As we move ever closer to the end of 2024, you may be starting your New Year’s list of resolutions. There is something about the possibilities of the new year that makes us want to be better people, but we at The Dunes think you are perfect the way you are, and we suggest that you whittle that list down to just one very fun and very fulfilling resolution, one that brings you to Port Aransas for a vacation you will never forget. This guide to making a New Year’s resolution to visit Port Aransas will show you all the reasons 2025 will be the best ever!
You Need Some Down Time
The last couple of months of 2024 have been more than a little insane as you spent them decorating, shopping for gifts, cleaning, and worrying that you were not going to be able to find the time to do all the millions of things you needed to do before December 24th. But you did it, you made it through, and now your tired soul needs some downtime. It needs quiet walks on the beach at sunset (Forget sunrise, it’s too early and you need sleep!), it needs to sit out on a balcony as the moon rises over the surf, and it needs these wonderful moments to wind down and recharge in preparation for all the new year has in store for you.
You Need Some Fresh Seafood in Your Diet
We know we suggested only making the one resolution (You remember, the one that brought you to Port Aransas?), but chances are you may still make more, including the one in which you resolve to eat better. We want to be healthy, we want to live a long and happy life, and we know that eating well is the best way to make sure that happens, and honestly, you can’t get more healthy than seafood that has just been harvested from the waters that surround you, and in Port Aransas, there will be plenty of restaurants ready to help you eat better. Tortugas Saltwater Grill, located at 429 Alister Street may be one of our favorite ways to eat healthy, and more importantly, to eat well, saying farewell to 2024 with the Crab Crusted Fish of the day, or a Texas favorite, Shrimp and Grits.
Christmas Lingers
Just because the calendar says that it is December 31st, it doesn’t mean your heart is ready for the season to be over, and there are still ways to celebrate Christmas into the new year. Roberts Point Park has Sand Santa, a Santa sculpted entirely from beach sand, making an excellent selfie spot until January 3, and because the park seems to be the focal point of the holidays, it is also where the Nautical and Nice drive through holiday light show will stay illuminated through January 4. Most neighborhoods will still have their Christmas lights up, and eggnog will still be sold in the grocery stores, ensuring that your escape to Port A over New Year’s will still be the Christmas getaway you have always dreamed about.
Our Fireworks Show on New Year’s Eve Should Not Be Missed
Heading back to Roberts Point Park, although you could still be there experiencing the tail end of Christmas, it is time to turn your eyes to the sky for the largest fireworks celebration in the area. This show starts at 7 PM and ends at 8 PM, leaving plenty of time on this last night of the year to stop in Shorty’s Place, 101 Beach Street, and celebrate at the oldest and friendliest spot in town (It must be so, it says that on the sign hanging on their building) perhaps making some new friends and enjoying a toast to the new year when the clock strikes 12.
Rest, Relax, and Recharge with The Dunes
A night out on the town on New Year’s Eve isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and our comfortable and relaxing escapes at The Dunes may entice you to head “home” after the fireworks and explore a more restful way to say hello to 2025. Every room offers a new way to celebrate, and as you heat up appetizers in our fully equipped kitchens, pop bottles on the balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico or watch the ball drop in Times Square on state of the art televisions in our comfy and inviting living rooms, you will understand that the resolution to travel to Port Aransas was the best resolution you could make. That first kiss at midnight will take on new meaning when you reserve your favorite holiday hideaway today and discover your own reasons there is no place else on earth you would rather be on this last night of the year.
The holidays aren’t always what we hope they will be, often filled with stress and drama that makes us dream of simpler days, or perhaps, makes us want to find calmer shores. The annual Christmas beach vacation has become a popular tradition with travelers, transporting them from cold, chaos, and that drama we mentioned to white sand beaches, warmer temperatures, and for the lucky ones, the quiet luxury and serenity of our Texas retreats at The Dunes. This guide to having the happiest of holidays on the Port Aransas beaches will set you on the path to magic, relaxation, and fun!
