xx

[cati]

xx

 

[hipporina]

If you don't want to go to the south end, then Galveston is probably your best bet. The beaches aren't as beautiful as say a Florida beach, but they aren't horrible either. Galveston is actually an island just past Houston and is totally touristy. There is a sea wall with all sorts of shops and restaraunts and of course beaches. My favorite beach is Stuart Beach. There is also a place called Moody Gardens that has an aquarium and more. Also, with Houston close, you could go to NASA (which is fun) or Six Flags Astroworld (which I don't like at all) without too much trouble. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

Kristy

 

[ScarlettO]

Even tho I go to Galveston frequently, I surely wouldn't go there all the way from NC to enjoy the beaches! The North Florida coast around Destin is much closer, breathtaking AND has gobs of fun stuff to do(putt putt, water parks, restaurants, shopping. Even Gulf Shores , AL is nicer.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

No one flame me for this ... But I think the beaches are filthy here. Now I have not been down there in 3 years but I can tell you when I was there I wouldnt get itn he water and niether did my kids .I love TX but the beaches are nasty

 

[Tori Paige]

I live a fewminutes out of Galveston and it is not the best beach. Also not very good waves if you surf.

 

[Gupsmom]

Sorry to tack on to your thread but we're thinking of going to the Austin area (friends just moved there). What would be some good things to look into with 3 little kids (4 1/2, 6 and 7)? We like to be busy so I'm trying to decide if there's enough to keep us going?

Jess

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'm from Texas, and have been to Galveston plenty of times, and I dont think its a beach worth visiting at ALL. We go to Florida if we want a nice beach =)

If you want to see Texas, I would suggest San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, or Austin instead. Or Ft Worth. San Antonio seems the most touristy =) One of hte best waterparks in the US is in New Braunfels, which isnt too bad of a drive from San Antonio. You could always visit Houston and drive to Galveston if you wanted... its on 45 min south to hit it.

Just don't expect too much =)

 

[JoGloMorKat]

GupsMom

In Austin itself, the "lakes" are a nice place to play. Austin has the Bob Buullock State History Museum which also has an IMAX theatre. About 1 hour south of Austin is Schlitterban Water Park. San Antonio is about 1.5 hours and it has Sea World and 6 Flags.

As far as Texas Beaches go... Stick to Destin. Corpus is nice but not nearly as nice as Destin.

 

[cati]

Thanks everyone - think I will replan our vacation. Maybe go to Florida beaches.

 

[TigerBear]

Definitely do Florida!! South Padre Island is the only decent beach in Texas. It is 100s of miles from any large city and doesn't come close to the beaches of Florida.

 

[KathyTX]

There's lots to see and do in Texas... but our beaches are not anything to brag about.

 

[Kermit]

I agree with the others. I moved to SC from the Dallas area, and I never liked the beaches in TX. They're okay if you don't have to drive very far and you can't get a long vacation in, but they're not worth traveling great distances for.

 

[Planogirl]

The state park on North Padre Island has the nicest beaches and dunes but it's pretty isolated. If you are going just for beaches, I would consider Florida or North Carolina.

edited ** Oops, you are from North Carolina so you didn't need to hear about that. There's also Biloxi/Gulfport if you like casinos and you can travel into New Orleans from that area.

 

[missypie]

There can also be a major jellyfish problem on Texas beaches. Please come visit Texas...we'd love to have you...but maybe in April or October, or even over Thanksgiving. Summer is NOT the time to visit unless you take extreme heat very well. In late September/early October, the State Fair is held in Dallas. You could plan a long weekend and spend the day at the fair and also see Ft. Worth...maybe stay in between at the new Gaylord Texas resort.

San Antonio and Austin are also fun, but if you are visiting in the summer, your activity must have A/C, water to swim in, or be in a cave.

 

[Chris2597]

I live in San Antonio and agree with the other posters....Texas beaches are not that great.....South Padre is ok, but still can not compare to the Fl beaches.....We spent a few days in Galveston last year and enjoyed the city, but the beach area is pretty dirty looking (not trash or anything, just oily looking sand, with a lot of jelly fish and seaweed). We had a good time at the hotel, visiting a couple of the old homes in the area. We want to go back again and go to Moody Gardens. I hear it is very interesting.
There is loads to do in San Antonio and the surrounding area....., but no beaches.

 

[Grog]

(not trash or anything, just oily looking sand, with a lot of jelly fish and seaweed).

 

[TigerBear]

There is also something about the gulf current that makes the water look yucky.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I like to go to Galveston off-season, but not to swim. I agree that Florida's beaches win hands down.

 

[Chris2597]

As I said a few posts back....the beaches are not that great to walk or swim at, but I still love to look at the ocean, especially at night or early in the morning....
We had a great time in Galveston. We stayed at the historic Hotel Galvez and enjoyed the beauty of the hotel and the wonderful pool area. It was very relaxing. We toured a couple of the old homes that have been restored and plan on returning to go to Moody Gardens. We have been told there is also a boardwalk somewhere near Galveston that is fun.

 

[missypie]

I'm just back from a company retreat at the Hyatt Hill Country resort outside of San Antonio..it is just great. Standard rooms have a small fridge. Bealutifully landscaped grounds, tennis, golf, spa, kids' spa, exercise room, adult pool and spa and a regular pool and its own lazy river. A great family desitination. (Sea World is very nearby.)