10 Best Texas Spring Break Destinations

By VI Staff on January 8, 2020

People have different ideas about how they want to spend their Spring Break, but there are some destinations that became famous because they have something for everyone. It might be Galveston Island with its miles of beaches, Corpus Christi, TX with all sorts of beach sports and famous local brews, or Port Aransas with its party central at Roberts Point Park.

1.Galveston Island

Galveston Island, Texas is 27 miles of fun. With beaches that stretch on forever along the Gulf of Mexico, charming Strand with its bars and shops, and quirky mansions like Moody Mansion and Bishop’s Palace, there is no shortage of activities for your Spring Break. At Galveston Island State Park, East Beach, and Dellanera RV Park, you can stretch out on fine golden sand, play volleyball, go for a run, or collect shells. Pleasure Pier, on the other hand, has several fabulous adrenaline-pumping rides. Pier 21 on historic Galveston’s harbor is a great place to go for a meal or learn about the city’s history. Visit Moody Gardens® to explore the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids, try the five-tier Sky Trail® Ropes Course, or take a round trip on the Zip Line.

2.Corpus Christi

There are more than 100 miles of beaches in Corpus Christi, TX making it a great place for you to spend most of your time. Bob Hall Pier is the perfect beach for surfing, picnics, and just lying under the sun. J.P. Luby Surf Park on North Packery Beach is another great spot for sports – kite boarding, surfing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, and much more. Plus it’s convenient since you can drive right to it. Keep in mind that drinks are allowed on Corpus Christi beaches, but not glass containers. For a bit of cool beauty, visit the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center. Bowlero is the hot spot for bowling, outdoor patio games, laser tag, and a fun lounge. Don’t miss sampling some interesting brews at Lazy Beach Brewing Company. Hurricane Alley Water Park is the place for adrenaline-pumping slides, rides, and other water attractions.

3.Port Aransas

Port Aransas on Mustang Island is known for spectacular beaches and waterways full of fish. Port Aransas beach is a wide expanse of fine white sand for working on your tan, playing a round of volleyball, or strolling along the water. Roberts Point Park promises a lot of action during Spring Break with 50 acres of sand, a music venue, a pavilion, and an observation tower for watching dolphins. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center has a boardwalk that crosses wetlands full of alligators and birds. For some private time, you can take a boat from Fisherman's Wharf to lovely, secluded San José Island. You can also go parasailing with Chute 'Em Up for fantastic views of the area.

4.South Padre Island

South Padre Island offers 34 miles of golden sand along Texas Gulf coastline, perfect weather, clear blue waters, and endless fun. For nature lovers, there is South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center with a five-story high watchtower. South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sealife Nature Center organizes popular boat tours to observe dolphins. Magnificent beaches all around the island are perfect for lounging on the sand, playing volleyball, or throwing Freezbie, running, and picnicking. You can go deep-sea fishing with one of many local boats and cook your catch on the beach at Andy Bowie Park. And when the sun goes down, fun without sun starts. There is live music, great drinks, and fresh seafood in many places. Some of the best known are Palm St. Pier, Clayton’s Beach Bar & Grill, Tequila Sunset, Louie’s Backyard, The Quarterdeck Lounge inside the Isla Grand, The Garden Grille & Bar at the Hilton Garden Inn, and Coral Reef.

5.Boca Chica State Park Beach

Boca Chica State Park is one of those destinations ideal for those who want to spend their Spring Break enjoying the majesty of nature instead of partying. This large park is now known as Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge and is located in the Boca Chica Subdelta of the Rio Grande, close to Brownsville. A spectacular sandy eight-mile beach lies on a narrow spit of land between the delta of Rio Grande delta and the lower Laguna Madre salt flats, where the U.S. stops and Mexico begins. It is wild and untamed, with no facilities and only one village, but it is simply heavenly for surfing, swimming, snorkeling, wading, picnicking, camping, fishing, birding, and distressing. You can spot the endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles nesting, watch the aplomado and peregrine falcons migrating, take endless walks through mangrove marshes and tidal salt flats, and for a few days forget about civilization. No alcohol is allowed in the park.

