LYDIA ANN LIGHTHOUSE—Located off the Redfish Bay Causeway, the lighthouse offers excellent photo opportunities, particularly at sunset. It is the only lighthouse on the Texas Coast that is staffed and operated 24 hours a day. It is privately owned but can be viewed from offshore waters. Off the Lydia Ann Channel just north of Aransas Pass at Texas 361. 361/758-2750.
www.lighthousefriends.com.
SEAMAN’S MEMORIAL AT HARBOR PARK—Honors shrimp industry founder and lost seaman Bill Minter. The park also is a popular fishing and boating site. Bigelow Street. 361/758-2750.
STEADMAN ISLAND—Texas 361 offers extensive views of wetlands and open water. Watch for waterfowl, shorebirds and American oystercatchers. Follow Texas 361, island is after second bridge in Aransas Bay. 361/758-2750.
BAY AREA HOUSTON POP. (Comb.) 146,261 (est.) ALT. 15-32 MAP R-22/TT-17
BAY AREA HOUSTON CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU INFORMATION CENTER: Discount tickets to Space Center Houston and Kemah Boardwalk all-day ride passes are available. 913 Meyer Road. 281/474-9700.
www.visitbayareahouston.com.
Midway between Houston and Galveston Island, the bayside region touches more than 35 miles of water- front and includes communities in the southernmost portion of Houston. Browse the shops in Seabrook, historic League City or Kemah’s Lighthouse District. Visit the Houston region’s second largest mall or hit the outlet stores. Sail from a marina in Nassau Bay, or enjoy fresh-from-the-boat seafood in Seabrook’s revitalized Waterfront District. The official Boating Capital of Texas, the region’s
crown jewel is Clear Lake, a 2,000-acre inlet of Galveston Bay.
BAY AREA MUSEUM—Located in Clear Lake Park, the
museum houses Lunar Rendezvous memorabilia and changing exhibits reflecting the history of the Bay Area. 5000 NASA Road 1. 281/326-5950.
COASTAL BIRDING TRAIL SITES—The area is excellent for birding. McHale, Hester, Robinson and Pine Gully parks in Seabrook; Clear Creek Nature Center in League City; and Nassau Peninsula, a designated wetlands, offer great birding year-round.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/wildlife_trails/ coastal/upper/clearlake.
LAKE—Clear Lake—Clear Creek, Armand and Taylor bayous converge to form this natural inlet to Galveston Bay. Enjoy sailing, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, boating and fishing. Access from NASA Road 1 or F.M. 2094 between I-45 and Texas 146 southeast of Houston.
NASA/SPACE CENTER HOUSTON—Visit the headquarters of America’s manned space program. The official visitor center for NASA/JSC offers live shows and presentations, interactive exhibits, an IMAX® theater, behind-the-scenes tours of Johnson Space Center and more. 1601 NASA Parkway. 20 miles southeast of downtown Houston. 281/244-2100.
www.spacecenter.org.
SEABROOK PELICAN PATH—Tour the path of 6- to 8-foot artistically embellished pelican statues. 866/611-4588.
BAY CITY POP. 17,342
ALT. 55 MAP S-20
MATAGORDA COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU: 201 Seventh St. 979/245-8333 or 877/878-5386.
www.visitmatagordacounty.com or
www.visitbaycity.org.
Established in 1894, this is the seat of Matagorda County. Vacation homes, bed-and-breakfasts and hotels provide cozy accommodations. Enjoy beach and river activities, shop the historic downtown district
or relax in one of the beautiful parks with a picnic. Play a round on the 18-hole, Gary Player-designed Rio Colorado Golf Course (979/244-2955.
www.riocoloradogolfcourse.com). Goose and duck hunting are seasonal attractions.
