The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Bay Area Houston, Texas Gulf Coast

April 30, 2022 Emerita Lamoureux

Discover the best top things to do in Bay Area Houston, United States including San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, Rose's Seafood, Inc., Battleship Texas State Historic Site, Stingray Reef 215 Kipp Ave, Clear Lake Park, Houston Party Playland, Walter Hall Park, Helen's Garden, San Jacinto Museum of History, Butler Longhorn Museum.
Restaurants in Bay Area Houston

1. San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site

3523 Independence Pkwy S, La Porte, TX 77571-9773 +1 281-479-2431 [email protected] http://www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/san-jacinto-battleground-state-historic-site
Excellent
53%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 568 reviews

San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site

“Remember the Alamo!” “Remember Goliad!” Shouted the Texian troops led by Gen. Sam Houston when they surprised the Mexican army that was camped here in 1836. The decisive Battle of San Jacinto resulted in Texas’ independence from Mexico. This 1,200-acre park includes the towering San Jacinto Monument and the San Jacinto Museum of History. Walk in the Texian soldiers’ footsteps on the grounds, explore the museum, and ride the elevator to the top of the monument to take in a bird’s-eye view of where Texas’ independence was won.

Reviewed By tomwU9174DH - Katy, United States

The San Jacinto Monument is an awesome monument commemorating the Texans victory over Mexico and the tyrant Santa Ana. I truly enjoyed the stories of Texas history written around the base of the monument. Texans showed Santa Ana a lot more mercy than he showed Texans at the Alamo. You can go inside to see the museum, a film and take a ride to the top of the monument. It's $12 for adults and $6 for children. We didn't go this time, but we will return. This is a must see for Texans and Americans. FYI - There's a lot of great things to do in La Porte. You can see the Battleship Texas, Sylvan Beach, St. Mary's Church and the Fred Hartman Bridge.

2. Rose's Seafood, Inc.

501 Waterfront Dr, Seabrook, TX 77586-3925 +1 281-474-3536 http://www.rosesseafood.com/
Excellent
68%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 47 reviews

Rose's Seafood, Inc.

Reviewed By G1obeTrotter1 - Richardson, United States

This was our third time to stop in at Rose’s for seafood to take home. We even bring our Rose’s styrofoam cooler with us on trips just to fill it back up! This time, we filled a second cooler with fresh seafood for one of our doctors as a thank you gift. The doctor’s wife has already cooked the turbo and salmon and they have loved every bite! Our favorites: shrimp, scallops, yellow fin tuna, oysters, Scottish sushi grade salmon and crab claws. I can’t imagine buying from anyone else. Already looking forward to our next trip to the gulf with a stop at Rose’s!

3. Battleship Texas State Historic Site

3523 Independence Pkwy S, La Porte, TX 77571-9773 +1 281-479-2431 http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/battleship-texas
Excellent
63%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 729 reviews

Battleship Texas State Historic Site

Spend The Night Aboard The Battleship TEXAS!That's right. You and a group of friends can actually spend the night aboard this huge Battleship. Sleep where the actual sailors who lived on her bunked down for the night.Battleship TEXAS was commissioned in 1914 and is the only surviving US Navy ship to have served in both WW I and WW II. The Battleship TEXAS become the Nations first Battleship museum on 21 April 1948. Located at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, Texas (just out side of Houston, TX). We are open daily to the public 7 days a week from 10am - 5:30pm. The ship is under the care of Texas Parks and Wildlife. The Battleship Texas Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which works closely with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for the preservation, restoration and presentation of the world's last dreadnought-type battleship, the historic Battleship TEXAS. The BTF sponsors the Overnight Education program where we host any group size from 15 up to 78 people, from the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Schools, Church Youth Groups, US Naval Sea Cadets, NJROTC, ROTC units, and any other interested parties. That's right. You and a group of friends can actually spend the night aboard this huge Battleship. Sleep where the actual sailors who lived on her bunked down for the night.

Reviewed By Review-skiiii - Houston, United States

I've been here several times over my lifetime and it had been a field trip staple for countless school children for decades. However, while the grounds are still open for exploration, the ship itself will soon be leaving LaPorte for good. Though you used to be able to go aboard and explore at your leisure, take a guided tour with a vet or spend the night during one of their events, the ship itself has been closed to the public since August 2019. All you can do is look at the outside now. Repairs are currently underway to make it sea worthy enough for tow to a ship repair facility. It was originally slated to be transported sometime in November/December 2020 but, for obvious reasons, that schedule is behind. Once it is towed, there will be a repair process expected to last about a year then it will be permanently relocated somewhere in North Texas (as it did not have enough paying visitors to support its restoration in LaPorte). As long as it survives, I'm happy (though I wish it could stay in LaPorte). Goodbye Battleship Texas! We have many fond memories of you and will miss you.

4. Stingray Reef 215 Kipp Ave

215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565-2840 +1 281-334-9010
Excellent
67%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 95 reviews

Stingray Reef 215 Kipp Ave

Reviewed By conniee781

This was such a fun and exciting experience!! Looking at all of the cool fish and snakes and turtles was fun, but the most fun was seeing and petting and feeding the stingrays! I have never seen my son laugh so much and the stingrays were so fun ! Thanks for making this such an affordable and fun experience!