6.Lake Texoma

One of the largest artificial lakes in the States, shared between Texas and Oklahoma, Lake Texoma is famous for great sailing, fishing, and other fun activities on the water. It is your chance to catch a record smallmouth bass or just cruise the deep, clear waters with a cooler full of beer and a bunch of friends. You can bring your own boat as there are several marinas around the lake. Rent one on the lake or hop on the paddlewheel riverboat Texoma Bell Riverboat at Durant, OK and enjoy the sights or a dinner under the stars. If you are interested in history, The Grayson County Frontier Village in Denison, TX has fascinating exhibits that include a one-room cabin, photos, and historic artifacts. The town of Sherman in Texas features lovely 1870 architecture on the Heritage Row.

7.Comal River

A charming small city near San Antonio, Texas, New Braunfels is a well-known and popular destination for Spring Break. While Downtown New Braunfels offers the typical kind of Spring Break entertainment such as live music and great restaurants, the New Braunfels’ real claim to fame and biggest attractions are its two lovely rivers, the Comal and the Guadalupe. There is something very soothing about slowly drifting down the river in one of the large tubes, with or without drink in your hand, with your friends or family. Comal River is beautiful, pristine, and spring-fed, with its headwaters at the Edwards Aquifer. There is a range of experienced outfitters who will provide you with the instructions and tube and let you go with the flow. You can also join tubing group at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark. While alcoholic drinks are allowed on Comal River, keep in mind that no disposable drink containers are permitted.

8.San Marcos River

A home to Texas State University and only an hour from Austin, the small town of San Marcos on San Marcos River is lively year around. When Spring Break comes, everyone hits the river, where you can have the most fun. River tubing is by far the most popular activity on the river for a good reason. The stretch of the river used for tubing is short, only about a mile, but you can keep going back to the starting point and go again and again. Incredibly clear water with a constant temperature of 72 degrees flows peacefully between the verdant banks. The river runs through protected parks and there is almost no development, making it perfect for slow, relaxed tubing down the river surrounded by giant, green elephant ears plants. Alcoholic drinks are allowed, and most tubing outfitters will have a cooler with ice and booze ready for you. With a bunch a friends, it is hard to imagine a better way to spend an afternoon on a warm day in May.

9.Guadalupe River

If you decided to spend your Spring Break in Texas Hill Country, your main reason is probably all the fun you can have tubing down Guadalupe River. To see just how beautiful this area is, start your visit by driving on the River Road along the Guadalupe River, especially the stretch between New Braunfels and Canyon Lake. This incredibly scenic road surrounded by lush greenery and small tumbling overflows is also the location of most tubing outfitters, so you might start right there. All outfitters are very experienced and will tell you how fast you can go depending on how much water there is in the river at the time. The Upper Guadalupe River is smaller and faster than the lower stream, shaded by bald cypress and pecan trees and is surrounded by limestone banks. The lower river between Canyon Dam and New Braunfels is very popular for tubing and tends to be crowded during the holidays and weekends. You might like to know that drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation is allowed while tubing in this area as long as you do not use disposable containers.

10.Austin

Whether you are a student at one ofAustin’s many universities or studying anywhere else in Texas, you know that Austin is the right place for Spring Break because it’s a city that knows how to party. There is something for everyone regardless of what kind of music you like, what your favorite kind of craft beer is, or what food you prefer. Start at Sixth Street, one of the most popular nightlife districts in town, with inexpensive drinks, live music, and dancing. Rainey Street is perfect for a laid-back evening with local micro-brews, diverse food trucks, and loud games of corn hole. Then there is the Warehouse District and the SoCo. Red River District, which gave Austin the name The Live Music Capital of the World®. You will have to go back to school long before you have a chance to explore all Austin has to offer. If outdoor activities are your thing, take a cruise on Lady Bird Lake, get on the Butler Hike and Bike Trail or, take a dip in Austin's favorite Barton Springs Pool.