member meetings.
I’m sure that you could visit and avoid making a donation because they really want to increase the number of visitors. Since the town is ten minutes’ drive west of the major freeway (288), though Highway 36 is only a few hundred yards away, the Museum doesn’t benefit from much accidental traffic. There are gifts for purchase, including some attractive mugs and cards. You could take the whole family and probably enjoy the collection and grounds for less than $20 for as many hours as you and your children could stand.
Although the Museum will likely grow substantially in the next two years, a visit now would offer a great glimpse into Texas history and the unique stories of the West Columbia-Brazoria area. Given its proximity to many other historic sites, I think a weekend visit and overnight stay would allow a visitor to fully appreciate the collection.
6. Lake Jackson Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Maahart3 - Johnson City, Tennessee
I drive to Lake Jackson while visiting Houston. The history museum was small, but very informative about the many chemical companies that support the community. There were wax museum figures with interactive activities for children. There were many nonfiction text features for quick reference The singer Selena grew up there and they have a nice exhibit/memorial for her.
7. Wilderness Golf Course
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By james d - pearland
This golf course is built in protected wetlands so there was a emphasis on building the golf course with minimum disruption to the environment. The result is a fantastic setting. The greens undulate sharply making this a very challenging scoring course. The staff is excellent. Food is sub par and takes a long time for them to prepare. Since it is a protected area, you definitely want to bring your bug spray.
8. Mammoth Lake Dive Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By viperdiver - Cibolo
Visited the shop/lake/site the weekend of 25-26 Oct 2014. The weather was beautiful which helped the visibility somewhat. First, the Maximum Scuba staff I dealt with were friendly, courteous, and very helpful as I had several questions about diving in the lake. The shop has a bathroom with a shower if you need it. Second, the diving itself is very good. Like I said earlier, the weather was great and the vis was still about 3'-5'; water temp 79 degrees at the surface and 78 degrees below that; max depth this time was about 40' (max depth in the lake is 60' in an area called "The Hole"). I'm told that as the temperature decrease the vis improves. There are so many objects sunk that it will take days and days of diving to see them all, if that is even possible. The nice thing underwater is that there are lines/ropes tied to the objects and most have an ID plate showing you what is on the end of that line; makes it easier to move from object to object. I managed a night dive which was also nice and easy with all the buoys and lines. The bottom is very silty so avoid touching at all costs as vis will suffer.
9. Brazoria County Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Kaiser_D - Texas
This museum is located next to the county courthouse. This proximity makes it seem small from the outside, but it is full of interesting exhibits celebrating early days in Brazoria County.
There are numerous permanent and rotating exhibits, and they have hosted several engaging speakers, including descendants of Cynthia Ann Parker. They have also hosted concerts on the lawn, which are great if you can handle the local humidity. Parking is a bit tight, but there is plenty across the street.
10. Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Church & Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Margaret R - Richwood, TX
The cemetery here is a Texas treasure. At one time, Stepehn F. Austin, known as the Father of Texas was buried here. He was moved to the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, TX many years ago but the cemetery is the resting place for his sister, Emily and her husbands and children as well as other pioneers who helped to settle this part of the Gulf Coast.
Be sure to bring mosquito repellent with you since the historical portion of the cemetery is shaded by large oaks making it a haven for the little biting beasts.
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