Growing up, trips to the Texas Coast were synonymous with summertime –– and I can vividly recall countless childhood memories spent splashing in the salty waves, searching for sand dollars, and building sandcastles along the Gulf’s sun-kissed shores. If this summer is beckoning you to relax, unwind and breathe in some salty sea air, there’s no need to book flights or embark on a cross-country road trip to do it. You’ll find all of the ingredients needed for summertime beach fun on the Texas Coast. Affectionately known as the “Third Coast,” this state’s expansive shoreline stretches more than 350 miles along the Gulf of Mexico and is dotted with sweeping dunes, quaint beach towns, coastal cities and once-sleepy fishing villages. Here are three Texas beach destinations that flawlessly blend coastal relaxation and family-friendly fun.
Make seaside memories by taking a horseback ride on the beach with Horses on the Beach. Photo by Mauri Elbel
Corpus Christi
Just over three hours from Austin, Corpus Christi offers an all-in-one destination bundling endless shores, nature, history, culture, and top-notch museums and attractions into one convenient package.
One of my favorite memories as a kid was riding horses on the beach, and I got to relive the experience with my own kids a few decades later by booking a one-hour horseback ride with Horses On The Beach in Corpus Christi, where we trotted along the shoreline while soaking in the sights and sounds of the rolling waves and cooling sea breezes.
At Dolphin Bay, visitors can get to know resident dolphins including Shadow and Schooner from above and below the water. Photo by Travis Albrecht
When in Corpus Christi, you can’t miss a visit to the largest aquarium in Texas and one of the largest in the country –– the Texas State Aquarium. The aquarium’s first exhibition opened to the public in 1990, and today, it serves as home to a variety of marine life spanning dolphins, sharks, sea otters, stingrays, sea turtles and more. Time your visit around the incredible dolphin shows that occur three times daily. But stay to feed the stingrays, learn about sharks, and visit the sea turtles that have been rehabilitated and deemed non-releasable due to injuries or repeated strandings.
Relive history by climbing aboard the USS Lexington Museum, which gives visitors of all ages the chance to step back in time via an immersive journey through an iconic aircraft carrier. The floating museum –– housed in a massive aircraft carrier that’s as tall as a 19-story building and as long as three New York City blocks –– gives visitors an up-close look at the inner workings of a real naval ship through an endless series of experiential exhibits. Be sure to climb up to the expansive flight deck for up-close views of colorful aircraft.
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When you’re not swimming, splashing and strolling along Corpus Christi’s nine beaches, don’t miss the chance to explore the Padre Island National Seashore, which spans over 70 sandy miles and protects the world’s longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island. This protected coastal sanctuary is also home to Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, the smallest and most critically endangered sea turtle species. Most hatchling releases take place between May and August, and each year, several are open to the public at no charge: https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/nature/seaturtles.htm.
Hungry? At the longstanding Snoopy’s Pier, you can refuel right on the waterfront with mouthwatering classic seafood baskets of fried shrimp and fish, or order hand-crafted cocktails, oysters, pan-seared scallops and steaks from its more upscale sister property, Snoopy’s Pearl Oyster Bar. Just be sure to save some room to treat the kids to some sweet scoops at Scoopy’s Ice Cream next door.
A dolphin takes its own sunset cruise in the calm waters of Rockport. Photo by Mauri Elbel
Rockport
In Rockport, a laid-back coastal enclave surrounded by Copano and Aransas Bays, savoring life’s simple pleasures comes easy. A longtime favorite among Texans seeking a relaxing Gulf Coast retreat, this once-sleepy fishing village has evolved into a charming seaside destination luring everyone from anglers and artists to beach-lovers and birdwatchers.
Roughly 200 miles and a little over three hours separates Austin from Rockport. Once you’re there, a plethora of wooden piers, bait shops and fishing boats hugging Rockport’s shores hint at its favorite pastime: fishing. Many Rockport properties have private piers guests have access to, but there’s also lighted public fishing piers such as the Fulton Fishing Pier, reopened to the public after a complete reconstruction, that allows you to cast your line into the waters of Aransas Bay with a $5 fee per rod. Increase your odds for fishing success by hiring a pro––the Coastal Bend area is home to a multitude of saltwater fishing guides ready to take you fishing in these coastal waters for everything from speckled trout and redfish to flounder and black drum.
Little anglers enjoying the preferred pastime in Rockport. Photo by Mauri Elbel
When you’re not fishing, hit the beach. Rockport Beach, Texas’ first Blue Wave Beach, is a meticulously maintained mile-long sandy stretch that’s dotted with children’s playgrounds and picnic cabanas. The water here is consistently calmer, cleaner and shallower than the other beaches that line the Texas Coast, making it perfect for families with little ones.
Art lovers should check out the rotating exhibitions at the Rockport Center for the Arts, open six days a week (closed Mondays). Then shop the handful of art galleries sprinkled along South Austin Street––Rockport’s version of a Main Street lined with colorful stores and boutiques. Nature lovers should check out Aransas Pathways, offering adventures in the form of birding, history, hike and bike trails, and kayaking. Make the drive to one of the oldest wildlife refuges and top birding spots in the country, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, which serves as the winter home of the only wild flock of whooping cranes.
