The Ideal 7-Day Texas Vacation (Houston, Dallas: home, school district, university)

[case44]

Here's my idea of a 7-dayer in Texas. I'd go down to the Houston-Galveston area first and spend time at the coast. That would be a quick drive -- I can make Houston in four hours. I would then take a drive along the coastal highways (notably State Highway 35 just north of the coastline - it goes from Houston down to Corpus). Then I'd go to South Padre for a couple of days, and then back to San Antonio and on through the Hill Country before coming back home.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by case44

Here's my idea of a 7-dayer in Texas. I'd go down to the Houston-Galveston area first and spend time at the coast. That would be a quick drive -- I can make Houston in four hours. I would then take a drive along the coastal highways (notably State Highway 35 just north of the coastline - it goes from Houston down to Corpus). Then I'd go to South Padre for a couple of days, and then back to San Antonio and on through the Hill Country before coming back home.

Well if you do go to Galveston I recommend the Seascape Condos as they are a small complex w/ a large pool, nice hot tub and RIGHT ON THE BEACH! Instead of across the highway like most. Escapes is nice also and new but a bit farther west and on the beach. At either one you don't have much on either side of you to make the beach crowded. We don't do highrise hotels especially on the beach so we really love Seascape.

[MSJones]

Agree with mom - Seascape IS nice.

We stayed at River Bluff Cabins on the Frio a few times - not the fanciest place in the world, but right on the river, family-friendly, and everything we needed:

River Bluff Cabins on the Frio River

[lonestar2007]

ooooh, makes you want to go right now. Talk about getting itchy feet, all these good posts are making me want to throw a few things in a bag and hit the road, pronto!

I've never been able to make up my mind when I'm camping out if I like it better with the full moon or no moon at all. The full moon is so beautiful at night when you are outdoors. The last time we went to South Padre Island there as a full moon and standing on the beach at night, looking out over the water with the moon shining on it, is beyond words to describe how beautiful and peaceful it was.

Then the times you go when there is no moon and the sky at night is so black and velvet looking with the biggest and brightest stars you can imagine, trillions of them, like a blanket above you filled with sparkling diamonds. Breathtaking.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by Guerilla

The only parts of Texas that I have never been to is the Big Bend Area and West Texas.

Same here. I want to go to the Big Bend and maybe Palo Duro canyon.

[TXTwizter]

Start in Ft Worth, then down to Austin, New Braunfels, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Houston.

I grew up in Waco and live in Dallas so I purposely omitted those.

[loves2read]

don't know why anyone would want to go to Houston on vacation--try to stay out of that town...too much traffic, humidity, humanity

[carolmcb]

How can you have an ideal vacation in Texas for just 7 days?

I don't know how long my vacation would last but I would start out in

Galveston - I haven't been there for many years. I would stay for several days to get both beach time and historic tour time. I would take the ferry to Port Bolivar just for fun. Then, taking I don't care how long, a slow drive down to:

Corpus Christi - I have only stayed on North Padre Island once many years ago. So, I'm not sure whether I would stay in Corpus or on the island. I would want a lot of good beach time so the island sounds more likely. I would want to visit Padre Island National Seashore but day trip only. Camping out is not for me. Then, again, taking how long I don't care, a slow drive down to:

South Padre Island - When I was young, I spent many weekends here. We had a house trailer and a boat at Jim's Pier. From what I read Jim's Pier still exists. I would treat myself to the best accommodations that I could possibly afford and try to reorient myself to a place that must look nothing like I last saw it. I hope that at least the jetties are still there. Nothing like risking you neck climbing out on to them. After some more good beach time and eating at every recommended restaurant, I would head into Port Isabel and do something I never did when I lived in the area. I would climb up the Post Isabel Lighthouse. I don't like heights but I think that this climb is worth the nerves. Then, I going home to:

Brownsville - Unfortunately, I have no family left to visit but I can visit some of the places that meant a lot to me. The old Brownsville High School has undergone a complete renovation and is now the administrative offices for the Brownsville School District. The old Fort Brown and Texas Southmost College are now the home of the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. The pictures I have seen of the campus are beautiful. One place not to miss is the Gladys Porter Zoo. It one of the top ranked zoos in the U.S. I loved it when it was first built in 1971. I sure that it is even more beautiful now. I feel a personal connection with the zoo having known Mrs. Porter. What a great lady she was. She and her family did a great deal for Brownsville through the Earl Sams Foundation.

Then, I think -- yes -- back to South Padre Island! This might be a lifetime vacation.

[Delta Planter]

Palo Duro Canyon, camp out for a week.

[carolmcb]

Originally Posted by carolmcb

How can you have an ideal vacation in Texas for just 7 days?

I don't know how long my vacation would last but I would start out in

Galveston - I haven't been there for many years. I would stay for several days to get both beach time and historic tour time. I would take the ferry to Port Bolivar just for fun. Then, taking I don't care how long, a slow drive down to:

Corpus Christi - I have only stayed on North Padre Island once many years ago. So, I'm not sure whether I would stay in Corpus or on the island. I would want a lot of good beach time so the island sounds more likely. I would want to visit Padre Island National Seashore but day trip only. Camping out is not for me. Then, again, taking how long I don't care, a slow drive down to:

South Padre Island - When I was young, I spent many weekends here. We had a house trailer and a boat at Jim's Pier. From what I read Jim's Pier still exists. I would treat myself to the best accommodations that I could possibly afford and try to reorient myself to a place that must look nothing like I last saw it. I hope that at least the jetties are still there. Nothing like risking you neck climbing out on to them. After some more good beach time and eating at every recommended restaurant, I would head into Port Isabel and do something I never did when I lived in the area. I would climb up the Post Isabel Lighthouse. I don't like heights but I think that this climb is worth the nerves. Then, I going home to:

Brownsville - Unfortunately, I have no family left to visit but I can visit some of the places that meant a lot to me. The old Brownsville High School has undergone a complete renovation and is now the administrative offices for the Brownsville School District. The old Fort Brown and Texas Southmost College are now the home of the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. The pictures I have seen of the campus are beautiful. One place not to miss is the Gladys Porter Zoo. It one of the top ranked zoos in the U.S. I loved it when it was first built in 1971. I sure that it is even more beautiful now. I feel a personal connection with the zoo having known Mrs. Porter. What a great lady she was. She and her family did a great deal for Brownsville through the Earl Sams Foundation.

Then, I think -- yes -- back to South Padre Island! This might be a lifetime vacation.

I totally forgot one thing that is on my list. While in Corpus, I would go over to Aransas Pass and go out on the Texas Treasure Casino Cruise. Sounds like fun and you get an ocean cruise.