A Taste of Coastal Texas

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Introduction

Texas State Highway 35 runs from Houston to Corpus Christi, keeping a slight distance from the Gulf of Mexico. A short trip along the highway can reveal scenes and character that you can't get along the interstate. Expect to see skyscrapers and shacks, sprawl and space and everything in between - and thit is only a small slice of what there is to see in Texas. This itinerary is written for a three-day weekend trip, Friday through Sunday, mainly about the second Saturday in June. Several of the listed attractions are available only about that time. Of course, by picking only a few of the listed items, a traveller can follow the full route in under a day. ==Prepare== While some locations are fairly remote, you'll never be too far from civilization. You'll need to use a private vehicle (there are plenty of rental locations at either endpoint), so just make sure to stop for gas when you near a quarter tank. Aside from a basic road safety kit, you'll be able to meet any need that comes up with roadside resources. The most remote place on SH-35 is less so than some places on Route 66.

Travel to A Taste of Coastal Texas

If you aren't already in the Houston area, it's closer to fly into Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) - it borders SH-35. ==Drive== While the "headwaters" of SH-35 are in Mason Park, on Bray's Bayou, safety, sprawl, standards and one-way streets limit the practical starting point to SH-35 (Telephone Rd.) at I-45 (Gulf Freeway) ===Houston to Pearland=== Begin by heading south on SH-35 (here known as Telephone Rd.) from I-45. You'll quickly pass IH-610 and through Houston's Golfcrest neighborhood. This area was considered posh in the 1920s, but has since fallen and is beginning to gentrify. While there is little of specific historical merit along the road and the sights are worth seeing.

Sightseeing Tips

After you pass Hobby Airport and the urbanization fades, you'll pass pastures and feed stores before you even reach BW-8 (the Beltway). You will notice an abrupt rising of buildings again as you enter Pearland.* William P. Hobby Airport | Airport Blvd. GPS The big open space with lots of airplanes flying real low price= Home of Southwest Airlines and the second largest airport in Houston.* Old Settlers Cemetery* Rice Dryer | the towering white structure of adjacent cylinders on the right price= Now-defunct facility where Rice was dried and hulled, a standing homage to one of the three staple crops of the area (the other two being sugar and cotton). Halal Restaurants Please be informed that on some destination such as A Taste of Coastal Texas we had no local Muslim that has researched some of the area. If you are a Muslim/Muslima and have been to A Taste of Coastal Texas or would like to maintain the eHalal Guide to A Taste of Coastal Texas, please contact us at guides@ehalal.io and email us your updates.

If you started in the morning, you might already be ready for something to eat. Among many great places to breakfast are the Busy Bee Cafe, if you have time to sit down and enjoy yourself, or Sonic if you're in a hurry.* Busy Bee Cafe | 4009 Broadway St, Pearland GPS On the right, at Broadway St. ☎ +1 281-485-3335 Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 6AM Monday - 11PM, Friday Saturday 24 hours $10 Homestyle country cookin' & the best pies in Pearland. }}* Sonic Drive-in | 2519 South Main St, Pearland GPS On the left, after Broadway St. ☎ +1 281-485-4427 price= Generic fast food, but if you must stop here, try a vanilla Dr. Pepper.===Pearland to Brazoria=== Take 521 after Angelton, cross the Brazos.

Sightseeing Tips

* Brazos River - FMonday - 521 just before entering town price= One of Texas' most important rivers, lending its name to one of the first state capitals, Washington-on-the-Brazos. }}* Brazoria Public School Building - 214 West Smith St, Brazoria GPS SH-36 at Smith St. ☎ +1 979-798-1414 price= Depression-era school building, recovered and rebuilt into a community center. Houses some museum exhibits, classrooms and community theater. }}* Brazoria County Historical Museum - 100 E. Cedar St., Angleton GPS Cedar at Velasco ☎ +1 979-864-1208 +1 979-864-1217 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 5PM, Saturday 9AM Monday - 3PM Free Housed in the 1897 Brazoria County Courthouse and there are wonderful exhibits from across the county.===Brazoria to Bay City=== Take SH-36 north to West Columbia and then SH-35 South (left) to Bay City (Texas) | Bay City.

