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    Winnie Stowell Park

    5.0 (1 review)

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    3 years ago

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    Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge - Scissor-tailed Flycatcher- been trying to capture one of these beauties for YEARS!! Look at the giant tail! (April 2024)

    Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge

    5.0(11 reviews)
    17.1 mi

    Sorry but I will always refer to this by it's correct and rightful name, Anahuac National Wildlife…read moreRefuge. This is a great place to go to see life in the salt marsh east of Galveston Bay. The bird are numerous and of so many species. And besides birds there are tons of alligators, both large and small. The main attraction towards the center of the refuge is Shoveler Pond. The pond is surrounded by a 6 mile one way road and you shouldn't be in any rush to get around. The road is narrow and one way but there are pull-offs where you can stop to let someone go by or just to sit and watch the wildlife. As you stare off into the cat tails and grasses, if you wait long enough you will realize there are a myriad of creatures both big and small there. Tiny wrens red winged black birds and warblers, ducks of all kinds, rails, stilts, avocets, moorhens and then the bigger birds like egrets and herons and ibis. And then there are the alligators, sunning themselves after a mud bath. It's nice when there is a slight wind blowing as the mosquitoes can be kind of bad as the weather warms up, you might want to apply some OFF. And it can be hot and humid in the winter. I like to go in the cooler months. There is also a large boardwalk and deck area for viewing farther out in the marsh but the benches are usually covered in bird poop so be aware before sitting down. There is a shop at the entrance and it is worth a visit as well as restrooms and a butterfly garden. There is a pavilion with picnic tables but last time we were there a lot of wasps and hornets had made nests so we found another spot to have our lunch. The refuge is about half way between Winnie and High Island and a good stop if you are going to or coming from Smith Oaks Bird Refuge at High Island.

    What a lovely way to spend a beautiful, clear skies winter day!…read more We loaded up the bikes, backpacks with snacks, binoculars, bug spray, clothing layers, SPF, water, hand wipes, etc, and drove out to explore this 34K acre wildlife refuge an hour or so outside of Downtown Houston. There are hiking trails, biking trails, and people exploring the wetlands from their cars. I DON'T recommend that. I mean, if you have people who are elderly or people who find it challenging to bike around, by all means - you can drive around and treat it like a drive-thru wetland experience. But my biggest rec is to take your bike and explore that way. Aside from the wetlands, we went over to the bayside to watch the sunset. There were LOADS of mosquitos, so prepare for that. And a few families were harvesting oysters. We missed some of the hiking areas and oyster bayou, but looking forward to returning earlier in the day to explore.

    Photos
    Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge
    Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge - Scissor-tailed Flycatcher- been trying to capture one of these beauties for YEARS!! I love the subtle oranges! (April 2024)

    Scissor-tailed Flycatcher- been trying to capture one of these beauties for YEARS!! I love the subtle oranges! (April 2024)

    Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge

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    Riverfront Park

    Riverfront Park

    5.0(3 reviews)
    28.6 mi

    The Neches River and surrounding bayous play an important part in the life of the Coonie Triangle…read more It's odd that so few businesses and public spaces take advantage of this. Maybe it's because of the occasional hurricanes, I don't know. Riverfront Park tries to rectify this situation, and does so splendidly. This is a typical city park, with a large lawn area, many picnic tables, playground, lots of oak trees. Many houses close by, so I'm sure that it's used quite a bit by residents who walk there to relax. The hunny and I visited during the annual Riverfest. Most of the large lawn area was taken up by food booths and carnival rides. At the eastern edge was a portable stage where several hundred sat to hear Tauren Wells sing. And now for the five-star rating: It's on the river. Yes, this is a true waterfront park. There is a large parking lot with boat ramp, and a classic Southern riverfront restaurant on the other side of that parking lot. It was a treat to see the barges go by during the Tauren Wells concert. Riverfront Park took advantage of its setting with a boat show on Sunday. I'm going to go back there. One of my favorite dates with the Hunny was when we drove into the California Delta south of Sacramento, stopped at a choke-and-puke deli and got some food, then crossed over the levee road to sit on a dock and eat. No improvisation is necessary here, although if you don't go to the nearby restaurant, you'll need to bring your own grub. She'll love the setting. And you will too. Parting thought: it's not an easy drive from the freeway, and FM 365 does not lead directly to the park.

    The coolest park! It's a giant wooden park with lots of spaces for kids to play in. Across the…read morelittle street is a newer playground but we spent so much time at the wooden one. It is right by the lake. Super clean, it is our new spot.

    Photos
    Riverfront Park - The entrance

    The entrance

    Riverfront Park
    Riverfront Park

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    Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center - Free State Cellars--Mandy, the general manager and sister to the owner, made these - YUM!

    Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center

    4.7(44 reviews)
    42.6 mi
    $

    A small, but mighty botanical garden with everything free at your fingertips. This attraction did…read morenot disappoint. Upon walking into the garden, my friend and I were immediately greeted by one of the volunteers. She gladly gave us a map of the garden and asked if were interested in seeing a free movie to learn about the history of the garden and asked if we were wanting to go on the free boat tour as well. We gladly said, yes and was shocked that they so many payless amenities. I thought to myself out of all the botanical gardens I've visited over the years, this was by far the less expensive. The movie was fascinating. It was held in this big modernized auditorium. We were the only ones in there. Once the movie started, the room got really dark. Mr. Stark, a native and local of Orange, TX was inspired by the 1933 movie, The Lost Horizon (which can be found on Tubi), but Shangri La translates into utopia and paradise, so he sought out to make an impression in the small city by creating a place people can enjoy nature on 252 acres. The selection of plants are natives, annuals, perennials, some tropical plants (located in the greenhouses). The boat tour was a real treat! We were given instructions to remain safe on the water vehicle and put on life jackets. The tour was held on Adams Bayou where we saw ospreys, Christmas lichen on the trees, houses off the bayou, cypress trees with their huge roots, moss hanging from the branches, and even the bayou was filled with debris and trash. It definitely felt like we in a swamp. The boat ride was peaceful as the tour guides gave explanation of what we viewed. After the tour, my friend and I walked around the park observing all the beauties around. There wasn't a lot of plants in bloom yet, but nevertheless, the air was crisp and fresh. Great outing. They even have a restaurant/cafe on site. Shangri La exceeded my expectations!

    April 18, 2024 [I forgot to check in]…read more But, we went to the sip & stroll tonight after the garden closed to release butterflies! Isn't that cool?! We paid $10 for a butterfly, fed it some oranges, and then released it. Wine from Free State Cellars was there, sandwichs and macarons were made by them, too. Fantastic! Now about this garden, it's beautiful. They have put a lot of work into it since Hurricane harvey... and are doing a great job in making it more lucious each year. LOVE this place

    Photos
    Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center - Camilla

    Camilla

    Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center - My butterfly

    My butterfly

    Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center - Water feature

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    Water feature

    Winnie Stowell Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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