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An Idyllic Gulf Coast Getaway - It’s Port Aransas
A charming beachside city on Mustang Island, Port Aransas is the kind of place where you go to get away from it all. That’s not to say that there’s little going on but rather that you can take life at your own pace, doing as much or as little as you like. Many of the hotels and holiday homes here place you within steps of either the beach or one of the area’s beautiful parks, which is enough to make most people want to return for a second helping.
Relax on the Beach
For many guests, the highlight of a trip to Port Aransas is the opportunity to relax on the beach. The city’s beach stretches for more than six miles along the Gulf of Mexico; all you need to do is pick your favourite spot. Explore Mustang Island a little further and you’ll find additional options such as the five-mile long beach at Mustang Island State Park. A little further again, the Padre Island National Seashore offers visitors the chance to camp among coastal wildlife. Between mid-June and August, you may also be able to see the release of Kemp’s Ridley turtle hatchlings. Releases, although not guaranteed, typically take place on Malaquite Beach. An additional activity available to visitors is the beach walk that sets off from Horace Caldwell Pier on the fourth Friday of each month. If you seek a little seclusion during your stay, you can take the passenger ferry from Fisherman’s Wharf over to the uninhabited San Jose Island.
Immersive Arts & Culture
Port Aransas offers a thriving arts and cultural scene. It’s perhaps on a smaller scale than other cities in Texas but impressive nonetheless. Many of the community’s arty types can be found hanging out at the Port Aransas Art Center on North Alister Street. Pop along to explore the work of more than 225 member artists, many of whom display their work in galleries and offer art for sale. You can also take part in various classes and workshops or attend the monthly First Friday Art Reception as well as special events such as Songwriter’s Showcase and ArtFest. If you prefer the theatre, you might want to catch a performance at the Port Aransas Community Theatre; the cost of tickets is typically very reasonable and audience feedback tends to be excellent. Be sure to leave time for a visit to the Port Aransas Museum where a highlight of your trip will be the chance to look around the historic Farley Boat Works.
Seek Adventure
This beachside city offers many opportunities for you to enjoy the outdoors. Of course, the outdoors and adventure often go hand in hand and Port Aransas does not disappoint. Available activities range from budget-friendly family excursions to couples-only thrills. Plus, if you’re a novice to an activity, there’s usually a professional around to help get you started. You might take advantage of the Gulf’s warm water to learn to surf or kiteboard or set off on a birding or fishing tour of the area. On land, you can while away an afternoon at Palmilla Beach, an Arnold Palmer signature golf course, or learn how to build a sandcastle from the experts. True thrill seekers can leave both land and sea behind and take to the sky for their Port Aransas adventure. Sightseeing flights are readily available on the island, as are activities such as skydiving and parasailing.
Shopping and Dining
When it’s time for a little retail R’n’R, Port Aransas knows how to deliver. The focus of the shopping here has a definite local flavour. Visitors can explore charming independent stores, surf emporiums, and elegant boutiques, each one offering the likes of island-inspired fashion and gifts and unique mementos for the home. Dining on the island is equally enticing. Enjoy a meal at one of the city’s many al fresco eateries where flip flops are part of the deal or don your best clothes to spend the evening at one of the upmarket waterfront dining spots. Wherever you choose to eat, don’t miss the chance to try a seafood dish; as you might expect, the catch of the day is something of a Port Aransas specialty. Die-hard foodies will want to visit during January when the annual Dine Around is the highlight of the culinary calendar. This event sees participating restaurants offer hungry tourists samples of their most popular menu items.
More for Your Itinerary
Just when you thought you’d seen all there is to see of Port Aransas, this destination surprises you with another must-see or do. Be sure to check the city’s event calendar for upcoming events but watch out for favourites such as SandFest, the Fiesta de Mayo celebrations, and the Deep Sea Roundup, the latter being the largest family-friendly fishing tournament on the Gulf Coast. In October, you can join the spectators at the Harvest Moon Regatta, an annual sailboat race between Galveston and Port Aransas; some of the best vantage points include Roberts Point Park and South Jetty. If you have room for more, why not explore a little further afield? Corpus Christi, where attractions include the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium, is just 45-minutes’ drive from Port Aransas.