Bolivar Peninsula, Texas features wide expanses of sandy beach, friendly local businesses, and a community rich with history. Start your day by watching the spectacular sunrise over the Gulf, and then head to the beach for an early morning swim. From quiet nature walks to bustling festivals, it is easy for your family to spend days outdoors soaking up the local culture and plentiful sunshine. Book a stay at a Bolivar Peninsula vacation rental today. Here are the most exciting kid-centric activities to check out at Bolivar Peninsula.
1. Play in the Waves
With 27 miles of beach to explore, the Bolivar Peninsula offers plenty of places for your family to play in the water. Take a walk to the shore from your waterfront vacation rental, or pack up your car and drive along the coast until you find the perfect place to spend your day. With cars and golf carts allowed on the wide beach, it’s easy to bring along a pop-up shelter, picnic, and toys to keep even your youngest entertained during a day near the waves.
2. Speed Down a Water Slide
The Fun Spot Waterslide provides a ride that is gentle enough for the little kids with enough twists, turns, and fast spots to keep your teens happy. Take a single ride down with your toddler on your lap, or plan on spending the afternoon with your older kids. Fun Spot provides life vests for non-swimmers and has lifeguards on duty to help keep everyone safe.
3. Go Kayaking
Don’t forget to bring your kayaks along when you vacation at Bolivar Peninsula. A vacation rental with a garage makes it easy to store your kayaks when you are not using them, and both the Gulf coast and Galveston Bay are great places to get out on the water. If you haven’t kayaked before, companies such as Artist Boat, North Shore Sailing Club, and Galveston Kayak Outfitters provide kayak rentals, tours, and instruction for beginners.
4. Immerse Your Family in Texas History at Fort Travis Park
Dating back to 1816 and used as a military installation until 1949, this historic site offers your kids a peek at military life in days past. The park also offers playgrounds, picnicking areas with grills, public gardens, and large grassy areas in which to sit and relax.
5. Catch a Fish at Rollover Pass
This strip of water between Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico provides some of the best fishing in Texas, making it a great place to bring your kids to try to make that first catch. Flounder, trout, and mackerel are common in this area, and on rainy days, it is possible to fish from the comfort of your vehicle. On nice days, wade right in!
6. Learn About the Birds with the Houston Audubon Society
Pack up some binoculars and your favorite bird guide, and head to Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, Horseshoe Marsh Bird Sanctuary, or Mundy Marsh Bird Sanctuary, all maintained by the Houston Audubon Society, to catch a glimpse of some of the area’s diverse bird species. From the majesty of the great blue heron to the playfulness of a ruby-throated hummingbird, your budding birders are likely to find at least a couple of species to check off their lists. Keep an eye out for the stunning roseate spoonbills which live in marshy areas near the water.
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7. Have a Seafood Feast
Pick up some fresh local seafood to grill at your vacation home, or stop into Steve’s Landing for a feast everyone is sure to love. This waterside eatery offers a variety of kid-friendly favorites plus more sophisticated options for older diners. For a special treat, ask for porch seating and dine al fresco watching the sun set over the bay.
8. Watch for Signs of Dolphins
Sign up for a Baywatch dolphin tour and spend an hour out on the bay watching for dolphins. The Baywatch I is a jet propelled boat which can get up close to dolphin habitats without putting the animals at risk, giving you the best chance to see dolphins at play. A covered viewing area protects you from the sun or rain, and pets are welcome to come along.
9. Marvel at the Variety of Boats
The Bolivar peninsula is the perfect place for the child who just can’t get enough boats. Take your family for a walk along the shore and see how many you can spot. From giant supertankers to over-sized barges to working shrimp boats, the waters abound with fantastic water vehicles to fuel your child’s imagination.
10. Commune with Nature on High Island
High Island isn’t really an island. It’s a high area of land formed over a buried salt dome on the Bolivar Peninsula. It is also the home of Smith Oaks Wildlife Sanctuary and Boy Scout Woods Wildlife Sanctuary, both excellent places to hike and observe the local wildlife. Look for marked nature trails, just the right length for your youngest explorers, near the visitor centers.
11. Take a Ferry Ride
The Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry provides an excellent view of both the gulf and the bay and runs 24 hours a day for your convenience. Your kids are sure to love watching for fish or, if they’re lucky, dolphins. Both cars and pedestrians are welcome, and the ferry is a fun way to get to Galveston for an evening in the city.
12. Join a Ghost Tour
If your kids love the paranormal, take them on a haunted tour of Galveston. Tours are available in the downtown Strand area and also at local historic sites and cemeteries. Guides share local lore about hauntings while you soak in the area’s history and enjoy the cool evening air.
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