South Texas’s warm climate makes it an ideal destination for outdoor activities year-round, making it a popular choice for extended stays or winter vacations. The region, including Harlingen, South Padre Island’s beaches, McAllen, and Brownsville, offers more than just perfect weather.
South Texas boasts a rich culinary scene and a unique music heritage. The Rio Grande Valley is also a center for fine arts, home to attractions like the International Museum of Art and Science in McAllen, which has a vast collection of Mexican crafts. The annual McAllen Mexican Artisan Expo features handcrafted art and gifts, including trinkets, salsas, candles, pottery, paintings, textiles, and more.
Culinary tourism is also on the rise, with visitors encouraged to try local dishes like enchiladas, fajitas, barbacoa, tamales, and chiles rellenos to experience the bold, traditional flavors of the region.
South Texas is also a region known for its cost-effective environment, making it ideal for both mission-critical operations and international businesses. Home to significant entities like SpaceX in Brownsville and the headquarters of H-E-B in San Antonio, this region has attracted major players due to its strategic location and economic advantages.
Overview of South Texas
South Texas is located south of San Antonio and includes the city itself. As of 2019, the region’s population exceeded 2.4 million people. The southernmost part, often referred to as the Rio Grande Valley, stretches from the Hill Country to the Texas-Mexico border.
The Port of Brownsville, the only deep-water port on the US-Mexico border, is a key player in trade, while Port Corpus Christi offers quick access to the inland waterway system and the Gulf of Mexico. The region’s landscape is largely dry, characterized by wild grasses, thorny bushes, palms, subtropical woodlands, and citrus trees. South Texas boasts a humid, subtropical climate that is unique within the United States.
The population of South Texas is projected to increase by nearly 175% by 2050, indicating that the area is becoming increasingly attractive due to its job opportunities and cost-competitive lifestyle.
15 Fun Things to Do in South Texas
Looking for the best activities in South Texas, both at the beach and inland? Here are some top picks:
- Stroll along the San Antonio Riverwalk: Enjoy a collection of restaurants and bars with great views along the water.
- Go horseback riding on South Padre Island: Experience horseback riding on the beach, especially at sunset.
- Step inside the Alamo: Explore this historic site near the Riverwalk, a relic of Texas military history.
- Discover the San Antonio Missions: Visit Texas’ only UNESCO World Heritage Site, representing the 18th-century Catholic faith.
- Tour the renowned Moody Mansion: Explore this restored 28,000-square-foot historic home in Galveston.
- Board the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi: Tour this “Blue Ghost” aircraft carrier, rumored to be one of Texas’s most haunted places.
- Visit the NASA Space Center: Dive into the history of the US Space Program with various exhibitions and experiences.
- Explore the Natural Bridge Caverns: Just outside of San Antonio, these limestone caverns offer unique geological formations.
- Go dolphin watching: Spot wild dolphins along the Texas coast, from Port Aransas to South Padre Island.
- Visit the Hermann Park Conservancy in Houston: Enjoy gardens, trails, and other attractions in this popular Houston park.
- Explore Padre Island National Seashore: Visit the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world, perfect for kayaking, hiking, and camping.
- Head to the top of the Tower of the Americas: Get a full view of downtown San Antonio from this iconic tower.
- Go bird watching in Port Aransas: This area is home to six key sites on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.
- Feel like a kid again at Kemah Boardwalk: Enjoy rides, carnival games, and dining at this fun spot near Houston.
- Climb the lighthouse in Port Isabel: Enjoy beautiful views after climbing this 19th-century lighthouse.
South Texas City Spotlights
As you travel through the Hill Country and reach South Texas, you’ll encounter several notable cities, each with its unique charm:
- Castroville: Known for its Alsatian architecture and culture, a unique blend of French and German influences.
- Del Rio: Located on the Rio Grande, near Lake Amistad and Laughlin Air Force Base.
- Eagle Pass: The first American settlement on the Rio Grande, known for its top-notch Mexican food and entertainment.
- Galveston: A historic port city with a vibrant tourist scene, including old-school soda fountains and the annual Dickens on The Strand festival.
- Kingsville: Home to King Ranch, the largest ranch in the country, and the King Ranch Museum.
- Lake Jackson: Known as the “City of Enchantment,” with attractions like the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory.
- Port Aransas: The Fishing Capital of Texas, offering 18 miles of beach and excellent seafood.
- Port Isabel: Located near South Padre Island, a destination for anglers, surfers, and vacationers.
- Seguin: Famous for its pecan-related attractions, including the world’s largest pecan statue.
- Uvalde: Birthplace of notable political figures, with the Briscoe-Garner Museum highlighting its history.
The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in South Texas
South Texas is home to some of the most stunning natural and man-made attractions:
- Galveston Island: Features historic districts and beautiful beaches.
- Port Aransas and Mustang Island: Known for unruffled shorelines and Gulf Coast charm.
- Rockport Beach: Texas’s first Blue Wave beach, known for its pristine sands.
- Guadalupe State Park: Offers tubing, kayaking, and beautiful riverside scenery.
