Rio Grande Valley, TX

Whether you're a fan of bird watching or just a fan of nature, the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is the perfect place to revel in both. As the World Birding Center's headquarters, the 760-acre park offers a look into the habitats of rare birds that can only be seen in deep South Texas.

Phone: (956) 584-9156
Web: www.theworldbirdingcenter.com

Take a closer look at ocean creatures at the Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center. The touch tanks provide a hands-on experience, where you can hold living specimens like starfish, hermit crabs, sea urchins, and snails. Through videos, exhibits, and boat tours, the Sea Life Center tells the story of its research and conservation efforts. You'll also get an inside look at the center's work with the Laguna Madre Tribe of Bottlenose Dolphins.

Phone: (956) 299-1957
Web: www.spinaturecenter.com

Explore regions of Asia, Africa, America, Australia and the ocean, without ever leaving Texas. The Gladys Porter Zoo occupies 26 acres of central Brownsville, and is home to over 1,600 animals. On your journey through the wild, you'll see crocodiles, spider monkeys, kangaroos, gorillas, rhinos, boa constrictors, bears, a wide variety of birds, and many other animals.

Address: 500 Ringgold Street, Brownsville, TX 78520 - MAP
Phone: (956) 546-2177
Web: www.gpz.org

Texas has a history as big as the state itself, so it's no wonder that the city of Harlingen has a few pages for the history books as well. The Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum offers an exploration of the region's history and culture. The stories are told through rotating exhibits that feature historical objects, photos, and art.

Address: 2425 Boxwood St., Harlingen, TX 78550 - MAP
Phone: (956) 216-4901
Web: www.myharlingen.us

Enter a world of arts and sciences at the IMAS. The International Museum of Art and Science is home to unique exhibitions that feature artworks in many forms, and the various sciences found in nature. On your visit, be sure to let the kids explore the KidsZone for hands-on, educational fun.

Address: 1900 Nolana, McAllen, TX 78504 - MAP
Phone: (956) 682-1564
Web: www.imasonline.org

For some fun in the sun, head to Isla Blanca Park. Put your toes in the sand and feel free to explore over a mile of beautiful beachfront, try fishing off the jetties, splash around in the surf, and soak up the sun. The park is located on South Padre Island, so after the beach you can head out for some tasty seafood and a night on the town - island style.

Phone: (956) 761-5494
Web: www.co.cameron.tx.us

Get ready for a history lesson at the Mission Historical Museum. The museum showcases artifacts like early maps, household items, historic costumes, tools, documents, and photographs, in exhibits that explain the colorful past of Mission, Texas. If you want to dig deeper into Texas history, explore the texts housed in the on site library.

Address: 900 Doherty Avenue, Mission, TX 78572 - MAP
Phone: (956) 580-8646
Web: www.missiontexas.us

Immerse yourself in the culture and heritage of the southernmost part of the Lone Star State at the Museum of South Texas History. Check out the history and heritage outlined by exhibits, spanning from prehistoric times through the 20th century. Photographs, documents, books, maps and other artifacts help to illustrate the story of life in this region of the state.

Address: 200 N. Closner Blvd., Edinburg, Texas 78541 - MAP
Phone: (956) 383-6911
Web: www.mosthistory.org

Take a stroll through the beautiful Quinta Mazatlan mansion, and explore the 20-acre property surrounding the home. The Spanish-style, 1930s estate is home to interesting exhibits, and the grounds around the building offer various nature trails that venture through the Rio Grande Valley Thornforest. As you walk along the trails, you'll see native vegetation like the Prickly Pear Cactus and birds like the Green Jay, and the Buff-bellied Hummingbird.

Address: 600 Sunset Dr., McAllen, TX 78503 - MAP
Phone: (956) 681-3370
Web: www.quintamazatlan.com

Spend a day at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and learn about the abundant South Texas wildlife. Before you hit the trails, hang out in the visitor center where you'll become familiar with the area's inhabitants and vegetation. When you are venturing along your trek, you will see animals like squirrels, armadillos, bobcats, coyotes, a wide variety of birds, and hundreds of butterflies.

Phone: (956) 784-7500
Web: www.fws.gov

Take in the beauty of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge rests on the international border between our nation and Mexico, and is home to over 1,200 types of plants, 700 kinds of animals and birds, and 300 kinds of butterflies - it doesn't get more beautiful than this. Wear your comfy shoes for walking the trails and bring the sunscreen, the Texas sun is a hot one.

Phone: (956)784-7500
Web: www.friendsofsouthtexasrefuges.org

Play around in the wave pool, be lazy on one of five beaches, or grab a float and careen down some water slides at the Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark in South Padre Island. The park offers 13 water slides and features a five-story sand castle, equipped with slides and surrounded by play pools. It's the best place to have some fun in the sun in South Padre.

Address: 33261 State Park Road 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597 - MAP
Phone: (956) 772-7873
Web: www.schlitterbahn.com

Get in the zone at The Zone Action Park. The amusement center has five different areas for you to let loose in: the Speed Zone, the Splash Zone, the Golf Zone, the Strike Zone, and a game room. Zoom around on go-karts, cruise the bumper boats, or take a swing at miniature golf or the batting cages - all this and more makes The Zone the premier destination for fun in McAllen.

Address: 2600 West Expressway 83, McAllen, TX 78501 - MAP
Phone: (956) 664-9663
Web: www.thezoneactionpark.com