Old Hoosier Hamber and wife headed to Padre Island. Having never been to South Texas seeking advice on good places to see/visit, as well as ones to avoid. Planning to spend time in San Antonio and Austin on return trip. Thanks Bob
Schlitterbahn water park is fun even if you don't have kids. Go to San Antonio via Corpus and check out the aircraft carrier and state aquarium.
New Braunfels is a great little town, just north of San Antonio. As indicated, the Lexington Carrier in CC is a great see. Most of the little towns between SA and CC are neat little places.
If you like the gulf suggest you take time and visit Port Aransas and Mustang Island, great beaches and fishing this time of year.
One thing you have to learn about "real" Texas guys is that distance doesn't mean much to them and some of the Forget that while a 230 mile road trip is a "beer run" for a Texan it's a serious road trip for a lot of guys from much smaller states. 230 miles being the distance from Padre Island to New Braunfels or right at 200 from Padre Island to San Antonio. All the suggestions are hell for good though and there is a lot to see and do in that area. I lived in Central Texas for 8 years after I got married and really like the San Antonio area and the Texas Hill country.
That part of our coast is marshland and bird sanctuaries with lots of great beaches and excellent fishing. Goose Island state park has the largest Live Oak tree in the state. The Navy flight training base is in Corpus Christi because they have 325 days a year of good weather, that about explains it. South Texas has a big population of what are called "Winter Texans". People from places like the Midwest that spend the Winter months living in motorhome parks then drive back North when the snow melts. Have a great time and enjoy your visit.
In Fredericksburg, you might see Sandra Bullock or Madeleine Stowe(Victoria on REVENGE). The Brewery has very tasty microbrews.
Am enjoying this.......we're headed that way early in march. Looking forward to some warm weather! BTW its 23, lite snow and wind is NNW at 18 as I post. Any hot rod stuff going on in March /April in CC area?
PLEASE, plan several days' stay in Austin, weekends especially. Second Saturday of the month is a great time at Top Notch drive in hamburger place at 7525 Burnet Rd. Check out A.S.S. (Austin Speed Shop) at 3507 Chapman Ln. just off Burleson Rd. And, don't forget to attempt to get into The Continental Club on So. Congress Ave.
Amen Gary, you can plan your whole trip around the Lonestar Roundup, and you'll never miss a salt spray... Not that there's anything wrong Padre Island, but if you're a hot rodder, Austin turns to Mecca in April!
Old Rod, this is Rod and also a little old, too. My wife and I have been making a trip to Padre Island in April for a few years now. We have gone a little early to try and stay in Friederichburg(sic) a couple of days, but it has never worked out. Last year heavy rain. We catch the Lonestar Roundup...which is a super neat long weekend of entertainment. Then, that Sunday we drive down to Padre Island. We have been going to the Port Aransas area since the middle 70's. Super nice town and place. That next weekend down there is the Sand Castle Building Championships at Port A. They are great. I guess I should say that we take a small Vintage 1963 Cardinal trailer. It is a show in itself. It will be near the camp area in Austin during the show there and about a mile from the show in Port A. We have tried to take the 1948 Chevy Pickup(original) pulling it, but those plans have been nixed the last couple of years...Two years ago near New Baunfels we broke down. Blew the head and a few other things...all because we got messed up in a huge traffic jam going north of San Antonio. So, the 48 pulling it is not in this years plan again, but the trailer will be. Oh, we spend out time with the trailer on the beach and at the car show. Port A is beautiful...we do lots of walking, sandcastles, and fun. Lots of people stop to ask about the trailer. Our dog loves to swim and do some body surfing! Its a yellow lab. Fresh sea food! We cook it on the beach. BBQ places, too.The USS Arizona is a neat day trip...we also go down to the National Seashore for a few days. I now avoid San Antonio, but the Alamo and river walk are nice and about that time they have the fiestas there too. Lots to do, but we now go around San Antonio. The highway traffic there has been bad since the 70's and finally did us in two years ago. We make a neat trip of it and are looking forward to it again in a couple of months. rod
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