Port Aransas

While taking the ferry to Port Aransas, commonly referred to as Port A, keep a lookout for the dolphins that love to surf the ferry’s wake. This charming little fishing village, originally known as Tarpon, has served as a vacation spot for generations of Texas families. Even though tarpons, large fish averaging 40 to 50 pounds, are not as plentiful as they were in the days when visitors like President Franklin Delano Roosevelt came here to fish, there are plenty of great catches in the sea off Port A. After fishing, take a birdwatching break and see some of the hundreds of species that call the area home. Other delights in Port A include eclectic shopping destinations, beautiful golf courses, and the Maritime Museum. And oh, yes–there’s also the incredibly fresh seafood, straight from the source. Port Aransas has more than 102 economical, 733 moderate, 630 first-class, and 1,603 deluxe accommodations.

Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center and the Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond Birding Habitat

A quarter mile apart, between Ross Ave. and Cut Off
361-749-4158
800-45-COAST
cityofportaransas.org

Birds and birders alike flock to these two birding centers, both sites on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. Boardwalks are featured at each location, with a two-tiered observation tower at the Turnbull Center, and viewing scopes at the tower and the boardwalk. Up to 300 bird species have been spotted. The xeriscape landscaping attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Open daily 24 hours.

Admission: Free.

St. Jo Island

Passenger ferry leaves from Fisherman’s Wharf: 900 N. Tarpon, Port Aransas, 78373
361-749-5448
800-605-5448
wharfcat.com

Swim, surf, go deep-sea fishing, pick up shells, or just lie around in the sand on this privately owned island that’s only a 10-minute ferry ride from Port Aransas. You can even pitch a tent and stay the night. Just be prepared–there are no facilities of any sort on the island. Pack your picnic basket with food and drink and all your beach necessities.

The passenger jetty boat makes trips between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. every hour on the hour until noon; after noon, every two hours until 6 p.m. Return trips every two hours starting at 10 a.m. Call for summer hours.

Passenger jetty boat Admission: $10, children under 13 $5.

University of Texas Marine Science Institute

750 Channelview Dr., Port Aransas, 78373
361-749-6729
utmsi.utexas.edu

The visitors center at the institute offers seven aquariums teeming with local marine life, in addition to daily screenings of educational and nature films. Stop by the gift shop to pick up a variety of fun marine souvenirs. Current research is highlighted in the main laboratory building.

Open Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m. No films shown on Fri.

Admission: Free.

Events

Celebration of Whooping Cranes and Other Birds

361-749-5919, 800-45-COAST
portaransas.org

Port Aransas
Feb. 22–24, 2008

Grab your binoculars and cameras and head to Port A for this annual event spotlighting the endangered whooping crane. This nature-related festival includes boat trips to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge (the winter home of the cranes), world-renowned speakers, photography and birding workshops and field trips, a nature-related juried arts and crafts fair, and bus tours to view the many species of birds that call Port Aransas home.

Deep Sea Roundup

361-749-6339, 800-45-COAST
paboatmen.org

Port Aransas
July 10–13, 2008 (tentative)

The oldest fishing tournament on the Gulf Coast, this two-day event includes two days of fishing, featuring surf, bay, fly-fishing, and offshore competitions. There’s a piggy perch contest for the kids, an awards presentation, and, yes, a fish fry at the end.

Travel Itinerary

Rockport-Fulton, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi

7 Days

The Rockport-Fulton area is known for its relaxed atmosphere, scenic beaches, fishing, shopping, and natural beauty. Explore the 70,000-acre Aransas Trails National Wildlife Refuge, where you’ll likely see alligators and exotic birds. Fulton Beach Road is lined with stunning, wind-sculpted trees, a surreal landscape that’s a great photo op.

Continue your tree pilgrimage with a visit to Goose Island and the Big Tree (also known as the Lamar Oak, Bishop’s Oak, and Goose Island Oak). This huge live oak, which has been featured in a Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” cartoon, measures more than 35 feet across, has a crown spread of a whopping 89 feet, and is 44 feet tall. The Texas Forest Service estimates that the tree is more than 1,000 years old. While you’re there, look for endangered whooping cranes, fish for speckled trout, redfish, drum, flounder, and sheepshead, or grab a basket and scoop up some crabs and oysters.

You’ll get a taste of culture at the Rockport Center for the Arts, where recent renovations and expansions to the main gallery and the addition of two parlor galleries have created a fine showcase for the work of local, national, and international artists.

Bring your fishing poles (or rent them there) and find yourself at a state park (the only places in Texas where you can fish without a permit), such as Goose Island for a day of communing with sea life. Or sign up for a chartered-boat fishing trip, dolphin watch, or birding excursion through Fisherman’s Wharf, Airboat Eco-Tours, Kohootz Dolphin and Lighthouse Tours, or Rockport Birding and Kayak Tours. It’s a full day of exploration, and most tours include lunch on the boats.

End the day at the Angel Rose Bed and Breakfast Inn (an 1881 Victorian newly opened as a B&B) or Anthony’s By-the-Sea Bed and Breakfast (within walking distance of Rockport Beach.

Enjoy dinner at Tony Legner’s (1003 E. Concho) and while you’re there, pick up a bottle of “Cat-5 Food Polish,” a very spicy seasoning and rub, to take home.

Next day, get an early start, because there’ll never be enough time for relaxing in Mustang Island’s Port Aransas, or “Port A,” as it’s affectionately called by those who make vacationing here a tradition. Its 18 miles of beaches are some of best on the Gulf Coast for hanging out, with great surfing waves, dolphin watching, wildlife exploration, hiking, and just relaxing. Enjoy a casual lunch at the new Fins Grill and Icehouse (420 E. Cotter), with burgers, decks, and water views.

Book one of the popular dolphin-watching cruises through Woody’s Sports Center or a fishing charter to catch red snapper, mackerel, and pompano. Or just take a relaxing stroll on the mile-long jetty. Don’t miss the historic Tarpon Inn, where the wall art features a huge tarpon scale signed by President Franklin Roosevelt.

A few hours’ drive takes you to Corpus Christi before the sun sets. After a walk on McGee or Corpus Christi Beach to dip your toes in the surf, have a relaxed seafood dinner at Blackbeard’s on the Beach (3117 Surfside). Wind up the evening at the Ocean House, an 8,000-square-foot Mediterranean bed-and-breakfast with five guest suites, a pool, and gourmet breakfasts served on the weekends.

The next day, take a tour at the Texas State Aquarium and get acquainted with the varied sea life in the area, or tour the Museum of Science and History. Have an “artsy” brunch at Jezebelle’s, located in the Art Center of Corpus Christi (100 N. Shoreline), where you’ll enjoy great views of the marina, original artwork, and jazz. Continue the day’s art focus with a stop at the South Texas Institute for the Arts.

For entertainment, catch a performance at the Harbor Playhouse, a nonprofit community theater featuring diverse productions and local talent. Music fans can visit the Selena Museum, a tribute to the Tejano singer, and plant lovers will like the Corpus Christi Botanical Garden, a collection of gardens with walking trails, 2,500 varieties of orchids, a rose garden, desert and tropical flowers, wetlands, and birdwatching.

For a night on the town, start at the 21 Spirits martini bar (317 N. Mesquite), move on to dinner at the Grand View (on the 11th floor of the Best Western Grand Hotel), then go to hear some live music at Dr. Rockits Blues Bar (709 N. Chaparral).