King Ranch Visitor Center — Attraction in Kingsville

We were on one of the naturalist tours at the ranch on a June morning, the naturalists were great! They pointed out a number of birds, alligators, rabbits, and a coyote. Since it was a hot day, even in the mornings, the animals were already seeking shady spots, so other times of the year may provide a greater number of animal sightings.

As someone mentioned in another review, if you're on a tour bus and not sitting on the left side or front seats, you won't see most of the pointed out birds or the alligators (the ponds and stream is on the left.) You won't see the Roadrunners in front of the bus at all. You probably will see the St. Gertrudis cattle and a few birds, though, and the incredible views across all the acreage of the ranch.

You aren't allowed to visit the King home but will be able to see a few peacocks, perhaps as you drive by. You can go to the gift shop, of course, and pick up a nice tee.

If you can go to the Cowboy BBQ - the food is fantastic, sooo good (tenderist brisket and tasty potato salad). It was catered by AAA Barbeque (I heard they'll be opening up their own restaurant, so check...

First and foremost, the reviews complaining about being underwhelmed seeing nothing other than grass and cows are absolutely hilarious as well as completely ridiculous. It's a freaking ranch for crying out load.

I was fortunate enough to be able to book and reserve a private tour of the ranch over the phone. I met my tour guide Marlett in the visitors center and instantly knew that this was going to be one heck of an epic adventure! I jumped into the passenger side of her Ford F-150 King Ranch Pickup Truck and off we were! I had the time of my life exploring the backroads of the ranch, getting lost exploring old windmills, seeing groups of javelinas crossing the road, dozens of alligators sunning themselves, and not to mention being able to see more than one division of the ranch itself.

I can't express enough my gratitude to the staff at the King Ranch Visitors Center, and especially Marlett for making my 41st birthday a one to...

Ranch Hand Breakfast is an annual weekend event for the ranch and city in a festival mode. The breakfast is chuck wagon fare as billed and served out doors at the ranch. It is a very well attended event when it is not raining. We had more than a 90 minute que to achieve event free parking. It was worth the wait. Breakfast was served 7 ro 11 am. Plan for an early arrival. They do stop serving at 11 am.

The calf roping occurs earlier in the morning. We missed it. The car show and street fair in downtown Kingsville was good.

The excessive volume of the event stage was likely an OSHA violation. The noise of the car speakers at the adjacent car show exacerbated the need for hearing protection and regulation to safe levels at this event.

There is ranch rodeo on Sunday of the Ranch Saturday Breakfast. We hope to do that next year. We may arrive by RV on Friday of the event weekend next year for the...