1. Relaxing
Palacios is the perfect place for rest. We're what the Gulf Coast used to be: no high-rise hotels, no crowds of tourists. Just a small, friendly community with a very slow pace of life. So take a stroll along the seafront. Take a nap in our hammock. Take a long bath to relax your muscles and your mind. Take the time to read a good book, watch a favorite old movie, or simply enjoy the company of the one you love. | |
| 2. Birding
Our area is well known as one of the best spots for birding in North America, especially during the migration seasons and the winter months, when we are home to more species of birds than anywhere else in the United States. Whether you're a lifelong birder or have only a casual interest, you will be amazed at the diversity of life in the skies here. We'll be happy to point you to a number of excellent natural areas nearby where you can see the wildlife in its native habitat. |
3. Fishing
Palacios is a year-round paradise for those who love to fish. We have several popular piers on the town waterfront, lots of great fishing spots all along the local shoreline, and plenty of friendly fishing guides and charter boats to take you out into bay or even offshore. The waters here are home to an enormous quantity and variety of fish. Ask us for details! | |
| 4. Water Sports
Our bay is excellent for all kinds of water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking or whatever floats your boat. Bring your own gear or rent it in town. Palacios is still largely "undiscovered" so our waters are never crowded. Our personal favorite is kayaking: it's the perfect way to enjoy the open water, to explore the local wetlands, or to hang out with our resident dolphins... all while getting a good workout! |
5. Dining
Bon appetit! Our area may not have much in the way of "fine dining" but it sure has some great food! Taste local seafood including our famous Palacios shrimp, enjoy a down home Southern style meal, sample famous Texan barbeque, or indulge in authentic Mexican cuisine. Let us know what you want, and we'll recommend the best. We also know all the great spots for an outdoor picnic! | |
| 6. Beaches
Treat yourself to a lazy day of sun, sand and surf. Palacios has a few small beaches along its waterfront, though the best options are outside of town. We can point you to our favorite private spots along the bay or give you directions to the nearest ocean access at Matagorda Beach. Don't forget to bring the sunscreen! |
7. Exploring
Explore all the local curiosities, from antique stores to historic sites to oddball attractions. One of the most fascinating places in Palacios itself is our museum featuring numerous artifacts from the 1686 La Belle shipwreck, flagship of the early French explorer La Salle. The shipwreck attracted worldwide attention when it was discovered in our bay in 1995, and has been the site of a number of archeological digs. Other nearby towns have their own unique attractions, and we'll be happy to recommend our favorites. | |
| 8. Outdoor Sports
Get outdoors and have some fun! Our area offers great opportunities for golfing, biking, hiking and more. (Here at the Peaceful Pelican you can enjoy badminton and croquet right on the grounds!) Temperatures in Palacios are generally comfortable year-round. The coolest month is January, with average highs of 62°F (17°C). And in the summer, refreshing sea breezes make our weather much milder than it is inland. Our average July high of 90°F (32°C) is about five degrees cooler than Houston, Austin or San Antonio. |
9. Local Festivals & Events
Palacios and its neighbors host a huge number of unique festivals and events throughout the year. From Market Days to Artists in Action, from Cinco de Mayo to the Fourth of July Fair, from the Fish Fest Tourney to Shrimp-o-Ree, from the Christmas Bird Count to Santa's Visit (he arrives by boat), we enjoy a full calendar of small-town celebrations, fairs, traditions, parades, contests, concerts, markets, dances, regattas, dinners, historical reenactments and more. Experience all the charm rural America has to offer! | |
| 10. Shopping
There are plenty of shopping opportunities in the area, although perhaps the most popular one is house hunting! Strange but true, many people who visit Palacios fall in love with the place. It's a perfect spot for a second home, an ideal locale for an affordable retirement, as well as a diverse family-friendly community with exceptional public schools. And prices are so low that it would be hard to find more affordable waterfront or water view property anywhere else in the U.S. Definitely worth checking out! |
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