The plains of South Texas can be awash in wildflowers, with avian species soaring through the skies of the Coastal Bend on their northern migration. Add in some festive events, and you have an excuse to ride great roads in this region. Stockdale celebrates the wonderful world of watermelons in late June. In addition to a rodeo and concerts, there are contests, dog races, and plenty of vendors at City Park. Victoria welcomes summer at its annual Memorial Weekend Bash. The highlight of this festival is a lineup of top-shelf Tejano and country music artists. You might consider browsing Coastal Bend websites for suggested ranches that open their gates to eco-friendly nature lovers and bird-watchers. Fennessey Ranch is just southeast of Refugio. Corpus Christi has been celebrating Buc Days since 1938. The party includes a pro rodeo and extends over two weeks along the bayfront.
Along The Way
BAYSIDE
FENNESSEY RANCH
FM 2678
361-529-6600
fennesseyranch.com
CORPUS CHRISTI
BUC DAYS
bucdays.com
April 14–May 1
SNOOPY’S PIER
13313 S. Padre Island Dr.
361-949-8815
snoopyspier.com
GOLIAD
PRESIDIO LA BAHÍA
217 U.S. Hwy. 183
361-645-3752
presidiolabahia.org
ROCKPORT-FULTON
THE BIG TREE
Goose Island State Park
202 S. Palmetto St.
361-729-2858
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island
FULTON MANSION
317 Fulton Beach Rd.
361-729-0386
visitfultonmansion.com
THE GROOVE
2001 N. TX Hwy. 35
361-729-3663
thegrooverockport.com
SHEMPY’S GRILL
3913 TX Hwy. 35 S.
361-727-0019
facebook.com/shempys
STOCKDALE
WATERMELON JUBILEE
City Park
TX Hwy. 123 N.
stockdaletx.org/watermelon-jubliee
3rd weekend (Thu.–Sat.) in June
VICTORIA
MEMORIAL WEEKEND BASH
Riverside Park
Special Events Area
476 McCright Dr.
salazarpromotions.com
May 27–29
THE PUMPHOUSE RIVERSIDE RESTAURANT AND BAR
1201 W. Stayton Ave.
361-572-9800
victoriapumphouse.com
On The Road
Pit Stops
1. BRAHMA EXPRESS
100 TX Hwy. 123, Stockdale
2. STRIPES
108 N. Alamo St., Refugio
stripesstores.com
Grab a Bite
1. ANDY’S COUNTRY KITCHEN
5802 S. Staples St.,
Corpus Christi
361-993-0251
andyskitchen.com
2. QP SMOKEHOUSE
3494 S.W. Moody St., Victoria
361-572-3227
facebook.com/qpsmokehouse
3. RUSTY’S TROPICAL GRILL & BAR
115 S. Fulton Beach Rd., Rockport
361-790-8005
Stay The Night
1. ALL TUCKED INN CABINS
710 TX Hwy. 123, Stockdale
830-996-1145
alltuckedinncabins.com
2. KONTIKI BEACH RESORT
2290 N. Fulton Beach Rd., Rockport
361-729-2318
kontikibeach.com
Diversions
1. TEXAS MARITIME MUSEUM
1202 Navigation Circle, Rockport
361-729-1271
texasmaritimemuseum.org
Only in Texas
1. MUSEUM OF THE COASTAL BEND
2200 E. Red River, Victoria
361-582-2511
museumofthecoastalbend.org
2. PRESIDIO LA BAHIA
217 Loop 71, Goliad
361-645-3752
presidiolabahia.org
