The Texas Gulf Coast beckons, and its extensive 3,359-mile coastline brims with cultural attractions, budget-friendly seafood options, peaceful natural retreats, and several thrilling new lodging choices.
Frequently overshadowed by the East or West Coast, America’s “Third Coast” hasn’t typically been the go-to destination for a domestic seaside getaway. However, with shifting trends, Texas's Gulf Coast is now beckoning travelers to explore its shores.
The state boasts 3,359 miles of shoreline bordering the Gulf of Mexico, stretching from Sabine Pass to Boca Chica, offering increasingly compelling incentives for visitors. In last April, my mother and I embarked on a journey covering 369 miles of this coast to reconnect with its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural attractions.
The itinerary for the road trip is almost flawless, bordered by major urban centers equipped with accessible airports such as Houston and San Antonio; intermediate-sized coastal cities like Galveston and Corpus Christi; and numerous small towns and state parks scattered throughout.
Lower the car windows and savor the ocean breeze as your carefully selected music playlist sets the mood, then use my step-by-step guide for exploring the Texas coastline, emphasizing chic places to stay, exceptional fish dishes, and outdoor adventures.
Galveston
On our initial day in Galveston, while strolling along Seawall Boulevard with the Pleasure Pier visible below during sunset, my mother reminisced about her previous visit to the island back in the mid-1970s. She mentioned that she couldn’t recall it ever appearing so picturesque before. The sole time I had visited previously was many years earlier, during middle school, when my primary focus was enjoying the roller coasters. In November 2023, Galveston introduced a new seaside-modern boutique hotel. Hotel Lucine and its notable restaurant, The Fancy The independently operated hotel commenced operations in the same month that Princess Cruises introduced its biggest vessel to the area, designating Galveston as the starting point for Caribbean journeys departing from Texas.
Nestled like a beacon welcoming visitors to the island, Hotel Lucine was established by Robert Marcus along with Dave and Keath Jacoby, who form a dedicated trio. Born in Galveston, Keath harbored aspirations of coming back one day and contributing to the rejuvenation of his hometown. This vintage seaside retreat originally consisted of 61 rooms when it first opened its doors as a motor court in 1963. It has since undergone careful restoration, transforming into a chic spot infused with contemporary coastal charm. Each tastefully appointed room opens up to an inner courtyard adorned solely by striking palm-leaf patterned curtains framing views of the swimming pool. Known affectionately as "The Den," the hotel’s reception area serves breakfast through dinner alongside various beverages ranging from espresso-based drinks to mixed cocktails and light bites. During my guided walk-through led by Keath, he shared how each designated zone within the establishment mirrors familial settings—a cozy gathering place akin to what you might find in your own living quarters versus formal entertaining areas—such as “The Fancy,” which offers diners an enchantingly dim setting illuminated mostly by candles and affording nearly unobstructed vistas of the sea from virtually every table position.
Behind the menu at The Fancy is Chef Leila Ortiz, who boasts an impressive résumé from stints in renowned chefs’ kitchens such as those of Houston’s Chris Shepard and New York’s David Chang. This marks her inaugural position as an executive chef, but she infuses new life into the Galveston dining landscape. "My aim is to continue enjoying myself and presenting distinctive dishes, hoping the local community embraces them," she shared with me.
The Rooftop offers an ambiance for both daytime and nighttime enjoyment, featuring live music and ocean vistas; however, it truly comes alive at dusk when the hotel staff’s meticulous design elements become prominently showcased. Lucine The French term for the shimmering luster found within an oyster shell served as the inspiration for the roof design, which is evident. The vibrant tiles used throughout the property were acquired from Ladrilleria Favalli, a family-run ceramic business located in Granada, Nicaragua.
Instead of dedicating much time to being out on the water, we strolled along the historical avenues of downtown, delving into the Harborside district, The Strand, and adjacent lanes adorned with Victorian-style houses and various 19th-century manor homes. This small area encapsulates nearly two centuries of history. Galveston’s heritage bears strong similarities to that of New Orleans’, featuring harbors that were part of the Transatlantic slave trade network, serving extensive parts of the Southern United States. Being lifelong enthusiasts of Texas history, we have long been aware that this location witnessed the first observance of Juneteenth before it attained recognition as a national holiday in 2021.
Guests can walk through the self-guided Juneteenth Freedom Walk to explore the historically significant sites around town and stop by the Nia Cultural Center , where we heard from a local artist about the Black community’s continuous endeavors to create and develop the International Juneteenth Museum through the Juneteenth Legacy Project .
Another similarity to New Orleans can be found in the remnants of Italian immigration history, such as the well-known surname displayed on the shopfront. Maceo Italian Seasonings and Import Goods Sam and Rosario Maceo were infamous during the 1920s through the 1950s for their involvement in bootlegging operations, illegal gambling networks, and various criminal activities in Galveston.
The Galveston Art Center And numerous stores lining Post Office and Market Streets such as Tangerine boutique , Galveston Fishing Company , and Picnic Surf Shapes Are the outcomes of residents venturing out into the wider world, then coming back equipped with global insights and an urge to introduce fresh enterprises to their hometown. This leads to a new chapter for Galveston, one that honors its past while looking forward to future developments.
Matagorda Bay
On day four of our winding spring journey, we have another 106-mile drive ahead towards the western direction. Our route led us through the Seawall as we followed the shoreline until reaching the quaint town of Surfside, Texas. This coastal village features modest houses elevated on pilings about ten feet off the ground to shield them from hurricanes. As we ascended via the slender state routes, the scenery transitioned to expansive fields dotted with livestock and lush vegetation. A picturesque country lane lined with trees guided us further south toward where the Colorado River meets the Gulf of Mexico. In this area, residences line tranquil waterways, and banners promote locally caught fresh shrimp and crayfish. Boat-laden trailers were stationed at various points near these channels. Matagorda Bay Nature Park and campground.
