Entertainment Parks:
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
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
Valley Race Park - The thrills and excitement of both greyhound and horse
racing at the Valley's premiere entertainment facility. Valley Race Park has
year round full card simulcast racing from the finest racetracks throughout Texas
and the United States. Live Greyhound Racing returns November 29th, 2002.
Valley Race Park Inc.
2601 S. Ed Carey Drive
Harlingen, Texas 78552
956 412-RACE (7223)
valleyracepark.com
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.