Family Friendly Fun on the Texas Coast

The Texas Coast is filled with recreational opportunities that are family friendly. Educational and historical sites, pristine beaches and places to play are abundant. The long coastline offers a vibrant ecosystem with trails, wildlife refuges and public spaces to visit and enjoy. If you’re traveling as a family, consider hitting the coastline to make the most of your vacation experience.

Family Friendly Beaches

It’s all about the beach days in Texas and there are plenty of places to kick back in the sand. The Rockport public beach is a favorite along the coast because it has easy access and a large, clean public beach. It also has plenty of infrastructure like bathrooms and areas to barbecue, making it ideal for families and groups.

Another great beach sits in Galveston and it comes with a small day use fee but that is used to maintain an incredible beach experience. Stewart Beach has facilities like bathrooms and showers and the beach concessions even offer umbrellas and equipment needed to set up a comfortable day camp on the shoreline. This is ideal for RV travelers who have limited space to carry bulky gear.

If you want more privacy and less services, consider a trip to Mustang Island where the big beaches see few people. The island does have bathrooms but you’ll need your own umbrella. Beach combing, fishing and swimming are all great activities here. The island is beautiful and wild, making it ideal for a family getaway that is easily accessed from the Rockport area.

Kid Friendly Museums

The Texas coast is rich in history and cultural elements and you will find plenty of museums that are great for the kids. The Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport is a great stop for families. The museum showcases the rich history along the coast with multiple fascinating displays. Teenagers with an interest in history will especially enjoy the educational experience.

The Texas State Aquarium is another great stop for families. The Aquarium has over 500-species on display and it’s an amazing introduction to the biodiversity of coastal environments. The aquarium is educational and also extremely entertaining for all ages. While you’re visiting Corpus Christi, there are tons of other things for families to experience. The Port Bolivar Ferry is another side stop to consider after visiting the museum. It makes for a nice mix of indoor/outdoor experiences that are both convenient and easy to plan without a hard schedule.

Take a Boat Ride

Everyone loves a good boat ride and the Texas Coast has a ton of different boat based experiences. A favorite way to experience the coast is through a dolphin viewing tour. There are tour companies that guarantee dolphin sightings up and down the coastline. You will also find a multitude of fishing charters to take the family out for the day. In-shore and off-shore fishing is excellent on the Gulf Coast. Rockport is a mecca for fishing and there are some world class fishing guides. Families with small children can opt for a half-day option to enjoy the ocean without wearing them out entirely.

If fishing and dolphin viewing tours aren’t your thing, consider something more private. You can charter private boat trips and do sunset cruises from many coastal towns. Galveston, Rockport and Corpus Christi are all ideal for charting a private trip. There are a wide range of options for different vessels and budgets up and down the gulf coast.

Play Outside with the Entire Family

You’re already getting outside by visiting the great beaches and taking a boat tour but is just the tip of the iceberg. You will find parks, national wildlife areas, trails and large public spaces like the Padre Island national seashore. The barrier islands located around Corpus Christi and Rockport create an in-shore aquatic environment that is sheltered from big ocean currents. It’s ideal for swimming, kayaking and beach combing. Families who enjoy golf can team up on one of the many courses or you can grab everyone and just take a nice drive along the coastline until you cross a great stopping point.

Aransas County and the Aransas Pathways group is a favorite for exploring trails that are friendly for hikers and bikers. They also have popular water based trails established for safe kayaking routes in the Aransas Bay. Families who want to explore Texas will really enjoy the multitude of friendly recreational opportunities conveniently located.