Winter in Port Aransas
The weather in Port Aransas during the winter months is anything but frightening, but it will be a little too chilly to swim, and that’s ok. Offering sunshine and temps that can hit the mid-60s, your first actions after checking out your luxurious digs will be the same as if it were summer; you will head straight to the beach! Many of you will have chosen our beachfront escapes, ensuring that you are never far from the sights, scents, and sounds of the Gulf and reveling in every minute of your experience. If this is your first trip to the beach, there simply aren’t enough words in the English dictionary to describe the majesty you will view and the awe you will feel, but as you stand at shore’s edge, your toes buried in soft white sands, watching the waves ebb and flow, there will be no room for worry in your heart, no space for anxiety in your brain. The sea, as always, takes over everything leaving nothing but peace, serenity, and joy behind.
Scenes to Remember
The winter holidays—Christmas, New Year’s, even Valentine’s Day—are meant to be spent with family, with those you love so fiercely, and the holiday scenes you experience during your stay in Port A will be ones you replay in your mind during those moments in real life that are just a little too real, and if you really want to ensure that you remember every moment, family photos will help you along. Construct a white sand Christmas tree, perhaps wrapped in red and green garland, and pose in your holiday sweaters at the most wonderful time of the year. Write your best resolution in the sand—you know the one that says you WILL travel more during the new year—and pose with your cheesiest grins and those 2025 eyeglasses that you will see everyone wearing on the television screen on New Year’s Eve. And although it is a little early to start thinking about Valentine’s Day, especially as the end of the year holidays haven’t quite played out yet, it isn’t too early to start setting the scene for the most romantic beach proposal of all time, captured forever by special friends or a simple tripod and camera poked into the sand.
Port Aransas Beaches with Sunrise, Sunset Views
There is no sleeping in at Christmas, especially if kids are in the picture, but waking every morning for a walk along water’s edge as the sun rises, turning the sky into a kaleidoscope of colors, may be the one thing your soul needed. You can always return to your sanctuary from The Dunes and tumble back in bed for a couple more hours of sleep (unless it is Christmas Day!). New Year’s Eve, however, may be the night you choose to stay up and greet the sunrise, sipping champagne through the midnight hours, sharing secrets and dreams until it is time to step outside and experience the wonder of a new day, a new year, a new sunrise. And whatever you do, don’t forget the other magical event that takes place on the other end of the day, that golden hour when the sun drops into the sea (in much the same manner as the big crystal ball does on New Year’s Eve in Times Square) and the world seems to feel alive with possibilities as the sky turns to fire.
The Moments You Will Treasure
Some of your favorite beach moments may occur without leaving the comforts of your holiday hideaway from The Dunes. Maybe your sunrise viewing will take place on the balcony that overlooks our white sand beaches, offering a much shorter walk back to your warm and cozy bed. And maybe a sunset dinner on the same balcony will let you explore the magic while remaining deliciously lethargic and delightfully comfortable. Our Port Aransas condo rentals on the beach are designed to bring comfort, relaxation, and joy to all who reside within, no matter what time of the year and as you choose your peace of mind over the chaos of Christmas at home in 2024 or experience the first moments of the new year with us, you just may discover a new family tradition. Reserve your favorite holiday escape today!
Families are constantly evolving and changing over the years, and even as you enter each new phase, eager to see what changes bring as babies are born, teenagers move out, and then new families are formed, we can’t help but look back wistfully on previous stages, especially at the holidays. And because we know these moments won’t last forever, we often use the holidays to take the important photos, the family photos that capture a moment and make them last even as the people in them morph into new versions, versions that may not participate in the family Christmas vacation over the next years. If your journey brings you to Port Aransas with children on the cusp of moving on to their own adventures in life, this guide to where to take family holiday photos for Christmas in Port Aransas during your stay in our magical holiday hideaways will help ward off the wistful!
Sand Santa, Roberts Point Park
Every year talented artists work together to create a sand sculpture of Santa Claus, creating whimsy and the perfect backdrop to your family pics. Costing nothing to see and open every day of the holiday season, Santa may be captaining one of our Farley Boat Works boats, dropping a line in the water to catch his nightly meal—all recreated from sand and water, of course. But whatever pose he takes this year, the pose you and your family make in front of Sand Santa will be immortalized in history, even if you don’t use it for your family Christmas card.
