Texas Coastline and Tourism
The Coastal Bend is one of the top tourism destinations in the State of Texas. This is in great part due to our region’s many historical, cultural and coastal attractions. I would like to spend some time discussing the different components of the tourism industry in our region. The coastline and beaches of Texas are important to our great state as these areas are home to wildlife unique to the region. Texas beaches are also popular tourist destinations so preserving these natural areas is essential to our state’s well being. Today, I would like to share information about this important type of tourism as well as a number of unique nature-based attractions and activities found in our area.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department defines nature tourism as tourism based on the natural attractions in the area and may include such activities as bird watching, stargazing, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing and visiting parks or wildlife habitats. The beauty of the Coastal Bend lies in the waterscapes and beaches that line the Gulf of Mexico and Corpus Christi Bay. Spring break draws both tourists and residents flocking to the coastline to soak up the sun, but these destinations have so much more to offer than a good tan.
Fishing the bays and surf around Corpus Christi and Port Aransas is a year-round pursuit, by boat, kayak and on foot. Plus, we have acres and acres of shallow flats for wade-fishing. And many of these opportunities are free. When the heat of summer begins to fade away, little feels as good as an autumn ocean breeze along the Gulf Coast. Enjoy a change of pace with a visit to Hazel Bazemore Park, where more than one million hawks migrate over Corpus Christi each fall.
Efforts to keep Texas beaches beautiful have paid off as Texas is nationally ranked in top beach destinations. On the southern coast, Corpus Christi and Port Aransas have several beach locations to visit. These include the Padre Island National Seashore, Mustang Island State Park, J.P. Luby Surf Park/North Packery Beach, Whitecap Beach, Padre Balli Park/Bob Hall Pier, I.B. McGee Beach Park/Horace Caldwell Pier, North Beach, South Packery Channel Beach, and San Jose Island. Each of these locations offer outstanding views and recreational activities. Some of these include fishing, hiking trails, RV access/camping, swimming, windsurfing/kiteboarding, kayaking/canoeing, and birding/wildlife viewing sights. Links to each of these beaches can be found at The Beaches of Corpus Christi, The Beaches of Padre and Mustang Islands, and Port Aransas and Mustang Beaches.
Try your hand at midnight flounder gigging or spend an afternoon reeling in speckled trout or black drum with one of our experienced local guides. Whether coming for a family vacation or organizing an annual corporate convention, Corpus Christi and Port Aransas have the rooms you need for a perfect trip. There are more than 11,000 rooms and more than 400,000 square feet of meeting space at the American Bank Convention Center and Arena and premier hotels like the Emerald Beach Hotel, Embassy Suites, the Omni, and Holiday Inn Downtown. For more information on planning your next trip to the Coastal Bend, Visit Corpus Christi, is where you’ll find details on good eats, fun times, and great lodging. The beaches of Texas are vital to our ecosystem, communities and economy.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672
