Fort Bend County is made up of several cities and communities that act as the suburbs of Houston that’s only several miles away.
While you may think that Houston will overshadow this place in terms of tourism, Fort Bend County makes a compelling case as a destination on its own.
With bustling cities like Sugar Land and Rosenburg, there’s a lot to see here in both its rural and urban areas.
It’s brimming with parks that are home to plenty of wildlife, most especially alligators and turtles.
Fort Bend County also has other interesting cities it shares with other counties, most notably Katy.
To get you started, here’s a list of the best things to do in Fort Bend County, Texas.
See the Alligators at Brazos Bend State Park
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Brazos Bend State Park is one of the most exciting attractions in Fort Bend County, especially for outdoor adventurers.
The primary attraction in this huge state park are the alligators, found in the park’s sprawling rivers and lakes.
You can observe these alligators in their state-of-the-art observation deck which also provides amazing views of the evening sky if you go at night.
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Besides this, Brazos Bend State Park has a ton of hiking trails, picnic grounds, and a nature center as well.
As you explore the park, you’ll also see other wildlife such as deer and armadillos.
One of the best attractions in Fort Bend County, find this attraction in the city of Needville.
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Located in the city of Sugar Land, Oyster Creek Park is a fantastic spot for outdoor recreation for all kinds of families.
While it may seem like a city park, Oyster Creek Park also doubles as a wildlife sanctuary in the heart of the bustling city.
You can find small alligators here along with various species of turtles because of the abundance of water within its vicinity.
Besides that, the local government has done a great job in landscaping the park, so you can do a lot of relaxing things like picnics here as well.
There’s also a lot of photo opportunities, making this one of the most well-rounded places to visit for family day.
If you both love history and trains, visiting the Rosenberg Railroad Museum is a no-brainer during your visit to Fort Bend County.
The railroad museum is brimming with model trains along with original remnants of the past, particularly an authentic caboose.
The place is spacious with great layouts, making this a great spot to do photos with the kids.
Rosenberg Railroad Museum also has excellent tour guides which are a must if you want the full experience, especially from a historical perspective.
Located in the city of Rosenberg, this is a quick but fun stopover for history enthusiasts.
Visiting during the hotter months of the year? You may want to try out Typhoon Texas Waterpark in the city of Katy.
It’s a huge waterpark with great prices year-round, and it’s particularly one of the best in the Houston area for children.
Huge slides and various other waterpark amenities can be enjoyed here, making this a great all-rounder for kids of all ages.
There’s great food and drinks inside Typhoon Texas Waterpark as well, with the drinks having free refills.
If you’re feeling hungry after spending a lot of energy in the waterpark, there’s a famous barbecue smokehouse here as well.
Just a stone’s throw away from the waterpark lies Momentum Indoor Climbing Katy.
It’s another awesome indoor amusement center near Houston where you can learn beginner tricks to rock climbing.
The indoor facility is modern and gets the job done, and it’s further accentuated by its interior design.
Safety harnesses and the professional crew of instructors also make this one of the best climbing facilities in Texas.
So, if you’re looking to spice up your itinerary, try giving Momentum Indoor Climbing Katy a shot.
Have a Blast at Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land
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Another can’t-miss destination in Fort Bend County is the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land.
Located in one of the best cities in the county in terms of tourism, this museum acts as an extension of the main one in Houston.
Like the one in Houston, this museum in Sugar Land is brimming with tons of dinosaur fossils and other prehistoric exhibits.
Loads of interactive exhibits are found here, including one that lets you interact with a fragment of the moon.
No matter if you’re a group of adults or with children, Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land should be on your priority list when touring Fort Bend County.
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Buffalo Run Park is a great place for relaxation in Fort Bend County, located in Missouri City.
It features a big lake along with various trails that surround it, making this a scenic escape from the hustle and bustle of busier cities in the county.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also go kayaking or fishing in Buffalo Run Park.
There’s also an observation tower here, along with sports areas such as sand volleyball.
Perfect for small groups or for couples, Buffalo Run Park is a great place to appreciate the simpler charm of Fort Bend County.
Found in the city of Stafford, Stafford Centre is one of the biggest convention centers in Fort Bend County.
There’s always something happening here every month, whether it’s a cosplay convention, a concert, or a fair.
Some examples of the famous events here are food festivals, orchestras, and anime conventions.
There’s also a lot of vendor shows here year-round, so be sure to check their website if you fancy anything.
Beyond its events, Stafford Centre itself is a great piece of architecture to see.
Go Mountain Biking at Sugar Land Memorial Park
Sugar Land Memorial Park is one of the biggest and most popular city parks in Fort Bend County.
It acts as the heart of Sugar Land, featuring sprawling biking trails that run along the Brazos River.
Even if you’re not into mountain biking, you can appreciate Sugar Land Memorial Park through picnics, boating, or even just a trekking.
