Best State Park

 Brazos Bend State Park You'll want to visit this park on a sunny day in February, and not just because the weather's more palatable then. Winter's the best time to catch the park's main attraction: alligators. When the sun comes out, the gators rise to the top of the water -- or sometimes out of the water -- to warm up. On a good day, you'll see eyeballs popping out at you from every pond and bayou. You could even spot a 20-foot gator hanging out on the trail. And the alligators aren't the only attraction; there are birds (more than 270 varieties have been documented), wild pigs, wetlands for fishing, and miles of trails for walking, biking and hiking. It's just a 45-minute drive down Highway 288 to the wild country.