Things to Do in Nassau Bay

There’s plenty to do in Nassau Bay, a place known for its out-of-this-world identity, and down-to-earth beauty. From spotting the massive rocket that sent the first Americans to the moon, to kayaking on a quiet lake, Nassau Bay is the right place for making new memories.

Reach for the Stars at Space Center Houston

There’s no better attraction to soak in the power of science and the fascinating history of America’s Space Program than Space Center Houston, the visitors center for NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Johnson Space Center is home to the very same flight mission control center you’ve seen in movies, as well as the nation’s astronaut training facility, the International Space Station operations, the Orion Program, and many other missions currently in development.

Space Center Houston has attracted more than 11 million visitors since it opened in 1992. Inside the large complex, guests learn about the exciting and dramatic history of America’s Space Program and the brains and bravery it took to send humans into space. Learn about the Space Race, the accomplishment of sending Americans to the moon, NASA’s many manned flight missions since then, and exactly how astronauts live in a weightless environment.

Visitors to Space Center Houston can also hop aboard a tram and head across the street to Johnson Space Center itself to see the actual Apollo Mission Control Center site, the Astronaut Training Facility and Rocket Park, home to the mighty, massive Saturn V, which flew Apollo missions to the moon between 1967 to 1973.

Spot Feathered Friends along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail

Located on a portion of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, Nassau Bay is an unbelievable place to break out the binoculars and spot some of the more than 450 species of birds found along the Gulf Coast. Begin at the Clear Lake Loop, a collection of 16 area birding sites, each offering a slightly different experience. Among the sites is the nationally recognized Armand Bayou Nature Center, a 2,500-acre wilderness area with forests, prairies, and marsh habitats. It’s home to scores of flora and fauna, including numerous species of birds. The 76-acre Nassau Bay Peninsula Wildlife Park is a lush wetland with viewing platforms where nature lovers can spot a variety of waterfowl and songbirds. Try your luck spotting an endangered whooping crane at Dr. Ned and Fay Dudney Nature Center, a 148-acre site where birders take advantage of paved trails and bird blinds to see sandhill cranes, herons, egrets, ibises, and other species. The trails within Challenger 7 Memorial Park take birders through a forested area along the shores of Clear Creek that are good for spotting eastern woodland birds. These and other sites help serious and casual birders alike add to their birding “life lists.”

Take your Pick of Parks

Nassau Bay is known for beautiful parks and green spaces that invite picnicking, relaxing, and enjoying the outdoors. The area’s premier park is David Braun Park, the site of numerous community events, like the Fourth of July, Easter, and Halloween celebrations. The park features baseball fields, tennis courts, a dog park and recently renovated walking trails with solar-powered lighting. It’s located on Lake Nassau, where you can drop a line and fish from the bank or launch a kayak from the new kayak launch. Nassau Bay’s many other parks include Howard L. Park, perfect for tossing a Frisbee or football and getting some exercise along a gravel walking trail. And at Founders Park, anglers enjoy fishing from the pier and boating in canoes and kayaks. Picnic tables provide a great place to savor lunch between casts.

Daytrip Across the Bay Area

Nassau Bay is one of the four coastal communities that make up sunny, friendly Bay Area Houston. Minutes away, visitors can explore Nassau Bay’s sister cities, Seabrook, Kemah, and League City, each offering different amenities. In Seabrook, try to spot the more than 43 six-foot white pelican sculptures that make up the Pelican Path, a public art project featuring the city’s white pelican mascot painted in a variety of looks. The community is also home to several events and festivals on the water, including Yachty Gras, a boat parade held around Mardi Gras. In League City, enjoy the beautiful Clear Creek Paddle Trail, a 5.5-mile canoe trail that begins at Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside and ends at Heritage Park. Spot birds and wildlife as you paddle or pull off on one of the creek’s beaches for a dip in the water or a picnic. In Kemah, located on Galveston Bay, enjoy the famous Kemah Boardwalk, a waterfront entertainment complex featuring amusement park thrill rides, games and activities, restaurants, shops, live music, and more.