La Porte, meaning "The Door" was given its name by French settlers in 1889 when the city was founded on upper Galveston Bay. Deep-water port and petrochemical industries coexist in harmony with pleasant residential environment and bayside resorts. The town is the home of the Houston Yacht Club, second oldest yacht club in the United States. It is also known for the Sylvan Beach Festival, held on Galveston Bay, on the last Saturday in April.
Things to do in La Porte
Battleship Texas State Historic Site
A landmark in the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Park, the Battleship Texas is moored in permanent slip. One of few monuments of its kind in the world, it is only survivor of the pre-World War I dreadnoughts. The battleship was presented to State of Texas by U.S. Navy. Commissioned shortly before World War I, the venerable warship served in that conflict and in World War II as flagship in 1944 D-Day invasion commanded by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, a native of Denison, TX. Located at 3523 Highway 134 in La Porte. Call 281-479-2431 for more information.
Bay Forest Golf Club
Bay Forest offers a public 18-hole course. A driving range, pro shop and lounge are on the premises. Lessons are available. Located at 201 Bay Forest Drive. Call 281-471-4653 for more information.
Baytown Historical Museum
Baytown Historical Museum is housed inside the Federal Building that used to be Baytown's old Post Office. The museum exhibits artifacts pertaining to local history. Located at 220 W. Defee Street in Baytown. Call 281-427-8768 for more information.
Baytown Nature Preserve
Following the devastating hurricane Alicia in 1983, Baytown entered into an agreement with FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The agreement resulted in the acquisition of 400 acres of land to establish open space and parkland. Located on the western edge of town, the preserve is a quiet oasis of natural beauty and home to hundreds of birds and animals year-round.
Clear Lake
Clear Lake is at the mouth of the Clear Creek, Armand and Taylor Bayous in the NASA area of southeast Houston. Popular activities include sailboating, power boating, jetskiing, waterskiing, windsurfing, canoeing and parasailing. The lake provides good fishing both for fresh and saltwater species. Access from NASA Road 1 or F.M. 2094 between I-45 and Texas 146 southeast of Houston.
Fred Hartman Bridge
This structure, spanning the Houston Ship Channel, boasts double diamond-shaped towers that stand as tall as a 45-story building. The cable-stayed bridge's main span is 2,475 feet, the length of eight football fields. Just to the south of the bridge on Texas 146 is Bayland Park Marina. A multi-ramp boat launch and dock with restrooms are available.
Goose Creek Stream Greenbelt
Baytown developed largely along the shores of Goose Creek Stream. Much of its shoreline is preserved for a greenbelt park. Visitors can find a birding overlook, pavilion, bike and pedestrian trails, canoe launches, park and playground.
Houston Raceway Park
Houston Raceway Park is a 440-acre drag racing complex with races. Located at 2525 F.M. 565 South in Baytown. Call 281-383-2666 for more information.
Houston Yacht Club
The Houston Yacht Club is the second oldest yacht club in the United States, having organized regattas for over 100 years. The club continues to promote Houston as a nationally recognized yacht racing and boating center. Located at 3620 Miramar Drive in La Porte. Call 281-471-1255 for more information.
Johnson Space Center/Space Center Houston
Johnson Space Center serves as the lead NASA center for the International Space Station -- a U.S.-led collaborative effort of 16 nations, and the largest, most powerful, complex human facility to ever operate in space. Orbiting 240 miles above the Earth, this working laboratory will serve as a stepping-stone to other planets -- teaching us the essentials of long-term living in space. Space Center Houston, Johnson's official visitors center, is part science theme park and part space travel museum, offering adventure for all ages. Space Center Houston is located at 1601 NASA Road 1, approximately 25 miles south of downtown Houston in the NASA/Clear Lake area. Call 281-244-2105 for more information.
Khema Boardwalk
Khema Boardwalk is a great waterfront destination. Visitors can stroll along the boardwalk and watch the boats ply the waters of Galveston Bay. The boardwalk features several themed restaurants, retail and specialty shops, a hotel, a water garden, dancing fountains, and a specialty aquarium restaurant featuring a 50,000 gallon tank of tropical fish. Amusement rides include a 65-ft. Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a gas-powered train that travels throughout the entire boardwalk for a scenic tour of the complex. There are also street performers and midway games for the entire family. From I-45, take NASA Rd. 1 east to Texas 146; south on TX 146 to Kemah. Call 800-844-5253 for more information.
La Porte City Parks
La Porte's city parks offer several swimming pools, athletic complexes and a rodeo arena. Little Cedar Bayou Park, on 8th St., has picnicking, sports fields, and swimming pool with 6-foot-deep wave pool with 10-minute intervals of wave action. Call 281-470-7275 for more information.
Little Cedar Bayou Park
Few people know about the wooded beauty of La Porte's Little Cedar Bayou Park. The park offers good bayou access and features interesting trails, boardwalks, and views of Galveston Bay.
Lynchburg Ferry
The Lynchburg Ferry has been in operation since 1822, and continues to shuttle travelers across the mouth of the San Jacinto River. Located west of Baytown.
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Park
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Park is the site where Texas won independence from Mexico on April 21, 1836, at the Battle of San Jacinto. After retreats and disasters halfway across Texas, Sam Houston's small army turned on Mexican Gen. Santa Anna's superior forces and defeated them in just minutes. Commemorating the decisive battle, San Jacinto Monument rises 570 feet above flat coastal plain. The famous monument is constructed of reinforced concrete faced with Texas fossilized buff limestone. At base of shaft is San Jacinto Museum of Texas History, which exhibits the region's history from Indian civilization encountered by Cortez, to Texas as a state. "Texas Forever!! The Battle of San Jacinto" is a 35-minute history lesson reliving Texas history from the days of Spanish rule in Mexico to the expansion of the American West in 1848. The multi-image presentation utilizes 42 projectors. Call 281-479-2431 for more information.
Sylvan Beach Park
Sylvan Beach Park is a 32-acre county park located at the site of the famous resort/dance pavilion of the 1920s-30s. A modern air-conditioned pavilion overlooks the Galveston Bay. Amenities include a fishing pier, launch ramp, playground, and picnic areas. At the park entrance is a caboose and depot for the old Houston - Galveston - San Antonio railroad. It now serves as the Heritage Society's showcase for memorabilia of the city and area. The depot is open the 2nd Sunday of every month. Located at 100 Bayshore Drive. Call 281-326-6539 for more information.
Wallisville Heritage Park
The Wallisville Heritage Park features displays and artifacts of Spanish Mission Nuestra Seora de la Luz and Presidio San Agustn de Ahumada, 1756 - 1771; vintage saddle-making tools, hardware; and area history. An adjacent restored 1869 school contains a genealogical/historical library. Located in Baytown 13 miles east on I-10 at Trinity River, Exit 807.
West Bay Common School Museum
The West Bay Common School Museum offers an award-winning "Hands-on-History" experience. It is a working, one-room schoolhouse where students on field trips experience what it was really like to attend school 100 years ago. Teachers in period dress conduct classes. The adjacent Barn Museum also contains a small classroom, as well as memorabilia on League City. The Icehouse Barbershop features an authentic ice house and a one-chair barbershop. Life-like figures discuss League City's history. Located in the Clear Lake area at 210 N. Kansas Street. Call 281-480-8404 for more information.
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