When it comes to the country’shottestbeaches , we ’re fairly certain Texas is n’t the first office that pops into one ’s mind . The Third Coast may just beAmerica ’s most overlooked beach paradisebecause , not only does it stretch 367 naut mi without even leaving the land , it also plays home to a Texas - sized number of crazy cool activities . These are your Gulf Coast must - State Department .
Get away from it all atBoca Chica Beach
BrownsvilleLying still at the bottom tip of Texas , just detach from the rowdier South Padre Island , this 8 - mi , nearly untouched slip of sand is protect by as part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge . Meaning though it ’s close to the spring interruption crowd and their brethren , the desolate beach feels a million miles forth . It ’s a choice spot for beach bivouacking , fishing , snorkel diving , kiteboarding , and straight up chillin ’ without the noise of the forward-looking world . So put away your iPhone ( you probably do n’t get service anyway ) and take in the au natural beauty of Texas ’ Deep South.-Brooke Viggiano
Party at one ofthe world’s top beach bars
South Padre IslandWhat do you get when you combine a massive seaboard deck with top - name concerts and the ability to go for 5,000 people ? You get the rager that isClayton ’s , the " Biggest Beach Bar in Texas " that feel like something out of the movieSpring Breakers . Minus the armed robbery and replace James Franco with French Montana , obviously . Head there Friday and Saturday nights March through October for a side of fireworks with your beachside imbibing.-Brooke Viggiano
Watch your favorite movie, drive-in style, at thishistoric lighthouse
Port IsabelWhile most folks belike consider lighthouses an picture of the Northeastern US , the Port Isabel Lighthouse is not only a real - good deal pharos , it ’s also part of the Treasures of the Gulf Museum . And everyone knows that lighthouses make for great Instagram selfies that will immediately make your friend stuck in a stall insanely jealous . But hold off , there ’s more . During the summer , the lighthouse shows Graeco-Roman films and recent blockbuster hits , screened right there on the side of the lighthouse . So if you ’ve ever had the impulse to watchStar Wars : The Force Awakensprojected onto the side of a lighthouse while ocean waving lightly crash behind you , you ’re in luck.-Amanda Cobra
Catch sunsets & starry skies onMatagorda Island
Matagorda Island / Calhoun CountyCharter a gravy boat – or take your own if you ’re a baller – from Port O’Connor to this remote island , where you ’ll find 38 miles of rude shores and bayside marshes . Known for its seclusion and born charm , Matagorda Island provides ample stargazing and sunset see opportunities . Check out the lighthouse dating from 1852 that abide at the north end of the island , then head toSunday Beachto unwind and catch scene of the wide - open skies . up the Latinian language factor with a blanket and box o’wine also never hurt anyone.-Brooke Viggiano
Go on achili & beer quest
GalvestonYou can do so at Yaga ’s annual Chili Quest & Beer Fest , held on the Strand every January . Chili aficionados from all over the South bring their hot , substantive , most flavor - packed concoctions to vie in a one - lot chili showdown . Show up , pay like 15 buck , and taste all the chili you mayhap can . Then head over to the beer fest ( for additional bucks ) to try all the craft beer they will take into account you to . Wash , rinse , repeat.-Brooke Viggiano
Go windsurfing atBird Island Basin
Padre IslandNot only is this Padre Island washbowl slightly deep than the respite of the Laguna Madre , it also boasts good wind and water experimental condition somewhat much year round , nominate it a democratic spot for breaker - sailing the wave . It ’s also no jest the well flat water windsurfing site in the continental US , at least according toWindsurfing Magazine(we’re going to believe them here , windsurf being their muddle and all).-Brooke Viggiano
Check out thepatio scene at the Port A Beach Lodge
Port AransasThe Port A Beach Lodge is what a Jimmy Buffett euphony video would count like if it were directed by Quentin Tarantino ( and that ’s a compliment ) . The ultimate retro motel located directly on the beach , the Port A Beach Lodge is to beach bums as the garish nightclub are to NBA stars . The hotel rooms usually fulfil up very quickly in the peak season but do n’t niggle . Even if you ca n’t get a elbow room reserved , the hotel ’s legal community and patio overlook the beach and volunteer an ideal spot for late night drinking with sunburned locals and holidaymaker alike . Or a well point for some oily breakfast and a loving cup of coffee the next morning.-Amanda Cobra
Have a drink onthe roof of The Tremont Houseoverlooking The Strand
GalvestonThe town of Galveston is a tough old broad . It was the site of one of the high-risk rude disasters in American account , the historical hurricane of 1900 . Miraculously , some of the most breathtaking social system and house on the island survived the storm and , upon completion of the mole , the island ’s celebrated Strand was once again a tourist destination . Think of The Strand as Galveston ’s Gallic Quarter where souvenir hunters and families flock by day and revelers congregate by night . And there ’s no better perch to watch that nighttime crowd than from the rooftop bar of the historical Tremont House hotel.-Amanda Cobra
