On the Road

A Bay Area Houston getaway promises 4 times the fun

Bay Area Houston’s laid-back Southern charm, combined with its prime location on Galveston Bay, are just two ingredients in a delectable feast of culture, cuisine, and good old-fashioned family fun.

Discover the four cities that make up the Bay Area and start planning your trip to this waterside gem.

League City
Bayou vibes and Southern charm
Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature by exploring the scenic Clear Creek Paddle Trail by kayak or canoe, and spot wading birds — like the great egret — fishing for their next meal.

Visit Founder’s Square in the Historic District for a charming shopping experience, where each boutique is housed in a beautiful historic home.

Kemah
Exciting amusements and waterfront fun
Get your adrenaline pumping at Kemah Boardwalk. Ride the thrilling wooden rollercoaster, see Galveston Bay from atop the 65-foot-tall Ferris wheel, and experience a heart-pounding speedboat ride on the Boardwalk Beast.

The boardwalk also features an aquarium (where you can even feed and pet stingrays!), live performances, and dining. While you’re here, book a charter boat for a day of fishing, sailing, and soaking up some sunshine.

Seabrook
Nature escapes and spectacular trails
Enjoy sweeping panoramas of Galveston Bay at Pine Gully Park, where kids will love the large playground and adults can relax to the soothing sound of gentle waves. Bring a fishing pole and cast your line from the 1,000-foot-long fishing pier, or simply walk to the end and look for dolphins jumping in the distance.

With an extensive trail system, Seabrook Wildlife Refuge and Park is ideal for hiking, biking, and viewing nature. Search for deer, wading birds, and even alligators in the creeks and bayous.

Nassau Bay
Outer space and scenic strolls
A sophisticated waterfront city, Nassau Bay is also across the street from Space Center Houston, the most popular attraction in the Houston Metro region. Take a tram tour to visit Historic Mission Control, get up close to the enormous Saturn V rocket, and walk beneath a flown SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Stop by Nassau Bay Peninsula Wildlife Park, a 76-acre wetland, for an easy stroll with rewarding views of Clear Lake.

Clear Lake Shores
The yachting capital of Texas
Live a life of leisure while you're here, with waterfront shopping and dining (plus ogling all those huge yachts).

Favorite hangouts for locals and visitors alike include Opus Ocean Grille, Soulfreak Studio Cafe, Skipper’s Cafe, Shafer’s Coastal Cuisine, and Okies YardHouse.

Where to eat
Houston's Bay Area has something for every foodie. For tasty Thai food, try Merlion in the heart of Seabrook, then satisfy your sweet tooth with decadent dessert waffles at Seabrook Waffle Company.

When in Kemah, stop by Tookie’s, a Bay Area staple with mouthwatering burgers, and T-Bone Tom’s, where you can dine like a local under the giant palapa with cold drinks, hot food, and live music.

Mediterraneo Market & Cafe in Nassau Bay offers up Greek classics along with live music and belly dancers on the weekends. In League City, try Craft 96 and Main St. Bistro for imaginative modern twists on your favorite dishes.

Where to stay
From lakefront locales to elegant accommodations, you have plenty of options throughout Bay Area Houston.

South Shore Harbour Resort in League City has stunning views of Clear Lake and a pool with a swim-up bar.

For waterfront lodging just minutes away from Space Center Houston, try the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake.

Seabrook has several quaint bed-and-breakfast options, including the Pelican’s Nest and the Old Parsonage Guest House. Or go traditional with the conveniently located SpringHill Suites.

If you’re staying in Kemah, you can’t beat the Boardwalk Inn, located in the center of the Kemah Boardwalk. It features private balconies boasting spectacular views of the bay.

For more information to plan your ultimate Baycation, scope out Visit Bay Area Houston.

The South Shore Harbour Resort in League City has a pool with a swim-up bar.

Photo courtesy of Visit Bay Area Houston

The South Shore Harbour Resort in League City has a pool with a swim-up bar.

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top camping destinations

2 Texas campgrounds charm as top-10 best places to camp in America

Photo courtesy of The Dyrt

Stella Mare RV Resort is only a four-hour drive from San Antonio.

Galveston's Stella Mare RV Resort and Neches Bluff Overlook Campgroundin Davy Crockett National Forest were just ranked among the best campgrounds in America in 2025.

Campground review platform The Dyrt combed through the most highly rated and favorably reviewed campgrounds across its website for the "2025 Best Places to Camp Regional Awards." Campgrounds were sorted into six regions: Central, Midwest, Mountain, Northeast, Pacific, and Southeast.

Stella Mare RV Resort ranked No. 6 on the The Dyrt's ranking of the best campgrounds in the Central region. The coastal resort is about 250 miles from San Antonio, or about a four-hour drive.

Stella Mare offers 195 different RV sites just steps away from the beach and is pet friendly, making it an ideal summer vacation destination for San Antonio families that want to spend as much time as possible near the shore. Campsite rates range between $39-$598 per night.

Stella Mare RV Resort Stella Mare is a great destination for families.Photo courtesy of The Dyrt

Other amenities provided by the resort include high-speed Wi-Fi, 30-50-amp service, two dog parks, barbecue grills, a heated outdoor pool, splash pad, hot tub, and a 3,000-square-foot observation deck. Stella Mare also hosts weekly events such as craft activities, bingo, and more.

In one review, a returning guest praised the resort's cleanliness and the attentive staff.

"We have visited Stella Mare every December for 4 years now. This last winter we stayed for 2 months and really enjoyed Galveston," the reviewer said. "The campground is well maintained. The staff is super friendly. They have events for all ages multiple times a week including kid and adult only crafts, candy bar bingo, wine night, s'mores, and golf cart parades for holidays."

Thrifty campers will enjoy staying at Neches Bluff Overlook Campground, which ranked as the No. 8 best campground in the Central Region. Neches Bluff Overlook is a free campground located in the Davy Crockett National Forest, which is about 280 miles northeast of San Antonio.

Neches Bluff is a primitive campground that only offers "minimal amenities," according to The Dyrt, which means campers will have to rely on their own preparedness if they want to spend several nights in the East Texas forest. The campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, and guests are welcome to pick their own site and "create [their] own adventure."

Neches Bluff Overlook is a very scenic place to pitch a tent and enjoy nature.fs.usda.gov

One of the most stunning features of Neches Bluff is the panoramic views of the forest from the overlook, according to reviewer Rachel H.

“There was a creek nearby that we hiked up and down, even found what appeared to be a natural spring feeding the creek," wrote Rachel. "We used the creek as our water supply, and the water was delicious. Lots of cool rocks, and even found a couple snail shells. 10/10 would definitely go again and explore more. The overlook is so pretty, and honestly, this place gave us the perfect camping experience."

The top 10 best places to camp in the Central Region, according to The Dyrt, are:

No. 1 – The Wall, South Dakota
No. 2 – Scoria Pit, North Dakota
No. 3 – Buffalo Gap, South Dakota
No. 4 – Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground, North Dakota
No. 5 – Big Pine Campground, South Dakota
No. 6 – Stella Mare RV Resort, Texas
No. 7 – Hackberry Hollow Campground - Indian Cave State Park, Nebraska
No. 8 – Neches Bluff Overlook Campground - Davy Crockett National Forest, Texas
No. 9 – Territory Route 66 RV Park and Campgrounds, Oklahoma
No. 10 – Wilson State Park Campground, Kansas

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