'''Palacios''' is a small city located on Matagorda Bay in the Gulf Coast region of Texas, about 1.5-2.0 hours southwest of Houston. It is especially noted for birding opportunities.
Get in
Most visitors reach Palacios by car, traveling on Texas State Highway 35 which runs along the central Gulf Coast.
Palacios has a small airport for private flights as well as a harbor connected to the Intracoastal Waterway. The city is also served by a Greyhound bus route running between Houston and Corpus Christi.
Get around
Local transit is mostly by car, although bike routes have been established within the city and a 1.5-mile walk along the seawall is popular with pedestrians.
See
City by the Sea Museum. 01 Commerce St., Palacios. 61-972-1148. 0-4 Fr-Sa, 1-4 Su. ttp://www.citybytheseamuseum.org/. Housed in the R. J. Hill building,
Luther Hotel. 08 S. Bay Blvd., Palacios. ttp://www.citybytheseamuseum.org/luther.html. "The Palace of Palacios", originally the Bay View Hotel, has been a fixture of the community for nearly a hundred years. Check in to see its history, including movie stars, war heroes, and the pier.
Tres Palacios Bay Shrimping Fleet. 602 Main St., Palacios. 61-972-5556. nfo@portofpalacios.com. 61-972-3584 . ttp://www.portofpalacios.com/. Palacios is known as the "Shrimp Capital of Texas," see the fleet that gives this reputation.
Texas Baptist Encampment. ain St. at Welch Ave.. 61-972-2717. nfo@TexasBaptistEncampment.org. 61-972-2939. ttp://www.texasbaptistencampment.org/. Founded in 1906 as the "Baptist Young Peoples Union," this camp is still in operation.
Eat
Hotel Blessing Coffee Shop. 28 10th St, Blessing. 61-588-6623. reakfast 6-10, Lunch 11-2, every day. 5-10. The restaurant entrance is on the side, if you come in the front you'll find the hotel lobby. While you'll pass Blessing before you get to Palacios, the breakfast might be worth the fifteen minute backtrack.
Outrigger Restaurant. 15 Commerce St, Palacios. 61-972-1479. utrigger@wildblue.net. -9 Mo-Sa, 8-6 Su. 5-$15. ttp://www.outriggerrestaurant.com/. Local seafood and more. They'll probably have live music on Thursdays and Fridays, and most Saturdays, out back in the barn.
Lighthouse Seafood. 8th St, Palacios. 61-972-1231. Local seafood on the water.
Marisela's Cafe. 06 Main St, Palacios. 61-972-0734.
Sleep
Luther Hotel. 08 S. Bay Blvd., Palacios. 61-972-2312. 60-$120. While there are several places to get a room in town, you won't get a better local feel than the Luther.
Hotel Blessing. 28 10th St, Blessing. 61-588-9579. A restored hotel. It's about fifteen minutes back North on SH-35. The front door is the hotel lobby.
Moonlight Bay Bed & Breakfast. 06 S. Bay Blvd., Palacios. 61-972-2232. rogers@wcnet.net. -7 pm. oon. 95-150. ttp://www.moonlightbaybb.com/. Waterfront rooms in a hundred year old home.
Main Inn. 08 Main St., Palacios. 61-972-3408. aininn@tisd.net. 70-$100. ttp://www.palacioschamber.com/maininn/maininn.html. Wireless internet access, great breezes. Wine and music out back on Friday nights.
Peaceful Pelican Bed & Breakfast. 17 East Bay Blvd., Palacios. -888-972-0317. nfo@thepeacefulpelican.com. 135-$185. ttp://www.thepeacefulpelican.com. Upscale, restored 1910 waterfront home, bay views, luxury rooms, wireless Internet, opened 2008.
Get out
To the east of Palacios there are several fine natural areas such as Oyster Lake, Mad Island Marsh and Matagorda Beach.
Connect
Wireless Internet access is available at the Main Inn and Peaceful Pelican Bed & Breakfast.