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
10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Texas Gulf Coast That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Texas Gulf Coast, United States including Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center, Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Reserve, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Armand Bayou Nature Center, Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Laguna Madre Nature Trail, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, Cockrell Butterfly Center.
Restaurants in Texas Gulf Coast
1. Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is located about 70-115 miles off the coast of Texas and is accessible only by boat. SCUBA divers and anglers come from all over to experience the beauty of Flower Garden Banks and its diversity of life. Flower Garden Banks is a wildlife enthusiast's paradise, as whale sharks pass through the sanctuary from August-October and manta rays flourish in the only known manta ray nursery, located within sanctuary boundaries. Anglers can target snapper, grouper, amberjack, cobia, and migratory species including tuna and billfish.
2. Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center
3. Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By jdroberson70 - North Houston, United States
I love rhat, although its next to a very busy road, there's a special rype of tranquility here. I really enjoy the two-mile trail.
4. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
A 30,000-acre wildlife refuge located near High Island, Texas.
Reviewed By GregS2087 - San Antonio, United States
As a beginning birder, I am always looking for areas to explore. I had known of Anahuac NWR from species lists that fellow birders had entered. In August of 2019 I was travelling to Louisiana from Texas. I planed my drive to stop by this area on my way there. I met a friend at the headquarters. The headquarters is not in the park but well worth stopping by. In addition to lots of information and maps, there is a store area where you can pick up the bumper-sticker, tee-shirt or, as I did, a hat! The people working there were really friendly and helpful. We drove to the actual refuge where there is no entrance fee at all! Once officially in Anahuac NWR, there is another smaller informational area along with clear restrooms. There is a butterfly/hummingbird garden just as you enter. We drove towards Shovelers Pond. The best way to see the area is to drive slowly along the roads. I got to see 40+ species of birds, coyotes, bobcat, alligators and two large water moccasins. This is a truly wild place! I enjoyed my visit so much that I made provisions to stop once again on my way back through a few days later. If you are looking for an area to let your kids run around and enjoy the outdoors, this is not the place for you. If you are looking to see abundant wildlife as is meant to live, you would be hard pressed to find somewhere better. There is a large boardwalk to explore as well.
5. Armand Bayou Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Not-for-profit wildlife refuge and wilderness preserve on the southeast side of Houston.
Reviewed By mdgipsy - Baltimore, United States
This is a great little park. Boardwalks or crusher run trails. Through swamp, bayou, forest. We saw birds, frogs, turtles, snakes, bison, and alligators! Very nice park.
6. 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.
7. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
National Wildlife Refuge with opportunities for enjoying nature and wildlife through hiking, bicycling, photography, fishing, hunting and guided tours.
Reviewed By curioustraveler65 - Richardson, United States
I went with 7 other visitors and 2 volunteer leaders on a bird tour of the refuge; we were gone from 8 am to 12:30 pm and saw about 75 species. It was a great trip on a small bus with frequent stops; 3 of the group had scopes they were quick to set up to see the birds. Highlights for me were: hooded oriole, Altimira oriole, Wilsons snipe, orange crowned warbler, kingfisher, Aplomado falcon, and LOTS of herons and egrets. There were many more birds, of course, and others in the group were interested in different things than I was. We also saw wild turkeys and a coyote. The trip was so successful because of the size of the refuge, and the fact that the land has been largely returned to native condition, and the friendly knowledgeable volunteer leaders, Kathy and John. There is no food available nearby, so plan to take a lunch and have a picnic at one of the available tables after the tour.
8. Laguna Madre Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 137 reviews
This 1,500-foot boardwalk crosses four acres of marshland, where bird watchers can spot many coastal and migratory birds and numerous others tempted by the berries on the fiddlewood bushes along the trail
Reviewed By TGoodGurg - Coeur d'Alene, United States
Great walk for the early morning or late evening. Great birds to view. So pretty and an easy trail on a boardwalk.
9. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
A 155-acre nature sanctuary 4 miles west of downtown. Five miles of walking trails through forest, meadow, and pond habitats offer opportunities to see frogs, turtles, and other wildlife. The Nature Center houses a Nature Shop, restrooms, and Discovery Room which includes aquariums, microscopes, and interactive exhibits like the 15 ft. model "Learning Tree". Grounds: Open Daily 7 am to dusk; Building: Open Daily 9 am - 5 pm, except major holidays. Discovery Room: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm. Admission free; donations appreciated.
Reviewed By pglejm - Santa Cruz, United States
What a find very close to a very busy vibrant city that is sure to offer you a stressful experience. Parking is cheap...$1.35 per hour. If you’re a member of the Arboretum, parking is free but know your code. Building and rehab efforts are still taking place. Some walking amongst the various paths will give you a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the city.
10. Cockrell Butterfly Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 704 reviews
Next to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the glass-enclosed butterfly habitat includes a simulated rainforest and thousands of colorful butterflies. A dramatic 50-foot waterfall and exotic plants transport visitors.
Reviewed By fueledbymoxy - Houston, United States
Lucky for me I am not scared of flying bugs/insects so I loved this. There are so many beautiful butterflies you will be in awe and will be able to get up close and see the stunning patterns on their wings. I spent easily an hour in here and look forward to visiting again.
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