Where can I go if I need to just get away, but not too far away?

Purple seaside morning glory on the beach with ocean in the background

Need a change of scene? Get away from it all without having to travel too far. Here are some great vacation spots that are just an hour or two away from the George West area.

1. Corpus Christi and the Padre Island National Seashore
   If you feel like hitting the beach, drive down to Corpus Christi, which is around an hour away via the I-37. Stop by the bayfront/downtown area –  it not only has a beach and marina, but is also where you’ll find a boatload of restaurants, the Hurricane Alley Waterpark, and museums like the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History and the Art Museum of South Texas.

   Drive across the John F. Kennedy Memorial Causeway to get to Padre Island and the Padre Island National Seashore. Extending across 130,434 acres, including around 70 miles of shoreline, the National Seashore is “the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world.”

   A nesting beach for the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the world’s most endangered species of sea turtle, it also harbors more than 380 bird species. Here you can go camping (in a campground or right on the beach), fishing, birding, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, beachcombing, and even watch turtle hatchlings get released, if you’re lucky.

2. Goliad State Park & Historic Site
   Explore the outdoors and get a history lesson at this over 188-acre state park in Goliad. Situated along the San Antonio River, the park complex is home to several state historic sites – Mission Espíritu Santo, which was reconstructed in the 1930s; the ruins of the Mission Nuestra Señora del Rosario; and the reconstructed birthplace of General Ignacio Zaragoza, whose triumph over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 is the basis of the Cinco de Mayo celebration.

   Here you can also go hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing, or launch a kayak or canoe from the floating dock to go on the Goliad Paddling Trail.

3. San Antonio
   The city is best known for the San Antonio Riverwalk – go for a leisurely stroll downstream and watch boats float by. The area is also lined with restaurants like Michelino’s and Café Ole. Book a table for two and enjoy a romantic dinner date right by the water.

   Cheer for the San Antonio Spurs or the San Antonio Rampage at the AT&T Center, the city’s premier sports arena. This indoor arena also hosts live concerts – Van Halen and the Rolling Stones are just some of the musical acts that have played here. Or simply go on a tour of the center and drop by the Spurs Fan Shop to buy some merchandise.

   And of course, don’t forget to visit the Alamo, a National Historic Landmark.

   If you’re staying for the weekend, check out the Westin Riverwalk or Drury Plaza Hotel. The plush suites and upscale amenities will blow you away.

For more information on things to do and the lifestyle you can enjoy in South Texas, connect with our team at Desert Flower Realty anytime. Call us at 361-449-2051 or send an email to DesertFlowerRealty@DesertFlowerRealty.com today.