In Laredo, Texas A&M International University is a 300-acre campus in northeast Laredo, offering an international perspective. For groups, several meeting spaces exist, including the Western Hemispheric Trade Center and the Recital Hall at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. The TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium, in particular, offers a fully upgraded digital projection system and a variety of educational and group options.
Before it was decommissioned 24 years ago, the USS Lexington was the oldest working aircraft carrier in the U.S. Nowadays, the ship is a bona fide museum resting in Corpus Christi Bay, just across the channel from downtown Corpus Christi. Groups have access to numerous educational tours, event spaces and a wealth of WWII history via a 3D theater, virtual battle stations and even a flight simulator.
The Texas State Aquarium is one of Corpus Christi’s main attractions, offering a slew of water-based experiences, including 250 species of aquatic life and a 125,000-gallon shark exhibit, all of which can backdrop any private event, wedding, banquet or corporate outing.
An internationally recognized natural sanctuary in McAllen, Quinta Mazatlan provides numerous opportunities for groups to connect with birds, natural wildlife and environmental stewardship. A massive amount of activities are possible, from group photo workshops to nature walks. What’s more, the 10,000-square-foot Spanish Revival-style mansion regularly welcomes dignitaries from around the world and often competes any group experience.
Also in McAllen, The International Museum of Art and Science backdrops any private event with a gorgeous array of gallery spaces and spectacular ambience. A common venue for banquets, weddings, award ceremonies, business meetings and receptions, the museum also offers educational tours for groups and other similar activities.
Near the South Texas Coast, on State Hwy 100 between Harlingen and Brownsville, groups can utilize Casa Los Ebanos, a lovely historic home in an 82-acre nature park with walking trails and a lake. Common for small business mixers, receptions and private events of all sorts, the venue features a wide range of spaces including a library, a dining room and an outdoor garden.
