South Texas Plains

ABUNDANT NATURE VIEWING AND VIBRANT CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FROM THE BRUSH COUNTRY TO THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY

HIVE MIND

History and art are at the forefront in this buzzworthy small town

By Thom Denton

Sixty miles north of Corpus Christi, Beeville hums with South Texas charm. Bee sculptures dot a restored historical square, while late 19th- and early 20th-century homes and civic architecture designed by William C. Stephenson—including a stately three-story brick courthouse built in 1912—whisper tales of another era. Founded in 1859 on land donated by early settlers and later named for Republic of Texas official Barnard E. Bee, Beeville has grown into a creative haven where art and heritage commingle. Artisans breathe life into forgotten treasures and locally owned shops sell handcrafted keepsakes. After retail therapy, visitors can choose from a variety of downtown restaurants that serve everything from barbecue to doughnuts to seafood. The community of about 13,000 residents beckons travelers to shop, sip, and linger under its honey-hued skies.

STAY

Cabin by the Creek
This cozy, rustic cottage is made for a romantic escape. Wander the nearby walking paths where curious cottontails may just accompany you. In the evening, relax by the firepit and look out over the nearby pond. Rooms start at $150/night.

LEARN

Beeville Art Museum
Free to the public, this Victorian home turned art museum features rotating exhibits from renowned artists and collections from other museums, galleries, and private owners across the state. There’s also a monthly toddler time, take-home crafts projects for kids every Saturday, and an annual family art day in August.

EAT & DRINK

La Linea Wine Bar
This effortlessly cool, contemporary space has a vinyl collection that’s part playlist, part décor. Sample the zesty spinach and artichoke dip or a brick oven pizza, both of which pair beautifully with a curated wine list and local drafts on tap.

DRINK

Coastal Bend Distillery Co.
Although the distillery’s bar is only open on Saturday nights, the house-made Live Oak Vodka is readily available throughout town—and is the official vodka of the San Antonio Spurs. Don’t miss the Red Headed Stranger cocktail, served in a chic setting with sports-lounge energy.

SHOP

Bee is for Books
With about 30,000 titles spanning every genre, this cozy bookstore and coffeehouse is a haven for literary explorers. Order a handcrafted beverage, get lost between the stacks, and don’t forget to paint a rock for the vibrant street art collection out front.

Barbara’s Corner Marketplace
Donna Richmond’s tribute to her late mother, Barbara, is a trove of handmade gifts and décor. Every item on the shelves carries a story—ask, and you’ll hear it.

EVENT

The Texas Mile This biannual motorsports event in March and October lets participants from all over the world push their vehicles to the limit by flying down a 1-mile track to hit top speed. Motorcycles, performance street cars, race cars, and land speed racers are all welcome to test their limits in this weekend event. Camping is permitted and concessions are available on-site. It’s a rip-roaring good time. theusmileracing.com

RV INFO

Beeville RV Park is located in a peaceful, nature-filled setting within Beeville’s city limits. It offers laundry facilities, picnic and barbecue areas, a playground, a basketball court, a fishing pond, and a clubhouse. Rates start at $43 and include water, electricity, and Wi-Fi. passportamerica.com/campgrounds/us/texas/4178/beeville-rv-park

Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco. Photo by Chase Fountain/Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

TEXAS STATE PARKS

ESTERO LLANO GRANDE STATE PARK

Nestled in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, this park is a paradise for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The outdoor orchestra is always in full swing with birds singing, insects buzzing, frogs peeping, water trickling, and leaves rustling. Wander along tranquil trails that wind through wetlands, woodlands, and thorn scrub, offering prime spots for birding. Enjoy guided nature walks, butterfly gardens, peaceful observation decks, and stunning views from the boardwalks.

“Wildlife watching in the Rio Grande Valley is wildly popular and Estero Llano Grande State Park does not disappoint! Park staff and volunteers love to show our visitors the special birds and butterflies found only in the Rio Grande Valley.” —Javier de León, park superintendent

MORE SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS STATE PARKS

For more information, directions, and amenities, get your free mobile guide to all 80-plus state parks: texasstateparks.org/app

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
Choke Canyon State Park
Falcon State Park
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park

La Lomita Chapel in Mission. Photo by Will Van Overbeek.

HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS

The Lone Star State has an embarrassment of historical treasures, many of which are recognized by official historic
designations.

The South Texas Plains is the only region in the state with international, federal, state, and local designations. One of only 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the U.S., the San Antonio Missions made the list in 2015. The designation consists of five 18th-century Spanish missions—including the Alamo—and a historic ranch.

The Alamo City is loaded with historic properties, including Casa Navarro State Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark, and the King William Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Other notable National Historic Landmarks in the region include Presidio La Bahía State Historic Site in Goliad and the Roma Historic District, the remarkably intact 19th-century core of this small town on the Rio Grande.

Also located near the border are La Lomita Chapel, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in Mission, and the 1872 San Agustín Cathedral, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in Laredo.

The circa-1850s Old City Cemetery in Brownsville is an official Historic Texas Cemetery and National Register-listed property that contains many above-ground crypts, ornate monuments, and ironwork fences that reflect the area’s Spanish-French influence.

Find more designated historic properties across the state at the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Historic Sites Atlas: atlas.thc.texas.gov