KEMAH POP. 1,923
ALT. 24 MAP R-22/TT-17
KEMAH VISITOR CENTER: 604 Bradford. 281/334-3181 or 877/775-3624.
www.kemahtourism.com. Established in 1824 by Michael Gouldrich, one of Stephen F. Austin’s original 300 colonists, when he received a Mexican land grant. In 1898, the township of Evergreen was established. It was destroyed by a hurricane in 1900 then rebuilt in 1901. The town was renamed Kemah (a Native American word for “facing the wind") in 1907. Today, this “Gateway to the Bay” is a destination point. Events include the Blessing of the Fleet in May, the
July 4 Parade and Fireworks, Steel Drum Festival in October, Christmas in Kemah and Tree Lighting Ceremony in November, and Christmas Boat Lane Parade in December.
KEMAH BOARDWALK —It features several themed restaurants and shops, a hotel, a water garden, dancing fountains, and an interactive stingray petting reef. Includes amusement rides, street performers and midway games. Live music is available. 215 Kipp Ave. From I-45, take NASA Road 1 east to Texas 146; south on Texas 146. 281/535-8100.
www.kemahboardwalk.com.
KINGSVILLE POP. 26,074
ALT. 66
MAP V-17
KINGSVILLE VISITOR CENTER: 1501 U.S. 77. 800/333-5032 or 361/592-8516.
www.kingsvilletexas.com.
Located in the Wild Horse Desert, just west of the Gulf of Mexico, this is the birthplace of the American ranching industry. It originated as a town along the railroad built by the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway Company. Henrietta King, of the famous King Ranch, donated land for the railway. Kingsville became the Kleberg County seat in 1913. Today, the city is a birding and wildlife hotspot, with
more than 1 million acres of habitat. Kingsville is home to the King Ranch, Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and agricultural and ranching industries. An array of shops and restaurants —Western wear, leather goods, crafts, antiques and jewelry—are nestled in the historic downtown.
1904 TRAIN DEPOT MUSEUM —Restored depot in downtown Kingsville displays artifacts and history highlighting the railroads’ impact on the city. A reproduction of the original 1904 bandstand sits next to the museum. Free. 104 E. Kleberg St. 361/592-8516.
www.kingsvilletexas.com/heritage/1904-train- depot-museum.
JOHN E. CONNER MUSEUM —The Hall of South Texas History has displays of Native American, Mexican and pioneer Texan cultures, plus ranching and agriculture equipment. The Hall of Natural History features plants and animals of South Texas shown in natural habitats. The Graves Peeler Hall of Horns features animal mounts. The Discovery Area has specimens for hands- on examination. Exhibits are rotated throughout the year. Donations accepted. Free. 905 W. Santa Gertrudis Ave. On the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville. 361/593-2810.
www.tamuk.edu/artsci/museum.
KING RANCH —This National Historic Landmark was established in 1853 when Capt. Richard King bought 68,500 acres of Spanish and Mexican land grants. Today, King Ranch sprawls across 825,000 acres of South Texas land. It is a working ranch. Historical and guided tours are offered daily. Nature
tours showcase the ranch’s abundant wildlife and birds. Available by reservation. Special group tours also are available. Admission charge. Entrance is immediately west of Kingsville off Texas 141. 361/592-8055.
www.king-ranch.com.
KING RANCH MUSEUM —In a renovated downtown ice plant, the museum features ranch photos by award-
Enjoy a waterfront dining experience and rides at the Kemah Boardwalk.
winning photographer Toni Frissell. It also has collections of antique coaches, vintage cars, saddles and other historic ranch items. Admission charge. 405 N. Sixth St. 361/595-1881.
www.king-ranch.com/ visit/the-museum.
KING RANCH SADDLE SHOP —Unsuccessful in finding quality saddles and leather goods, Capt. Richard King began operating his own saddlery shop more than 150 years ago. Through the years, the shop has outfitted governors, presidents and foreign heads of state. 201 E. Kleberg. 361/595-1424 or 877/282-5777.
www.krsaddleshop.com.
PARKS —Riviera Beach and Loyola Beach are saltwater recreational areas on the upper reaches of Baffin Bay, southeast of Kingsville. Baffin Bay off Laguna Madre, is known for saltwater trout and red drum fishing. Kaufer-Hubert Memorial Park & Sea Wind RV Resort
has a boat ramp, campground, swimming beach, picnic areas, playground, fishing pier and other amenities. Call 361/297-5738 for information. Fishing pier and bait-tackle shop also are available
at Riviera Beach Park. From U.S. 77 south, access to parks via F.M. 628 and F.M. 771.
LA PORTE POP. 34,839
was considered the most advanced military weapon on the planet. 3523 Independence Parkway S. At the San Jacinto Battleground, Texas 134, about 20 miles east of Houston via Texas 225. 281/479-2431.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/battleship-texas.
SAN JACINTO BATTLEGROUND STATE HISTORIC SITE —The battle fought here on April 21, 1836, secured independence from Mexico. A trail goes through a native prairie and tidal marsh being restored to their 1836 appearance. Tour the 570-foot San Jacinto Monument. Admission charge. 3523 Independence Parkway S. 281/479-2431.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/ state-parks/san-jacinto-battleground.
SYLVAN BEACH PARK —This Harris County park offers a fishing pier, boat ramp, playground and picnic areas. A caboose and depot from the old Houston-Galveston- San Antonio railroad serve as a museum for the La Porte-Bay Area Heritage Society’s collection. Overlooks Galveston Bay. 281/326-6539 or 281/471-1661.
LEAGUE CITY POP. 92,669
ALT. 28 MAP Q-22/SS-17
LA PORTE-BAYSHORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 712 W. Fairmont Parkway. 281/471-1123.
www.laportechamber.org.
The city was named “The Door” by French settlers in 1889 when it was founded on upper Galveston Bay. Deep-water port and petrochemical industries coexist with a pleasant residential environment and bayshore resorts. The city is home to the Houston Yacht Club, the
second oldest yacht club in the U.S. La Porte also hosts the Sylvan Beach Festival, held on Galveston Bay, the last Saturday in April.
BATTLESHIP TEXAS STATE HISTORIC SITE —This is the last surviving Dreadnought-type ship and is the only remaining battleship to have served in both World Wars. When the vessel was commissioned in 1914, it
ALT. 20 MAP R-21
LEAGUE CITY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU: 217 E. Main St. 281/338-7339.
www.visitleaguecity.com .
On the south shore of Clear Lake along I-45 and just 20 miles south of Houston near NASA’s Johnson Space Center. League City offers visitors everything from water sports on Clear Lake to antique and gift shopping in the city’s historic district. Beautiful live oak trees line Main Street where many historic homes from the turn of the 20th century have been converted into charming shops and eateries. Parks and gardens dot the Main Street district.
BIG LEAGUE DREAMS —Six replica major league baseball stadiums host regional baseball and softball tournaments. Includes volleyball courts, indoor soccer and a children’s play area. Admission charge. 1150 Big League Dreams Parkway. 281/316-3400.
www.bigleaguedreams.com.
BUTLER LONGHORN MUSEUM & HERITAGE PARK — Features a history of the Texas longhorn and the
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