- San Antonio Missions: Stunning Spanish colonial architecture dating back to the 1700s.
- South Padre Island: The crown jewel of Texas beachfronts, with clear waters and white sands.
- Santa Elena Canyon: A serene and scenic canyon in Big Bend National Park, separating the US and Mexico.
- Garner State Park: Home to the cold, spring-fed Frio River, perfect for escaping the Texas heat.
- Cave Without a Name: A stunning limestone cave near San Antonio with beautiful geological formations.
- Dolan Falls: A pristine, remote waterfall in Devils River State Natural Area.
- Boca Chica Beach: A secluded, untouched strip of sand near Brownsville.
- Natural Bridge Caverns: An impressive underground cavern system near San Antonio.
South Texas Climate
The climate in South Texas varies significantly across the region. The area along the Mexico border is semi-arid, while the coastal region and the area inland to the west of San Antonio experience a humid subtropical climate. The Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains influence the weather, contributing to the region’s varied climate.
Winter temperatures in South Texas rarely reach freezing, and snowfall is a rare occurrence. Summers, however, are hot and humid, with average daily temperatures exceeding 90°F. This makes South Texas an ideal destination for those who enjoy sunny weather.
Snow – Snowfall is rare in South Texas, particularly along the coast or south of San Antonio. A notable exception was the snowstorm on Christmas Eve 2004, when six inches of snow fell in the region.
Hurricanes – Hurricanes pose the most significant weather threat to South Texas, particularly between June and November, with the most activity occurring between August and September.
Tornadoes – Tornadoes are another weather phenomenon that can affect South Texas, especially during the summer months and when cold fronts move through in the fall.
Droughts – While South Texas receives rainfall in the summer, drought conditions can be persistent, leading to water shortages and the enforcement of burn bans across many Texas counties.
Snow – Snowfall is rare in South Texas, particularly along the coast or south of San Antonio. A notable exception was the snowstorm on Christmas Eve 2004, when six inches of snow fell in the region.
Wildlife of South Texas
South Texas is home to diverse wildlife, including reptiles, mammals, sea life, arthropods, and birds. The region’s mammals include species like the jaguar, desert cottontail, javelina, mountain lion, West Indian manatee, and black-tailed jackrabbit. Reptiles found in South Texas include the Texas spiny lizard, western diamondback rattlesnake, Texas tortoise, green anole, Texas horned lizard, American alligator, and hawksbill sea turtle.
South Texas’s rich marine life includes species such as bluefish, red drum, fiddler crab, king mackerel, hardhead catfish, Atlantic croaker, spotted seatrout, Crevalle Jack, and bull shark. The region is also a haven for birdwatchers, with unique and rare species like the northern mockingbird, white-winged dove, great white heron, monk parakeet, reddish egret, laughing gull, brown pelican, osprey, roseate spoonbill, and American herring gull.
South Texas Rivers
South Texas is home to nine rivers:
- Rio Grande: Forms the border between Mexico and Texas.
- Aransas River: A small river that drains into Copano Bay.
- Nueces River: Once considered the border between Mexico and Texas by Mexico.
- Frio River: Known for its cold waters, as “Frio” means cold in Spanish.
- San Antonio River: Famous for the River Walk in San Antonio.
- Mission River: Flows into Mission Bay.
- Guadalupe River
- Atascosa River
- Leona River: A tributary of the Frio River.
Lakes and Reservoirs
South Texas features numerous lakes and reservoirs:
- Falcon Lake: A large reservoir on the Rio Grande, Falcon Lake straddles the border between Texas and Mexico. It’s popular for fishing, boating, and water sports, particularly known for its bass fishing.
- Mitchell Lake: Located near San Antonio, Mitchell Lake is a shallow, man-made lake primarily known for its birdwatching opportunities, hosting a variety of migratory and native bird species.
- Calaveras Lake: This reservoir near San Antonio is a hotspot for recreational fishing, especially for catfish and red drum, and features boating and picnic areas.
- Choke Canyon Reservoir: Situated in South Texas, this reservoir is popular for its bass fishing, wildlife viewing, and offers excellent opportunities for camping, boating, and hiking.
- Lake Amistad: A vast reservoir on the Rio Grande near Del Rio, Lake Amistad is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, making it ideal for fishing, boating, and scuba diving.
- Lake Casa Blanca: Located in Laredo, this lake is part of a state park and offers recreational activities like fishing, boating, picnicking, and hiking, with a focus on family-friendly outdoor fun.
- Lake Corpus Christi: A reservoir in South Texas, Lake Corpus Christi is a popular destination for fishing, camping, and boating, surrounded by scenic parklands.
- Lake Findley: This small lake in Beeville, Texas, offers a quiet retreat for fishing, birdwatching, and kayaking, with peaceful surroundings ideal for relaxation.
- Victor Braunig Lake: Near San Antonio, this lake is known for its warm-water fishing, particularly for catfish and red drum, and provides facilities for boating and picnicking.
This guide offers a comprehensive overview of South Texas, highlighting its unique attractions, climate, and culture. Whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, or just looking for a new adventure, South Texas has something to offer everyone.
