A bit underwhelming…read more When I visited Grotto, I was a little disappointed. The Grotto is a small section of the Riverwalk that is designed as a man-made rock grotto. You can walk under the cave to view a waterfall and fountain. I am not sure if it was construction or a poorly built safety rail, but the pathway surrounding the installation was lined with cheap-looking PVC pipes and buckets filled with concrete. It really took away from the art installation. The photos really make the Grotto seem larger and more robust than it actually is. Once you walk under it, the main attraction (the face and fountain) is actually quite small. I would only really visit if you're in the Pearl-Midtown area, otherwise I would not recommend going out of your way to see it.

What: landmark/art. Very cool to walk along and have this random, eclectic art to enjoy and…read moreappreciate. Location: 5 minute walk from The Pearl Brewery.

TLDR: Very old (1,000+) oak tree that has withstood a vast number of hurricanes. Quick stop, with a…read morenice walking loop around the tree. Located inside a state park and requires an entry fee ($5 pp) to access. Visually, this tree is not as beautiful as some similar senior oaks. For instance, Angel Oak in SC has that magical sprawling limb look while this tree has had many limbs trimmed. It's still amazing to know how long this tree has been around (estimated longer than Angel Oak, placed at 1,000 years at least). Even more impressive is how many hurricanes it's withstood due to its proximity to the Gulf (40-50, according to my research). This tree is located inside Goose Island State Park and thus, requires you to pay the entrance fee to access. $5 per adult; kids 12 and under are free. So you can either cough up the money to see the tree and leave or you can try to find other activities in the park. Personally, I didn't really find anything else for our family to do there that was superior to other activities in the area. There's a fishing pier but it seemed narrow and crowded with fishermen. If you fish or hike, you might find more stuff to do but we came here with toddlers so there wasn't much else for us. This is a nice quick stop. You can do a short walking loop around the tree -- it's very child-friendly. My kids enjoyed running around the tree. There are benches to sit, if desired. I found the poem on the sign a bit comical -- it was solemn and reverent and then at the end, you discovered that it was just an appeal for a donation. Ha. Well done, tree.

You can tell it's had work done: it's nice being in nature and all: it's a beautiful day here in…read moreRockport .

Nice Little Park With A Lot of History. Drove over from Houston in 3 hours, roads are pretty good…read more Arrived at office and they apologized but campsite 15 which I had carefully picked out had a possible water leak that might mean a work crew would be digging it up. They offered several others and we chose #1. The manager in the office gave us a $25 refund for our trouble which was very nice. All campsites in the Karankawa loop are full service sites with 50 and 30 amp electric hookups and all are pull through. We visited at the end of a hot dry summer so brown grass and trees without many leaves left. Typical of most state parks there was a picnic table, fire ring and lantern hook; there was an open fire burn ban due to the conditions. Watch out for pet's feet as well as yours if you walk barefoot as those prickly weed spores are in the grass! The septic system looks pretty new and was so close to my drop point I only used one sewer line completely compacted. Water pressure seemed good, around 60ps Park roads are good, the only drawback is the park is bisected by a state highway so you do hear road noise but it is less at night when traffic is light. Restrooms are older but in great condition, men's room in the camping loop had 2 toilets, 2 urinals and 2 showers which is fine as there aren't a ton of campsites. Camp hosts were friendly. The old mission is the big historical attraction here. It is free but only open from 8:30 to 4:30. The park has trails that are pretty easy and well maintained, there is an area where you can put canoes or kayaks into the San Antonio river. There is small bird blind with several feeders in front that the staff kept filled with fresh bird food while we were there. Try to see the green jay if you can, fairly rare this far north! Goliad is nearby and has plenty to offer. The old county courthouse is beautifully restored.

Goliad State Park & Historic Site was quite a special visit during our tour of South Texas…read more My daughters wanted to tour the Mission Espiritu Santo which surprised me so I bought a day pass on May 27, 2025: Adult: $4 Daily Child 12 Years and Under: Free We really enjoyed walking the Aranama Nature Trail afterwards even though it was very warm outside. There is a junior ranger program but apparently you have to ask the rangers about it because the nutty employee who assisted us didn't even tell us about it or offer insight to what we were visiting or offer us a map. But I digress. This historical place was fascinating to us.