Like most areas in Sugar Land, you’ll find lots of alligators here and other wildlife.
There are also other mini attractions that accentuate the place, such as a butterfly garden and a military memorial.
Go Birdwatching at Cullinan Park
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Another tourist attraction in Sugar Land is Cullinan Park, known for its huge open fields that’s perfect for birdwatching.
Unlike other parks in Fort Bend County, Cullinan Park seems a lot more open and serene, making this a great option for a relaxing trek.
There’s a lot of marshlands in Cullinan Park as well, brimming with a lot of aquatic plant life.
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There are various reptiles here like alligators and snakes, but the park is generally safe as long as you respect their habitat zones.
One of the more underrated spots in Sugar Land, Cullinan Park is a haven for nature exploration.
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First Colony Mall is one of the best and biggest shopping centers in Fort Bend County, located in Sugar Land.
What makes this mall so good is that it has clusters of famous brands that cover a lot of your leisurely needs.
Some examples include JCPenney, Dillard’s, Barnes and Noble, and Macy’s to name a few.
There’s also an abundance of smaller local shops here that have a lot of unique merchandise—anime lovers will particularly enjoy it here as it’s brimming with a lot of cool pop culture items.
First Colony Mall is also a great dining destination as the options here are endless.
There are a lot of dining options in Fort Bend County, but if you want to feature one in your itinerary, Antoine’s Market Grill makes a compelling case as one of the best.
It’s one of the more stylish restaurants in the county that has amazing food and service, earning a high rating from both locals and tourists.
They have a stellar ambiance here that’s great for either casual or formal occasions, and their live music plus fire pit make it great for intimate dates as well.
Antoine’s Market Grill has a lot of flavor-packed signatures—try their shrimp and grits, gumbo, and rotisserie chicken to name a few.
Located in the city of Simonton, this is a great representation of the county’s rich local food culture.
Check Out the Events at Fort Bend County Fairgrounds
Fort Bend County Fairgrounds is one of the main event areas in the county.
If you’re visiting during the last week of September to the first week of October, you’ll be able to catch the Fort Bend County Fair that’s brimming with tons of fun.
You can experience rodeo events, food festivals, and fun rides during this time.
Even if you’re not going on those dates, there’s typically something going on in the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, whether a vendor show or something else.
It’s located in Rosenberg, so it’s an easy stopover if you have time to spare.
Take the Family to A Place for Dreamers Horseback Ride and Trail
One thing that’s not often talked about Fort Bend County is that its southern areas are teeming with all sorts of farmlands.
This makes the county a great place for rural activities, and one of the best places to experience this is at A Place for Dreamers Horseback Ride and Trail.
It’s a farm and a horseback facility in one—you’ll be able to ride healthy horses while appreciating serene farmlands.
The staff and owners here are very friendly and professional—it’s a great place to learn horseback riding if it’s your first time.
Kid-friendly and fun, A Place for Dreamers Horseback Ride and Trail is found in Needville.
Do Recreational Activities at Exploration Park
Exploration Park is another attraction in Katy that’s great for families.
The park has a little bit of something for people of all ages, featuring hiking trails, picnic grounds, play areas, and a climbing facility.
The playgrounds here are some of the best in Fort Bend County, as it’s more robust in terms of facilities than usual parks.
It’s also located along the river, giving it a nice atmosphere that’s further enhanced by the communal culture it has.
Great for a stopover, Exploration Park is a nice addition to your travel plans.
You won’t have to go to Houston to experience a great day shooting a rifle all thanks to Wallis-Orchard Gun Range.
Located in the cities of Wallis and Orchard, this gun range is considered by many enthusiasts as the best outdoor firing range in the Houston area.
Giving you targets that go as far as 400 yards, the place is huge which makes you challenge yourself in hitting your targets.
The pistols and rifles are also well-maintained, and the staff here are very professional.
Beyond that, Wallis-Orchard Gun Range just has a communal vibe that makes the experience all the more memorable.
Play Sports at Camp Sienna
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Camp Sienna is the best place to play sports in Fort Bend County, located in Missouri City.
It has a ton of baseball and soccer fields, allowing you to either watch games or play with the locals even during peak hours.
There are also basketball and volleyball courts, batting cages and plenty of jogging trails if you’re not into those sports.
Situated along the Brazos River, Camp Sienna also has a nice atmosphere to it, especially during early morning.
If you like local community immersion, this is the place to be.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to see some gators, visit museums, or enjoy all sorts of amusement attractions, Fort Bend County has a little bit of something for everyone.
Sugar Land is a big city that’s brimming with loads of things to do, making this a great place to set camp or visit if you’re in Houston.
Others such as Rosenburg and Katy have a lot of personality as well, so don’t miss out on the hidden gems of these cities.
So, if you’re visiting Houston, don’t forget about all the amazing things to do in Fort Bend County, Texas as well.
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