Andy Bowie Park. 4 miles north of the Island. Picnic pavilions, children's play ground. Day use fee per vehicle.

Confederate Air Force/Rio Grande Wing. Historic aircraft and aviation memorabilia. Open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 12-18, $4 for seniors, children ages 12 and under free with adults. Located at the Brownsville/South Padre Island Airport. 955 Minnesota, Brownsville. 956-541-8585.

Gladys Porter Zoo. One of the top 10 small zoos in the country. The zoo is a 31-acre preserve with more than 1,800 mammals, birds, and reptiles. Located at Ringgold and Sixth streets in Brownsville. Open daily from 9 a.m. to sundown. Adults $6; children $3. 956-546-7187.

Isla Blanca Park. RV camping, 2 picnic pavilions, jetty fishing. Sea Ranch Marina. Day use fee per vehicle $4. 956-761-5493.

Island Equestrian Center. Horseback riding on the beach North of city limits. Not a trail ride - no single file riding. Children 4 and first time riders are welcome. Daily specials. Open year round, weather permitting. Pony rides for children 4 and under. Call for reservations. 956-761-HOSS (4677).

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. A 45,000-acre federal preserve for wildlife and bird watching on the mainland. Open daily from sunrise to sundown (about 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.). $2 per vehicle. 956-748-3608.

Laguna Madre Nature Trail. A 1500-foot boardwalk overlooking four acres of wetlands next to the South Padre Island Convention Center. Visitors can observe many species of birds and wildlife in their natural habitat.

Laguna Station. Located on South Padre Island, Laguna Station offers a variety of exciting aquatics adventures to Boy Scout Troops and co-ed explorer posts. Fishing, sailing, scuba and Island adventures round out the opportunities. Laguna Station also offers off-season camping and programs to church youth groups and other youth groups. For more information, call Glenn Harrison, director, at (956) 423-0250, or write: Laguna Station, Rio Grande Council, 1301 S. 77 Sunshine Strip, Harlingen, TX 78550.

Matamoros, Mexico. Bargain shopping for silver, leather goods, and handicrafts at vibrant Mexican markets. Traditional dining, museums. Thirty minutes southwest of the Island. Escorted tours available.

Schlitterbahn Beach Water Park. Offers a fun dining experience with spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre. Open 4 pm-10pm Monday - Friday and 11 am - 10pm Saturday and Sunday. No waterpark admission fee required to dine at Club Rio Beach. Enjoy fabulous brick-oven hand-made pizza, seafood, steaks, burgers and more. 90 Park Rd, Highway 100. (956)772-7873 or (956) 772-9772.

Sea Turtle, Inc. Bounded by the "Turtle Lady," Ila Loetscher. Shows featuring endangered sea turtles Tuesdays and Saturdays. 6617 Padre Blvd. $2 Donation required.

Three Flags Over Padre. Offers go-carts, miniature golf, space ball, a ferris wheel, and a video arcade. 1201 Padre Blvd. Phone: (956)761-1947.

University of Texas-Pan American Coastal Studies Laboratory. Several aquariums containing sea life indigenous to the area, as well as an extensive shell collection. Located in Isla Blanca Park. Open Sunday through Friday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Free admission to the lab, but must pay $4 admission to the park. Phone: 956/761-2644.

Whaling Wall. Internationally-known environmental artist Wyland picked South Padre Island to paint Whaling Wall #53, his only wall in Texas. Wyland is planning to paint 100 walls during his career to educate people on the importance of marine conservation.