Spectacular beaches, abundant wildlife, great food, fascinating museums, fishing to die for and down-home folks who are ready to make them feel right at home is just the tip of what Matagorda County has to offer.

Indeed, nature and education are what they do best. But it's also a great place for indulgence, with fine dining and finger-licking barbecue, fresh-caught seafood overlooking the harbor and home cooking that will make you think of Grandma's kitchen. It's also a great place to take your cooler and your lawn chair and kick back to watch the waves roll in.

Beginning in Bay City, where the Colorado River is fresh, water sports are very popular. Weekenders launch boats conveniently alongside Highway 35 and spend afternoons skiing, sunbathing, and boating. Others opt for the salty side, by launching at the LCRA FM 521 River Park to spend a day on the water. This campground area is located in a section of the river that is wide and runs south for many miles, making it a popular spot for tubers, water-skiers, and wake boarders. Undoubtedly, the Colorado River is a favorite for summertime vacationers.

A sight to be seen in summertime is Matagorda Beach. As winds lessen annually in May through September, surf waters flatten and the Gulf of Mexico becomes a tranquil pond.

Waters clear to an emerald green, with a hue of blue hanging just offshore. For several weeks of the summer Matagorda Beach becomes akin to the Florida Keys. A wide variety of fish species cruise the Gulf waters. Tarpon, sea turtles, speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, and redfish call the waters home. Enjoyed by a wide variety of people, Matagorda Beach surely has something for everyone. Campers pitch tents, barbeque, and build sandcastles. Fishermen stick to the jetty pier for bull redfish or wade the sand bars of the surf for stringers of trout. Nature lovers visit the nearby LCRA Matagorda Bay Nature Park for a hands-on learning or bird watching experience. Purchase a beach vehicle permit from any local store for access to 28 miles of sandy, beachfront excitement.

Another summertime hotspot for fishermen is East Matagorda Bay. Speckled trout and redfish feed in schools along the north shoreline and pile on the shell reefs. Waders look to draw strikes in the grassy coves of the south shoreline, like Hog Island, Kain Cove, and the Oyster Farm Drains. Drifters focus on the deep shell near Boiler Bayou, the Tripod, and Drull's Lump. Fly fishermen swear by the shallows of the eastern shores.

Whatever floats your boat, whether its wade fishing, drift fishing, surf fishing or offshore fishing, Matagorda County is the place to be. With more than 50 miles of coastline and literally hundreds of miles of rivers, creeks and bayous, you'll find every type of habitat for almost any type of fish.

Walk along the beach on a typical day and you're sure to find the surf-fishers among the shorebirds, setting up their poles for their catch of the day. Others line up along the piers, like the Jetty Park at Matagorda or the brand-new Swing Bridge Fishing Park where the old swing bridge used to be. Last year a brand-new bridge opened, connecting Matagorda with the barrier island and giving ready access to more space for some fine fishing.

Fly-fishing for the trophy-sized speckled trout that like to hang out in the grass flats and along the reefs can be an adrenaline rush, as well; nine-pounders are not uncommon, and they like to put up a good fight. Fly-fishing on the banks of the Colorado is popular, as well as in the flats of East and West Matagorda Bay.

Matagorda County is a prime destination for nature-based education, and is also an activity that's fun for all ages. Matagorda Bay Nature Park, 1,600-acre nature preserve situated along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and the Colorado River, offers an array of imaginative interactive programs led by scientists and nature educators - enticing programs like "Nature Scavenger Hunt," "Fins, Furs and Feathers," "Wings over the Wetlands," "Day on the Bay Wetlands Kayak Trip" and "Adventures in Beachcombing." Sign up in advance to be sure of a spot, or drop in and browse the engrossing exhibits on display at the Natural Science Center.

You can camp out on miles of powdery sand - and sometimes you may get lucky and have it all to yourself.

Build a seaside campfire and stay up late watching the clouds cross the moon, or wake up early for a brilliant sunrise. If you prefer a bit more comfort with your Great Outdoors, there are plenty of RV campgrounds with a variety of accommodations, views and prices.

Golfing is a popular activity as well, and two Matagorda courses await your club. there's the Rio Colorado Golf Course near Bay City, on the banks of the Colorado as the name suggests. This challenging 18-hole course features native coastal prairies and signature golf holes situated high on the wooded bluffs of the Colorado River.

Bay City's, charming downtown Courthouse Square offers plenty of distractions.

There are an abundance of boutiques, specialty shops and cafes.

Shops specializing in upscale home décor, where you'll find everything from Waterford crystal to Yankee candles; there are gift shops galore, and a scrapbooking store featuring workshops and a workspace as well as supplies.

You can try on Western wear and formal wear and urban wear, bling for the girls and duds for the dudes. you'll find bargains of all kinds, and you'll also find exclusive items that cost more - and are worth it. If antiques are your thing, you'll find them in several shops, including a whole mall dedicated to them.

There are three jewelry stores, featuring one-of-a-kind pieces fashioned by master artisans. Most shops have more than one purpose; specialty gift items can be found in the florist shop, the beauty shop, the scrapbooking shop and the coffee shop, to name a few.

On the 3rd Saturday of every month from March through December, shop Bay City's Market Day, around the town square. Featuring over 100 vendors, you'll find handmade crafts and jewelry, antiques, and hand-crafted edibles such as cinnamon-roasted pecans, pickles and salsas.

If all that foraging has given you an appetite, you'll find plenty to refuel you as you cool your heels. Sip a gourmet coffee with pastries, have a double-dip ice cream cone or stay on the healthy side with a café in a natural foods store. And if you're in the mood for a little self-pampering, there are several salons that offer soothing facials and massages.

For more information:
Matagorda County CVB
210 7th Street
Bay City, TX 77404
877-878-5386
www.visitmatagordacounty.com
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