Distance from Corpus Christi: 86 Miles • 90 Minutes
One of the oldest cities in Texas, founded in 1824, Victoria was originally established as a Mexican colony by Martín De León. Today, that history manifests in its museums, fine arts, timeworn restaurants and the official zoo of Texas.
What to Do
Animals from near and far can be seen at The Texas Zoo. It’s home to over 70 species, from the Amazon rainforest to the bayous, woodlands and plains of Texas. In addition to immersive habitats, where families can spot everything from alligators to jaguars, Texas’ official zoo offers interactive animal encounters, like black bear feedings and tortoise photo ops.
Visitors can delve into 13,000 years of Texas history at the Museum of the Coastal Bend, where exhibits range from the origins of Texas ranching to an impressive collection of cannons brought by French explorer La Salle. At the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Golden Crescent, kids can channel their inner scientist in the Discovery Lab, create their own structures in the Construction Yard and paint and play in the Art Place. And for a performance the whole family can enjoy, the Victoria Fine Arts Center is home base for the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, as well as touring musicians and plays.
Where to Eat
Keep the history theme going at Fossati’s Delicatessen. The oldest deli in Texas, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been slinging tuna melts and Reubens since 1882. Founded by Italian immigrant Fraschio “Frank” Napoleon Fossati, the former saloon rounds out its menu with regional specialties like chicken salad melts and chicken “poorboy” sandwiches.
Other historical haunts include Blume & Flour, a cozy coffee shop and bakery in a former cigar factory, and The PumpHouse Riverside Restaurant & Bar. The latter, once a boiler house on the Guadalupe River, dates to the mid-19th century. It became a restaurant in 2010, following extensive restoration efforts, and today serves brunch, lunch and dinner menus with contemporary Texas dishes—chorizo empanadas, fried green tomato caprese salad and chicken-fried rib-eye.
And for a taste of nearby Louisiana, Franklin’s Backyard Bayou features Cajun comforts—like boudin balls, fried shrimp and seafood boils—in a casual and colorful dining room and has plenty of room in its backyard area for the kids to stretch out.
