Which Small Texas Beach Town Should You Live In?

Palacios (Puh-lash-us) is the perfect place to step back in time to when summer beach nights were quiet, magical, and not overflowing with Spring Break revelry. This historic gem off the beaten path was once the favorite beach spot of a super-famous red-headed starlet of the 1940s. She always stayed at the Luther Hotel which still graces the beachfront and where people still gather in the evening for cocktails, conversation, and maybe even a little guitar or whatever instrument is handy. The town's industry centers around fishing and shrimping rather than tourism. Recent news in town was the visit of TVs most famous cultural food critic who tried the Vietnamese cuisine at a local convenience store. He loved the Pho, btw. Of course, they also have all of the usual Texas fare, too: Mexican, BBQ, burgers, and seafood. Plus, there's a coffee shop bookstore for cozy, rainy days.

Galveston may have an official population of 49K, but the real town, historic Galveston, is a small town in every way that counts. The community is diverse but close-knit, laid back but culturally sophisticated, cute and grand at the same time. You can travel by trolley, car, bike, or carriage. There are amazing restaurants - some the tourists don't really know about. Gracious old homes are available for the taking from tiny cape cods to Queen Annes in the Silk Stocking district to baronial mansions of old. Even Christmas is old-fashioned with Dickens on the Strand. All of that PLUS everything beachy you want from sand and shore to amusements on the boardwalk!

It's got the cleanest beach in Texas, is #4 on the top coastal towns in America list, the 7th coolest small town in the U.S., and is on the list of top 100 art towns. Sounds, great, right? This beach town is well rounded with lots to do: fishing, hiking, camping, bird watching, sailing, crabbing, shelling, and the list goes on. The arts are big here as is volunteerism in every sector - cultural, preservation, conservation, and social. The landscape is special, too. There are trees that are permanently bent from the wind and a nearby state park has a 2000-year-old oak tree. Abundant wildlife has a presence as well including DEER ON THE SHORELINE!

These days South Padre steals the limelight from its mother, Port Isabel. She was discovered long ago in the 1500s, was a favorite of the pirate Jean Lafitte in the 1700s, was settled not long after, became official in 1830, had a lighthouse before the Civil War, and her ships and harbor were attacked by the Union Army in 1863. Oh, and in the 1960s, the Port had a sea-monster scare. Sitting just behind South Padre Island, Port Isabel is a charming village with varied architectural styles that reflect its cultural history. The food is so good that permanent Padre islanders come ashore to eat here. And, if you ever want to escape the small town feel for a night on the town, South Padre is right across the water.

Port A is a laid-back paradise - especially when tourist season is over. That's when the population drops from 40,000 to 3600. It's a lot like the cheeseburger in paradise song and it has those - famous cheeseburgers at more than one place including a brewery! The historically minded residents have preserved everything that has made Port A special over the years - even the wonderfully kitschy pastel statues of the 50s and 60s. Aside from chilling on the beach there on Mustang Island, you're just a short drive to North Padre where you'll find the Padre National Seashore and sea turtle habitats. Ferry rides over to Corpus Christi are escorted by frolicking dolphins. There's a lot to love about Port Aransas!

Port Lavaca is technically a bay town, but its reach extends down to the beach. You'll pass the natural shell Magnolia Beach and the ghost town of Indianola on your way to Matagorda Island - which can only be reached by boat. Once there, you have unspoiled beaches to swim and surf in. Back home in Port L, there is a swimming beach on the bay, stand up paddle boarding, kite surfing, and tons of other outdoor activities and opportunities to meet area wildlife. In town, you have great dining options, an old downtown movie theater showing recent titles, and historic buildings - including the world's cutest lighthouse!