12 sites fantastic for a summertime family vacation

By Evan MacDonald | May 3, 2022 | Up to date: Might 4, 2022 8:53 AM
Are you searching for the excellent beach front vacation within driving distance of Houston? These 12 coastal cities give a assortment of solutions, whether or not you’re wanting to relax by the h2o, get in a scenic climbing trail or devote some time with the entire relatives.
Just an hour southeast of Houston, Galveston is a staple on any record of the ideal beach cities in Texas. The city is dwelling to the historic Pleasure Pier amusement park, a host of unique museums and Moody Gardens, wherever website visitors can take in marine lifestyle and the flora and fauna of the rainforest. Galveston is also identified for its smooth sands, its best-notch eating places like Gaido’s and BLVD Seafood, and its Victorian architecture in the Strand Historic District.
At first a little delivery town, this metropolis is now dwelling to the sprawling Kemah Boardwalk, which capabilities waterfront dining places, amusement park rides, a rainforest exhibit and the Stingray Reef, wherever readers can touch and feed stingrays. The nearby Kemah Lighthouse District also features a wide range of shops and eateries. Between March and November, you can take a 25-minute boat journey as a result of Galveston Bay on the Boardwalk Beast.
There’s plenty to enjoy in Texas’ greatest seashore town, located a minimal far more than 200 miles southwest of Houston. Major attractions incorporate the historic USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, the enchanting Texas State Aquarium and the scenic Padre Island National Seashore. The town is also identified for its solid winds, earning it a place for kite-flying, sailing, windsurfing and kiteboarding.
South Padre Island is a well-known spot for college pupils on spring split, but it’s also a comforting vacation spot the rest of the yr. Apart from its stunning beaches, well-known actions include things like snorkeling, horseback riding, fishing, birding and bicycle using. You can also consider a stroll along Sandcastle Trail, a selection of about 30 sand sculptures.
This spouse and children-friendly vacation resort neighborhood on the Bolivar Peninsula is regarded for its seafood, which includes the annual Texas Crab Pageant, as very well as its beautiful 7 miles of seaside stretching alongside Texas Condition Freeway 87. Points of interest on the peninsula contain Rancho Carribe Golfing Training course, Enjoyable Place Drinking water Slide, Issue Bolivar Lighthouse and historic Fort Travis Park.
As its title suggests, Surfside Beach front is one of the most well-liked locations in Texas for browsing and other h2o athletics. This little city is a minimal additional than 60 miles south of Houston and characteristics Surfside Jetty County Park, a prime spot for fishing, birding and gathering seashells. Surfside Seashore also has a handful of seaside dining establishments, and camping is permitted at the nearby Brazoria County Beach.
This smaller town, property to about 12,000 residents, is a vacation spot for anglers on the lookout for a good fishing place. Flounder, redfish and trout are among the fish that can be reeled in below. In addition, the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is home to additional than 320 species of birds, 95 species of reptiles and amphibians and 130 species of butterflies and dragonflies, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Provider.
Less than 100 miles southwest of Houston is Matagorda, which has 22 miles of seashore accessible by vehicle and another 35 only obtainable by boat. Character fans will get pleasure from viewing the Matagorda Bay Character Park, a 1,600-acre maintain that includes guided trails, or mountaineering along the Fantastic Texas Birding Path. Fishing is also a draw, with trout and redfish plentiful in the spot.
East across the bay from Corpus Christi is one more of Texas’ most well-known and spouse and children-welcoming seashore cities. Routines involve surfing, sailing, kayaking, parasailing and boogie boarding, or you could get a tour to see the dolphins that live in Port Aransas Bay. 5 character preserves present mountaineering and bike trails and wildlife observation areas. Port Aransas is also identified as the “Fishing Capital of Texas,” producing it another premier desired destination for anglers.
This port town with a Cajun taste is about 90 miles east of Houston on the Louisiana border, and household to North America’s premier refinery. The metropolis options historic architecture and other websites, together with the Museum of the Gulf Coast, which highlights natives like musician Janis Joplin and artist Robert Rauschenberg. Secluded beach locations and Sea Rim Condition Park, which presents kayaking, a wetlands boardwalk trail and birding, are just a quick generate absent.
Padre Island National Seashore
Just southeast of Corpus Christi, the countrywide park is an outstanding preference for anyone seeking for a quiet getaway. It characteristics far more than 70 miles of protected land, with tenting accessible at North Seashore and South Beach. All 5 species of sea turtles identified in the Gulf of Mexico can be located at the park at a variety of moments of 12 months the public is at times invited to watch baby turtles make their way to the Gulf.
This smaller town 35 miles northeast of Corpus Christi has been lauded by Usa Today audience as one particular of the best coastal small towns in the country. Rockport Beach front is a Blue Wave Beach front, meaning it’s thoroughly clean and places an emphasis on health and the environment. Downtown Rockport is loaded with interesting outlets and dining places. You can also tour the Texas Maritime Museum or the ornate Fulton Mansion Condition Historic Internet site, or go camping, fishing or birding at Goose Island Condition Park.