Brazosport – Five Destinations for the Price of One

Content Produced in Partnership with Visit Brazosport

A conglomerate of communities that includes Clute, Freeport, Lake Jackson, Quintana, and Surfside Beach, Brazosport is a region on the Texas Gulf Coast and an easy beach getaway from Houston. Full of sumptuous restaurants, sandy shores, and nature aplenty, their iconic street signs, This Way and That Way intersect, proving you truly are lost in the right direction in Brazosport. Here’s why you should make your next Texas trip a Bay-cation.

Beaches Galore

Voted one of the best Gulf Coast towns by Gulfscapes magazine, Surfside Beach is a colorful canvas of stilted pastel homes and A-frame houses that have more bait shops than services. It’s a popular area for birding, casting a line, scuba diving, and generally wasting away the day. Much less touristy than Galveston, people go to Surfside for the basics – the shore and the jetty, which is just about the most peaceful place in the world to watch the waves despite its bustling popularity. You can go on dolphin tours or fishing excursions and rent kayaks, surfboards, and jet skis from businesses along the main drag, but be sure to secure reservations in advance as it is one of those sleepy beach towns where people work whenever they feel like it (must be nice to live in vacationland).

Nature Porn

Sea Center Texas is a marine aquarium and the largest redfish hatchery in the world. Showcasing the permanent Gulf of Mexico residents, the facility is home to indoor touch tanks and saltwater and freshwater wetland boardwalks. Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is another place to get to know the locals. 20 miles of freshwater serve as an oasis and refuge for local wildlife fighting to survive in the salty prairie and harsh marsh climate. There are miles upon miles of hiking and biking trails (remember to pack the bug spray!) and a self-drive/audio tour through the Big Slough habitats.

If you’d prefer to explore directly on the waterways, the Christmas Bay Paddle Trail is a popular canoe and kayak route with several put in spots around the area. 19.1 miles of flat water, there are also shorter loops, which can take a few hours or all day depending on the tide and wind. It is BYOB (bring your own boat) so be sure to rent your gear ahead of time.

Food for the Soul (and Eating for the ‘Gram)

You know what they say – everything’s bigger in Texas, and if the food in Brazosport is any indication, they’re not messing around. Asiel’s motto is “life is sweet, eat fried treats” and they have plenty of outrageous offerings to pick from. Their donut burger, apple pie egg rolls, and deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos are popular with the late-night crowd, while a brunch menu’s Bananas Foster Waffles and Tres Leches pancakes satisfy the early morning sweet tooth. It’s bacon lover’s night every Wednesday and all you can eat fried shrimp on the weekends so come hungry and leave happy. Or at least grab a drink on the killer patio, which overlooks the “indoor pool,” the appropriately named Mammoth Lake.

Owned by the same folks, Poly Pop is both a breakfast and late night tiki spot with adorably photogenic and super boozy drinks like the Naked Ape and the Shark Bite. Their menu is quite eclectic with island-inspired ramen, tacos and Buddha bowls to satisfy any craving – healthy or otherwise.

Plan Your Trip: Where to Stay in Brazosport, Texas

If you’re looking for more places to explore, check out these are other intriguing areas in Southeast Texas:

• Baytown: Try geocaching, the art scavenger hunt app, and don’t miss Buc Ee’s, a gas station that has better BBQ, jerky, and snacks than most of America.
• The Woodlands: Pleasantville on steroids, the Woodlands has great shopping, riverfront trails, and one of the best outdoor concert venues in the country.
• Beaumont: The Cajun capital of Texas, tour the historic downtown and get your fill of tasty cuisine.
• Corpus Christi: A bit further afield, Corpus is home to thousands of acres of dunes as part of the Padre National Seashore. Try watersports, go horseback riding on the beach, and watch the waves.
• Houston: We don’t have a problem in this eclectic hub of food and culture.
• Pearland: Gem of the fruit cities, enjoy eating and photographing your way around.

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