Texas Tropical Trail
State: Texas
Length: 1146.0 mi / 1844.3 km
Time to Allow: Plan for a few hours to enjoy sections or a week to enjoy the region.
For the Texas Tropical Trail, you need to head to the very southern tip of the state bordering Mexico and the Gulf. Beach lovers rejoice as this region offers tons of sand and sea. Covering 20 counties and 23,000 square miles, the coast offers diverse architecture, museums, lighthouses, boating, fishing, and camping. Nature lovers will enjoy animal sanctuaries, wetlands, and wildlife preserves. With mild weather year-round, visit this gorgeous reason whenever it fits in your schedule.
Begin your tropical journey in Corpus Christi to see the Padres Island National Seashore. If one beach isn’t enough, check Malaquite, Whitecap, Bob Hall Pier, North Beach, Padre Balli, and several more. Make sure to plan several days in the city as they offer so many activities, including a waterpark, art museum, science museum, botanical garden, military ship, aquarium, sea-life center, parks, theaters, ice skating, and so much more. You could stay a month and not see everything like horseback riding tours right on the water!
Laredo city offers a ton to do as well with outlet shops, cathedrals, parks, and a science museum. Check out the Planetarium to see the coastal stars and check out multiple historical landmarks. Gamers will love the Xtreme VR store, while sports fans will enjoy the Laredo Lemurs Baseball. Water fans will enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling classes and then a night out on the town.
Check out unique museums such as the Smitty’s Juke Box Museum in Pharr, close to the Mexican border. The town loves unique scavenger hunts, too, like the Zombi challenge and wacky walk. Visit the incredible Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle as well for an incredible glimpse at historical architecture.
Next, drive to Brownsville for incredible beaches and a zoo. You will also find wildlife areas, historic battlefields, specialty museums, flea markets, and scenic trails. It’s a great place for boat tours and a day trip to the spa at the Carriage House Day Spa. After, get in a golf game or go shopping at several specialty shops. Nearby is Edinburg, with wetlands, a motorcycle museum, poker club, winery, and Planetarium.
For an amazing main street, visit Harlingen with farmers markets on Saturday and market days to find something beautiful and vintage at the beginning of the month. Check out several antique and specialty shops if you need more treasures. Stay a few days to see the World Birding Center, Iwo Jima Memorial and Museum, Hugh Ramsey Nature Park, and a couple of heritage museums.
Finally, take a couple of days in Port Isabel to visit the dolphins at the South Padre Sea Life Nature Center. The city is home to a lighthouse, Pirates Landing Fishing Pier, and boat tours. Spend your time out on the Gulf or go to a spa and spend some money shopping. Pick up a bike at Bikes Gone Radical for a self-guided tour or take the Spirits of Port Isabel ghost and vampire tour. Do not forget to go scuba diving or snorkeling down by the water too to round out your trip.
Local Information
Texas Heritage Trails – Tropical Trail – With photos, maps, calendar of events, itineraries and stories, this is a must-visit site for your trip to the southern tip of Texas!
More Texas Byways
You can check out additional Byways in Texas by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the Texas Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.