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Contents
HOUSTON & THE TEXAS GULF COAST
ANDY RHODES
Everything about Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast is larger than life. From towering skyscrapers to endless stretches of sandy coastline, this region of the Lone Star State exemplifies grandiosity, all with a hearty sense of Texas pride.
Houston offers travelers a cosmopolitan playground with a Texas flair that sets it apart from other urban landscapes. Its thousands of restaurants specialize in far beyond most cities standard fare. The multifaceted nightlife ranges from down-home honky-tonks to stylish, sophisticated dance clubs.
Just down the road, the Gulf Coast boasts more than 350 miles of shoreline, appealing to all types of recreational travelers. Salty fishermen escape to Galveston or Mustang Island near Corpus Christi for no-frills fishing while South Padre Island draws visitors from the opposite extreme: road-tripping families and spring breakers who frolic on the pristine white beaches.
This cosmopolitan Southern city has an independent spirit befitting Texass colossal charm, making it a worthy destination for anyone seeking a memorable escape.
Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston
Saturn V rocket at the NASA Space Center in Houston
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site monument
Caddo Lake
The Elissa
Pleasure Pier amusement park
See the Sea: Get away to the longest remaining undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world at
Learn Something New: .
Take in Historic Views: Enjoy the stunning panorama from atop the 570-foot-tall monument that commemorates the , a triumphant battle site where Texas earned its independence.
: Texass holy trinity of cuisinebarbecue, Tex-Mex, and Southernprovide a culinary journey. Also be sure to try the excellent seafood found along the Gulf Coast.
Explore Space: Feel your goosebumps rise as you gaze upon the awe-inspiring original Mission Control Center at the .
WHERE TO GO
HOUSTON AND EAST TEXAS
With historic oil boomtowns, five national forests, and the megalopolis of Houston, this enormous region is an ideal place to experience the legacy of the Lone Star State. East Texas has a distinct Southern bayou influence, reflected in the food, heritage, and even the accents. Standing apart is Houston, the fourth-largest city in the country and home to NASA, oil-related industries, and some of the most preeminent restaurants, museums, and humidity in the nation.
THE GULF COAST
Stretching 350 miles (560 km) along the Gulf of Mexico, this regions moderate beaches and waves draw casual beachcombers, salty anglers, and frolicking families. The biggest city on the gulf, Corpus Christi, offers plenty of recreational activities to accommodate a quick weekend getaway and the ubiquitous Winter Texans. Once a year, students from across the country invade South Padre Island for a rollicking spring break, but otherwise, the region remains as low-key as the gulfs lightly lapping waves.
Corpus Christi Beach
South Padre Island National Seashore
surfing on the Gulf Coast
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
WHEN TO GO
The region is downright pleasant in spring and fall, quite tolerable during the mild winter months, and absolutely hellish during the summertime.
Spring is the ideal time to visit, so plan for March or April. Vegetation is blooming in parks and gardens, festivals capitalize on sunny 73-degree days, and people enjoy the final few months theyll be able to spend outside. Fall is the next-best season. By late October, things begin to cool down to the 80s, drawing cabin-fever sufferers out of their homes to restaurant patios and neighborhood parks.
Winter is a distinct season, but snowflakes and icy roads are rare. Temperatures can be erratic, jumping from the 30s to the 70s in just a few hours. This is a good time to plan a trip to South Padre Island.
Houston has gone to great lengths to accommodate its sweltering humid weather during
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