Bay city Texas
Bay City is located in the county of Matagorda in Texas. This is one of the oldest provinces in the state of Texas. Matagorda comes from the mixing of two Spanish words, "Mata" meaning slaughter and "Gorda" meaning fat. Apparently the county has had a bloody history. The Spanish expeditions and their will to conquer the region were met with hostility by the Karanwaka Indians who lived there. Trying to save themselves, they slaughtered the Spanish and hence the name. Matagorda was plagued by violent storms and hence the county seat was moved to Bay Prairie. The city was completely built within six months.
Bay City is located at the junction of two State Highways, 35 and 60 and is situated in the northern part of the Matagorda County. The name of the city comes from the Bay Prairie, which is located between Colorado River and Caney Creek.
Texas, with its fascinating history and culture is an oft-visited place, both by Americans and by foreigners. Bay City provides plenty of interesting activities and tourist attractions for visitors. Bowling as well as golfing is available for those interested in these sports. There are three golf courses in Bay City, one of them being located in the Bay City Country Club. The other two courses are Rio Colorado Golf Course and Palacios Golf Course. The fishing here is famous and there are all sorts of facilities available for those who are interested in fishing. There are also beautiful parks and gardens in and around Bay City that make excellent venues for picnics. Jetty Park is a scenic place from which one can see Matagorda Beach and the Gulf of Mexico. Le Tulle Park, Liberty Park, Riverside Park, Railroad Park, City Park, Pavilion Park and Heffelfinger Memorial Park are some of the other parks in the locality. Apart from these, Matagorda County Fairgrounds is also an interesting place to visit.
Apart from the sports and recreation facilities, there are beautiful and excellent beaches and one can just spend time lying there getting a tan. Matagorda Beach is one of the most popular and biggest beaches in the region. The total coastline is approximately fifty-five miles of which only twenty miles are accessible by vehicles. This is why this is such a popular place. Thirty-five miles of beach that could be reached only by boat makes it unique and somewhat relaxing away from the crowds. A picnic area and a fishing pier are provided in the beach. Another beach worth mentioning is the Sargent Beach, which is practically an island. Along with excellent fishing and bird watching, there are beautiful shells for collectors available in this haven. Palacios Sand Beach is a wonder created not by nature but by mankind.
A testimony to the ingenious powers of humans, it is located in Railroad Park at the western end of the south bay seawall. An excellent place for picnickers, one can do here all the things that one does on a regular beach. Palacios Seawall, located here, is a three-mile stretch of walking path along the beach. This relaxing place has three boat ramps for those who are interested in boating. Accessible by night, Palacios Seawall provides lighted piers for fishing and a two mile lighted sidewalk for walking. For those who are tired of the noise of nightclubs and want to have a quiet night out, this is the perfect place.
Tourists interested in nature and tired of beaches have another option in this region. Bird watching is a major tourist attraction and facilities and information are available for those interested in making expeditions. The 34-acre Birding Nature Center is situated on the Colorado River and is open every day including weekends. Offering nature trails, boardwalks, bridges, gardens and even an outdoor education center apart from delightful birds, the entry to this place is just $3 per person. The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail is another place for birdwatchers to enjoy. Consisting of fourteen sites in the region, this is an excellent place for birding. Birding maps and other information can be obtained from the Birding and Natural Center.
For those whose interests lie in history, there are several museums in the area showcasing the various historical associations with the place. La Salle Odyssey is a series of exhibits encompassing seven museums. It tells the tale of the tragic expedition undertaken by the ship La Salle and the discovery of the buried cities of La Belle and Fort St. Louis. A half scale replica of the original ship, called La Petite Belle, is a major attraction in Palacios. Matagorda County Museum and Palacios Area Museum also deal with the same subject and showcase artifacts that were excavated from the buried cities.
Other attractions include the Matagorda Harbor and Swing Bridge, Sargent Swing Bridge, Palacios Recreation Center, Port of Palacios and Pavilion Pier. With a plethora of attractions, Bay City is a perfect place for travelers wanting to get away from urban life and be in communion with nature.
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