Galveston tourism attractions

 

• Moody Gardens
• High Island, Bolivar Peninsular Audubon bird sanctuaries
• Ferry to Port Bolivar
• Galveston Island State Park
• Pleasure Pier
• Schlitterbahn Waterpark
• Texas Seaport Museum, Galveston
• Bishop’s Place, Galveston
• Moody Mansion, Galveston
• Anahuac National Wildlife REfuge, East Galveston
• Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
• Brazos Bend State Park
• Four bird sanctuaries by Texas Audubon on High Island such as Smith Oaks sanctuary
• Strand Historic district
• Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig
• Grand 1894 Opera House
• Mardi Gras Museum
• Railroad Museum
• Rosenberg LIbrary
• Lone Star Flight Museum
• Rollover Pass, Gilchrist

Houston

South East USA week tour from Houston: 10 states in 10 days

Fri, June 25 2021:

Evening: Start driving to Hot springs

Lodging in Shreveport, LA

Sat, June 26, 2021:

Caddo Lake (Natural wonder) in the morning

Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park

Other ideas: Alligator farm & petting zoo 

Stay near Hot Springs, AR

Sun, June 27:

Garwan Woodland Gardens, AR

Tennessee

Nashville

Drive to & stay in Nashville

Mon, June 28:

Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park

Stay in Mammoth

Tue, June 29:

Tennessee 

Drive to & stay in Great Smoky Mountains

Wed, June 30:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN

Stay in Great Smoky Mountains

Thu, July 1

Enroute North Carolina (if time permits)

Biltmore museum, Asheville Pinball Museum, Craggy Gardens, Arboretum

Stay in Congaree

Fri, July 2

South Carolina

Congaree National Park

Skip: Middleton place, near Charleston. Then beach on East Coast.

Stay in Congaree

Sat July 3

Georgia:

Anna Ruby Falls

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Skip: Stone Mountain Park (family friendly, rides, rail, laser show)

Alabama:

Skip: Alabama Safari Park (feed animals, petting), Hope Hull

Stay in Atlanta, GA

Sun July 4

Alabama:

Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail

Mississippi:

The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport

Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse

Stay in Gulfport, MS

Mon July 5

Louisiana Bayou Swamp Tours, New Orleans

Back to Houston in the evening

References:

Best places in the Southern US to beat the summer heat - Lonely Planet

3 Mountain Towns to Escape the Summer Heat | En Route | US News

https://www.taketours.com/atlanta-ga/11-day-southern-wonders-tour-from-atlanta-fully-guided-228-3233.html

The initial part of this itinerary. https://www.taketours.com/new-orleans-la/11-day-houston-san-antonio-carlsbad-caverns-las-vegas-from-new-orleans-248-3387.html

https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/cave-tours.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/la/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/ms/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/al/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/ga/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/sc/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/nc/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/tn/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/state/ar/index.htm

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28939-Activities-Louisiana.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28945-Activities-Mississippi.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28922-Activities-Alabama.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28931-Activities-Georgia.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28954-Activities-North_Carolina.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28961-Activities-South_Carolina.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28963-Activities-Tennessee.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28925-Activities-Arkansas.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28938-Activities-Kentucky.html

https://www.travelawaits.com/2546891/ozark-road-trip-from-osage-beach-to-eureka-springs/

https://www.travelawaits.com/2471435/hot-springs-arkansas-things-to-do/?_gl=1*1mz9nyh*_ga*SnlDQU8tYnlHR0wwR3phRWhNc1NENWdxUnpwbWZCYXY3WmE3TUNtZ2lUektXLWZjU2UyT3RyYVZtcFBxY3p0UQ