Sightseeing Tips

* West Columbia Museum | 247 East Brazos, West Columbia ☎ +1 979-345-6125 Opening Hours: W-F 10AM Monday - 3PM West Columbia was the first capital of the Republic of Texas. See related exhibits at this branch of the museum. }}* Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site 1702 N. 13th St., West Columbia 29.163056,-95.640278 | Just before you reach West Columbia, take FMonday - 2852 north (right) to Park Road 51. ☎ +1 979-345-4656 Opening Hours: W-Sa 8AM Monday - 5PM $6/person Varner–Hogg Plantation State Historic Site - VarnerHoggHouse (1 of 1) - The historic plantation site of the Hogg family. Activities include an interpretive tour, picnicking, walking and seasonal festivals. }}* South Texas Project Wadsworth 28.7956,-96.0489 | ☎ +1 361-972-3611 +1 361-972-8050 price= South Texas Nuclear Generating Station South Texas Nuclear Generating Station Tours are not available and it's a ways off SH-35, but how many times do you get to see an operating nuclear plant? }}* Matagorda County Birding Nature Center - ☎ +1 979-245-3336 Opening Hours: Gates open all hours, Visitor center open 9AM Monday - 6PM $3/person or $5/vehicle See a vast number of birds and variety of wildlife in nature. Bring sunscreen and bug spray! }}* Riverside Park 7330 FMonday - 2668, Bay City GPS take SH-60 south (left), turn west (right) on FMonday - 2668, go two miles, turn right on Riverside Park Road ☎ +1 979-245-0340 price=Free acre 100 park on the Colorado River.

Halal Restaurants Please be informed that on some destination such as A Taste of Coastal Texas we had no local Muslim that has researched some of the area. If you are a Muslim/Muslima and have been to A Taste of Coastal Texas or would like to maintain the eHalal Guide to A Taste of Coastal Texas, please contact us at guides@ehalal.io and email us your updates.

If you didn't catch lunch in Brazoria and there's a couple more places not far down the road in Old Ocean.* Hickory Barn | 6836 South FM 524, Old Ocean GPS FM 524 at SH-35 ☎ +1 979-647-2276 price=$10 Local barbecue, makes a great lunch. }}* Fresh Catch | 6836 South FM 524, Old Ocean GPS FM 524 at SH-35 ☎ +1 979-647-1062 price=$10 Tolerable seafood. }} Bay City has several nice places too.* Diamond South Restaurant | 3608 Avenue F, Bay City ☎ +1 979-245-4846 price= Family-style eating. }}* Tk's | 1601 7th St, Bay City GPS At Ave E. ☎ +1 979-244-8833 price= Family dining. }}* Main Street Coffee Cafe | 1822 7th St, Bay City ☎ +1 979-245-4105 Opening Hours: Monday 8AM Monday - 5:30PM, Tuesday West 7AM Monday - 7PM, Friday 7AM Monday - 8PM, Saturday 7AM Monday - 5PM Coffee and Snacks.===Bay City to Palacios=== Take SH-35 South to Palacios. Stay on Business 35 (1st St. and then Main St. and then follow it right). If you've been visiting most of the listed attractions, it will probably be coming up on dinner time. Take a couple of hours for a good meal, walk along the water and look around at some of the history.

