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
What to do and see in Texas Gulf Coast, Texas Gulf Coast: The Best Free Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Texas Gulf Coast, United States including Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum, Sri Meenakshi Devasthanam, The Galleria, Port Aransas Beach, The Menil Collection, The Strand, The Seawall, Laguna Madre Nature Trail, Mary Jo Peckham Park, Sea Turtle, Inc..
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. Sri Meenakshi Devasthanam
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By madhurihn - Houston, United States
The temple architecture is very similar to that of the temples in south India. Its very well maintained & is a peaceful abode of god. We traveled from Houston, it took us close to 40 minutes to reach there (26 miles). The parking space is big enough to accommodate many cars, but might get crowded during festivals. There are 2 temple complexes within the campus. One of them is the main temple with Meenakshi & Venkateshwara as the main deities. The other one has Ganesha idol in it with Navagraha & they also conduct many pooja rituals in this building. The temple has a kitchen & a dining hall, where you can buy any south Indian food on their menu. It was hygienic & tasty too! If you are here on leisure & have time, you can walk past Ganesha temple to find peacocks & pea hens to click some beautiful pictures. PS: The dress code for temple visit states that one should wear clothing which covers shoulders & knees applicable to both men & women. We loved the place. Hope you enjoy your visit too :)
3. The Galleria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,187 reviews
More than 26 million visitors each year seek the dynamic & fine shopping environment uniquely offered by The Galleria, Texas’ largest shopping center and fourth largest domain nationally. International guests and Houstonians blend seamlessly in the center while on shopping excursions or entertaining guests at one of the signature eateries. Spanning 2.4 million square feet of space, housing 400 fine stores and restaurants, two high-rise hotels, and three office towers, The Galleria is Houston’s most popular retail and tourist destination, meeting every style and taste.
Reviewed By 160harveyh
This is the epicenter of shopping, walking and people watching in Houston. From great shopping, high end art galleries to ice skating, the Galleria is a great place to see and visit. Due to its popularity, the parking lots fill up quickly, especially in the holiday season. Get there as early as you can and preferably right before it opens to get a good parking spot. The Metro bus# 82 goes east and west by the Galleria and connects to many other bus lines around Houston. This is a must see and visit place in Houston and I highly recommend it,
4. Port Aransas Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,064 reviews
Public beach on Port Aransas that is clean, has a lifeguard and has car-free locations.
Reviewed By MichelleGarcia84
No vehicle traffic sucks when it comes to bringing stuff to set up at the beach, but nothing a wagon can’t fix, the trade off has been no vehicle traffic, and no cars all over the beach! This is so nice and I wish Port A would keep this rule even after Covid, maybe year down a condo and build a parking lot lol Anyway, clean beach, warm water, bathrooms and rinse stations, trash cans available, watch out for jelly fish and sting rays, plenty of sea shells, various crabs to look for if you enjoy that sort of thing. Sand is perfect for sand castles! Pretty sunsets too!
5. The Menil Collection
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 936 reviews
A legacy of the philanthropists John and Dominique de Menil, the Menil Collection opened in 1987. The museum presents regular rotations of artworks from its growing permanent collection, organizes special exhibitions and programs throughout the year, publishes scholarly books, and conducts research. The Menil Collection’s main museum building anchors a parklike 30-acre campus, which also includes the Cy Twombly Gallery, a site-specific Dan Flavin installation, the Byzantine Fresco Chapel—now a venue for long-term installations by contemporary artists—and outdoor sculpture.
Reviewed By FoodieinNOHO - California, United States
The eclectic collection of art is AMAZING!! Including early to mid-twentieth century works of Yves Tanguy, René Magritte, Max Ernst, Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, among others. I DIDN'T make it to the other side of the museum. My main interest was the Aboriginal Art exhibit Also included in the museum's permanent collection are antiquities and works of Byzantine, Medieval and tribal art. I really enjoyed the space of the tribal collection. It is a must to see the art aspect of Houston....I took my adult daughter here for the first time and it did not disappoint. The art, paintings, and sculptures were very interesting. There is also a nice little park across from the gallery. Parking is FREE!!!! French expat Dominique de Menil, heiress to the Schlumberger fortune, came to Houston after World War II and began amassing an impressive mid-century art collection. Dominique befriended and collected many of the biggies: Ernst, Magrite, Johns, Rauschenberg, Warhol, and others. This intimate museum within a quaint residential section of Montrose/Museum District showcases. A museum in the middle of a residential neighborhood is a surprising delight. The René Magritte, "The Meaning of Night" is so thought provoking. His unique surrealist work moved me in such an surprising way!!
6. The Strand
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,020 reviews
A lively strip in the heart of historic Galveston feautures pubs, delis and specialty shops.
Reviewed By OriginalYouth - Fort Worth, United States
We always try to take a walk around at the Strand when we visit Galveston. There are lots of shops for all budgets, including souvenirs, toys, Resort Wear, collectibles, beauty products Etc. There are restaurants and lots of photo opportunities including street art and murals, a giant chair to pose with, covered awnings in an amazing candy store where you can watch them make fresh taffy.
7. The Seawall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,882 reviews
Walk along this eight-mile seawall built to protect Galveston from the raging winds and waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Reviewed By Nomad062_10 - Omaha, United States
I never tire of driving up and down the seawall. Beautiful ocean view. Miles of beach. Functional and iconic. Plenty of activities, shops, and food. Must pay to park along the wall which is different from the last time we visited.
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. Mary Jo Peckham Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 243 reviews
Known as the "park for all children."
Reviewed By Roam741589
Excellent indoor pool - check monthly pool schedule for classes and times. Changing room is clean with lockers and showers. Indoor exercise room. Putt putt facility undergoing renovation. Children’s outdoor play area. Fishing pond. Walking trail around the pond. Plenty of picnic tables.
10. Sea Turtle, Inc.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,023 reviews
Ila Loetscher, the "Turtle Lady of South Padre Island", originally formed our organization to save the Kemp's ridley sea turtle in 1977. Now we are a sea turtle hospital with a mission to rehabilitate and release any injured sea turtles, increase awareness concerning their safety and habitat, and assist with conservation efforts for all sea turtle species. We are funded by donations, grants and gift shop proceeds-- For rehabilitated sea turtle and hatchling release text message notifications, please see our website membership page. See you at Sea Turtle, Inc.!
Reviewed By 398edwardr - Ainsworth, United States
This was very interesting. It is a sea turtle restoration / rehabilitation center. Great exhibits with live turtles and fish in the large tanks for viewing also interesting talks by naturalists every 1/2 hour or so. Loved it!
