Angleton, founded in 1890, is the current seat of Brazoria County. Originally founded to provide a connecting railroad track to southern sections of the country. Today, Angleton is an award-winning Keep Texas Beautiful city and has a plethora of antique shops and parkland. Annual events include the Brazoria County Fair, the largest fair in Texas every October and the Christmas on the Square every December.
Things to do in Angleton
Brazoria County Historical Museum
This museum is housed in the 1897 Brazoria County Courthouse, the heart of the original colony. This is where Texas began its emergence as an independent nation. Includes an Austin Colony exhibit and chronicles the birth of that nation. Located at 100 E. Cedar St. in Angleton. Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 9am - 3pm. Call 979-864-1208 for more information.
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge on more than 42,000 acres on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, nesting area for mottled ducks and ancestral wintering grounds of snow geese. Since the area was established in 1966, 247 different bird types have been identified. Access by boat for fishing, crabbing, oystering and hunting in specified areas. Explore the six-mile self-guided auto tour and hiking trail. Open first full weekend of every month. Before visiting, contact refuge headquarters in Angleton at 1212 N. Velasco. Call 979-849-6062 for more information.
Bryan Beach State Recreation Area
Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Intracoastal Waterway and Brazos River. Activities include fishing, beach-type recreation, primitive camping. From Angleton, travel southwest 2 miles on FN1495 then 3 miles south on Gulf Beach.
Center for Arts & Sciences
This center includes an art gallery and museum of natural science, as well as a theater center where several productions are held annually at both Little Theater and Music Theater. The art gallery features changing mixed-media exhibits every six weeks such as watercolors, oils, sculpture and photography. Open Tuesday - Sunday 2 - 5pm.
Columbia Museum
Located just miles from Angleton visit this museum reflecting the area's prominent role in Texas history. Trace history from the days of the Victorian era to the grand steamboats that sailed the Brazos River. Open Wednesday - Saturday 9am - 2pm. Call 979-345-3123 for more information.
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway
This canal is the most valuable waterway in American as it carries as much annual tonnage as the Panama Canal and more than twice the St Lawrence Seaway. It stretches 1,066 miles from Brownsville TX to Carrabelle FL.
Jackson Plantation Archeological Site
A Texas Antiquities Archeological Landmark, this site is located on the banks of Lake Jackson. The plantation was destroyed by a hurricane in 1900. The ruins of eight buildings are the subject of study at the University of Houston/Clear Lake and the Brazosport Archeological Society. Free-guided walking tours are available the first Saturday of every month 10am- sundown. Call 979-297-1570 for more information.
Lake Jackson Historical Museum
This museum chronicles the rich history of the city and area with interactive exhibits and high-tech displays. From the pre-historic era to the founding and growth of modern day. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm; Sunday 1 - 5pm. Closed Monday and all major holidays. Located just south of Angleton in Lake Jackson. Call 979-297-1570 for more information.
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
Snow and blue geese winter in this 24,000-acre refuge between Cedar Lake and San Bernard River on the Intracoastal Waterway. You will find herons, egrets and ibis in the marsh ponds; shorebirds, gulls and terns on mud flats and mottled duck nest in the area. There are nearly 250 species of birds found on the refuge. Open daily sunrise to sunset.
Science Museum
Features wildlife, fossils, rocks, minerals and an aquarium. Another highlight is one of the largest shell collections on display in the Southwest. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm. Located at 400 College Drive in Lake Jackson. Call 979-265-7661 for more information.
Sea Center Texas
This is a marine development complete with an aquarium and education center developed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Dow North America and the Gulf Coast Conservation Association. The marine fisheries hatchery has facilities to hatch 20 million fingerlings annually, primarily red drum and spotted sea trout, for release into the Texas coastal waters. You will also find a 24-foot "touch tank" for visitors to study certain animals and wall displays on marine life. There a number of aquariums for your observation - two 2,500 gallon, two 50,000 gallon and one 52,000 gallon. Open Tuesday - Friday 1 pm - 4pm; Saturday 10am - 5pm; Sunday 1 - 4pm. Located at the intersection of Plantation Drive and Medical Drive in Lake Jackson. Call 979-292-0100 for more information.
Surfside Beach
Just head south of Angleton for some great beaching. It is located in the town of Surfside and offers swimming, sailing, surf fishing, camping and shell collection. Cottage rentals are available. The little bays, coves and sloughs are known roosting grounds for migratory birds.