Townes To See

Each year, thousands of retirement-age visitors spend anywhere from one to six months in the Lone Star State. This group of part-time residents has come to be known as Winter Texans. Over the years, a number of small towns across Texas, who rely heavily on the business the Winter Texans bring, have begun catering to this winter crowd.

1) Mission

The historic South Texas town of Mission, named for the La Lomita Mission, is home to the annual Citrus Festival, world-class birding, Winter Texan events and more.

2) Harlingen

Located on the upper edge of the Rio Grande Valley, a short drive from both Mexico and South Padre Island, Harlingen offers visitors a central location to all South Texas sites.

3) South Padre Island

South Padre Island is known primarily as a Spring Break destination. However, it is truly a beach for all seasons with nature tours, fishing, surfing, dining - plan ahead so you can fit it all in and still find time to lie on the beach.

4) Del Rio

The Texas border town of Del Rio is located on the shores of Lake Amistad and the Rio Grande, offering birders, boaters and fishermen plenty of options. However, Del Rio is also home to a number of top notch museums as well as the oldest winery in Texas, the Val Verde Winery.

5) Wimberley

Wimberley is a quaint little village in the Texas Hill Country, situated within an hour's drive to either Austin or San Antonio. Additionally, Wimberley is conveniently located to many Hill Country attractions and is home to a host of specialty shops and restaurants.

6) Rockport

Best known as a mecca for Texas artists, Rockport is also home to the Maritime Museum, prime saltwater fishing, excellent birding and lots of other activities.

7) Bastrop

Located a short drive from Austin, Bastrop is a quaint central Texas town situated right on the Colorado River. Bastrop is also home to great golfing, shopping, as well as an abundance of outdoor activities at Lake Bastrop and Bastrop State Park.

8) Brownsville

This historic border town offers a world class zoo, golf courses, top-flight birding, as well as quick access to Matamoros, Mexico and South Padre Island.

9) Zapata

Billed as the "Home of Falcon Lake," Zapata serves as a gateway to the fabled reservoir for anglers and water sport enthusiasts. Zapata also offers a variety of outdoor activities such as birding, golf and hunting and is the winter home to throngs of "Winter Texans."

10) Marble Falls

Located less than an hour from Austin, Marble Falls is right in the center of Texas' "Chain of Lakes," situated on the banks of Lake Marble Falls and minutes away from Lake LBJ.

Although most Winter Texans become very ‘localized’ by remaining in one area of the state during their stay in Texas, the vast majority of them drive down in RVs or motorhomes. During this trek, most of them prefer to meander around, stopping to see various points of interest. For anyone making the trip from north to south, there are a few ‘must see’ Texas attractions along the way.

1) The Alamo

The Alamo is not only one of Texas’ most important historical landmarks, it is also one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions, with over 2.5 million.

2) Texas State Capitol

Visitors to Central Texas shouldn’t miss an opportunity to tour the Texas State Capitol Complex. Legend, lore and history combine to make a tour of the Capital Complex educational, inspirational, and awe-inspiring.

3) San Jacinto Monument & Museum

If you happen to be heading to Houston or Southeast Texas, you can't pass up an opportunity to visit the San Jacinto Monument and San Jacinto Battleground - the very place where Texas gained its independence.

4) USS Lexington

Following many years of "active duty," the WWII-era USS Lexington "retired" to Corpus Christi. The Lexington now serves as a floating museum and even offers overnight stays!

5) Enchanted Rock

Located just north of Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country, Enchanted Rock is one of the largest natural rock formations in the United States, with a dome that rises 425 feet above the ground (1825 feet above sea level). Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1970, Enchanted Rock is also part of the Texas State Parks System and attracts thousands of visitors annually.

6) Big Thicket National Preserve

Covering nearly 100,000 acres, Big Thicket National Preserve was the first such preserve in the United States. The Big Thicket NP is home to a diverse group of plants and animals and plays host to thousands of nature enthusiasts annually.

7) Sea Center Texas

Located in Lake Jackson, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Seacenter Texas serves as a marine hatchery, museum and aquarium all in one.

8) Washington-On-The-Brazos

Washington-on-the-Brazos is the location where the Convention of 1836 signed Texas' Declaration of Independence from Mexico. The site also served as the Texas Capitol off and on through the early years of the Republic of Texas.

9) Palo Alto Battlefield

Over the years, the Rio Grande Valley has played an important role in Texas and US history. Palo Alto Battlefield, just north of Brownsville, was the site of the first battle of the US/Mexican War in 1846. Today, Palo Alto is open to visitors as part of the National Park Service.

10) George Ranch Historical Park

Located just outside of Richmond, southwest of Houston, the George Ranch Historical Park is a living history exhibit that aims to educate the public about Texas history situated on the site of a former working ranch.