4 Brazoria County Destinations Away From Houston

Brazoria County, Houston, offers something for everyone, from scenic farm towns and wildlife refuges to rich Texan history and beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Brazoria County, which takes its name from the Brazos River, extends from the southern Houston suburbs to the Gulf of Mexico. Check out these four Brazoria County destinations away from Houston.

Manvel

Manvel, about 25 miles south of Houston, is a town with roots going back to agriculture in the late 1850s. It’s a mix of suburban and rural living with a population of about 9,000, and is known as one of the best places to live in the state. The town has some great dining spots including Manvel Seafood & Grill, Honore’s Cajun Café, Old Buc’s BBQ, and Brisa’s Tex Mex Restaurant.

For a unique experience, take a seven-minute drive east to Froberg’s Farm & Country Store, which offers year-round fruit and vegetable picking, a farmer’s market, and special fall events like a corn maze.

Quintana Beach County Park

This 52-acre beachfront park in Quintana features a fishing pier, pedestrian trails and beach, and an RV campground. Quintana Beach is a natural beach maintained by the tides, which makes it a good spot for shelling and beachcombing. Visitors here can also watch birds, fish, swim, surf, and view nature. Further, the park also hosts the site of Fort Bates, the remains of Freeport Harbor Defense of 1942, and two other historic homes.

While Quintana Beach only offers RV camping, those who want to tent camp can find accommodations at nearby Quintana, Bryan Beach, and Follett’s Island Beach.

Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge

Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge near Angleton is huge, stretching more than 44,000 acres on the coast. It’s home to over 100,000 migratory birds, with freshwater slough and salt marshes filled in winter months. The refuge is open to wildlife watching, photography, hiking, fishing, and hunting. Over 400 species of birds have been spotted here, including snow geese, Canada geese, teal, mottled ducks, and sandhill cranes.

There are three hiking trails and a 7.5-mile car or bicycle tour onsite. Information and maps are available at the headquarters and at the Discovery Center, which is the home of the Discovery Environmental Education Program.

Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site

The Varner-Hogg Plantation in West Columbia began in 1824 as a homestead featuring a livestock farm and a rum distillery. Over the years, it changed ownership several times, expanding into sugarcane and molasses. And in 1901, it was purchased by former Texas Governor James Stephen Hogg. However, the site was turned over to the state of Texas in 1958 by the former governor’s last surviving child.

The visitor center on the property offers information, a gift shop, and admission for tours. Guided and private tours, as well as special events, are available. The site features the main house, smokehouse, kitchen, slave quarters and sugar mill ruins, and pecan orchards.

Brazoria County features attractions that are sure to please everyone. Small towns, Gulf of Mexico beaches and camping, wildlife refuge tours, and historic sites are just some of the county’s destinations. Plan a day trip or weekend getaway close to Houston, and see for yourself what Brazoria County is all about.