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Trip Planner :  USA  /  Texas  /  Texas Gulf Coast

Texas Gulf Coast

4.2
Specialty Museums · Aquariums · Science Museums
Stretching over 965 km (600 mi) from Louisiana to the Mexican border, the Texas Gulf Coast is the state's main region for outdoor activity and vacation getaways. Dotted with funky seaside villages, expansive national parks, and beautiful golden sand beaches, the Gulf Coast is only an hour's drive from Houston, the state's cultural and commercial hub. For some historical sightseeing, wander through centuries-old downtown Galveston, or head to South Padre Island for a tropical holiday. When using our United States road trip tool, you're building your holiday based on your own interests, visitor reviews, and the informed opinions of our well-traveled writers.
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    Top Texas Gulf Coast tours

    FROM $29 BOOK WITH VIATOR Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Galveston with a Guide Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Galveston with a Guide
    4.8
    Duration: 1 hour
    Tours from $29 ›
    FROM $20 BOOK WITH VIATOR Eco and Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island Eco and Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island
    4.8
    Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Tours from $20 ›
    FROM $25 BOOK WITH VIATOR Space Center Houston Admission Ticket Space Center Houston Admission Ticket
    4.3
    Duration: 1 day
    Tours from $25 ›
    FROM $97 BOOK WITH VIATOR Parasailing Adventure South Padre Island Parasailing Adventure South Padre Island
    4.9
    Duration: 45 minutes
    Tours from $97 ›
    FROM $20 BOOK WITH VIATOR Historic Galveston Ghost Tour Historic Galveston Ghost Tour
    4.7
    Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Tours from $20 ›
    FROM $17 BOOK WITH VIATOR 90-Minute Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island 90-Minute Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island
    4.7
    Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Tours from $17 ›
    FROM $14 BOOK WITH VIATOR Houston Museum of Natural Science General Admission Houston Museum of Natural Science General Admission
    4.4
    Duration: 3 hours
    Tours from $14 ›
    FROM $90 BOOK WITH VIATOR NASA's Space Center plus Houston's Official City Tour NASA's Space Center plus Houston's Official City Tour
    4.0
    Duration: 6 hours
    Tours from $90 ›
    FROM $32 BOOK WITH VIATOR Astroville Air-Conditioned Underground Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston Astroville Air-Conditioned Underground Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston
    5.0
    Duration: 90 to 120 minutes
    Tours from $32 ›

    Places to visit in Texas Gulf Coast

    HoustonTrip planner Best for: Specialty Museum, Science Museum, Ballet GalvestonTrip planner Best for: Historic Walking Area, Garden, Theme Park Corpus ChristiTrip planner Best for: Military Museum, Aquarium, National Park South Padre IslandTrip planner Best for: Nature / Park, Dolphin / Whale Watching, Surfing / Windsurfing / Kitesurfing Port AransasTrip planner Best for: Beach, Nature / Park, State Park

    Regions of Texas Gulf Coast

    Galveston IslandTrip planner

    Visit a single location or make it a multi-destination trip.

    Popular things to do in Texas Gulf Coast

    The Houston Museum of Natural Science ©
    Science Museum
    The Houston Museum of Natural Science
    Houston
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours
    The Seawall ©
    Historic Walking Area
    The Seawall
    Galveston
    4.3
    Duration: 2 hours
    USS Lexington Museum on the Bay ©
    Military Museum
    USS Lexington Museum on the Bay
    Corpus Christi
    4.8
    Duration: 2 hours
    Sea Turtle, Inc. ©
    Nature / Park
    Sea Turtle, Inc.
    South Padre Island
    4.7
    Duration: 1h 30 min

    Kid-friendly things to do in Texas Gulf Coast

    Moody Gardens ©
    Garden
    Moody Gardens
    Galveston
    3.7
    Duration: 2 hours
    Texas State Aquarium ©
    Aquarium
    Texas State Aquarium
    Corpus Christi
    4.1
    Duration: 4 hours
    ©
    Dolphin / Whale Watching
    Dolphin & Whale Watching
    South Padre Island
    4.5
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    ©
    Boat Tour
    Boat Tours & Water Sports
    Port Isabel
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours

    Museums in Texas Gulf Coast

    Space Center Houston ©
    Specialty Museum
    Space Center Houston
    Houston
    4.2
    Duration: 2 hours
    Buy tickets from $25 ›
    Museum of Fine Arts, Houston ©
    Art Museum
    Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
    Houston
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours
    The Menil Collection ©
    Art Museum
    The Menil Collection
    Houston
    4.6
    Duration: 2 hours
    Galveston Railroad Museum ©
    Specialty Museum
    Galveston Railroad Museum
    Galveston
    4.3
    Duration: 2 hours

    Hidden gems in Texas Gulf Coast

    Malaquite Beach and Pavilion
    Beach
    Malaquite Beach and Pavilion
    Corpus Christi
    4.6
    Duration: 2 hours
    Holocaust Museum Houston ©
    History Museum
    Holocaust Museum Houston
    Houston
    4.5
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Mustang Island State Park ©
    State Park
    Mustang Island State Park
    Port Aransas
    4.1
    Duration: 2 hours
    Battleship Texas State Historic Site ©
    Specialty Museum
    Battleship Texas State Historic Site
    La Porte
    4.6
    Duration: 2 hours

    Parks in Texas Gulf Coast

    Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park ©
    Park
    Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
    Houston
    4.4
    Duration: 2 hours
    South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center ©
    Nature / Park
    South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
    South Padre Island
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours
    Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center ©
    Nature / Park
    Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
    Port Aransas
    4.5
    Duration: 2 hours
    Discovery Green ©
    Playground
    Discovery Green
    Houston
    4.4
    Duration: 2 hours

    Shopping in Texas Gulf Coast

    Seas the Day ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Seas the Day
    South Padre Island
    5.0
    Duration: 2 hours
    Murdochs ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Murdochs
    Galveston
    4.3
    Duration: 2 hours
    Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard
    South Padre Island
    4.9
    Duration: 2 hours
    Gratitude ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Gratitude
    Port Aransas
    4.9
    Duration: 2 hours

    Don't Miss a Thing.
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