Located just under 20 miles southwest of Houston, Sugar Land Texas is a well-populated and well-to-do suburb. Originally, the area was part of the Imperial Sugar Company’s plantations since it was located along the Brazos River providing fertile ground for farming. Now, it’s a bustling mini-city with a distinct New Orleans influence. You’ll see metal scrollwork all around the master-planned community. With numerous parks, tons of public art, and ample opportunities for learning from history museums and nature, it’s a great spot to visit while in Texas.
Sugar Land Town Square
It’s a little hard to put into words what the Sugar Land Town Square is. Is it City Hall? Because that’s located here. Is it a shopping center? It’s also that. Is it a community center? Also yes. With shops, restaurants, outdoor seating, public art, art galleries, and even an art museum, it has a little bit of everything. You can swing into City Hall while you’re here or just chill in front of the building during a free yoga event, movie night, or live music show.
Snap a Picture with the Selfie Statue
This photo opportunity is located in front of the City Hall to on the right-hand side (when facing the building). The statue of two girls taking a selfie just begs visitors to go all meta and take a selfie with them taking a selfie in the background.
Explore an Art Museum
16165 City Walk
Sugar Land, TX 77479
While you’re at Sugar Land Town Square stop into Art Museum TX. Open Wednesday-Sunday the admission is a suggested $5 donation most of the time. On Friday from 7p-9p the admission is a solid $5 fee, not just a suggestion.
You can look up artists on their directory ahead of your visit to explore Texas local artists like Marina Fernandez from The Woodlands, Nancy Viola from Katy, and Charles Washington from Houston. In addition, artist receptions are frequently held allowing visitors to interact with the artists displaying their works.
Department of Wonder
2180 Lone Star Drive
Sugar Land, TX 77479
New Sugar Land attraction the Department of Wonder is located in the Sugar Land Town Square area. The Department of Wonder is an interactive group experience that is open every day except Tuesdays. Think of it as an escape game with a super elaborate backstory and instead of a room it’s an entire quest. You’ll start in the Light Hunter’s Emporium where you’ll meet the light maker’s apprentice and pick out your lantern. Over the course of the next hour, your group will work together to complete quests in another realm called Airioch.
If your entire party is 21 and up, check out the After Dark events which include more time to explore and the opportunity to purchase “elixirs”.
If your group is looking forward to this experience plan ahead. It is a ticketed time slot, so making reservations is important! Tickets are $39.00 for adults and $29.00 for children ages 4-13 or seniors 65 and up.
Oyster Creek Park
4033 Hwy 6
Sugar Land, TX 77478
Sugar Land has a lot of parks! Each offers something different and unique. The Oyster Creek Park covers 111 acres and has a biking and hiking trail. It also has rose gardens, a pond with a beautiful water feature, and a picturesque bridge. You can spot turtles near the water depending on the season. With a large parking lot and clean restrooms, this park is a great option for visitors and residents alike.
Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land
13016 University Blvd
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Don’t want to head into the city to hit up the museum? You don’t have to. There’s a Houston Museum of Natural Science museum right in Sugar Land. It’s open Thursday through Sunday from 10a-5p, has plenty of parking, and offers both permanent and special attractions. The museum is housed in a building that used to be the Main Unit of the Central State Prison Farm.
Visitors love checking out the Hall of Paleontology,
From time to time, discounted tickets to the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land are available on Groupon.
George Observatory
21901 FM 762
Needville, TX 77461
The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land partners with the Brazos Bend State Park to run Saturday night stargazing at the George Observatory. It’s located on the 4,897-acre grounds of the Brazos Bend State Park, roughly 21 miles south of Sugar Land. If you’re planning to take part in stargazing be sure to read up on everything you’ll need to know. Tickets must be purchased in advance and you’ll also need valid admission to the state park the observatory is situated within.
Cullinan Park
12414 Hwy 6 S
Sugar Land, TX 77497
Cullinan Park is one of the largest parks in the greater Houston area at 754 acres. With over 4 miles of walking trails, the park has become a beautiful and peaceful oasis for the area. Bird watching draws many visitors to the park. Prepare for your visit by downloading a bird checklist.
Visitors should use caution, particularly near water, since alligators live and mate in the park. In warmer weather, you can often observe them sunning themselves on logs and along the shore.
If you’d like to treat plant-spotting as a scavenger hunt, be sure to download this plant list.
The park’s acreage also includes the historic Hodge Cemetery which contains gravestones dating from hundreds of years ago.
The park is open daily from dawn to dusk and there is no entry fee. No swimming is allowed in any water within the park and pets must be leashed.
