Since we have family in Victoria, Texas, we make the 6- to 7-hour road trip there several times each year. My kids love going there!
On our most recent trip there this week, we took the kids to the Children's Discovery Museum. This place is not open during holidays, so we can only go there if we visit over Spring Break or summer. But the kids can keep busy here for hours!
The museum has a costume and puppet selection with a stage where the kids can put on a show.
It also has a giant Lite-Brite.
And a large arts and crafts station, as well as a pretend veterinary hospital, shopping market, playground, milking cow and other Texas-themed stuff.
On this trip, we also visited some places that showcase Texas history. My husband and father-in-law went to the Museum of the Coastal Bend. And all of us made the 30-minute trip to Goliad to see the Presidio La Bahia, a Spanish fort and battle ground built in 1749. I was surprised at how large it is.
I was afraid my kids might find this place boring, but since they could touch the cannons and climb on parts of the fort, they found it interesting.
The visitors' center showed a 15-minute video explaining some of the history of the fort. We also saw a list of the names of men who died in battle here, and found the name of a relative.
Across the road from Presidio La Bahia is Goliad State Park, which has the Mission Espiritu Santu. We did not visit this since it was closed for renovations.
We did visit the famous Fannin Battleground a few miles away.
There was a small museum inside that explained the major events that took place in the area that led to Texas independence. Since I am not a native Texan, I never learned these details in school.
This monument stands where bodies from the battle were found.
On this trip, we also drove 30 minutes to the coast and spent the day at Lighthouse Beach in Port Lavaca.
This beach is a campground and RV park, but it only cost us a total of $3 for a day-pass for our car.
If you have been to beaches in Texas, you probably realize that they do not compare to beaches in Florida or the Caribbean. Texas is not known for its nice beaches. But my kids don't care! They had a blast in the water and on the sand. Since it was cloudy, the water was murkier than usual--we couldn't see ANYTHING in there!
There is a long boardwalk and bird sanctuary.
And the beach also has a splash park and two playgrounds. Bonus!
When we visit Victoria in December, we always drive 30 minutes to the nearby town of Cuero to see the fabulous Christmas in Cuero light display in the park.
Have you visited Victoria?
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