The Fannin Battleground marks the location where, on March 19 and 20, 1836, the Battle of Coleto…read moreCreek was fought between Texan forces commanded by Col. James Fannin and Mexican forces led by Gen. Jose Urrea. Believing they would be treated humanely, Col. Fannin surrendered; he and his troops were led back to Presidio La Bahia, near Goliad, and held as prisoners. On Palm Sunday, Col. Fannin and his men were slaughtered by the Mexican forces under the direction of Santa Anna, who re-instituted the Tonel Decree in late December 1835. The slaughtering of Col. Fannin and his men gave rise to the battle cry, "Remember Goliad!". (Some estimates say 400+/- were killed) This battleground is a little out of the way, but worth it if you're a history person. It's not much to look at, honestly - just a stone obelisk in a field, with a picnic area at one end, with a small (one room) museum under a gazebo. There are also a couple of informational boards. I was a tad disappointed with the maintenance of the location, but it's probably because the grass was so high, giving it an unmanicured look. However, there are signs present about the high grass - apparently they leave the grass high so wildflowers can regerminate. That's kinda cool. If you've never experienced a field of Texas wildflowers...that's also a must. I may go back to see how the battleground looks covered in flowers; that would be gorgeous. The small museum room had a non-functional A/C. In fact, it was blowing hot air. Thank God it doesn't take long to look at everything in the room. The ONE interactive "board" was not functional. I really love Texas history, so this was worth it. However, someone who may not be...or was expecting more will be disappointed. I fought disappointment writing this review. In the end, it's a very solemn place honoring the sacrifices of Texas Independence.

Historic Battlefield! So this is where Colonel Fannin was…read morefighting the Mexican Army, when things didn't go his way, so he surrendered, believing that his enemy was civilized and would treat them as prisoners of war. Boy, were they mistaken! Mexican General Santa Anna had them all shot down the street at the Presidio de Bahia. This battleground is marked with a fancy gate, an obelisk in the center of the battlefield, and a nice elevated pavilion and an area to enjoy your picnic with some tables. There seems to have been a museum going here at some time, but it appeared closed when I went. There's not too much to see around here. The grass was a bit long, but I guess they're doing that wildflower seeding thing, so I guess that's okay. It made for a fun few minutes to stop, and was only 2 miles off the main highway, so it was a fun quick stop!

Located off of US 77 about 6 miles North of Sinton, Texas, this stone marker is set under a tree…read moreand represents this historical site well. The inscription is weathered but is still legible up close. Welder Ranch. Original homesite and Mexican land grant of Don Felipe Roque de la Portillo and wife Maria Ignacia de la Garza spanish empresario in Texas 1807-1812 forerunner of Stephen F. Austin founder of San Marcos de Neve 1807 joined irish colony of Col. James Power and James Hewetson 1828 received mexican land grant at this site 1834 daughter Maria Dolores de la Portilla married Col. James Power 1832 and had two children Dolores and James Power, Jr. after Dolores died 1836 Col. James Power married her sister Maria Tomasa de la Portilla and had five children. 1850 ranch of John Welder and wife Dolores Power daughter of Col. James Power and Dolores de la Portilla Power. Col. James Power was an empresario and soldier signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Republic of Texas constitution John Welder came to America from Bavaria with his father Franz Welder 1830 landed at Copano 1833 with Beales and Grant Colony oldest son of John Welder and wife Dolores Power John J. Welder married Eliza Hughes daughter of Patrick Hughes Ireland to Texas 1852 Capt. in confederate army wife Elizabeth Traylor daughter of Winn Traylor Texas land grant 1840 this land still owned and ranched by descendants of these great texans.

The largest Blue Crab in the world! It's 27' wide, and weighs over a half ton!…read more Everything is bigger in Texas. This crab guards the entrance of the Rockport Beach, one of the finest beaches in Texas. Rockport is known for its seafood that they catch here. The blue crab is one of them! Rockport previously had another crab statue that was on top of a seafood restaurant. It lived there from the 1950's to about the 1970's when it fell into disrepair due to hurricane damage. However, in 2012, artist David Allgood unveiled a bigger better crab. Rockport is really into the arts, and this is a great example! It's across the street from a sculpture garden, and compliments the area nicely! Don't worry, this statue doesn't say anything about the disposition of people from Rockport, they're friendly! The funny thing about this crab is that it's a hermaphrodite. It is a male crab with female claws.

As my family and I pulled into Rockport we were greeted by the amazing art sculpture. Such a cool…read moreplace for a photo opportunity. If ever in Rockport stop and check out the Big Blue Crab.