Sightseeing Tips

* City by the Sea Museum - 401 Commerce St., Palacios ☎ +1 361-972-1148 Opening Hours: Friday Saturday 10AM Monday - 4PM, Sunday 1-4PM Housed in the R. J. Hill building, }}* Luther Hotel 408 S. Bay Blvd., Palacios GPS price= "The Palace of Palacios", originally the Bay View Hotel, has been a fixture of the community since 1903. Check in to see its history, including movie stars, war heroes and the pier. }}* Tres Palacios Bay Shrimping Fleet - 1602 Main St., Palacios ☎ +1 361-972-5556 +1 361-972-3584 price= Palacios has been known as the "Shrimp Capital of Texas," see the fleet that gives this reputation. }}* Texas Baptist Encampment - @TexasBaptistEncampment.org Main St at Welch Ave. ☎ +1 361-972-2717 +1 361-972-2939 price= Founded in 1906 as the "Baptist Young Peoples Union," this camp is still in operation.

Halal Restaurants

* Hotel Blessing Coffee Shop | 128 10th St, Blessing ☎ +1 361-588-6623 Opening Hours: Daily breakfast 6-10AM, lunch 11AM Monday - 2PM $5-10 The restaurant entrance is on the side, if you come in the front you'll find the hotel lobby. While you'll pass Blessing before you get to Palacios and the breakfast might be worth the fifteen minutes backtrack. }}* Outrigger Restaurant - 515 Commerce St, Palacios ☎ +1 361-972-1479 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 8AM Monday - 9PM, Sunday 8AM Monday - 6PM $5-15 Local seafood and more. They'll probably have live music on Thursdays and Fridays and most Saturdays, out back in the restaurantn. }}* Lighthouse Seafood | 9 8th St, Palacios ☎ +1 361-972-1231 price= Local seafood on the water. }}* Marisela's Cafe | 906 Main St, Palacios ☎ +1 361-972-0734 price=

Where to stay

• Courtyard Houston Pearland - 112000 Broadway Suite 2000 ☎ +1 713 413-0500 price=$119-129 Ideal place for meetings, weddings and banquets. Within walking distance to food, grocery and public transit including transit across the bay to Palo Alto and Menlo Park. }}* Luther Hotel | 408 S. Bay Blvd., Palacios ☎ +1 361-972-2312 price=$60-120 While there are several places to get a room in town, you won't get a better local feel than the Luther. }}* Hotel Blessing | 128 10th St, Blessing ☎ +1 361-588-9579 price= A restored hotel It's about 15 minutes back north on SH-35. The front door is the hotel lobby. }}* Moonlight Bay Bed & Breakfast - 506 S. Bay Blvd., Palacios ☎ +1 361-972-2232 price=$95-150 | checkin=3-7PM / Check-out: Noon Waterfront rooms in a hundred year old home. }}* Peaceful Pelican Bed & Breakfast - 317 East Bay Blvd., Palacios GPS +1-888-972-0317 price=$135-185 Upscale, restored 1910 waterfront home, bay views, luxury rooms, wireless Internet, opened 2008.===Palacios to Seadrift=== Get up, grab breakfast (you might consider heading back up north to Blessing to eat at the Hotel) and get on the road. The Half Moon Reef Lighthouse was moved from Palacios to Port Lavaca several years ago for preservation. It's appropriate that you'll pass right by it. Seadrift is well worth the detour, though getting there can be an adventure. Follow SH-35 south again. FMonday - 185 makes a staggered cross of SH-35 a few miles down the road. Take FMonday - 185 south (left). You'll pass through Long Mott (if you even notice it) and find yourself deep in the middle of nowhere. Press on! You'll eventually pass The Captain's Quarters on the left and come up Main St. Take it south (right) to reach the water. If you happen to come into town on the weekend of the second Saturday in June, you're in for a treat. Shrimpfest is held on Friday and Saturday night and the Texas Water Safari finishers begin to come in Sunday evening. Both of these events are at the pavilion in Bayfront Park. If you stay for the festivities, you might need to spend a second night on the road. Be aware that lodgings in Seadrift on that weekend are completely booked a year in advance and plan accordingly. You might otherwise consider chartering a fishing trip on the bay.

