There are several great places to visit in Texas if you want to have some fun over spring break or during the summer.
The
first place I recommend is South Padre Island, which is located about
5 hours south of Houston. The beaches are beautiful and we saw lots
of dolphins when we took a boat ride. It's a great place for seafood
and for playing in the sun and sand. It doesn't look anything like
Galveston. You can trust me as I'm a Floridian who knows her beaches! During spring break, SPI is very crowded with college students. By now, most accommodations on the island are probably booked but you never know, so its worth at try.
The
second place my family and I love is Austin. Austin has a wonderful
nightlife for those of you who love music. Original bands play
nightly on Sixth Street, which is downtown. In fact, a lot of famous
bands get their start there on Sixth Street. During the daytime
there is also a lot to do and see. You can visit and tour the Texas
State Capitol and wander around the campus of the University of Texas.
For water activity in Austin, you can go to Zilker
Park, where you will find Barton Springs, a natural pool of really,
really cold water (icy yet refreshing!) the size of 2 football fields.
In addition to the pool, at Barton Springs you will also see lots of
college students and other Austinites scantily dressed. If you are
thinking about getting a tattoo, you can see many on display there!
For children, there is a train ride and playground at Zilker Park as
well as an outdoor theater that presents free performances throughout
the summer (similar to Houston's Miller Theater). Finally, when you
are at Zilker Park, you can rent a canoe or kayak and paddle along
Town Lake.
Another great place to swim in Austin is
Lake Travis. The beach is a bit rocky but the temperature of the
water is just delightful. You can rent jet skis and boats at various
spots along the lake. There is also a water rides park in that area
(I forget the name, but you can google "waterpark Austin Lake Travis"
to find it, I'm sure). Finally, when in Austin make sure to enjoy
some chips and salsa, or an entire meal, at the Oasis restaurant,
which overlooks all of Lake Travis. It's quite a sight. You will ask
yourself if you are really in Texas.
The last place I recommend is about 45 minutes west of Austin,
called Hamilton Pools. From the parking lot, you have to hike a short
path and then you arrive in a swimming hole which feels like paradise
(if not paradise, then maybe Hawaii). The pool extends out from a
grotto (like a cave) and you can swim or just float in the cool
turquoise water. My family and I visited Hamilton Pools for the first time a few
years ago--it was the week after Hurricane Ike paid a visit to
Houston--and we all agreed that we must return there again soon.
Finally,
for those of you who love nature, Texas in the springtime has a lot to
offer. Check out the Texas State Park website for wonderful places
located all around the state--places to camp, hike, swim, fish, relax,
unwind... If you're willing to make the journey, Big Bend National Park
will take you 12 hours to drive across Texas but it is worth the
beauty that you will receive in return. Indeed, it is one of the best
places in the US (maybe in the continent) to see the stars at night,
and personally, it is where I learned to identify the winter
constellations when I was camping there during my spring break as a
graduate student. If you do make the journey out to Big Bend, then I
recommend you take the rafting trip down Santa Elena Canyon. It's not
exciting white water rafting, but its absolutely gorgeous as you float
between the sheer walls of the canyon. It's expensive but a
once-in-a-lifetime experience, and thus, well worth it.
One
more tidbit. If you're willing to drive 10-12 hours west to Big Bend,
you might also consider driving 10 hours east to the panhandle of
Florida (the northwestern coast) where the beaches are fantastic. The
sand is white and the water is emerald green. You can make a stop in
New Orleans for a few hours or a few days. You can probably go camping
on some of the beaches there, but I'm not sure.
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