Nestled along the Tres Palacios Bay, and inland bay of Matagorda Bay, Palacios isn’t your typical coastal town. Palacios doesn’t cater to the tourism industry. It does, however, provide guests to the area with salty water, warm sun, and a laid back experience. It’s the perfect place to unplug, unwind and stay a little while.
The history of Palacios goes back to the early 1800s when Spanish explorers thought they saw palaces along the shores of what is now called Palacios. As they neared the shore, they realized the palace they saw was actually just a mirage. The bay and creek were named after Jose Felix Trespalacios, the Spanish governor in 1822 and 1823.
Today, the area is known for its laid back culture and vibe. To learn more about the area, the City by the Sea Museum, located in the sleepy downtown core, provides interactive exhibits on the Karankawa Indians, the Camp Hulen military training base, and artifacts from a 1684 La Belle shipwreck. For a peek at some stunning architecture, stop in at The Luther hotel, which was built in 1903.
If you’re looking to spend as much time outdoors as possible, the Matagorda Bay Nature Park deserves a spot on your itinerary. The 1300-acre park features wetlands, prairie lands, and coastal land. You can also see the Colorado River crash into the Gulf of Mexico. The Matagorda Marsh is also a wonderful place to visit when you fly into the jet charter airport in Palacios. The marsh is a wonderful place to kayak as it’s home to dozens of paddling routes.
