While Natural Bridge isn’t a town, it is a great place to spend the day. The two main attractions are Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch to feed the exotic species of this African safari in the middle of Texas. This is your chance to feed a buffalo or a ostrich from the comfort of your car. Make your next stop Natural Bridge Caverns to descend underground into the depths of Texas and see largest show cave in Texas. Seriously, this is impressive.
For food, I recommend the burgers at the Wildlife Ranch cafe, but if you want to step away, dive into a Bracken Burger at the Bracken Store Cafe.
If you are ready to wash off, head north and dive into Canyon Lake. Overlook Park offers the best swimming, but Comal Park is the place to take kids since it has a smooth pebble beach. For food, head to Frank’s Bait and Tacos. You’ll love it, just don’t order the bait taco.
We all Remember the Alamo but so few Remember Goliad, a town that was just as important in securing a Texan victory during the Texas Revolution. Check out why its worth remembering.
The major historical sites in Goliad make this town worth remembering and well worth visiting. Start at Presidio La Bahia, a spanish fort that became the location of the Goliad Massacre when Colonel Fannin and 341 other Texian men were executed within and surrounding the forts walls. While in the area, also check out the Zaragoza House which was the birthplace of the Mexican hero of Cinco de Mayo. And dont miss Mission Espiritu Santo residing just down the road inside of Goliad State Park. The mission will give you a history lesson on why Goliad is considered the Birthplace of Texas Ranching.
When you get hungry, I highly recommend stopping by Blue Quail Deli for a sandwich on homemade bread and a cup of their famous and award-winning Cream of Jalapeno Soup. For home-cooking and a piece of pie, head to The Empresario Restaurant. And for traditional and tasty Tex-Mex, dine at La Bahia Restaurant and Cantina just beyond the Presidio La Bahia.
To explore the great outdoors surrounding Goliad, take a trip down the Goliad Paddling Trail, a 6.6 mile stretch of the San Antonio River starting underneath Highway 59 and finishing up at Goliad State Park. Youll find one of the best rope swings in Texas underneath the iron railroad bridge.
If you thought this beautiful island town only existed for a couple weeks in March during Spring Break think again. To download this episode or purchase it on DVD – CLICK HERE.
This beach community makes for one heck of a day trip (even longer if youve got the time). Yes, there are lots of condos, beach shops, and bars to keep the college kids busy, but the rest of the year, South Padre Island is a relaxing oasis that rivals the best beach towns in America. So, heres what to do.
Sun and sand lovers have lots of options. I would start by taking a sand castle lesson from Dennis Barrett, the Sand Slave himself. CLICK HERE to set up a lesson. On the beach side of S. Padre, I also recommend a surf lesson from South Padre Surf Company. Turns out you dont have to go to Cali to catch some waves. On the bay side, take a snorkeling trip on the Southern Wave Catamaran. Youll be amazed how clear the water is, and you might even see a stingray. If you prefer the wildlife above the water, check out the South Padre Birding and Nature Center.
When hungry, head to Pier 19 for breakfast. Their shrimp omelette is one of the greatest breakfasts Ive ever put in my mouth. A more traditional, yet still delicious breakfast is at Teds. For fried seafood, look no further than the island stalwart Dirty Als. And when you need some food, drinks, and relaxation on the beach, Claytons is the place and boasts the biggest beach bar in Texas.
As the nightfalls, if you have an strength (and courage) left, head to the Gravity Adventure Park which bungee jumping, go-carts for adults and kids, as well as my favorite the REVERSE bungee. You gotta try it to believe it.
HOTELS OF CHOICE Claytons Resort for a vintage beach front hotel and Inverness for a beach-front, family friendly condo with kitchen and lots of sleeping room.
