Galveston
Housed in Galveston’s beautiful former Santa Fe Railroad Station, this little museum holds exhibits on train history and old rail cars as well as model…
Must-see attractions in Gulf Coast & South Texas
Gulf Coast & South Texas
Two miles north of Bowie, signed as Beach Access 5, Atwood sports towering sand dunes backing the beach. This is a beautiful, unspoiled area with nothing…
Rio Grande Valley
The Gem, between E Levee St and E Elizabeth St, was one of the city's first brick commercial structures when it was built in 1848. Its projecting…
Galveston
Galveston's family-friendly beach offers summer weekend activities like sandcastle-building contests, as well as a snack bar, chair rental and the all…
Gulf Coast & South Texas
This tiny volunteer-run aquarium has crabs and other local sea critters, including most of the fish avidly sought by local fishers. In nice weather you'll…
Rio Grande Valley
Standing proud at the eastern end of the plaza, Laredo’s sturdy, whitewashed Gothic Revival cathedral was erected in 1872 as the third church on this site…
Rio Grande Valley
Opened on New Year's Eve in 1928 as the Cortez Hotel, this four-story beauty was the first of what would becomes many Spanish Mediterranean–themed…
Corpus Christi
The busy fleet of shipping boats that dock here, along with the various restaurants and activities that have set up shop on the jetty, make this the most…
Rio Grande Valley
The 500-acre Falcon State Park, 3 miles west of US 83 off FM 2098, lines the US side of the lake. The land is mostly covered by cacti and shrubs, but the…
Galveston
The Galveston Island Visitors Center occupies most of the ground floor of this 1858 Italianate villa, while the remainder is reserved for private events.
Rio Grande Valley
Rotating collections featuring work from local artists young and old can be hit or miss, but it's worth stopping in just for a look at the 1884 'El…
Rio Grande Valley
An 1877 Victorian house that shows the wealth of the local traders. Like many downtown buildings, it has an interesting historical marker, but the…
Corpus Christi
The life-sized statue of late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez (1971–95) still draws an estimated 30,000 well-wishers every year more than two…
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Rio Grande Valley
An 1859 Gothic Revival example of the artistry of local brick masons, this was the first Texas seminary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Gulf Coast & South Texas
Just south of the causeway, this county park is the most popular beach on SPI thanks to various concessions and facilities.
Fannin Battleground State Historic Site
Coastal Plains
On March 20, 1836, Col James W Fannin fought Spanish forces here at the Battle of Coleto Creek. The men were overwhelmed and surrendered. One week later…
Galveston
Sixteen rides, two roller coasters, carnival games, and souvenir and snack kiosks: Landry's restaurant group packs a lot into its post-Ike redo of…
Rio Grande Valley
Who isn't enchanted by butterflies? This park is both a learning center and a sanctuary for butterflies and endangered plants. More than 300 species of…
Corpus Christi Area
This otherwise unremarkable city park is the most accessible put-in and take-out point for the Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail.
Corpus Christi
Home to a view, a few chain restaurants and the luckless Niña Ship Replica.
Corpus Christi
This is the least exciting of the three main piers for visitors, but the views back towards downtown are nice.
Rio Grande Valley
The old trade links to New Orleans are clearly visible in this dilapidated 1877 building.
