Things to Do in Freeport, TX During Your RV Vacation

Freeport, Texas does not always make the top of the tourist brochures, but that is part of its charm. This working coastal town on the Gulf of Mexico offers a genuine, unhurried Texas experience — wide open beaches, world-class fishing, incredible wildlife, and easy access to some of the best day-trip destinations in the state.

If you are staying at Austin's Landing RV Park Resort and wondering how to fill your days, here is a guide to the best things to do in and around Freeport.

Surfside Beach is the closest Gulf beach to Austin's Landing — just a short drive down the road. It is a wide, uncrowded stretch of Texas coastline where you can swim, surf fish, collect shells, or simply sit and watch the pelicans work the surf.

Unlike some of the more developed Texas beach towns, Surfside has a relaxed, small-town feel. There is a small commercial strip with restaurants and shops, but the beach itself is the main attraction. Vehicles are allowed on the beach in designated areas, which makes it easy to haul your gear right to the water's edge.

Bryan Beach is a free, undeveloped state natural area just south of Freeport. It is one of the most peaceful stretches of Gulf shoreline in Texas — no crowds, no concessions, just open beach, dunes, and the sound of the waves.

It is a great spot for surf fishing, beachcombing, birdwatching, and watching the occasional sea turtle nest. The area is also a popular launch point for kayakers exploring the Brazos River delta.

About 20 miles north of Freeport, the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is a 44,000-acre complex of coastal prairies, marshes, and wetlands that supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife.

The refuge is best known for its wintering waterfowl — snow geese, Canada geese, and dozens of duck species arrive by the hundreds of thousands from October through February. But the refuge is worth visiting year-round for shorebirds, wading birds, alligators, white-tailed deer, and roseate spoonbills.

The auto tour route is open daily and is accessible in a standard passenger vehicle or RV (check current road conditions before visiting with a large rig).

Galveston Island is about 45 minutes north of Freeport and offers a full day's worth of activities. The historic Strand District has excellent restaurants, shops, and galleries. Moody Gardens features aquariums, a rainforest pyramid, and an IMAX theater. The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier has rides and games right over the Gulf.

Galveston is also home to some excellent seafood restaurants, a thriving live music scene, and the Texas Seaport Museum, which houses the tall ship Elissa.

The Freeport area sits along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, one of the premier birding routes in North America. The annual Freeport Christmas Bird Count consistently ranks among the highest species counts in the country.

Even if you are not a dedicated birder, the sheer variety of birds in this area is remarkable. Roseate spoonbills, brown pelicans, great blue herons, and reddish egrets are common sights along the coast and in the marshes.

The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway runs right through the Freeport area and offers miles of protected paddling through bays, marshes, and coastal prairies. It is a great way to explore the area at a slower pace and get close to wildlife that you would never see from the road.

Several outfitters in the area offer kayak rentals, and there are multiple public launch points accessible from Freeport.

Freeport and Surfside Beach have a handful of excellent seafood restaurants serving fresh Gulf catch. Shrimp, oysters, redfish, and flounder are local staples. Ask locals for their current favorites — the best spots tend to be the ones that have been around for decades.

Freeport hosts several community events throughout the year, including fishing tournaments, the annual Freeport Shrimp Festival, and various holiday celebrations. Check the Brazoria County calendar before your visit to see what is happening during your stay.

Houston is about an hour north of Freeport and offers world-class museums, the Houston Zoo, the Space Center Houston, and some of the best international dining in the country. It is an easy day trip from Austin's Landing — head up in the morning, explore the city, and be back at your rig by evening.

Austin's Landing RV Park Resort at 318 Thunder Road in Freeport puts you right in the middle of all of this. We are minutes from Surfside Beach, Bryan Beach, and the Freeport Marina, and within easy driving distance of everything else on this list.

Call us at (979) 239-1923 to check availability and plan your Gulf Coast RV vacation.