Constellation Field
1 Stadium Drive
Sugar Land, TX 77498
Love baseball? Be sure to plan a visit to family-friendly Constellation Field, home of the Houston Astros Triple-A Affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (formerly the Sugar Land Skeeters). The story behind the team’s name and colors is actually a cool one. Combining Texas’ love of all things Western along with the space exploration of nearby NASA Space Center Houston gave us the Space Cowboys. The team colors used in their logos and uniforms were inspired by an image of the Earth’s horizon taken from space.
As with so many minor league teams ticket prices are reasonable and the calendar is filled with promo days including; Kids Eat Free, Free Tickets with Goodwill Donations, Thirsty Thursdays, and of course promotional giveaway items.
Cool Things to Check Out at Constellation Field
On your visit to Constellation Field be sure to check out some of the cool features that fans love like:
- The Galaxy Gifts Team Store – because there is no better Texas souvenir than something with a Space Cowboy logo on it
- Moonshot Alley – a cool simulated baseball experience that lets fans pretend they are MLB players by utilizing a hitting bay and delivering stats
- Kiddie Corral – All ballparks should have an area half as cool as this playground area and a splash pad for the littles. These fun things will keep them busy during slower times.
Game Day parking for Constellation Field is in two parking lots, one just off of Hwy 6 Imperial Boulevard and the other just over Oyster Creek. Be sure to purchase parking in advance! It’s $5 when pre-purchased and $10 the day of the game.
If you’re visiting during the holidays, this is where Sugar Land Holiday Lights are.
Read More: Best Christmas Lights in Texas and the Southwest United States
Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center
198 Kempner St
Sugar Land, TX 77498
The Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center is a special project of the Houston Children’s Museum that is open Tuesday-Saturday 10a-6p. It features some familiar fun activities like Kidtropolis, USA a popular Houston Children’s Museum mini city. Other exhibits include investigative science exploration with How Does it Work?, a dive into the Gullah culture with Cum Ya Gullah, and the popular Tot*Spot for those 35 months and under.
Tickets cost $15 for everyone over the age of 1. Seniors 65 and older pay $14. If you plan to visit 3 times in a calendar year a membership will save you money.
SheBuysTravel Tip: The Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center participates in the Association of Science and Technology Center’s Passport Program (ASTC). This program gives free admission to participating centers that are not within 90 miles of your home or membership museum.
Sugar Land Heritage Museum
198 Kempner St. Building B
2nd Floor
Sugar Land, TX 77498
Operated by the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation, the Sugar Land Heritage Museum is currently open for rentals or by appointment only. The museum is dedicated to Sugar Land’s plantation history and the impact of the Imperial Sugar company on the area. It tells the story of the railroad expansion and the transformation of the town into a company town for the Imperial Sugar Company. In 1959, Sugar Land incorporated and became a town, electing their first mayor. The development of Sugar Land into a planned community is also covered.
You can contact the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation to schedule a visit here.
Smart Financial Centre
18111 Lexington Blvd
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Tons of A-list acts come through this popular arena. With a capacity of 6,400, it’s big enough to get Broadway shows but intimate enough so that you’ll always have a good view. The show roster includes musicals like Chicago, cover bands, popular acts like 3 Doors Down and Counting Crows, and kid-friendly experiences like the Peppa Pig Sing-A-Long.
The state-of-the-art venue is able to offer many different show types through the use of movable walls and extensive sound and video systems. They can flex between small 1,900-seat shows and expand to offer up to 6,400 seats. Ample parking is on-site and all shows are indoors so you don’t have to worry about the heat.
Sugar Land Memorial Park at the Brazos River Corridor
15300 University Blvd
Sugar Land, TX 77479
The Sugar Land Memorial Park is comprised of 150 acres around the Brazos River and includes 2.5 miles of walking and biking trails. Visitors have the option of many outdoor activities at this park. There is an enclosed playground area for families and a lake where people can go boating, kayaking, or fishing. Pack a lunch and enjoy it at one of the picnic tables or pavilions.
Looking for more of a water park feel? Head over to the River Park Splash Pad on the other side of the Southwest Freeway. Kids will love the dumping buckets of water and other splash pad fun!
Brazos River Park
18427 Southwest Freeway
Sugar Land, TX 77479
If you’re looking for a more adventurous park head over to the Brazos River Park. Covering 67 acres it features 3.3 miles of walking and biking trails, a 9-hole disc golf course, and a large playground area. Park visitors can also do add-on activities in the park like a zipline and treetop adventure and axe throwing. These experiences are sold through Go Ape.
Learning More About Things to Do in Sugar Land Texas
If you’d like to go into more detail about public art in Sugar Land, Sugar Land’s many parks or explore recreational trails sugarlandtx.gov is a fantastic resource. Is there something you love to do in Sugar Land that we should include? Let us know!
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