8 days in Texas Gulf Coast Itinerary

A vibrant resort town, South Padre Island sits on a barrier island of the same name, located just off the Texas Gulf Coast.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Sat): make a trip to Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA and then trot along with a tour on horseback. On the 2nd (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: look for all kinds of wild species at Sea Turtle, Inc., observe the fascinating underwater world at South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center, then identify plant and animal life at South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, and finally get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, read our South Padre Island road trip planner.

Washington DC to South Padre Island is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Washington DC to South Padre Island. Expect a bit warmer evenings in South Padre Island when traveling from Washington DC in May, with lows around 71°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Sun) so you can go by car to Corpus Christi.

A gulf coast town with a semi-tropical climate, Corpus Christi serves as a getaway destination with a life of its own.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Mon): observe the fascinating underwater world at Texas State Aquarium, then brush up on your military savvy at USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, and then make a trip to Corpus Christi Watergardens.

To see ratings, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Corpus Christi online journey maker.

Getting from South Padre Island to Corpus Christi by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of shuttle, bus, and taxi; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from South Padre Island in May, you will find days in Corpus Christi are a bit warmer (87°F), and nights are about the same (70°F). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Mon) so you can travel to Galveston.

An old colonial city and a busy cruise ship port less than an hour's drive from Houston, Galveston sits on Galveston Island and serves as a popular vacation destination for both domestic and international travelers.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Tue): take a stroll through The Strand, then appreciate the extensive heritage of The Seawall, then explore the different monuments and memorials at Old City Cemetery, and finally admire the natural beauty at Moody Gardens.

To find photos, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Galveston journey maker site.

You can fly from Corpus Christi to Galveston in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. When traveling from Corpus Christi in May, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Galveston: temperatures range from 82°F by day to 71°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Houston.

Although urban sprawl remains synonymous with Houston, most of the city's tourist attractions lie within the relatively small downtown area, surrounded by diverse neighborhoods housing the nation's biggest African-American, Asian-American, and Latino communities.

Step out of Houston to go to Kemah and see Kemah Boardwalk, which is approximately 42 minutes away. There's lots more to do: get to know the resident critters at Houston Zoo, let little ones run wild at Discovery Green, admire the masterpieces at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and see the interesting displays at The Houston Museum of Natural Science.

To find more things to do, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Houston trip planning site.

You can drive from Galveston to Houston in an hour. Another option is to take a bus. In May, daily temperatures in Houston can reach 84°F, while at night they dip to 68°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Sat) early enough to travel back home.