Hey RGV Moms, we’re adding more adventures to our “Let’s Explore” series and highlighting some great spots in the RGV to visit with your kiddos. Today’s stop: South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary

Let’s Explore!

The SPI Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary is a must-visit on South Padre Island! It’s part of the nine World Birding Centers in the RGV.

Admission is $10/adult and $8/students ages 13-18, and $5/children 4-12.

The grounds of the SPI Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary are absolutely beautiful! My kids enjoyed exploring the ponds and other natural areas before we even got started!

Within the building, you can enjoy the alligator room, which houses baby alligators, and where you can hear a “Gator Talk.” Upstairs, there are exhibits about the nature and history of the RGV and South Padre Island. There’s also a gift shop within the building.

Once you head outside, there’s so much to explore! You can climb up the tower (or use the elevator) and see a beautiful view of the Laguna Madre. Or, you can walk along the boardwalk, you can see Big Padre and Lady Laguna, two very large alligators who have been rescued and now live permanently at the SPI Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary. Big Padre is over 12 feet long! You can also see the young alligators and tortoises.

As long as the weather’s cool, you should definitely check out the boardwalks that run all the way out to the bay. There are several shaded bird blinds where you can cool off and learn more about the wildlife at SPI. We saw pelicans, herons, turtles, lots of fish, and some other species of birds.