Day trippers and those staying overnight have several renting choices available to them for exploring the serene wetlands around the Colorado River delta. Mom and I dedicated roughly ninety minutes to paddling in our kayak, with scenes of fish leaping out of the water and birds perched nearby anticipating their meal. For lunch, we had the quintessential Gulf Coast fare: po' boys, French fries, and iced tea.
Rockport
As we continued along the coast, we made a one-night stop in Rockport, a place that has stayed with me even months afterward. This quaint, undisrupted fishing village retains an unspoiled allure and remains relatively unknown, though its popularity seems to be gradually increasing. Despite this, it still manages to maintain its secluded charm. The newly inaugurated Reel ‘em Inn —A 1950s-era motel featuring a renovated pier, collaborated on with a renowned architecture firm based in Texas Lake Flato — is lending assistance. If possible, I’d spend a few weeks each summer sequestered away here, finding comfort in the coastal-modern fishing lodge along Aransas Bay, much like a select group of intelligent Texan locals who’ve been doing so for many years. The Reel 'Em Inn offers guests an exclusive fishing pier extending right into the bay, perfect for excellent angling or dolphin watching. I reveled in sheer delight standing solo on the pier early one morning at eight o'clock, accompanied only by a steaming mug of fresh coffee. Through my room’s expansive window, I observed a team of anglers cleaning their hauls just as dawn broke over us; shortly after, bleary-eyed from sleep, we made our way to the checkout counter.
Rockport Beach It was the initial Texas shoreline to receive the Blue Wave environmental accreditation and can be reached by automobile with a minor fee or via walking or cycling at no cost. The title of a Blue Wave certified beach signifies that it is clean from debris and complies with accessibility standards for individuals with disabilities, ensuring the presence of restrooms and safe swimming areas.
The town is undergoing a small resurgence along its primary thoroughfares due to establishments like bars and eateries such as Gabriela’s Seafood + Tapas , Whiskey Palm , and Picnic Bistro & Delicatessen Market (Yes, they can arrange a beach picnic upon request.) Locals like to cruise around town using golf carts, which is one of the most endearing features of many American beach communities and island getaways.
We set out on the journey and bid "see you soon" as we made our way toward Port Aransas, a bigger vacation spot just 20 miles from Rockport and reachable via ferry.
Port Aransas
Port Aransas is a welcoming seaside community ideal for families, offering vacation rentals perfect for big gatherings looking to enjoy an extended stay or for seniors planning to reside here during the colder seasons. Similar to these "snowbird" humans, numerous avian species also utilize Port Arandas and nearby Mustang Island as essential stopovers during their annual migrations along the Central Flyway.
Port Aransas’s Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center Our initial destination signaled that we were approaching the conclusion of the spring migration marvel. For those who can visit around late February, the Whooping Crane Festival takes place annually in Port Aransas when these large, threatened cranes pass through. Despite not being particularly interested in bird watching myself, I thoroughly enjoyed spending an afternoon watching both the birds and dedicated bird enthusiasts at the site. Admission to the center is complimentary and always teems with excitement.
Significant stops in what locals fondly refer to as "Port A" include the Dinghy Trip to San Jose Island for excellent beachcombing and fishing, Grumbles Seafood Co. and Trout Street Bar and Grill for casual bayside dining. Saltwater Gypsies Premium Foods and Gifts Marketplace is perfect for knick-knacks and unique beach treats, Dylan’s Coal Oven Pizzeria, Situated within the Cinnamon Shore vacation home community, this is where you can enjoy piping-hot slices.
For those who love nature, the primary draw of Port Aransas is its closeness to wildlife sanctuaries and state parks such as Mustang Island. It takes just about 15 minutes to get there. Mustang Island State Park , approximately 4000 acres of a delicate barrier island featuring a paddling trail, pristine beaches, and camping areas. Past the sand dunes, this beach offers a picturesque respite from the busier shores of Port Aransas.
Padre Island National Seashore
To complete the road trip, we spent our final morning exploring as we drove for 30 minutes from Port Aransas to another location. Padre Island National Seashore . Its 66 miles of protected coastline gives way to grasslands, sand dunes, a unique hypersaline lagoon, and a significant nesting place for the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. The hatchling release period from mid-June to August is a popular time for visiting.
Padre Island National Seashore stands as the longest unspoiled barrier island globally, offering an expansive blend of land and water that envelops your senses, providing a complete escape into natural coastal beauty. This area is ideal for windsurfers due to its shallow Laguna Madre, and visitors can explore climbable sand dunes along the Grasslands Nature Trail—a terrain historically significant to the Gulf Coast’s Karankawa people.
The final leg of our journey included lunch in Corpus Christi, which sat 40 minutes away from the coast and lay 170 miles distant from San Antonio. This city holds significance as the birthplace of Tejano music legend Selena and has recently seen an influx of vibrant dining spots and lively bars opening up in its downtown area, including Lucy’s Snackbar , BUS , Wildflowers , and Nueces Whiskey Library .
San Antonio, the second most populous city in Texas, served as our logical conclusion for the journey. It provides an easily accessible airport for those returning home from another state. To me, however, it feels like home. A tour along the Texas Gulf Coast presents numerous opportunities for learning about local culture, history, and natural landscapes—along with countless experiences that distinctly capture the essence of Texas.
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