Galveston is located just south of Houston, an easy hour drive down Interstate 45. The easternmost beach destination in Texas, Galveston and surrounding beach communities offer a great all-around vacation experience if you're seeking sun and sand.
Galveston was almost wiped from the map in a hurricane in 1900, then was struck again in 2008 by Hurricane Ike. This city by the sea has made great strides in recovering, and the tourism industry is back in full swing.
Not only does the Galveston are offer miles of gentle surf and sandy beaches, but it also hosts other attractions that make this destination a favorite. Moody Gardens is a popular place, featuring three glass pyramids containing a tropical rain forest, as well as a live penguin and live seal exhibit. The aquarium here is also fantastic, as is the golf course and the "beach" located on the bay. Right next to Moody Gardens is the incredible water park, Schlitterbahn.
Most of the beaches in the Galveston area are public, one exception being Stewart Beach, located just past the eastern end of the seawall. That location includes a concession as well as showers, beach-volleyball courts and lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent.
Just across Galveston Bay and the ship channel is Bolivar Peninsula and Crystal Beach, a popular spring break destination for many of the Houston college and high school students. The easiest, and most entertaining, way to get there is to take the free public ferry across. Be sure to bring a loaf of bread to feed the seagulls during the passage and watch for dolphins.
Just west of Galveston is the San Luis Pass and, farther down the coast, the beach community of Freeport. The best thing is that sandy beaches connect all of these areas and most have easy access from the coastal road.
A vacation at the Gulf of Mexico city, Corpus Christi, includes the opportunity to visit numerous beach communities in the area. Corpus Christi, called simply "Corpus" by locals, is located on the bay, behind a barrier island containing Port Aransas and Rockport, as well as a portion of northern Padre Island known as Mustang Island. Though on the bay, Corpus Christi has several nice beaches, most within walking distance of one of the hotels. The Texas Surf Museum is also located in downtown Corpus.
The free ferry ride from the mainland across the Port Aransas is a great chance to relax and put yourself into a beachy frame of mind. This quaint coastal community is famous for its fishing, but the other beach activities are available as well. Likewise, Rockport and Mustang Island are on the Gulf of Mexico and provide easy access to great beaches. Bob Hall Pier on Mustang Island is one of the Texas Coast's most popular surfing spots as well as being a great place to fish.
This area is also popular for bird-watching. Unlike many areas, fantastic sightings can often be made from the shoulder of the coastal highway, with the Roseate Spoonbills often seen in the areas within sight of the road.
Hotels, motels, resorts, condos and beach houses are available throughout this area at competitive rates, and there are restaurants to meet any budget or taste.
Best known for its annual spring-break crowds, this beach town has a lot to offer year-round.
The island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on one side, and the Laguna Madre Bay on the other. The beach at South Padre is wide and the sand is white, a perfect complement to the beautiful waters. Resorts, hotels and condos line the beach, providing a choice of accommodations.
South Padre Island is located just minutes from the U.S.-Mexican border, and the nearby town of Matamoras, Mexico, is a popular day-trip diversion from the beach. Visitors can fly into nearby Brownsville and rent a car or enjoy the scenic drive through Texas to get here.
The warm Gulf waters and beautiful beaches, as well as boating, fishing, shopping and other activities available year-round await you in this tropical setting. Popular local sports include surfing, kiteboarding, parasailing, horseback riding on the beach, jet skiing, golf and tennis. Of course, coastal and deep-sea fishing also are available through one of the numerous charter boats in the local fleet.
The eco-tourism industry in this area also provides an interesting vacation, with bird-watching a favorite as well as activities involving conservation efforts for Ridley's sea turtles.
