Margo

We are planning one of our car trips for two weeks at the end of Jan. We will spend 1 week in Texas (San Antonio-New Braunfels-Fredericksburg) then driving to Galveston then on to New Orleans/Natchez for 1 week. Looking at the Texas map, I am asking if there is a way to Galveston which doesn't take US10 into Houston? Would it make sense to leave San Antonio on route 87 and go to the coast at Port Lavaca? We are more interested in scenery and interesting little towns than a fast trip on the interstate. What is the coast like from Port Lavaca to Galveston? We plan to take the ferry at Galveston and go on to Port Arthur.

This is a lot to ask but your information will be much appreciated. I'll have more questions later.
Thanks, Margo

Rich

One interesting route would be to take I-10 Esst out of San Antonio to Seguin, then Alt 90 thru Gonzales ( Come and take it), Shiner ( Home of the national Beer of Texas of the same name )Hallettsville, Thru Rosenberg and at Sugarland, take 6 South to Galveston.

That route will take you thru many of the historic towns in Texas.

Going thru Port Lavaca is a longer trip, but would also take you thru some older towns. If driven during the week, traffic should not be an issue, but on weekends, Lavaca to Galveston can by busy

Margo

Great suggestion, Rich. What is the coast from Lavaca to Galveston like--is it scenic, are there beaches? And in Galveston, along the waterfront, is it scenic and safe?

Rich

You can't drive along the Gulf from Lavaca to Galveston because of the Bays and lack of bridges/ferries. You will be close to beach little of the way.

Galveston has hotels along the beach front and all of the commercialization that comes with tourism. It's a very pleasant place.

Not sure what safe means . . No Indian raids in the recent history and it has not fallen off into the gulf recently but there is the potential for Hurricanes, but you have plenty of advanced warning for those.

Lots of good, fresh seafood everywhere!

bettyk

We live in Missouri City, a suburb southwest of Houston. We always take Highway 6 to Galveston. You will tie into I-45 at a point close to Galveston but shouldn't be too bad unless you are hitting it during peak rush hour.

Margo

Could you recommend a hotel on the beach in Galveston in the Holiday Inn category?

Also would like a reco for a hotel near the riverwalk in San Antonio. We will have a car so will need to have parking.

Rich

We like the Hotel Galvez . .

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/texas/...08=&025=c&026=

It's across the street from the beach, but there are no hotels on the beach in Galveston.

There are more Hotels than you can shake a stick at on the Riverwalk . .

http://visitsanantonio.com/english/E...B7UaAoAj8P8HAQ

We like La Mansion

Toucan2

May I ask why you are going to Port Arthur? Do you have friends or relatives there?

I find the more interesting part of Galveston is the Historic District and all the Victorian houses. There is a lot to do, but the beach in January I don't think is the star attraction. In spring and summer, more so.

There is a road that runs right along it and a seawall. As mentioned, the hotels are across the street. I think you will find several holiday inn level hotels. I noticed some last spring when I was there.

Rich

Had another thought . . . if you like good BBQ, stay on I-10 until Luling ( the next exit ) and have lunch at the Luling City Market . . best BBQ in Texas!

http://www.yelp.com/map/city-market-luling-3

Margo

I only mention Port Arthur because it is on our way to Louisiana where we will spend our second week touring Lake Charles-Natchez-New Orleans but I thought I would put out another thread for that. Or maybe someone could already help me with that drive.

Thanks Rich for all your information. I loved your suggestions for hotels in SA and Galveston but they are outside our budget. Right now I am trying to decide what to see in Galveston and whether we should add a day there (two nights/one day). Would be interested in seeing the video "The Great Storm" at Pier 21 theatre and what is at Moody Gardens?

So far this is the trip in Texas

Fly to San Antonio, go to New Braunfels (want to visit Greune and eat at our favourite restaurant, Gristmill). 1 night

two nights Fredericksburg (been there 5 years ago) so maybe take one of these nights and add to Galveston.

3 nights San Antonio (been there 3-4 times in the past)

1 or 2 nights Galveston

then on to Louisiana.

Thanks for any suggestions on what to see, especially things off the beaten path. Plan to take Rich's suggestion for the route SA to Galveston.

Margo

Toucan2

The reason I asked is that Port Arthur is not a very pretty place. In fact, a significant portion is a very high crime area. That, and oil refineries.

When you leave Galveston over the ferry you will be on 87 on the Bolivar Penninsula. You will not be able to go straight through on to Sabine Pass. 87 is closed. You will turn north on 124 towards Winnie at High Island. Right after you take that sharp left there is usually a fruit stand on the right on the outskirts of High island.

If you are wanting to go to Nederland/Port Arthur take 73 east as you enter Winnie. If you want to have a good bowl of gumbo, go just a bit further and on the right will be Al-T's. It is just before I-10

Turn around and go back to 73 or hop on I-10 east

If you re still trying to stay off the interstate you could take 73 it kind of turns, goes through some refineries. and it will turn into 87 and take you over a high bridge into Orange, which has some interesting things I start to get fuzzy on details then. Eventually you will have to get on ten at least for a little while.

If you want to stay on smaller roads you could go 73 to 82 for a short while then follow 87 west (towards Sea Rim State Park). Then there is a spot in the refinery area where you either turn left towards sea rim or straight over another very high bridge crossing the intracoastal. At the end of that you would turn left to Louisiana.

It's pretty unpopulated but pretty in its swampy coastal plains way.