Things to do & places to visit in Texas Gulf Coast, Texas, United States

Texas Gulf Coast region in Texas, United States. Timezone: America/Chicago, current date and time: Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 13:18.

Top things to do (21)

Top places to visit (24 attractions)

5.0 The Music Box Theater (500 reviews)
- Great Night Out
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Theaters

The Music Box Theater provides audiences a unique mix of live popular music and original comedy in a relaxes club environment. There are songs you know sung by people you should know and there is something for everyone. Appropriate for all ages. See more..
4.5 Space Center Houston (9.735 reviews) from $32.63
- Caution: May Cause Time Travel
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Speciality Museums

Located in the heart of NASA’s spaceflight program, Space Center Houston is a must-visit for fans of space exploration. With more than 400 space-related artefacts and numerous interactive exhibitions, you can easily spend a whole day learning about NASA’s history and current work. Be sure to hop on the tram tour too, which takes you around the real site of the Johnson Space Center, including the original Mission Control room and a behind-the-scenes look at the astronaut training facilities. You might want to join VIP tours by NASA experts to gain a deeper understanding and inside knowledge of the center. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 The Galleria (5.240 reviews)
- Extremely large shopping mall with any store you would want
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Ballets • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Shopping Malls

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. See more..
4.5 Houston Zoo (4.215 reviews)
- Houston Zoo
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Zoos

The Houston Zoo provides a fun, unique, and inspirational experience fostering appreciation, knowledge, and care for the natural world. Essentially a small city encompassing a world of ecosystems and experiences, the Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts. We have over 6000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! In addition, we have over 1.84 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well being of our residents and guests. See more..
4.5 The Strand (3.095 reviews)
- We enjoyed walking around, shopping, eating, drinking.
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Walking Areas

The Strand is a charming historic district in Galveston, lined with ornate late 1800s buildings and filled with restaurants, art galleries, museums, shops, bars, and more. Here, you try some old-school candy at La King’s Confectionery, shop for souvenirs, visit the Pier 21 theater, take a horse-drawn carriage, or learn about history at the Railroad Museum. Explore the area on a segway tour, or uncover its dark side on a ghost tour. Plan your visit during Mardi Gras in February when The Strand is taken over with parades, music, and parties. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 The Seawall (2.921 reviews)
- Beautiful walk any time of day
Historic Walking Areas

Walk along this eight-mile seawall built to protect Galveston from the raging winds and waters of the Gulf of Mexico. See more..
4.5 Port Aransas Beach (2.106 reviews)
- Beautiful white sand beach area
Beaches

Public beach on Port Aransas that is clean, has a lifeguard and has car-free locations. See more..
4.5 Padre Island National Seashore (1.895 reviews)
- Always a different experience!
National Parks • Beaches

A 15-minute drive from downtown Corpus Christi transports you to this magnificent 70-mile stretch of white sand beach, scenic dunes and warm ocean water, offering ideal conditions for swimming, fishing, beach-combing, windsurfing, camping, bird-watching and viewing wildlife. See more..
4.5 Children's Museum Houston (1.662 reviews) from $17.00
- Great experience.
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Children's Museums

Hands-on interactive exhibits in the areas of science and technology, history and culture, health and human development, and the arts. See more..
4.5 South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center (1.417 reviews)
- Must Go
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas

Also on Facebook- South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center See more..
4.5 1892 Bishop's Palace (1.347 reviews)
- Quite a gem! A National Historical Landmark.
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites

The Bishop's Palace (a.k.a. Gresham House) is a contributing building in the East End Historic District, a National Historic Landmark. The house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the national level of significance in the area of architecture. Architectural historians list the Bishop's Palace (Gresham House) as one of the most significant of Victorian residences in the country. It is owned and operated by Galveston Historical Foundation. See more..
4.5 Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum (1.017 reviews)
- Interesting
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Science Museums

The Ocean Star is a retired jackup drilling rig that offers a fun, hands on way to learn about the offshore oil and gas industry in a comfortable and accessible facility. The museum features three floors of models, exhibits, equipment and interactive displays illustrating the story of offshore exploration and production. This self guided museum offers visitors the unique opportunity to board an actual offshore rig. While ticket sales halt at 4:00 PM, visitors can remain until the site closes at 5:00. Welcome Aboard! See more..
4.5 The Menil Collection (961 reviews)
- Gem of a museum
Tuesday: Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

Houston philanthropists and art patrons John and Dominique de Menil established the Menil Foundation in 1954 to foster greater public understanding and appreciation of art, architecture, culture, religion, and philosophy. In 1987, the Menil Collection’s main museum building opened to the public. Today, the Menil Collection consists of a group of five art buildings and green spaces located within a residential neighborhood. The Menil remains committed to its founders’ belief that art is essential to human experience and fosters direct personal encounters with works of art. The museum welcomes all visitors free of charge to its buildings and surrounding green spaces. See more..
4.5 The Port Aransas Ferry System (883 reviews)
- Great Little Ride
Spent < 1 hour Ferries

This was our first experience taking our car onto a ferry. We arrived in the dark around 9:30 at night on Feb. 28th. It was not crowded and it was very easy to drive our car onto this ferry. It only took about 10 minutes to load the 6 other cars onto the ferry and it was a short 5 minute ride to the City of Port Aransas. It was free and a very positive experience! See more..
4.5 King Ranch Visitor Center (857 reviews)
- Wildlife Galore
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Visitor Centers