Sightseeing Tips

* Half Moon Reef Lighthouse SH-35, Port Lavaca 28.6369,-96.6173 Halfmoon Reef Light - Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse -Q710479 }}* Seadrift Bayfront Park | Bay St. GPS price=free Explore Seadrift's Bayfront Park, go fishing, or just sit under the pavilion in the breeze. }}* Seadrift Murals price= Scattered about town, though several are in Bayfront Park. }}* Shrimpfest Bayfront Park ☎ +1 361-785-2251 (ext 21) price=free admission and parking, $25/person entry for events Seadrift's annual festival commemorating one of the biggest industries of the area. June. }}* Texas Water Safari finish Bayfront Park GPS price= Billed as the world's toughest boat race, it finishes at the flagpole in Seadrift. June.

Halal Restaurants

* Harbor Inn Restaurant | 102 W. Bay Ave., Seadrift ☎ +1 361-785-2397 Opening Hours: W-M 6:30AM Monday - 9PM, Tuesday 6:30AM Monday - 2PM $10 Great spot for a local lunch. The Chicken fried Steaks comes recommended, along with the seafood. }}* Kookies Cafe | 416 South Main St, Seadrift ☎ +1 361-785-4720 price= }}* El Comal | 322 S. Main St., Seadrift ☎ +1 361-785-5083 Opening Hours: Monday - Tuesday Thursday - Saturday 9AM Monday - 9PM, Sunday 7AM Monday - 4PM Mexican fare, breakfast served all day. }}* Barkett's | 321 W. Broadway, Seadrift ☎ +1 361-785-2441 price=

What to do as a Muslim in A Taste of Coastal Texas

* Bay Flats Guide Services - 391 Bayside Drive Seadrift GPS +1-888-677-4868 price= Fishing and waterfowl hunting. }}* Bay Rat Guide Service - Seadrift ☎ +1 361-785-6708 price= }}* Redfish Roundup Guide Service - ☎ +1 361-785-4038 price= Capt. Ranier Brigham }}* Fishin' Tales Guide Service - 602 North 4th Street Seadrift ☎ +1 281-313-3474 price= ==

Where to stay

==* Seadrifter Inn - 106 West Bay Ave, Seadrift ☎ +1 361-785-2031 price= | checkin=3PM / Check-out: Noon A local inn on the bay. All rooms tend to be booked a year in advance on the weekend of the second Saturday in June (Shrimpfest and Water Safari weekend), so call ahead. }}* Captain's Quarters | 201 SH-185 N. GPS On 185 just north of Main St. ☎ +1 361-785-4982 price= All rooms tend to be booked a year in advance on the weekend of the second Saturday in June (Shrimpfest and Water Safari weekend), so call ahead.===Seadrift to Rockport=== Get out of Seadrift in the morning (unless you dally and get some morning fishing in). Take FMonday - 185 north (left) to SH-35, Then SH-35 south (right) through Tivoli (don't blink, you might miss it!) to Rockport. Rockport (Texas) | Rockport began as a cattle packing town about the time of the civil war, but became a fishing village in the 1920s. Its primary industries now are fishing (and shrimping) and tourism (and recreation). You'll be able to rent a jetski or sailboat, swim and explore the town.

Sightseeing Tips

* Guadalupe River You'll cross this river just before Tivoli. You can hop out and look at the river, but beware of gators! }}* Aransas National Wildlife Refuge fw2_rw@ 1 Wildlife Circle, Austwell 28.2667,-96.8167 | about one mile past Tivoli, take FMonday - 239 south (left) to Austwell; FMonday - 239 becomes FMonday - 774 at the curve; take a right at the stop sign, a right at the end of the street, left on FMonday - 2040 and enter the gate six miles after ☎ +1 361-286-3559 +1 361-286-3722 Opening Hours: Refuge open 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, Visitor center open 9AM Monday - PM every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Aransas national wildlife refuge1 - See a huge variety of wildlife, including the Texas Whooping Cranes (at least in the early spring). }}* Rockport Seafair - @rockport.org 404 Broadway, Rockport GPS +1-800-242-0071 price= If you come through Rockport at the right time (early October), you'll catch the Seafair. There's a whole mess of food, dancing, boat races of all sorts and even a crab race. }}* Rockport Beach Park ☎ +1 361-729-2213 ext 134 price=$4/day or $10/year parking permit, admission is free These beaches have a reputation for being clean and safe.

