Fall is one of my favorite times on the gulf, it’s cooler and a lot of the tourists are gone. Don’t get me wrong I love summer and all that comes with it, it’s just a little less crowded and the prices go back to what the locals can afford. I have found my way to the beach in fall and I have three of my favorites that are usually good deals to boot. I have included three options on the western Gulf which are Grand Isle, Galveston and South Padre Island.
Grand Isle, Louisiana is located southwest of New Orleans and is a small barrier island near the seaport of Port Fourchon. Though popular with Louisiana residents it is not well known outside of the fishing world. Fishing and crabbing are unbelievable in the area and if you are a fisherman this is definitely a destination you need to find one-day. Outside of fishing Grand Isle is a slow area where you can pretty much have the beach to yourself. Grand Isle doesn’t have chain hotels but you can rent a nice beachouse for the weekend for about the same price. The beachouses usually have extra beds in case your group is more than a few people. There are few good restaurants in town but it is common to have a fish fry or a shrimp and/or crab boil at the beachouse. Grand Isle can be a very economical and fun for family or friends.
Galveston, Texas is probably the most familiar on the list as it has been a major port since the pirate days. Galveston is south of Houston and close to all the conveniences. The hotels run specials in the fall since the summer crowd has gone and you don’t get jammed in traffic like summer. The prices are good enough to make it a real bargain as opposed to going in summer. The cool breezes make the seawall a little calmer and the restaurants a little easier to get into. Dickens on the Strand is an annual event during the holidays in Galveston that feature a Victorian Christmas in the old part of town. Dickens on the Strand can be a nice way to ring in the holidays. The town on the beach can be a good place to get dressed up and go out then walk the beach late at night. Fishing and family activities are available as well.
South Padre Island located at the southernmost tip of Texas is probably the most exotic of the three. The beautiful waters of the Laguna Madre are to the west of the island and the blue waters of the Gulf are to the east. South Padre is small and easy to get around in as there are only three streets going north to south. You can rent a scooter, ride the free shuttle or take an inexpensive cab and be anywhere in a few minutes. Shuttles run from the Harlingen airport so there is really no need to rent a car. Spring Break and Summer are the busy times on the island and where most the locals make their money, so when fall comes they really take care of people. As the birds fly south so do the “snowbirds” which are the retirees trying to avoid a cold winter. The snowbirds don’t spend a lot so the local restaurants put on some incredible specials to get them in.
There are my three beach picks for fall, hope you enjoy as much as I do.
