Texas road trips to take

Kyla Bibeau, 6, led the family on a hike through Penitentiary Hollow in Mineral Wells State Park.

Editor’s note: Here are some must-see spots and must-do activities from Buzz resident, veteran road-tripper and South Padre Island native Bonnie Bibeau. Bonnie was featured in August 2016 Travel Buzz on Texas road trips. 

Mineral Wells

Have an aspiring paleontologist in the family or simply enjoy the outdoors? Texas holds a hidden gem rich with history and beckoning adventure. 

Mineral Wells is located just west of Fort Worth. It's a small, quiet town marked with the towering Baker Hotel, a beacon of a time long past when the town was the spa resort of the Southern country. It is currently being restored, and its history spills over in neighboring businesses. A quick walk into the Jitter Beans coffee shop will have you deep in conversation of the roaring '20s and the hopes of its return. 

A quick walk from the Baker's Hotel places you at the site of the famous Crazy Well: Texas's only bottled mineral water. This well is high in minerals and has varying alkaline levels. It is purported to heal illnesses from digestive ailments to dementia. The Crazy Well offers free tastings of its Crazy Water. You can taste the difference. 

For our outdoor adventurers, Lake Mineral Lakes State Park & Trailway has substantial trails and boating opportunities. Whether you choose to picnic by the lakeside or hike along the lake to my favorite point, Penitentiary Hollow, you will be surrounded by greenery and beautiful scenery.

But dig a bit in the dirt and you will realize you are standing on history. For a dirt-digging good time, head to the other side of town to the remote Mineral Wells Fossil Park. These grounds offer discoveries at every step. The moment you enter, you will walk on an ancient sea bed. A quick dig should uncover sea creatures, prehistoric plants and even fossilized shark teeth. 

South Padre Island

South Padre Island is one of the top Texas vacation spots. It offers more than it first appears.

The beachfront has changed through the decades, but if you are wanting to get a glimpse of what it was like a short while ago, you'll need to take a drive north of the island to where the road ends. Here, there are no developments, just a few beach dwellers and remote beaches. You can easily walk from the beach side to the bayside or stand atop of a towering sand dune and survey it all.

If you want to delve deeper, sign up to take a sand castle-making class or take an eco tour from Pier 19 and see what secrets the bay holds. But you must stop and pay a visit to the Sea Turtle Inc., a rehabilitation center for injured and unreleasable sea turtles. Insider tip: Call the Sea Turtle Inc. hotline or sign up online to get notifications about sea-turtle releases. You can join them to release baby sea turtles back into the ocean. 

Of course, you can't go without sampling some cuisine. Sea Ranch has had some of the best seafood fare on the island for years. But if you are craving breakfast tacos, you'll have to cross the bridge and head over to Isabel's Cafe. This hole-in-the wall spot has been a local favorite for generations. Mexquito is another great Mexican dining experience. 

Rockport

Rockport is a small fishing town with a lot more to offer. It's an easy three-and-a-half-hour drive from Houston and full of fun for the family. 

If you have small children, head over to Rockport Beach. There are no waves, and it is shallow as far as you can walk. It's a great spot for toddling little ones and small children. It offers an on-beach playground and a pavilion for a shady break. 

For the fishing enthusiasts, you can find a fishing spot anywhere you drop your line. You can fish off the pier or jetty or hire a guide to take you to the hot spots of Rockport. However, one of the best experiences is floundering at night. Take your old Coleman lantern and a gig and head to the pier at Market Street or hire a guide to take you out into the bay. Either way, it is an unforgettable experience. 

Head out to Paradise Key for an evening of food and music or to Moondog in Fulton. If it’s sushi you are craving, a small, hidden sushi house known as Lucky Sushi has some of the best sushi in Texas. 

For a little history, visit the Fulton Mansion Museum. It has interactive displays and a fun perspective of history. Then, take a tour of the mansion and learn about the unique architecture of one of the first coastal mansions.