Top Things to do in Texas Gulf Coast
Top Hotels in Texas Gulf Coast
- 1. Best Western Texas City
- 2. The San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center
- 3. Blossom Hotel Houston
- 4. Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center
- 5. Holiday Inn Resort Galveston-on the Beach, an IHG Hotel
- 6. Hilton Americas-Houston
- 7. Best Western Plus Katy Inn & Suites
- 8. Hyatt Regency Houston West
- 9. Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria
- 10. La Copa Inn Beach Hotel
Countries
The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Texas Gulf Coast, Texas Gulf Coast
Discover the best top things to do in Texas Gulf Coast, United States including Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum, South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center, The Music Box Theater, Smither Park, National Museum of Funeral History, Padre Island National Seashore, Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Goose Island State Park, George Ranch Historical Park, Malaquite Beach.
Restaurants in Texas Gulf Coast
1. Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 197 reviews
Reviewed By wercoltons
We were visiting the area and, based on prior reviews, we visited the Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum. It was WELL worth the visit!! There are so many pieces of history here - not just about WWII, but some into the Desert Storm and the Gulf War. We thoroughly enjoyed a video Iwo Jima, which we had not seen prior, as it was privately produced. The staff there is VERY kind, and VERY knowledgeable ! The HUGE sculpture of the soldiers raising the flag is THE original. The replica is in Washington DC. We had a wonderful day there - and will definitely do that again!! Thank you!! NO charge, as they survive on donations.
2. South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,010 reviews
This nature center is a voice for dolphins wild and free, we do not keep them in captivity. Hours for Summer: Open Daily 10 to 4pm We have DAILY BOAT TOURS to take you out to meet our amazing DOLPHINS Our facility has a touch tank and marine exhibits to help all who visit understand how we can help save our precious species of the sea. Our boat is not a commercial tour but a tour of six or less for your experience of a lifetime. We have many rescue animals at the center and have found forever homes for hundreds.
Reviewed By kathypZ3898WB - San Antonio, United States
We had an amazing experience on the last day of our trip. Captain Dave took our family of 5 (18, 13, and 9 year old kids) out for private dolphin experience. We had great weather and were very excited to find a pod of 8 dolphins who were ready to entertain. They were doing some Sea World style jumps and flips (which apparently is highly unusual) and captured our attention the whole time. While we were out there two very large boats also came out for dolphin watching. Each had to have 30+ people on them. Made me appreciate our private and small experience even more. I would definitely say that this was the highlight of our trip. Very peaceful, calm and unique portion of our vacation.
3. The Music Box Theater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 460 reviews
The Music Box Theater provides audiences a unique mix of live popular music and original comedy in a relaxes club environment. There are songs you know sung by people you should know and there is something for everyone. Appropriate for all ages.
Reviewed By JeffD430 - Houston, United States
A must do for locals and visitors. Energetic and talented singers who make the evening fly by in an intimate setting. Take some friends along. And meet others in the audience.
4. Smither Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By OhioLinda
We were pleasantly surprised and impressed by the quality of the work and imagination of the artists at this park. Especially since all or most of the items used are found items and the artists are volunteers. There is parking on the street, a couple of picnic tables and a shelter along with the decorated walls. We spent about an hour here and enjoyed every minute. I highly recommend this unusual place.
5. National Museum of Funeral History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 526 reviews
This museum, owned by a funeral company, houses the largest collection of funereal artifacts in the U.S., traces the history of funeral services, displays historic hearses and provides memorabilia from funerals of the famous, such as Dwight Eisenhower, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Elvis Presley.
Reviewed By lauramooki - Bogota, Colombia
This is an absolute must-do in Houston. Fascinating and well put together displays with lots of excellent information. They also have a wonderful haunted house in October and lovely gift shop. The staff are so nice and the day we went (Halloween) there was a volunteer who was so knowledgeable and really genuinely enriched our visit.
6. Padre Island National Seashore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,859 reviews
A 15-minute drive from downtown Corpus Christi transports you to this magnificent 70-mile stretch of white sand beach, scenic dunes and warm ocean water, offering ideal conditions for swimming, fishing, beach-combing, windsurfing, camping, bird-watching and viewing wildlife.
Reviewed By M8870IWjasonr
A fantastic national asset. Best enjoyed though with a capable 4x4 vehicle. Tourist crowd the first 5 miles of beach while the real beauty exists South of the 20 mile marker. Ask some locals before taking off down the beach, it does have it's risks. For those adventurous types a trip 60 miles south to the Mansfield jetty is worth the trip.
7. Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Cradled in a bend of the Rio Grande, this 527-acre preserve is home to one of the last stands of old-growth Sabal Palm forest in the United States as well as one of the few remaining historic river plantations in the region. Over 4 miles of hiking trails lead visitors through the palm forest, wetland board walks, river observation deck, and multiple bird blinds. Green Jays and Chachalacas frequent our feeders, Armadillos rummage our trails, Least Grebes and Green Kingfishers hunt the wetlands, and Great Horned Owl calls haunt the forest. The recently restored 4,000 sq ft 1892 Rabb Plantation home now serves as our new Sabal Palm Sanctuary visitor center. Take a stroll through the grove, a short walk down to the Rio Grande, or join us for one of our guided birding walks or history tours (seasonal, typically November thru March - please call for schedule).
Reviewed By michaeln671 - Reno, United States
A very nice venue for birding and walking. Swarming Green Jays was a surprise. Careful of going in the middle of the day if you're birding, lots of noisy people. Odd getting there, looks like you're going on the wrong side of the border wall. Also if you have AT&T wireless they will charge you for going into Mexico. I didn't go through any of the house or the like, just paid my $5. One of those places you feel like your $5 is doing something.
8. Goose Island State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 539 reviews
A recommended bird sanctuary in Texas.
Reviewed By LittlePaint - Urbandale, United States
This was my first experience parking my 25' Class C on a beach. It appeared that there are hard pads between the picnic table shelters that are now covered with sand, but I pulled up in front of our shelter parallel to the water where it was noisy hard packed. Two reasons... Best view of the bay from inside the camper, and my power cord wasn't long enough to reach the outlet in the shelter on the passenger side. Enjoyed walking the beach, the fishing pier, and the wooded campground. Don't miss the pelicans at the fish cleaning station... What a hoot! Great park. Very relaxing.
9. George Ranch Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
Welcome to the Ranch! Founded in 1824, the George Ranch Historical Park brings Texas and Fort Bend County history to life through interactive school programming, group tours, special events and Saturday programs for the general public.
Reviewed By I103IHpauls - Richmond, United States
Take a half day and walk through four generations of Texas History, from the dog run cabin to the fanciest of 1900 mansions, with docents ready to act out the lives of those who had come before. Be sure to sign up for the cowboy lunch, served fresh from the frying pan to your plate (peach cobbler!). Watch the cowboys herd the longhorn steers; great for families. If you have an extra hour, drive the few miles down to Brazos Bend State Park and see the alligators roaming wild.
10. Malaquite Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 481 reviews
This beach on Padre Island is a great camping and beach-going spot.
Reviewed By katv55
Malaquite Beach is a jewel along the Texas Gulf coast as part of the Padre Island National Seashore. With the adjacent NPS Visitor Center and its showers, restrooms, interpretive programs, and gift shop, this vehicle-free stretch of beach is the perfect for a day’s outing year round. Visitors are in for a treat from May to September when the hatching and releasing of baby sea turtles occur.
