Fun things to see and do in South Texas

South Texas sightseeing boasts plenty of gems, the diamond of which are the beaches that border the gulf.

Traditional beach vibes might bring images of colorful Miami or the boardwalks of California, but Texas brings its own flair as well.

A little-known fact to non-Texans is that some major cruise lines have ships that depart from Galveston, Texas as well!

South Texas is flooded with all sorts of great finds–here’s what to do in South Texas!

Stroll along the San Antonio Riverwalk.

The San Antonio Riverwalk has a fun collection of restaurants and bars in San Antonio, all with a great view.

There are several cool patio spots that offer a great view of the water. There are so many different types of cuisine available whether you’re looking for a great ice cream spot or a vegan/vegetarian lunch place the Riverwalk will have it all!

You can take a boat tour through all the canals, most of this area is man-made but it’s still a beautiful attraction.

If you walk away from the main strip of restaurants there are beautiful trails that lead around the water.

The San Antonio Riverwalk is one of the quintessential things to see in South Texas.

Go horseback riding on the beach on South Padre Island.

Always wanted to ride a horse on a beach. On South Padre Island, you can!

For horse lovers, horseback riding on South Padre, especially at sunset, is one of the best South Texas activities to experience.

Step inside the Alamo.

The Alamo is near the Riverwalk area of San Antonio, and it is a relic of military history for Texas.

The fortress started out as a chapel and compound for Catholic priests and ended up being a shelter for Texan soldiers to defend themselves against the Mexican Army.

There are educational items located throughout the physical building for you to get to learn more about the battle. You can also book a guided tour of the chapel or do a self-guided audio tour. 

Discover the San Antonio Missions.

As Texas’ only UNESCO World Heritage Site, the San Antonio Missions are absolutely one of the best places to visit in South Texas.

These locations are some of the biggest representations of the Catholic faith from the 18th century onward.

The Missions are connected through a large trail which is broken up into blocks.

The Missions represent a painful but powerful moment in the religious evolution of the city.

A lot of what Texan culture is like comes from this area and this point in time. It is the symbol of the Spanish Conquistadors in American history, some of the most beautiful architecture is represented by the churches at the Missions.

Tour the renowned Moody Mansion.

Moody Mansion is a restored mansion in Galveston, Texas. This beautiful, historic home was built in 1895 and was occupied by a wealthy family.

The restored property has made its way to the National Register of Historic Places.

The home itself is 28,000 square feet and has 20 rooms! It is filled with memorabilia and personal effects from the family and shows what old-school wealth looked like in the early 20th century.

The museum has been established as a charitable effort to preserve the arts and promote the Moody family’s philanthropic efforts.

Visit a Battlefield

Located just north of Brownsville, Palo Alto Battlefield is the site of the first battle of the Mexican War, which was fought on May 8, 1846. The site was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and a National Historic Site in 1978. Today, the 3,400-acre battlefield is the only unit of the National Park Service that has a primary focus on the US/Mexican War.

Go to the Zoo

Located a short distance above the US/Mexico border in Brownsville, the Gladys Porter Zoo is one of the most renown zoos in Texas and the United States. First opened in 1971, Gladys Porter Zoo covers 26 acres, includes over 1,300 animals, and attracts close to 400,000 visitors annually.

Falcon International Reservoir

Although it is one of the driest regions in Texas, South Texas boasts some of the best freshwater fishing in the Lone Star State. This is particularly true concerning bass fishing, as two of the best big bass lakes in the nation -- Falcon Lake in Zapata and Choke Canyon Reservoir near Three Rivers -- are located in South Texas.

Celebrate Culture Along the Border

Held during March each year in the South Texas border town of Hidalgo, Borderfest is the oldest cultural art and music festival in the Rio Grande Valley. Each year Borderfest is themed to celebrate a different culture and features performances from some of the country's top musical performers.

Hear Tall Tales

During the first weekend of November each year, the tiny South Texas town of George West hears some of the tallest tales in Texas. For more than two decades, the state's best story tellers have gathered here during that weekend for George West's annual Story fest, one of the most unique festivals in Texas. In addition to live performances by the various story tellers, Story fest features live music, a car show, street dance, “Little Red Wagon” parade, quilt show and more.

Celebrate Charro Days

A celebration of "two nation cooperation," Brownsville's annual Charro Days festival has been around in its current format since 1938, it is rumored that the first “unofficial” Charro Days took place in the early to mid-1800s, when citizens of Brownsville and Matamoros, just across the Rio Grande River in Mexico, came together to celebrate a cooperative climate between the two nations. In addition to numerous dances, there will be a flour tortilla eating contest, folkloric dancing, a golf tournament, parades, pageants and more.

Go Birding

Birding has become of the nation's most popular outdoor recreational activities in recent years. Due to its warm weather and myriad of avian species, South Texas has become of the most popular birding destinations. South Texas is also home to some of the nation's best birding facilities, such as the Rio Grande Valley's World Birding Center, the Great Coastal Birding Trail, and numerous state parks and national wildlife refuges.

Attend the Peanut Festival

Held each year in Floresville, the Peanut Festival celebrates this South Texas town's claim as the Peanut Capitol of Texas. Held the second week of October each year, the Peanut Festival is generally greeted with pleasant autumn weather and features a wide variety of fun family activities and events.

Do you have a fun attraction to add?  Let us know!