Best Texas Snow Bird Locations for Exploring
Folks in Texas refer to all snowbirds, no matter where they’re from originally, as “Winter Texans.” And all snowbirds, regardless of where they call home, receive a warm Texas welcome when they come to spend some time here.
No matter where you choose to lay your hat (Stella Mare resort is the ideal home base) you will enjoy a road trip to any one of these great Texas snowbird locations.
People come to Texas from all over the country and from different parts of the world because the state offers a mild climate. In addition, it’s more affordable than some other snowbird destinations in the U.S.
Galveston
Texas’ premiere barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston is an easy one-hour drive from Houston, with tons of fun activities. Miles of sandy beaches offers a variety of things to do and see. Excellent seafood restaurants overlooking the water offer the freshest catch. The historic downtown area is full of shopping. Galveston is also a famous birding location as it’s on the migration path of many species.
Corpus Christi
Just south of the Texas Gulf Coast, this town has wide sandy beaches, plenty of cultural attractions, shopping, and amazing dining options. The winters are short and mild, with a subtropical climate perfect for the winter Texan. King Ranch, the world’s largest ranch, is less than an hour away. One major attraction is the Texas State Aquarium. Fishing is popular, and the city has rugby and hockey teams.
South Padre Island
This is a small coastal community nor far from the border to Mexico, offering a good variety of activities for the wayward snowbird. Here dolphins and sea turtles frolic in the surf and miles of soft sandy beaches await. The fishing, boating, and other watersports are excellent.
Brownsville
Located at the southern tip of Texas, this is a beacon for snowbirds with its sub-tropical climate full of palm trees and bougainvilleas. The area is ripe for exploring with both natural and cultural attractions, such as walking the Gulf beaches and enjoying the wildlife. Stay active by playing a round of golf, or getting in a bit of fishing. The area has some great shopping, as well as several museums and galleries.
McAllen
This is a haven for bird watching, with the Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Centre featuring hundreds of bird species and butterflies. There’s also the National Butterfly Centre and the Museum of South Texas history in the nearby town of Edinburg. McAllen also has excellent Tex Mex cuisine as well as great nightlife at 17th Street Entertainment District.
Marble Falls
As the hub of one of the most beautiful and historic sites in central Texas’ Hill Country, Marble Falls hosts Lake Marble Falls, which is in the Highland Lakes area, the largest chain of lakes in the state. If you are here in mid-October, witness the migration of the Monarch butterflies as they continue their journey south. Nature enthusiasts will be amazed at the number of choices in this area, with epic fishing and hunting, state parks, and hundreds of miles of waterways full of recreational activities. Golfers enjoy some of the best courses available in the country as well.