Drink beer, shoot pool, and eat oysters like the locals at thedive bar Pop’s Place
RockportFor some , the thought of a beach prevention equalise colorful frozen drinks with umbrella and service in glasses that one can take home at the last of the night . But for those who like a little more local flavor ( interpret : cursing ) and an authentic gustatory modality of the coastal life story , Pop ’s Place in Rockport is a hallowed destination . Foodwise , Pop ’s is known for their legendary fried oysters . But if you prefer your watering hole more colourful than a swirled daiquiri , Pop ’s will crack you spread out an ice rink - cold beer out of a bottleful or a can or let you institute in your own pot liquor . It ’s the kind of place where you almost sure as shooting will result with a story to tell.-Amanda Cobra
Get shucked up at one of thebest oyster bars in America
DickinsonWe’re tattle about Gilhooley ’s , the Third Coast raw barroom has become ground zero for huitre slurping . Get some of the beautifully brackish number fresh from the water in rude shape , but be utterly certain to also get them in barbecue form . Their namesake huitre special – the Allium sativum butter - painted , Parmesan - dotted , oak and pecan wood - smoked , crisp and bubbling Oysters Gilhooley – are a taste of true coastal Americana . confabulate during oyster time of year for premier pickins , and do n’t blank out the cash.-Brooke Viggiano
Ride theworld’s tallest water coaster
GalvestonSure most people think the New Braunfels Schlitterbahn is the bee ’s knees , but do they have the tallest water system coaster in the ENTIRE WORLD ? No , because Galveston does . The record - breaking MASSIV , cleverly list after the German word for monolithic , uses jet stream of water to blast you both uphill AND downhill . All you have to do is hop in a tube with your partner , which sounds passably easygoing until you remember your crippling fear of heights.-Brooke Viggiano
Pitch a tenton a protected and car-free beach
Mustang IslandHave you ever had that belief as you ’re lying on the beach , heed to the reposeful sound of the waves , where you just cogitate , “ Man , I bet I could get some awesome sleep out here on this beach . ” Then the phone of a Jeep full of college kids scream , “ amount at me , bro ! ” pass by and you give up in all . Well , your aspiration can become a reality , for $ 10 , campers can pitch a tent and rest for the dark on the protected beach at Mustang Island State Park . For $ 20 , you could camp down in the area with 24 - hour admission to showers and electricity . Either room , think of the stars and the phone of the waving lulling you sleep.-Amanda Cobra
Dolphin watch on theferry ridefrom mainland to Port Aransas
Port AransasAdmittedly , the ferry ride between Aransas Pass on the mainland and the island of Port Aransas is a fair short drive . In fact , once you ’ve park your elevator car on the ferry , you may be influence to stay put in the fomite and zone out . But do yourself a favour and get out of the railroad car and take a look around . There ’s usually a pretty good chance that you will be greet by the sight of a radical of dolphin showing off for the tourists . Now if that ’s not Instagram worthy , we do n’t know what is.-Amanda Cobra
Watchbaby sea turtles hatch IRL
Watch winged wonders at one of the nineWorld Birding Centers
Various locations in the Rio Grande Valley coastlineFor some , the Word of God “ Padre ” in relation to a beach holiday immediately conjures genial image of spring breakers shotgunning the cheapest beer they could retrieve and generally making a pain . However , Padre has much more to volunteer than just a topographic point to rest your styrofoam tank . It is home to one of the nine World Birding Centers , which offers visitant an up - airless glimpse of over 500 species of birds , including many rare , alien , and tropical species . The bonus is that proceeds from admission at these centers goes directly to helping preserve endangered species of our winged friends.-Amanda Cobra
Make amends for any previous spring break transgressions and join anAdopt-a-Beach cleanup
Various beachesLet ’s front it , you ’ve probably been a beach litterbug at some decimal point in your life , whether out of absentmindedness or a few too many tasty drinkable . Perhaps even , you were once a college youngster who seize that your beer tail end , styrofoam container , and empty fried - chicken bucketful would magically go away when the seagull cleaning team establish up during the night . Now is the prison term to make up for your wicked , trashy ways . While vacationing on the Texas seacoast , you may spend a few hour lending a help hand to the Texas Adopt - a - Beach program , joining fellow do - gooders in helping check that our beach stick beautiful . Bonus is that you get access to secluded and outside beaches that you might not otherwise get a chance to see and experience.-Amanda Cobra
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ohrim/Shutterstock
Clayton’s Beach Bar and Grill
Flickr/stu_spivack
The Tremont House
Schlitterbahn Galveston
Isabelle Kuehn/Shutterstock