In addition to living here at one point, my maternal grandparents were marriend in Victoria. It's…read morea wonderful town to live and visit. Deleon Plaza is a great oasis in the midst of a bustling downtown. I toured all the historical markers in the plaza and took a breather in the quaint gazebo located on the grounds. Across the street is the oldest continuously running delicatessen in Texas. Don't miss out on their world famous reuben sandwich. The plaza is a gem in the middle of a lot of hidden treasure. Resolve to pay a visit if you're ever in the city.

A nice park in downtown Victoria! It's a great place to…read morepark, and have some lunch or enjoy the sunshine in Victoria. There's plenty of parking on the street, and if you're doing business downtown, it's a great place to start off from. This historic park feels like it's been around forever. The gazebo can be rented out if you have an event. At one end of the park is a larger than life monument to the fallen Confederate soldiers. At the other end of the park is the monument to the six flags that have flown over Texas. It gives a bit of history about how Texas has been such a hotly desired territory! This location is in the National Registry of Historic Places! There aren't any bathrooms. There's a drinking fountain that worked.

This miniature village was created from historical buildings that were moved here and restored…read more There is a looping path where you can walk from one to another. This place is best for little kids and they have several events throughout the year like the haunted village. There are a few interesting buildings with furniture but for adults, it's a pretty quick walk-through. We were the only ones there on a Saturday which was nice in that we weren't rushed but a bit odd though the staff was friendly. They do have some cold beverages for sale.

Disappointed. We drove 2 hours to come see the village and learn about the history for it to be…read moreclosed. Website on face book and even the flyer we have says it's open .

The city did a really great job in setting up this memorial to the legendary cattle drivers on the…read moreChisholm Trail. As a history buff, I couldn't resist the draw to check it out. Of course I took a lot of pictures. The statues and informational plaques are top-of-line. Upon leaving, I felt as if I had stepped back in time. This is also a great place to get away from it all in order to gather your thoughts. Please don't pass through Yoakum without checking out this fine memorial.

When I was planning our South Texas trip, I saw the Fannin Memorial Monument on the map, but I did…read morenot realize it was about James Walker Fannin... what a true Texas hero - and he was born in Georgia! I am so glad my daughters and I made the effort to visit the monument on May 27, 2025. At the Presidio La Bahía which is nearby to the west, we learned even more about the monument. In fact, I recommend you visit La Bahía first, then drive around the area to see all these other points of interest. Back to Fannin... The Fannin Memorial Monument marks the burial site of Colonel Fannin and over 300 of his fellow volunteer militia men known as the Texians. A massacre... During the Battle of Coleto, while Fannin and his men were retreating away from Presidio La Bahía, Mexican General José de Urrea and his men brutally attacked them. Snuck up on them! There were many mistakes made along the way, but I am sure Fannin tried his best with what he had. Ultimately, a wounded Fannin presented terms for surrender. Urrea wanted to fulfill those white flag wishes, but he first had to write to Mexican president and General Antonio López de Santa Anna who was already at that point a "take no prisoners" sort. After Urrea forced all of the Texians including Fannin to return to La Bahía as prisoners of war, Santa Anna later ordered them all to be executed at dawn. Not a single death request was honored. "His three dying wishes were to be shot in the chest, given a Christian burial and have his watch sent to his family. Instead, the Mexican commanding officer shot Fannin in the face, burned his body with the others and kept the timepiece as a war prize." Many Texans and historians believe, though, if it had not been for this massacre that Sam Houston and his Texas army would not have secured victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, thus Independence for the Lone Star State. While writing this review, I learned that "the Fannin site was the third historic site acquired by the state behind the Alamo and San Jacinto Battleground." "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" Goliad is a treasure trove of much more history and other significant sites. The people of the town are friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend. Works Cited https://authentictexas.com/remember-goliad/ https://www.humanitiestexas.org/programs/tx-originals/list/james-fannin https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/coleto-battle-of https://www.history.com/articles/the-goliad-massacre-the-other-alamo

I was from Houston. I often drove Fannin street in downtown Houston. I got the reason why the…read morestreet name was Fannin. The street was named after James Fannin. The monument was not far from Presidio la Bahia. It was too hot to walk. I used my car. The monument was built in 1938. It was a small monument. But it was informative. I stayed here for 10 minutes. But I leaned history on Google for an hour. Let's learn history.