Hungry? Charlotte Plummer’s has been a Rockport staple since the 1970s and still serves up island-famous fried seafood platters and po’ boys from its waterfront restaurant. You can’t beat the eclectic dishes, artsy atmosphere and Sunday brunch served up at Cheryl’s (112 Fulton Beach Rd.). Go to Gabriela’s for Spanish-style tapas and seafood, cocktails and views. For perfectly-prepared steaks, delicious seafood dishes, and good wine, reserve a table at Copano’s –– it’s the finest dining you’ll find in Rockport. If you’re searching for a nice wine to pair with the fish you caught, pop into Italian Cowboy, which brims with hundreds of hand-selected Italian wines.
Kids of all ages will have fun splashing in the clear, calm waters of South Padre Island. Photo by Mauri Elbel
South Padre Island
When you’re ready to venture past closer-to-home popular beach destinations, there are a slew of not-to-miss experiences awaiting you in South Padre Island. From early morning beach strolls and afternoons spent splashing in the waves to endless opportunities for family-friendly fun, South Padre Island sets the scene for a memorable family vacation that’s well worth the nearly 6-hour drive from Austin.
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The obvious main attraction is the beach –– South Padre Island boasts the most beautiful beaches and clearest water I’ve ever encountered on the Texas Coast. A stark contrast from the chocolate-milk waves that bathe much of the Texas Coast, South Padre Island’s Gulf waters are noticeably bluer, clearer and calmer. South Padre Island is part of Padre Island, the world’s longest barrier island stretching approximately 113 miles along the Texas Coast, separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Laguna Madre and protecting the shallow, high-salinity lagoon from the wild open ocean.
During the day, its broad golden beaches are bustling with families relaxing beneath oversized umbrellas, building sandcastles with their kids, and splashing in the waves. But take a sunrise or sunset beach stroll to experience a less crowded, more tranquil scene play out on the same stunning strip of sand. An added bonus? No motor vehicles are allowed on South Padre Island’s city beaches, which makes for a more peaceful and pristine (not to mention safer) beach experience.
There’s no better place for beach loving families to rest their heads than at Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island, located on the southern edge of South Padre and perfectly situated on a tranquil, traffic-less stretch of sand. As soon as you set foot into this Jimmy Buffet-themed resort that opened its doors in 2023, you’re transported into a tropical state of mind, beginning with the ice-cold margaritas handed to you upon check in. Margaritaville boasts premium one-, two- and three-bedroom beach-themed accommodations just steps away from Mother Nature’s endless wave pool, accessed via the resort’s private boardwalk. After hitting the beach, unwind at the resort’s sparkling pool while sipping a margarita (or frozen concoction of your choice) from the swim-up bar.
At the end of the day, enjoy dinner without leaving the resort. Margaritaville’s LandShark Bar & Grill offers a versatile menu served up with sunset ocean views and nightly live music entertainment. Or treat your crew to an elevated, open-air dining experience at Viva, where chef-curated dishes and craft cocktails pair best with stunning sunset views over the sparkling bay (reservations recommended).
Large pods of dolphins live in the waters around South Padre Island year-round. Photo by Mauri Elbel
Looking for some South Padre adventure? Take a sunset dolphin cruise for just $18 per person to spend a fun-filled hour and a half watching Atlantic bottlenose dolphins aboard a 67-foot, double-decker boat as you cruise along the lower Laguna Madre with Captain Murphy’s Isla Tours. The Gulf waters surrounding South Padre Island serve as a year-round home to large pods of dolphin, and the best way to see them up close in their natural habitat is on a dolphin watch cruise.
For nearly half a century, Sea Turtle Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit that protects sea turtles through conservation medical care, applied research and education, has been rescuing and rehabilitating sea turtles. Here you can learn about everything from the anatomy of a sea turtle to distinguishing characteristics about various species, including Loggerheads, Atlantic Green, Leatherback, Hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles –– the smallest and most critically endangered of all sea turtles. Padre Island also serves as a critical nesting habitat –– find details about nesting season (April-August) and public hatchling releases here. Admission is $15 per adult, $10 per senior or military, $8 per student and $5 per child.
Merry Christmas is a permanent resident at Sea Turtle Inc. who was found stranded and cold-stunned in late December in the early 1980s. Credit Sea Turtle Inc.
Located next to Sea Turtle Inc., the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary is another educationally enriching spot for families to duck out of the sun and deep dive into the coastal landscape and wildlife. Here, kids can experience snakes crawling on their heads, hold juvenile alligators, and hand-feed crispy lettuce to several resident tortoises. Meander along the bay-front boardwalks, partake in a naturalist-led birding tour, or sit in on a “snake talk” at this nonprofit organization that’s also an alligator sanctuary providing a safe-haven for more than 50 rescued alligators. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students, military and seniors, and $5 for children 4-12 years.