5. Clear Lake Park

5001 Nasa Pkwy, Seabrook, TX 77586-5305 http://www.hcp2.com/parks/park-listing/104-clear-lake-park
Excellent
52%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

Clear Lake Park

Reviewed By joesys2018

Expansive free parking. Two big playgrounds with Little Tyke brand equipment. One splash pad with a dolphin motif. Both my 4 year old and 8 year old had an amazing time! Tons of covered picnic benches, barbecue grills, and a beautiful view of the water. The playground is padded and very clean and new. Wish we had something like this in DFW.

6. Houston Party Playland

1121 West NASA Parkway, Webster, TX 77598 +1 281-525-4163 http://www.houstonpartyplayland.com
Excellent
75%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Houston Party Playland

7. Walter Hall Park

807 Highway 3 N, League City, TX 77573-2215 http://www.galvestoncountytx.gov/PS/Pages/WalterHallPark.aspx
Excellent
58%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 38 reviews

Walter Hall Park

Reviewed By L6593VIjimh

Walter Hall park is a beautiful, moderate size park located on Hwy 3 in League City. The park has been a integral part of both North Galveston County and League City for many years. There is a public building, a restored structure in the Spanish style, that is often used for weddings and receptions. There are covered pavilions for large gatherings with facilities for barbecue and tables for large groups. Throughout the park there are playgrounds, tennis courts, picnic tables and boat ramps. There is plenty of free parking everywhere in the park and the roads within the park are excellent. Restroom facilities are available and well kept. The park has many mature oaks trees and plenty of frontage on Clear Creek. At the north end of the park there are short boardwalks for a closer look at the creek and the surrounding wildlife habitat. The park is superbly maintained by Galveston County patrolled regularly and is a very safe place for family outings. We have spent many pleasant hours in the park with our children and now our grandchildren. There is a duck pond that is always a favorite with the kids and is home to fish and ducks as well as the occasional foul tempered goose. Throughout the year there are public events as well as the League City Fair. The park is the most beautiful park in the area, not as big as nearby Challenger Park, but much prettier. Plan your picnic by the creek in the shade of mature oak trees and have a great time. Park closes at 10 PM daily.

8. Helen's Garden

701 E Main Street, League City, TX 77573 +1 281-554-1180 http://www.leaguecity.com/index.aspx?NID=1271
Excellent
69%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 42 reviews

Helen's Garden

Reviewed By SashaP98 - League City, United States

Gorgeous park with beautiful water features. Great to walk around when the weather is nice. My son loved it and enjoyed it.

9. San Jacinto Museum of History

One Monument Circle, La Porte, TX 77571-9585 +1 281-479-2421 [email protected] http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/Visit_Us/
Excellent
65%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 55 reviews

San Jacinto Museum of History

The San Jacinto Museum of History is housed in the base of the San Jacinto Monument. Special treasures can be found from Mexican Texas, the Texas Revolution, and the Republic of Texas. But the Museum also holds art and artifacts from Pre-Columbian Mexico to the Civil War and beyond. From books to bayonets, swords to sketches, there’s something here for everyone. The Museum is housed in the base of the San Jacinto Monument, the tallest column monument in the world. Take an elevator ride to the top to look out over the Houston Ship Channel. View the Texas Forever!! movie for a quick review of the Texas revolution. The multi-facetted destination state park is also home to the Battleship Texas which is the only dread-naught battleship in existence and was used in both world wars. Picnic spots abound in the beautiful state park. A Boardwalk will take you on a fascinating nature walk out into the marsh habitat of birds and alligators. Stop by our annual San Jacinto Day Festival in April.

Reviewed By ksufan88 - Wichita, United States

We were driving through Houston and detoured over to this attraction based upon a friend’s recommendation. It is located in a very industrialized area (chemical and petroleum products) but inside the State park, it is very wooded and attractive. Near the entrance to the park there is a very scenic photo op with the monument at the end of a long reflecting pool. The ticket price of $10 for adult and $5 per child gives you access to the 35 minute historical movie about the battle as well an elevator ride to the observation area at the top. The movie gave an excellent overview of the issues leading up to the battle and the battle itself. The room opposite the theater on the first floor contains lots of displays about prominent Texans and their impact on US and International events. We spent about 75 minutes at this monument.

10. Butler Longhorn Museum

1220 Coryell St, League City, TX 77573-2518 +1 281-332-1393 http://butlerlonghornmuseum.com
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

Butler Longhorn Museum

Reviewed By houstonnative47 - Missouri City, United States

My husband and I were tired of being cooped up during COVID so I found this gem online while looking for someplace to visit that was open. We were the only ones there on this particular Saturday and so we had Michael the docent to ourselves. We learned a lot about longhorns and enjoyed seeing all of the horns on the ceiling and other things. It was a fun time and I took many pictures inside during our tour. There is a huge old oak tree right near the entrance that greets you. The museum is well done.

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