Victoria family activities (Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi: 2009, house, layoffs)

[Bluesjanet]

Hi. I'm going to Victoria to spend time with my teen. I'd appreciate some ideas of inexpensive, somewhat nearby things to go do! I've only been to Victoia twice for just a few days each time. Still learning my way around. I go to Victoria (from California) about 3 times a year. My kid doesn't know the area very well either. Thanks! ~Janet~

[jtur88]

The college here has a terrific baseball team, playing their games before enthusiastic crowds. They're 20-11, just ending a 9-game winning strak. Here's the schedule:

University of Houston Victoria - 2009 Baseball Schedule

If you are here in May, Victoria will host the NAIA playoffs in the unaffiliated division. Then, June-August, Victoria will have a collegiate summer-league team, playing in a 5-team league.

[NeedAVacation]

Originally Posted by Bluesjanet

I'd appreciate some ideas of inexpensive, somewhat nearby things to go do!

That depends on what do you consider "nearby".... Check the Travel Tex website (or send for the guide by mail) for some good ideas.

Many people don't know about the Victoria Educational Gardens located at the old officer's club at the Victoria Airport.

The Museum of the Coastal Bend is located on the Victoria College campus.

McNamara House Museum.

The Texas Zoo in Riverside Park.

You could check out Coleto Creek Park between Victoria & Goliad.

I'd recommend a day trip to the Goliad area. The Mission Espiritu Santo has a museum and interpretive center and is on the grounds of Goliad State Park. Bring a picnic lunch. Apparently there is a public swimming pool across the street, but we've never been there. Just down the road is the Presidio La Bahia. The Fannin Battleground State Historic Site is also just a few miles away. If you're there on the right Saturday, Goliad's Market Day sounds worth checking out.

Day trips to San Antonio, Rockport, Port Aransas and Corpus Christi are an option. They are all within a 2 hour drive of Victoria.

[jtur88]

(Deleted---post wrongly placed, belonged in different thread.)

[Bluesjanet]

Thank you! for the ideas. Love baseball myself, and so does my travelling partner. My kid has special needs and unfortunately wouldn't be able to stay tuned into a baseball game long enough to make it worthwhile. But that's an option if we need a little break ourselves during out visit.

A 2 hour drive, a bit too far, sadly. Again because of my kid's special mental health needs, it's too far from her home-away-from-home there. Sorry I didn't define "nearby,", maybe 45 minutes drive or or less one way, away from Victoria is about what I'm thinking we might be able to handle.

Thank you! Very much for the suggestions. I will investigate the Travel Tex website definitely. I don't think Goliad is too far. Gardens, swimming pools, museums all doable. Things where we keep moving. Ha ha! What about Port LaVaca (did I spell that right?) is that a good place to go too? Is there a beach there anywhere?

Thanks again everyone for the help.

~Janet

[jtur88]

How old is she? Is she limited in mobility, or cognition, or what? The beaches south of Port Lavaca are practically deserted---get a map and head toward Indianola. On the same circle trip, you can visit Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Plenty of alligators, but most birds too far away to see without binoculars. Both would be a single 100-mile loop.

[Bluesjanet]

She is 17. No limitations in mobility. She is developmentally delayed, but pretty bright. The delays are mainly emotional. She tends to have younger interests. Your suggestion for the Wildlife refuge and Indianola sound good, I'll check that out. Thanks!