5 Activities in Victoria That Will Have You Falling in Love with Texas All Over Again

700 North Main Street
Victoria, TX 77901
ExploreVictoriaTexas@victoriatx.gov
1-361-485-3116
www.discovervictoriatexas.com

By Hunter Lanier

If you’ve ever been to Victoria, you’ve probably seen the tagline “True to Tejas” around town. In those three words, you get a sense of the city’s dedication to blending the best of Texas’ past and present into a delicious queso of culture. Yep, we said it!

There’s simply no other way to put it when you factor in the rich history, natural beauty, bustling culture, boutique shopping, and—that’s right—mouthwatering Tex-Mex. Follow us down to the list below for more details on why a stay in Victoria will leave you with a deeper appreciation of the Lone Star State.

Take a Little Trip Back in Time

There’s no better way to engulf yourself in the history of Victoria—and Texas at large—than with the Old Victoria Driving Tour. On this self-guided tour, you’ll use an app on your mobile device to see over 80 properties that stand proud as architectural marvels of yesteryear. Many of these homes and buildings are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places and hold status as Texas Historic Landmarks.

As Victoria was a popular spot for immigrants from Germany, Ireland, Italy, and more, one of the most fascinating aspects of the tour is seeing the different architectural styles. Each family brought their own unique culture to the city and contributed to the melting pot of Texas. But what all the buildings share is a story of strength, hard work, and creativity.

In addition to its old-world architecture, Victoria has a sprawling history as a ranching town. Get all the details of this fascinating period at the Museum of the Coastal Bend, which recently opened an all-new exhibit entitled Where Texas Ranching Began. It’s a permanent fixture at the museum and explores the city’s ranching heritage from 1721 all the way to 1920. Plus, if you visit before the exhibit is officially completed in 2026, you’ll even get some added insight into how museum exhibits come together! That’s what the kids call “meta.”

riverside park

Riverside Park

For something a little more adventurous, you’re going to want to pay a visit to Riverside Park. This 562-acre natural wonderland is situated on 45 miles of the Guadalupe River (hence the name) and is an entire vacation’s worth of fun all its own. Kayak down the Victoria Paddling Trail, cook up burgers on the BBQ pits, or take a hike on the Athey Nature Trail—a favorite of locals.

Birdwatchers will be pleased to know about the Athey Nature Sanctuary Birding Deck, where you just might catch a peek of a Northern Mockingbird or Painted Bunting. Some not-as-rare birds can be found at the beautiful duck pond, but they do love to be fed!

And all of that is only the beginning. Riverside Park is also home to the Texas Zoo, Riverside Golf Course, and the Memorial Rose Garden.

texas art

True Texas Arts & Live Music

When you think about music native to Texas, many different genres come to mind. But few of them are as “True to Tejas” as Tejano music. Local dives like Dodge City Saloon and Burdogz Bar & Grill are perfect spots to see both authentic Tejano music up close.

But one of the most special places to see live music is Aero Crafters, which is styled—you guessed it—after an aircraft hangar. Their outdoor patio hosts live performances and even has a playground to keep the kiddos content!

Beyond live music, Victoria’s art scene extends to a diverse selection of museums that each celebrate Texas in their own way. One of the most notable, however, is the Five Points Museum of Contemporary Art, which includes work by both national artists and those from south Texas. Past exhibits have included such memorable pieces as “art cars,” classic cars used as a canvas for the artists’ wildest imaginations.

Maybe the best thing about Victoria is that you don’t even have to enter a museum to see its artistic spirit on display. All over town, you’ll stumble across eye-catching murals that inject color and dynamism into common roads and walkways.

$tex mex$

Tex-Mex, Riverside Dining, and Wine

It wouldn’t be a trip to Vicotria without diving into the delicious culinary scene, and you can’t talk about the culinary scene without mentioning Tex-Mex. While Victoria has more great Tex-Mex spots than we have time to cover, two of the most notable are Ventura’s Tamales and La Cantina Tacos & Tequila. Each of these restaurants boasts fresh ingredients, in-house cooking, and authentic flavors.

For something on the American side, you can’t go wrong with The PumpHouse Riverside Restaurant & Bar. With a patio view of the Guadalupe River and official status as a Texas Historic Landmark, The PumpHouse is a two-for-one experience of casual dining and Texas history. Don’t forget to top it all off with a visit to Dairy Treet, a retro-styled drive-in known far and wide for their milkshakes, malts, and soft-serve ice cream.

Whether you fancy yourself a sommelier or consider the best wine is the one right in front of you, Victoria has several local wineries to satisfy wine lovers of all kinds. Take Andustoria Wines, for example, which only serves wine made by Texans. The entire family will love spending time at J Welch Farms, where you can go shopping at their store, try to escape their corn maze, and, of course, visit their gorgeous 40-acre winery. Last but not least, if only because they were the very first winery in Victoria, is Gulf Breeze Winery, a local favorite known for using only the highest quality ingredients.

shopping in victoria

A Little Shopping Never Hurt Anyone

You can’t go on vacation without bringing back a souvenir, right? Plus, you need to walk off all that delicious Tex-Mex. Whatever your reason for shopping, Victoria has enough boutique and specialty shops to walk off a week’s worth of cheese enchiladas.

Speaking of enchiladas, one of the most fun shops in Victoria has to be Peaches & Tortilla Mercantile, located right in the middle of Downtown Victoria. Here, you’ll find locally sourced treasures as well as the latest fashions. Mother Cluckers Downtown will satisfy all your quirkiest desires with unique outfits, Texas-themed knick-knacks, and a rotating selection from local vendors.

While you’re in town, be sure to stop by the Farmer’s Market, open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This is the best way to meet locals and get a taste of Victoria’s locally grown produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, and more.

True to Victoria

As “True to Tejas” as Victoria is, there’s also something to be said about the city staying true to itself. Whether it’s retaining the charming homes of the immigrants that built the city or nurturing the artistic expressions of its current citizens, Victoria does more than entertain. It gives you reason to fall in love with the Lone Star State all over again.

Get a head-start on your Victoria vacation by taking a look at some of the city’s finest lodgings.

About the Author: Hunter Lanier is the head writer and content specialist for Tour Texas. When he isn’t writing about the many great places in the state of Texas, he’s writing books and screenplays. He may or may not own an armadillo in the future.

By Hunter Lanier