The Texas coast stretches 350 miles from South Padre Island to the Louisiana border, extending through an array of towns, each with their own rich history. The southern portion of the coast—roughly 100 miles of shoreline between Rockport and South Padre Island—offers travelers a range of heritage tourism opportunities.
Port Aransas
Initially referred to as Star, The Pass, Ropesville, and Tarpon, Port Aransas was officially named in 1911. The town preserves its past by maintaining its 19th-century historic architecture. Visitors can partake in many natural excursions such as tarpon fishing, kayaking, and surfing. Along with its relaxed activities, Port Aransas offers historical experiences making it an ideal tourist destination.
Cultural Attractions
Just across Aransas Bay in Rockport-Fulton, the ornate Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, decorated with dark columns and trim, embodies the wealthy home life of the Fulton family. Luscious grass covers the perimeter of the house, and oak trees surround the sides. The house is filled with love, as well as interior gas lighting and flush toilets. George and Harriet Fulton bought their dream house in 1877 with profits from their ranching empire and spent their lives together in the mansion.
The La Salle Odyssey museums capture Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle’s expedition to Texas, from its conception in France to the discovery of the remains of his ship La Belle. The infectious passion of the museum workers, details of the exhibits, and access to more knowledge from the displays and staff members make the visits worthwhile.
In the early 2000s, the Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport joined the La Salle Odyssey project to show the daily life aboard La Belle. The artifacts range from navigational devices to medical instruments and a large wooden model of the ship encased in glass. The museum also includes reimagined exhibits, allowing visitors to experience the life of the French sailors and their navigation skills.
Natural Heritage
For a relaxing day, visit the CCC-constructed Goose Island State Park. Although visitors cannot swim at the park, they can camp, fish, hike, boat, and observe the wildlife. The 1,620-foot-long fishing pier and boat, kayak, and canoe launch make fishing easily accessible.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi harbors a long history. Initially an advantageous encampment location to secure the border at the Rio Grande, Corpus grew into the largest city in the THC’s Tropical Trail Region. It includes Victorian houses, expansive museums underscoring often-ignored historical events, and a designated Main Street district downtown. For marine archeology enthusiasts, Corpus exhibits 23 shipwreck collections.
Cultural Attractions
The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History features educational exhibits emphasizing the Gulf Coast’s importance to the natural world. The museum’s noteworthy maritime exhibits showcase artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, including an exhibit featuring personal items of the sailors from French explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle’s ill-fated La Belle.
The massive USS Lexington looms large in the Corpus Christi Bay. Once the nation’s longest-serving aircraft carrier, this decommissioned World War II vessel is now a 33,000-ton floating museum. Visitors can experience tours of the ship’s decks and quarters, view restored aircraft, and interact with a high-tech flight simulator.
To learn about the region’s natural heritage, visit the Texas State Aquarium, which inspires appreciation for the Gulf of Mexico and beyond through its exhibits. The Blue Hole and Coral Reef show the area’s unique geography and vibrantly colorful and varied fish. Others show dangerous predators at close yet safe distances. The aquarium rescues and rehabilitates endangered species such as sea turtles and sharks.
South Padre Island
South Padre is accessed from the mainland via the Queen Isabella Causeway at Port Isabel. For a more serene locale, visitors can continue north past the attractions for an uninhabited beachfront stretching for 26 miles.
South Padre’s history began when the Spanish established a permanent residence around 1804. Prior to then, only nomadic Native Americans and survivors of three shipwrecks in 1554 inhabited the space. In fact, remains of the wrecked fleet of ships reportedly lie beneath the waves.
Cultural Attractions
Built in 1852, Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site has withstood the weather for over a century. One of the only Texas lighthouses open to the Texas public, the 72-foot structure offers beautiful views of coastal sites not accessible elsewhere in the state. At the base, visitors can see the lighthouse keeper’s cottage.
Around the Lighthouse
A variety of amenities and attractions circle the historic lighthouse, as it is uniquely situated in downtown Port Isabel. Within steps are dining options with great views, spirits with ambience, the Port Isabel Historical Museum, the longest lighted fishing pier in Texas, a pirate cruise, eco-tourism cruises, bay charters, lots of shopping, and accommodations. Park and spend the entire day relaxing and adventuring.