A Day in the Life tells the story of the settlers that came across with LaSalle.  Artifacts relating to the crossing and everyday life are spread throughout the exhibit.  Aside from a 1/12 scale replica of the Belle, the most interesting item is a wooden nocturnal, an instrument used to tell time at night by utilizing star positions.

The Allure of Fishing displays one of greatest attractions to the Texas coast -- sports fishing!  From reds, to specks, to tarpon --  come see the tools of the weekend warrior and the development of technology as man seeks to outsmart that monster fish.

Settlement and the Age of Steam focuses on the development of the maritime communities along the Texas Coast.  Items exhibited range from a folding stock anchor Circa 1800's, a paddle wheel boat model, and an original pre-1900 painting of the Marion Meat Packing Plant that was located along what is now Fulton Beach Road.

The Outdoor Exhibit area contains two different styles of offshore oil/gas rig safety boats, a WWII era signal light, and the only Texas Scow Sloop in existence, La Tortuga.  This boat was built on the Museum grounds in 1990 by a group of volunteers and one old boat builder with the plans in his head.  She is an example of the type of sail-powered fishing boats that worked the shallow bay waters for almost 100 years.  La Tortuga has recently undergone a refurbishment that included a support cradle, observation platform, and interpretive signage.