Halal Restaurants

* Duck Inn Restaurant | 701 Broadway, Rockport ☎ +1 361-729-6663 price= }}* Boiling Pot Restaurant | 201 S. Fulton Beach Rd., Fulton ☎ +1 361-729-6972 price= Seafood. }}* Waffle Cone Company | 2722 SH-35 North ☎ +1 361-729-3613 price= Dessert! }}* Los Comales Mexican Restaurant | 431 SH-35, Rockport ☎ +1 361-729-3952 ===Rockport to Corpus Christi=== Follow SH-35 South one last time. It will take you to straight to Corpus Christi|Corpus (which, despite being Latin for "body", is regularly used as the city's nickname).

Sightseeing Tips

* Texas State Aquarium 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi 27.8139,-97.3922 | ☎ +1 361-881-1200 +1 361-881-1257 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 6PM daily, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas $8.95 Children, $13.95 Adults, $3.50 parking Texas State Aquarium Texas state aquarium bayside See water-related exhibits and creatures. You can even work with a dolphin trainer if you contact them ahead of time (and spend a lot of money). }}* USS Lexington 2914 N. Shoreline, Corpus Christi 27.815,-97.388611 | the huge ship in the bay! +1-800-523-9539 +1 361-883-8361 Opening Hours: Winter: daily 9AM Monday - 5PM, summer: daily 9AM Monday - 6PM, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Adults $11.95, children $6.95, parking $3 USS Lexington (CV-16) - USS Lexington Corpus -QQQ093 World War II aircraft carrier become museum. See naval life and the ship and aircraft complement. }}* Corpus Christi Hooks Minor league baseball team play during the season. They are the AA affiliate of the Houston Astros.

Halal Restaurants

* Water Street Oyster Cafe | 309 North Water Street ☎ +1 361-881-9448 price=$20-30 Gulf seafood fresh daily. Nice place to eat Halal in the marina area of CC. Kind of loud. ==

Where to stay

== You might need to catch up on sleep after seeing the sights in town.* Best Western Marina Grand Hotel | 300 North Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi ☎ +1 361-883-5111 +1 361-883-7702 price=$80-150, seasonal This 12-story tower on the marina is out-of-the-ordinary for the Best Western chain. Nice views up and down the coast from most rooms, easy access to CC downtown. Free breakfast in roof restaurant. }}* Omni Corpus Christi Hotel Bayfront Tower | 900 North Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi GPS +1-888-444-6664 price= In Corpus Christi's downtown Marina District. The AAA Four-Diamond hotel offers sweeping views of the Corpus Christi Bay, award-winning dining at the Republic of Texas Grill and complimentary high speed wireless Internet access. }}* Omni Corpus Christi Hotel Marina Tower | 707 North Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi GPS +1-888-444-6664 price= In Corpus Christi's downtown Marina District. This luxurious hotel is the perfect location for a vacation getaway. The hotel is ideally located near the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington and offers easy access to deep sea fishing, sailing and jet skiing. }}* Christy Estates Suites - price= Featuring long term lodging and spa rooms. }}* Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Corpus Christi 1442 South Padre Island Dr. ☎ +1 361-854-3400 }}* Las Brisas Condominiums | 4000 Surfside Blvd, Corpus Christi ☎ +1 361-883-4371 price= Right on the beach, with a breath-taking view of the bay and the city. Tennis courts, a swimming pool. Close to downtown and the marina, next to the South Texas Aquarium and the Lexington Aircraft Carrier. One-, two- and three-bedroom condos for a lease of at least three months. }}

A Taste of Coastal Texas Halal Travel Guide

You can fly out of the airport, or take I-35 north to San Antonio and then I-10 back to Houston. Or go back north on SH-35 and see what you missed the first time.