A short-day trip from Corpus Christi, the Rio Grande Valley or San Antonio, this 825,000-acre ranch is a privately owned National Historic Landmark and offers daily tours on its Santa Gertrudis division. The King Ranch Museum and Saddle Shop are separate locations in downtown Kingsville. Visitors can watch a video on the history and current operations of the Ranch, as well as explore the butterfly/birding garden on the grounds of the King Ranch Visitor Center. Historical tours are offered twice daily on Tuesday through Saturday. Birding, nature and special interest tours are available by appointment. See more..
4.5 Moody Mansion (778 reviews)
- Beautiful Home Tour!
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • History Museums

Restored to its turn of the century splendor, the 28,000 square-foot, four-story structure was completed in 1895. Today, our guests visit 20 rooms on a self-guided tour that depicts the home life of a powerful Texas family. The Moodys established one of the great American financial empires. Based on cotton, it grew to include banking, ranching, insurance and hotels. The mansion is one of the finest places to visit, a trip back in time. Touring the museum should definitely be on the top on the list for things to do on Historic Galveston Island. Tour Information: Self-guided Audio Tours: Children 6 & Under Free Self-guided audio tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (last tickets sold at 4p.m.; house closes at 5 p.m.) Behind-the-scenes Tours: Exclusive docent-guided tours to areas not normally open to the public 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday | limited size tours | reservations highly recommended Group Tours: Moody Mansion tour descriptions: Self-guided audio tours: Two audio tours allow you to set your own pace through the house and grounds. • The Moody Family tour features six members of the Moody family telling stories about their ancestors. This tour is also translated into Spanish. • Mary’s tour, appropriate for children and adults, is narrated by an actress portraying the late Mary Moody Northen as if she were guiding you through her home. Guided 25th Anniversary Tour: Behind-the-scenes tours celebrate the 25th anniversary of Moody Mansion’s restoration. A knowledgeable docent guides guests through areas not normally open to the public, describing Mary Moody Northen’s vision for preserving her home and sharing her collections. These tours are conducted at 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tour size is limited; reservations are highly recommended. See more..
4.5 Rockport Beach (758 reviews)
- Lovely beach and great place for kids with shallow water
Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM Beaches • Parks

A mile-long sandy beach that offers swimming and a variety of water sports. See more..
4.5 Houston Museum District (717 reviews)
- Houston has four large zones devoted to Museums.
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

Don’t feel bad if you didn’t get the memo. Who would have know that Houston Texas devoted 4 zones of its city to exhibit legendary artworks and cool stuff. There are 19 separate museums and spaces. This could easily take days to explore…The Menil Collection and the Rothko Chapel are but some of the notable spots. Make a list of your favorites.. Planetariums, one of the best zoos in the nation, are all in this area. Plus there are activities and classes. See more..
4.5 Cockrell Butterfly Center (712 reviews)
- Magical and Whimsical. I felt like a Princess.
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Science Museums • Nature & Wildlife Areas

Next to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the glass-enclosed butterfly habitat includes a simulated rainforest and thousands of colorful butterflies. A dramatic 50-foot waterfall and exotic plants transport visitors. See more..
4.5 National Museum of Funeral History (564 reviews)
- A Unique and Interesting Look At The Business of Death!
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums

This museum, owned by a funeral company, houses the largest collection of funereal artifacts in the U.S., traces the history of funeral services, displays historic hearses and provides memorabilia from funerals of the famous, such as Dwight Eisenhower, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Elvis Presley. See more..
4.5 Malaquite Beach (491 reviews)
- Great beach here in Corpus - a must do!!
Tuesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Beaches

This beach on Padre Island is a great camping and beach-going spot. See more..
4.0 Moody Gardens (2.816 reviews)
- Not worth the money for what we got to do
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Gardens

Moody Gardens is an educational conservation center revolving around nature and wildlife. You can enjoy an interactive experience with endangered animals and plants at the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids. Catch a show with the kids at the 3D and 4D theaters or check out the Discovery Museum. End the day onboard the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, complete with dinner. The best time to visit is at year-end, when the park comes alive with a mega holiday celebration—complete with ice skating and exclusive holiday shows. Snag the best deals by booking your tickets online, where you’ll find website-only discounts. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.0 Texas State Aquarium (2.535 reviews)
- Dolphin Show is a must!
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Aquariums

Discover the amazing underwater world of the Texas State Aquarium! Thousands of animals representing over 500 different species are ready to enchant, entertain, and inspire you. Conveniently located on North Beach, the Texas State Aquarium is just minutes from Corpus Christi's downtown district, convention center complex, and museums. Every visit to the Texas State Aquarium is a new and exciting discovery of animals that remind us all of our responsibility to those whose world we share. The Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Aquarium's mission is to engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas, and support wildlife conservation. See more..
4.0 Kemah Boardwalk (2.264 reviews)
- Kemal Boardwalk and The Flying Dutchman
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Amusement & Theme Parks

Overlooking Galveston Bay, Kemah Boardwalk is one of Bay Area Houston’s top attractions, loved for its awesome vibes, amusement rides, game arcades, waterfront restaurants, and live entertainment. The kids will probably enjoy feeding manta rays at the aquarium, the 65-foot-high Ferris wheel, and miniature train; while the adults can tackle thrilling rides like the Iron Eagle or Boardwalk Bullet wooden coaster. There are also loads of dining options for some classic Texas BBQ and Cajun seafood. Weekenders can take advantage of the bundled passes, which give you entry to nearby attractions like the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier and Downtown Aquarium. – Tripadvisor See more..