Brazos Bend State Park
Oak trees and lakes are plentiful in these 4,897 acres of Brazos River bottomlands. Among the wildlife are whitetail deer, coyotes, waterfowl and alligators. Facilities include screened shelters, a recreation hall, restrooms, showers, picnic areas, fishing, nature trails and campgrounds. 409-553-5101.
 
Challenger Center
The Fort Bend Challenger Center, located at Brazos Bend State Park, is a living memorial to the seven Challenger astronauts who lost their lives in 1986. The facility is maintained and operated by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and is linked to the George Observatory, Burke Baker Planetarium and the Challenger Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Summer programs, special events and classes are available to scouts, school children and others at the facility. For reservations call 713-639-4600.
 
Fort Bend County Fair and Livestock Show
Each fall a parade featuring dozens of school bands, floats and drill teams leads Fort Bend in this ten-day extravaganza of food, rides, auctions, youth and adult exhibits, bands and folk and country dancing. It is the largest county fair in Texas and draws nearly 200,000 visitors. 281-342-6171
 
Fort Bend County Museum
This award-winning museum chronicles the settlement of the Fort Bend County area by the "Old 300" who received Mexican land grants through Stephen F. Austin. Exhibits interpret more than 100 years of history of the area and of Texas as a whole. The early settlement history is reflected in Fort Bend community names such as "First Colony" and "New Territory." Along with the museum and its exhibits, visitors to the Fort Bend Museum can tour the 1840s Long-Smith Cottage, home of Texas heroine Jane Long, and the 1883 John M. and Dottie L. Moore Home, a restored Reconstruction-era mansion that serves as a signature property for the museum. The museum is actively involved with area partners in developing and promoting the Richmond Historic District to further preserve and share the heritage of downtown. The 1882 McFarlane House serves as the administrative offices for museum staff and is rumored to be haunted. Closed Mondays. 281-342-6478
 
Fort Bend Theater
Started in 1989, the Fort Bend Theater provides family entertainment on the weekends throughout the year. Located at 2815 N. Main in Stafford, the theater is organized exclusively as a non-profit group dedicated to the arts and education of the arts for public interest. The troupe also offers children's theater presentations to schools and pre-schools. 281-208-3333
 
George Memorial Genealogical Collections
A great place to discover the roots of Fort Bend, open daily, admission is free. 281/341-2608.
 
George Observatory
Located in Brazos Bend State Park, the observatory has a 36-inch wide telescope, the largest in the nation available for public use. School groups and other tours are welcome. 409-553-3400
 
George Ranch Historical Park
The George Ranch Historical Park shares with visitors the compelling drama of four generations of Texas ranchers. In a relaxed, rural setting, guests have the unique opportunity to interact with people portraying the families that lived on this land through the years - from pioneer settlers to genuine cowboys and many more. Visitors to the Ranch step back in time and engage the past, witnessing the hardships and triumphs of typical Texans. Interpretations include an 1830s stock farm, an 1890s era with sharecropper farm, blacksmith and cowboy chuckwagon along with the splendor of the Victorian Davis House, and a 1930s ranching and cattle working program. The George Ranch Historical Park provides fun and insightful programs that create shared memories visitors will relive again and again. Annual events include Texian Market Days each October and Campfire Christmas among others. This living history park is open daily. 281-343-0218
 
Golf
Fort Bend County offers the avid golfer more than 250 holes in award-winning public golf courses-including Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club, Greatwood Golf Course, Golf Club at Cinco Ranch and Old Orchard Golf Course.
 
Great Southwest Equestrian Center
The elegant southern-style mansion sits in front of a world-class show complex featuring a 150 ft. by 300 ft. covered arena that seats 4,200 people. Witness a variety of horse shows and events, or learn to ride a horse. 281-578-7669
 
Morton Cemetery
Morton Cemetery whispers of history to observers, with graves of many Fort Bend early pioneers. The cemetery was founded in 1825 by William Morton and is the final resting place to William Kenchen Davis, a member of the Mier Expedition; Robert Gillespie, whose grave is marked with the oldest Masonic monument in Texas; Robert J. Calder, a valiant defender at the Battle of San Jacinto; Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second president of the Texas Republic; Jane Long; and Thomas Jefferson Smith, who fought in the battle of Texas' independence and later served as sheriff of the county.
 
Richmond Historical District
John M. Moore home and 1908 County Courthouse, also visit the Morton Cemetery, burial site of Jane Long, Mother of Texas and Mirabeau Lamar, President of the Republic of Texas, located in downtown Richmond. 281-342-1256
 
Richmond House
Early Fort Bend was wild west, prairie pioneer and Old South cotton plantations seasoned with Mexican outposts, Louisiana Creole and Comanche. Richmond House is a restored turn-of-the-century mansion with carefully tended period gardens. This electric historical setting is available for public, private and social events. 281-342-9417
 
Rosenberg Antique District
Over 20 shops featured. For a free antique shopping guide, call 832-595-9600.
 
Rosenberg Railroad Museum
The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroads purchased two hundred acres in 1883 and laid out the town site, naming it Rosenberg. The Railroad Museum combines the history of rail in Fort Bend County, the people of the railroad, and fun all under one roof. The museum is dedicated to teaching the history and growth of railways in Rosenberg and Fort Bend County through a systematic collection and display of artifacts, memorabilia, rolling stock, equipment and exhibits. For information call 281-342-6969.
 
Seabourne Creek Park
The latest addition to the park system in the City of Rosenberg is Seabourne Creek Park is located on Hwy. 36 South one-quarter mile south of US 59. The 164-acre park has a four and one-half acre stocked lake with two fishing platforms and a six-acre wetland basin that boasts a seven hundred foot boardwalk for easy access and viewing of floral and fauna features. Additional amenities include birding, hiking, biking, nature and jogging trails, restroom facilities and parking accommodations. For information call 832-595-3520.
 
Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center
Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center is a premier facility for ice skating, hockey, figure skating and parties. The center features dual rinks, pro shops, multiple entertainment options, and superior activity and hospitality centers, plus a lively schedule of classes and special events for skaters of all ages. Also, the official practice facility to the AHL Houston Aeros hockey team. 281-265-7465
 
The Museum of Southern History
The Museum of Southern History is located at 14080 Southwest Freeway, Sugar
Land, on the campus of Southern National Bank. It's new building, modeled on
Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, features a ground floor where rotating
exhibits are displayed while the upper floor interprets objects from our
permanent collection. As our name implies, we examine many aspects of
Southern history and culture, with a special emphasis onthe Civil War. A
small meeting room on the upper floor and a library filled with history books
complete the museum. Video productions, hands-on exhibits and written text
help the visitor understand momentous events in Southern history. We can be
reached at 281-269-7171, fax @ 281-269-7179, or e-mailed at
ssnoddy@snbtx.com. www.museumofsouthernhistory.org.
Open six days a week, we invite your patronage!
 

  © Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce 2002-2003
Back  
Search