https://www.arkansas.com/articles/caves-caverns-spelunking

https://www.littlerockfamily.com/post/115342/6-caves-to-explore-in-arkansas

Thrissur, Kerala-attractions

Vadakkunathan Kovil, Paramekkavu Bagavathi Kovil, Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Kovil, Arattupuzha Sree Sastha Kovil, Thriprayar Kovil, Avanangattil Kalari Sree Vishnumaya Kovil, Ammathiruvadi Kovil (foremost of 108 Kerala DurgAlayams), Trikkur Mahadeva rock cut cave temple, Punkunnam Seetha Ramaswamy Kovil, Punkunnam Shivan Kovil, Thiruvanaikavu Kovil-Krishnapuram, Mithranandapuram Vamanamoorthy Kovil (1500 yrs old vigraha), Peringottukara Devasthanam Sree Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Kovil, Vallachira Bhagavathy Kovil (with big pond), Shankara Samadhi, Shatrughna Kovil
Koodalmanikyam Kovil (to Bharatha, offer lotus)
Peruvanmala Shivan Kovil (hillock at Talakkottukara village near Kechery, 13 km from Guruvayur & 16 km from Thrissur on the Kunnamkulam route)
Sakthan Thampuran Palace, Archaeological museum, Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda museum, Kerala Kalamandalam (view dances)
Thrissur Zoo, Vilangankunnu (also has amusement park), Thumboormuzhi Garden, Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife sanctuary, Chimmony Wildlike sanctuary
Marottichal Falls, Ilanjipara Falls, Athirapally falls, Charpa falls, Vazhachal Falls
Pattathippara Falls (forest restricted, hard to reach)
Vilangan Hills, Peruvanmala
Chavakkad Beach, Snehatheeram Beach, Nattika Beach, Periyambalam Beach, Munakkal Beach, Vadanapally Beach
Cheppara
Chettuva backwaters
Peechi Dam, Chimmini Dam, Asurankundu dam
Heritage Garden, Kauthuka Park
Thrissur Pooram

Kalady, Kerala

Attractions around Kalady, Kerala

Adi Shankara Janmabhoomi Stambam, Stoopam, Ashramam
Sree Krishna Kovil, Thiruvairanikulam Kovil, Krishna Kovil-Chelamattom, Sree Datta Anjaneya Kshetram, Vamanamoorthy Kovil, Manappuram Shivan Kovil-Aluva, Manickamangalam Karthyayani Kovil
Crocodile ghat (Muthala Kadavu)
Kuzhipillykavu Jaladurga Kovil (Found Vigraha in pool, temple in pit)
Mahadev temple, Aluva (Parvathi Sannadhi open only 12 days/year during Thiruvathira)
Nayathodu Sankara Narayana kovil (Vishnu inside Shiva Vigraha, puja offered twice)
Kodanad Elephant kraal (training center)
Abhayaranyam Kaprikkadu Ecotourism-Zoo/animal rehab center with elephants & deer, butterfly park, tree houses
Pettamala Top Station (good scenery, dangerous for kids)

Perumbavoor
Perumbavoor Iringole Kavu & Bhagavathy Amman Kovil
Nagancheri Mana Park near Iringole Kavu
Kallil Villarvathi Devi & Jain temple (Shiva vigraha appearing gradually)

Haritha Bio Park (between Kodanad & Paniyeli Poru)
Paniyeli Poru-waterfalls (1.5 km hike, after 400 m-cross river by foot)

Yosemite, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon itinerary

Laidback: Starting with Grand Canyon

Kings Canyon/Sequoia

1. Bay Area to Barstow, CA.
2. Barstow to Grand Canyon. Stay in Williams, AZ.
3. Drive to Las Vegas. Stay.
4. Another night in Las Vegas.
5. Drive to Visalia
6. Sequoia & Kings Canyon, drive to Fresno/Oakhurst
7. Yosemite, Back to the Bay Area

Death Valley/Eastern Sierra

1. Bay Area to Barstow, CA.
2. Barstow to Grand Canyon. Stay in Williams, AZ.
3. Drive to Las Vegas. Stay.
4. Another night in Las Vegas.
5. Drive via Death Valley to Bishop.
6. Devils Postpile, Mono Lake, stay near Mono Lake.
7. Yosemite, Back to the Bay Area

Starting with Yosemite

1. Drive from Bay Area to Yosemite. Drive past Tioga Pass (closed in winter). Stay near Mono Lake.
2. Mono Lake, Devil's Postpile. Stay near Death Valley.
3. Drive through Death Valley. Stay in Las Vegas.
4. Another night in Las Vegas.
5. Drive to the Grand Canyon.
6. Drive back to Bakersfield.
7. Drive via Sequoia National Park & King's Canyon national park. Back to the Bay Area.

Utah Arizona Nevada itinerary from San Francisco Bay Area for a week

1. San Francisco Bay Area to Las Vegas. Reach night. Stay.
2. Another night in Las Vegas.
3. Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim. Stay in Page, Arizona.
4. Antelope Canyon (book tour beforehand), Glen Canyon/Lake Powell, Grand Staircase Escalante. Stay near Bryce Canyon, Utah.
5. Drive to Bryce Canyon, Utah. Stay in Torrey, Utah.
6. Drive to Capitol Reef, Utah. Stay in Aurora, Utah.
7. Drive to Great Basin, Nevada. (Book cave tour beforehand). Drive to Tonopah, Nevada.
8. Mono Lake, Devil's postpile. Stay near Mono Lake.
9. Yosemite, California. Drive back to Bay Area.

Texas Gulf Coast-a winter itinerary

Texas Gulf Coast

Dec 24

Arrive in Austin.

