Page 44 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide 2025-2026 South Texas Ecotourism Center The South Texas Ecotourism Center (STEC) promotes the restoration and preservation of the Valley’s native landscapes, plants, and wildlife. STEC gives visitors the opportunity to experience these things through displays and mini habitats on its property. The center has living models of six different ecosystems that can be found in the Rio Grande Valley. Visitors can view wildlife from their 25-foottall outlook ramp that views into the coastal prairie behind the center. There have been sightings of Nilgai, the Aplomado falcon, and more. There are also hundreds of native plants as well as a butterfly garden to enjoy. The center regularly hosts events and programs. They often hold lecture series that talk about the native habitat, view documentaries about restoration projects, and other events. The center is open every day, with free admission. The hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with staff and volunteers to greet and show you around. For more information, visit their website at www.stec-lv.org, check their Facebook (STECLV), or call them at (956) 772-0210. The center is located at 501 W. State Highway 100 in Laguna Vista. Port Isabel Lighthouse To get a great view of the Laguna Madre, climb to the top of the Point Isabel Lighthouse which was constructed in 1852 to guide ships through the Brazos Santiago Pass and into the Laguna Madre. Opened as a State Park in 1952, it is the only lighthouse open to the public on the Texas Gulf coast. Also on the grounds of the Lighthouse is the Keeper’s Cottage Visitor Center. The Port Isabel Lighthouse is a Texas Historical Commission State Historic Site. The Lighthouse is open daily, weather permitting. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission prices are adults $5, seniors $4, and students $3. For more info visit www.portisabellighthouse.com or call (956) 943-0735. Black Dragon Pirate Cruise This popular tourist attraction is located in the Laguna Madre, headquartered at Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier, at 501 E. Maxan St. in Port Isabel. The two-hour cruise features water gun fights, sword battles, cannon firings, tales of pirates, face painting, area history, and lots of fun for all ages. There are shows held throughout the year. For information or to make reservations, call (956) 943-MATE (6283) or visit the website at http://www.ospreycruises.com/the-black-dragon-pirate-ship. Port Isabel Historical Museum Located in the historic Champion Building on Railroad Ave., the 1899 building was once a dry goods store and residence and later served as a post office and railroad depot. The facade features a fish mural painted in 1906 by a local fisherman. The museum features artifacts from the 1554 Shipwreck, has one of the largest collections of relics from the U.S. Mexican War, and offers a timeline of Port Isabel’s development into a major fishing port including the history of the Texas International Fishing Tournament. The museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call for current hours of operation. Admission to the museum is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (over 55), and $3 for students and children. For more information, visit www.portisabelhistory.com or call (956) 943-7602. Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier No fisherman should miss a visit to Port Isabel, a tiny town that serves as the gateway to South Padre Island. Billing itself as the “Boating and Fishing Capital of Tropical Texas,” a long fishing pier located adjacent to the Queen Isabella Causeway is just the place for anglers to try their hand at catching speckled trout, black drum, whiting, and sheepshead. Krispy Krunchy Chicken and the Cannon Bar are located next door so you can have a meal or kick back and enjoy a drink. General admission is $9.75 per pole, $9.25 for seniors, $8 for veterans, and $2.75 for spectators, plus tax on all admission prices. The pier is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, weather permitting. Bay Charter captains are available at Pirate’s Fishing Pier, visit website for details. For more information, call (956) 943-7437 or visit www.piratespier.com.
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