BEACHES—Matagorda Beach—Matagorda Beach stretches 55 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. Fish on the jetty walkway or pier, soak up the sun, walk along the beach, search for seashells and relax by the water’s edge. Permits required for driving on the beachcan be purchased at the beach entrance or local stores. Matagorda County. 979/245-8333. Sargent Beach—Sargent Beach is a coastal
community 30 miles south of Bay City. The Intercoastal Waterway winds its way through Sargent, providing access to the Gulf of Mexico and East Matagorda Bay. This beach offers a quiet, uncrowded alternative. Matagorda County. 979/245-8333.
LCRA MATAGORDA BAY NATURE PARK—This 1,600- acre park at the mouth of the Colorado River and Gulf of Mexico offers educational programs, kayaking trips, a natural science center, playground, picnic tables, a pier and jetties. RV sites are available. Overnight campers must register at the park. 6430 F.M. 2031. 800/776-5272 x4740.
www.lcra.org/ parks/developed_parks/
matagorda.html.
MATAGORDA COUNTY BIRDING NATURE CENTER— Spanning 35 acres on the Colorado River, the park includes an observation platform, trails, fishing piers, a wetlands area, pavilion and six gardens. Kayaking trips and educational programs are available. Located 1.7 miles west of Bay City on Texas 35 next to LeTulle Park. 979/245-3336.
www.mcbnc.org.
MATAGORDA MUSEUM & CHILDREN’S MUSEUM— Exhibits include early clothing, Texas maps, furniture, paintings, century-old carpentry tools and late 17th- century music. The Children’s Museum features ex- hibits and activities. Admission charge. 2100 Avenue F. 979/245-7502.
www.matagordamuseum.com.
BAYTOWN POP. 75,764
1.888.30.BEACH •
SURFSIDETX.ORG
50 mi. Houston 200 mi. Austin
232 mi. San Antonio 300 mi. Dallas
ALT. 26 MAP Q-22/RR-18
BAYTOWN TOURISM OFFICE: 2401 Market St. 281/420-5343.
www.visitbaytown.com.
Steeped in rich history, Baytown shares its bay with the San Jacinto Monument and battlegrounds, which are just a ferry ride away. Catch the races, lounge around at the vineyard or make a splash at the water park. The town also is home to the Trophy Barber Shop, with its polar bear and trophies on display, and the Lee College Performing Arts Center. Baytown is 26 miles east of Houston, 72 miles west of Beaumont and 42 miles north of Galveston, so it makes a perfect home base for area travelers.
Both Pedestrian & Drive-on Beaches Family Beach Fun, Fishing, Water Sports
Visit 52
...and Stay in the Heart of the Fun!
Angleton TEXAS
www.angleton.tx.us 979-849-4364
ANGLETON TEXAS I Voted Best Gulf Coast Town -Gulfscapes Magazine
ART CENTER OF BAYTOWN—Discover art and culture firsthand. The center has exhibitions and artwork for sale. Free. 110 W. Texas Ave. 281/427-2222.
www.art-league-of-baytown.org.
BAYTOWN HISTORICAL MUSEUM—In the old Goose Creek Post Office, the museum features Native American, Spanish, Mexican, Republic of Texas and Baytown exhibits and artifacts. Free. 220 W. Defee St. 281/427-8768.
www.baytownhistoricalmuseum.org.
BAYTOWN NATURE CENTER—On more than 450 acres, this is a prime spot to watch butterflies and home to 200-plus species of birds. The center features fresh and saltwater wetlands, more than five miles of trails, and a children’s discovery center. It has kayak and canoe launching and fishing areas. Admission charge. 6213 Bayway Drive. 281/424-9198.
www.baytownnaturecenter.org.
CALYPSO COVE WATER PARK—Admission charge. 2428 W. Main St. 281/422-1150.
http://baytown.org/ activities-events/aquatics/calypso-cove-944.
EDDIE V. GRAY WETLANDS CENTER—Located on the banks of historic Goose Creek, this educational and recreational center includes science and computer labs and an exhibit area. It hosts many ongoing
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