Fossils
One of the largest seashell collections in the southern United States can be found at the Center for the Arts and Sciences along with fossils, dinosaurs and mammoth bones. The Center is a cultural and educational complex that features an art gallery, a science museum, a planetarium and two performance theaters. Planetarium shows are Tuesday nights and the fourth Fridays of each month or may be scheduled. Closed Mondays, no admission fee for the museum or art gallery.
400 College Boulevard, Clute 77566
www.brazosportcenter.org 979-265-7661

Fins
Sea Center Texas is home to a 50,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico aquarium filled with red drum, snapper, and other fish including sharks. It is also the largest redfish hatchery in the world and can produce up to 20 million juvenile fish each year for release into Texas coastal waters. Be sure to visit the 20-foot touch pool to handle marine animals. Other exhibits include replicas of Texas state record saltwater fish and an outdoor wetland exhibits with a boardwalk. Closed Mondays. Hatchery tours must be scheduled in advance. No admission fees.
302 Medical Drive, Lake Jackson 77566
www.tpwd.texas.gov/seacenter 979-292-0100

Feathers
The combination of location, relatively mild climate, and diverse habitat make the Brazosport Area home and haven to more than 300 bird species. The San Bernard and Brazoria National Wildlife Refuges, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, and the Quintana Bird Sanctuary have trails, boardwalks and the facilities that make spotting birds easier for groups. Both refuges and the Quintana Bird Sanctuary are open sunrise to sunset everyday and are free to the public. The Gulf Coast Bird Observatory is open Monday – Friday. Information about the refuges can be found at
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, 6801 County Rd 306, Brazoria 77422
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, 2022 County Road 227, Freeport 77541
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 Highway 332, Lake Jackson 77566
Quintana Bird Sanctuary, 814 Lamar, Quintana 77541
www.fws.gov/refuge/brazoria or 979-964-4011. Information about the sanctuaries can be found at www.gcbo.org or 979-480-0999