Austin Hindu temple

Stay in Austin

Dec 25

Tour Austin & Hill Country

Austin:

• State Capitol
• Congress Avenue
• Bullock Texas State History Museum
• South Congress Avenue: bats from under a bridge
• Live music
• Hill Country Flyer steam train from Austin to Burnet

Hill Country

• Bandera Dude Ranches

Stay in San Antonio

Dec 26

San Antonio:

• The Alamo
• River Walk
• Cruise along canal

Stay in Brownsville

Dec 27

• World Birding Center, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State park
• Padre Island National Seashore
• Sea Turtle, Inc.
• King Ranch
• Port Isabel Lighthouse
• Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville
• Sabal Palm Audubon Center & wildlife sanctuary: 7 AM-5 PM, self-guided trails
• Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Hondo
• La Borde House, Rio Grande City
• Oblate Mission, McAllen
• Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Alamo: Tours daily 8 AM-4 PM.
• Ramsey Nature Park
• Harlingen
• Costumes of the Americas
• Historic Brownsville Museum
• Brownsville Heritage Complex

Stay in Corpus Christie

Dec 28

• Mustang Island
• Texas State Aquarium
• USS Lexington Museum
• Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
• Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi
• Texas Zoo, Victoria
• Bayfront Art & Sciences Park
• Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History
• Texas State museum of Asian cultures
• Corpus Christie beach
• Magee Beach
• Ferry to Port Aransas
• Matagorda Bay Nature Park, kayak tours

Stay in Corpus Christie

Dec 29

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge: view whooping cranes in winter, water activities

Drive from Corpus Christie to Galveston

Drive back to Houston

Dec 30-Jan 2

Skipping

Austin

• Rainey Street
• Magnolia Market
• Waco mammoth Site
• Dr.Pepper museum
• Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park
• Driskill Hotel
• Lyndon B Johnson library & museum
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center
• Continental Club
• Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon
• Veracruz All Natural: tacos
• Ann & Roy Butler Hike & Bike trail & boardwalk, Lady bird lake, downtown
• Mexic-Arte Museum
• Museum of the weird
• Lone Star Riverboard or Capital Cruises for bat watching tours
• Blanton Museum of Art
• Neill-Cochran House
• O’Henry museum
• French Legation museum
• Driskill Hotel
• Elisabet Ney Museum
• Texas Quitl Museum, La Grange
• Mt.Bonnell

Hill Country

• Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
• Lyndon B Johnson (LBJ) National Historical Park near Fredericksburg
• River activities (Paddling/tubing) on Frio River
• Fredericksburg
• Luckenbach
• Caverns of Sonora
• Natural Bridge Caverns
• Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
• Cascade Caverns
• Longhorn Cavern State Park
• Riverside Nature center
• Hill country museum
• Exotic Wildlife associate at Ingram near Kerrville
• Stonehedge replica in Hunt
• Apple picking in Love Creek Orchards

New Braunsfels

• Gruene Hall dance hall close to San Antonio (also other dance halls near Austin & San Antonio)
• Gruene Historic Districk
• Guadalupe River-family float
• Schlitterbahn Waterpark

San Marcos

• San Marcos River-Tubing
• Meadows Center for Water & the Environment: Glass-bottom boats
• Wonder World: Train ride, wildlife park, petting zoo

San Antonio (Skipping)

• Children’s museum
• Seminole Canyon state park
• Missions National Historical Park
• Spanish Governor’s palace
• San Fernando Cathedral
• Splashtown
• Lost Maples State Natural Area
• Ripley’s believe it or not museum
• Brackenridge Park
• Casa Navarro State Historic Site & Museum
• San Fernando Cathedral
• King Williams District
• Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum
• Aztech Theater
• Zoo & Aquarium
• Museum of Art

Western/Southern Texas, South Eastern New Mexico

Shortest Route Planner:

http://mapq.st/2AE7Ite

Dec 23

Houston

Dec 24

Austin

Start driving west

Dec 25

Drive west

Dec 26

Big Bend National Park

Dec 27

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Dec 28

White Sands National Monument

Opportunistic option: Ski Apache & Ski Cloudcroft are Ski areas nearby. Nearby Lincoln National Forest has snowshoeing options.

Dec 29

Carslbad Caverns National Park

Start driving back

Dec 30

Keep driving back

Dec 31

Padre Island National Seashore:

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge: view Whooping Cranes in winter, water activities

Stay in Corpus Christi

Jan 1

Galveston: Ferry to Port Bolivar

Beaumont: Gator Country, Botanical Gardens

Drive to Houston

Jan 2

Drop off van in Houston.

Visit NASA.

Jan 3

Houston to Austin.

Jan 4

Fly back