beachin' on a budget

Texas hot spot surfs onto America's most affordable beach destinations

Rockport was the only Texas beach on the list.

Photo by Cissy Beasley via Visit Rockport Fulton

The beach is the quintessential summer vacation destination, and Houstonians are only three hours from one of America's most affordable beach destinations of 2026.

The charming Texas coastal town of Rockport has been named to Airbnb's inaugural "Coast More, Pay Less" list that highlights the most family-friendly, affordable beach destinations in the U.S. right now.

Airbnb said each location was chosen based on where vacation rentals offer "room for the whole family to spread out, proximity to the water, and a price that makes the trip feasible." Rockport is the only Texas beach town to make the list of 23 total budget-friendly coastal cities.

Rockport has a long-held reputation as one of the most affordable beach getaways, and its Airbnbs provide award-winning hospitality for visitors and families alike. The town is also home to one of only three certified Blue Wave Beaches in Texas, which are responsibly managed, accessible to all, offer public restrooms, and prioritize human health and environmental conservation.

Airbnb describes Rockport as a "peaceful, wave-free alternative to busy commercial ports" and its shallow waters are "perfect for toddlers and great bay fishing."

Beachgoers searching for other popular locales on the Texas Gulf Coast can travel to Galveston Island, where Jamaica Beach and Terramar Beach ranked as the best beach destinations nationwide in a separate report from HomeToGo. And there are plenty of non-beach options for Houston travelers that want to avoid busy crowds along the coastline.

These are Airbnb's best affordable beach destinations in the U.S. for 2026, in alphabetical order by state:

Gulf Shores, Alabama
Arcata, California
Crescent City, California
Eureka, California
Bethany Beach, Delaware
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fort Pierce, Florida
Grand Isle, Louisiana
Ocean City, Maryland
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Gulfport, Mississippi
Wildwood, New Jersey
Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
Florence, Oregon
Seaside, Oregon
Yachats, Oregon
Edisto Beach, South Carolina
Surfside Beach, South Carolina
Rockport, Texas
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Ocean Shores, Washington

travel airbnb reports rockport beach vacation summer vacation

Smoke on the Thames

2 Michelin-starred Texas barbecue joints fire up monthlong London pop-up

InterStellar and La Barbecue at The Ned London

The Ned London/thened.com

Even in Austin's home scene, these restaurants are considered the cream of the crop. Abroad, this is an extra special treat.

Two of Texas' best barbecue joints are are firing up their smokers in London. Austin-based InterStellar and La Barbecue are in residence for one month a London hotel called The Ned.

Service started on September 4, and guests have until October 4 to see what great barbecue tastes like on the other side of the pond.

Each restaurant sent its best representative: John Bates of InterStellar BBQ and Ali Clem of La Barbecue, the two pitmasters who led them to barbecue's first Michelin stars. Both are somewhat traditional with a few signature twists, making them a good match beyond their similar levels of prestige.

Proteins on the menu include pork ribs, pulled lamb shoulder, chopped cheese sausage, and InterStellar's famous peach tea pork belly burnt ends. Brisket will be available as an add-on. The team is also cooking up sides and pairing the bites with cocktails made for the occasion by Jack Daniels.

The exclusive sharing tray is available for $75 per person, with a minimum of two people per reservation ($150). A 14.5 percent service gratuity is also being added.

Many barbecue fans understand that a smoker plays a huge part in the final product, and being away from home could dramatically change the cooking process. An Instagram post explains (and seems to lightly promote) that the pitmasters are using Ironbrand smokers, which are custom-made in the United Kingdom.

The residency is happening at Electric Bar & Diner, The Ned's all-day American diner. The 248-room hotel is located in Poultry, on the north side of the River Thames near St. Paul's Cathedral. It is also very near to the Bank Station, a connecting station for four rail routes, making it easy to get to from many parts of London.

Booking is already going fast, so guests who want to snag a space should commit soon.

barbecue international michelin michelin guide pitmasters pop-ups travel

beachin' on a budget

Texas hot spot surfs onto America's most affordable beach destinations

Smoke on the Thames

2 Michelin-starred Texas barbecue joints fire up monthlong London pop-up

Chris Shepherd-founded Houston burger joint goes belly up after 4 years

Seinfeld-approved New York bagel shop sets opening for first Houston spot

Texas hiker discovers impressively intact dinosaur track near Austin