In Front of the Memorial Christmas Tree in Roberts Point Park
Every year, the city puts up a Christmas tree that is decorated with photos and notes about those who have passed, and the solemn beauty of this treasured tree is another popular photo op spot, especially as it is resting on a platform that is surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Gulf, adding a hint of blue to the traditional red and green color scheme of Christmas in Port Aransas.
Add a Festive Touch to your Beach Pics
We’ve seen millions of versions of family beach pics over the years, with most participants wearing white clothing, smiles, and suntanned faces, but if you really want to be creative in 2024, why not give the pictures a Christmas theme? Adding a Christmas tree and a pile of colorfully wrapped gifts, your white clothing and smiling faces will stand out against all the vibrancy, and the sea, blue skies, and sunshine will help give this picture a unique look you will treasure forever.
Chapel on the Dunes, 203 S 11th Street
There are many reasons you may be celebrating the season during your visit to Port Aransas, and if yours are more personal, the Christmas photos you take should reflect your personal beliefs, making a posing session in front of the Chapel on the Dunes a beautiful idea. The white of the stucco, the green of the palm trees, and the blue of the skies will give this family photo a serene touch, but if you want to up your photo game, consider taking these shots in black and white, adding a moody and peaceful appeal to each picture taken.
Something Fun and Different
Pajama pictures are perhaps the most common of all holiday photos, but yours will offer a unique twist when they are taken at sunrise with the Gulf as your backdrop. Bring the focus low and long, as you kneel around a sand Christmas tree, perhaps topped with a red star (we are in the lone star state after all) and as the sun rises in the background, setting the morning sky on fire, and your kids put the finishing touches on your sandy tree, the moment you have captured will be one that will be remembered forever.
Take It Home to The Dunes
Some of the best holiday photos are the candid shots you take while hanging out at home with your family: your spouse helping your youngest place the star above the tree; the sheer joy on the face of your tween when the colorful gift wrap he tears off his gift reveals a video game console he has been asking for forever; a selfie taken in front of the tree, everyone in their pajamas and the hubris of Christmas morning creating a backdrop to remember. Every minute of your stay will be a photo opportunity that will memorialize this holiday getaway in such a way you will never forget. Offering comfort, peace, and a festive cheer, our escapes at The Dunes are designed to be an integral part of your vacation experience and will enhance a Christmas journey that already shines brightly. Reserve your favorite holiday hideaway today and fall in love with Christmas at the beach!
As we move ever closer to the holidays, it becomes even easier to believe in magic. Maybe it is the sparkle in our children’s eyes, the flush on their cheeks, and their all so obvious attempts to stay on the nice list or maybe it is just the beauty of the decorations, the way colorful lights shimmer and sparkle in the night, the Christmas trees standing tall and proud dressed in ornaments and their own lights as they provide shade to the gaily wrapped gifts already resting beneath their boughs. Whatever the reasons, you can find your own magic during your holiday visit to Port Aransas and your stay in our holiday hideaways at The Dunes; this guide will give you ideas on how to spend the moments outside your comfortable retreat and enjoy these holiday events in Port Aransas!
Nutcracker Market, November 22-November 24, Terry’s Place on the Town Center, 5009 Highway 361
This first event is a little early in the season, starting the week before Thanksgiving, but if you happen to be enjoying an early holiday visit to Port A and are eager to begin your shopping, the Nutcracker Market will feature pop-up boutiques, and a large variety of wares created by local artisans, all destined to guarantee that the recipients of the gifts you purchase from here will bring magic into their lives as well!
Sand Santa @ Roberts Point Park, December 1-January 3
There is no one more magical than Santa Claus, and the giant Sand Santa at Roberts Point Park offers its own magic, having been created by some of the best sculptors in the world. Providing a fun backdrop to your family selfies, this unique holiday decoration adds a whimsical flair to your celebrations and because there will be more festivals, events in Port Aransas, and activities to enjoy while you are at the park, you may find yourself spending an entire day or evening in the area!
City Holiday in the Park, Roberts Point Park, December 7
The second most important day of the Christmas season (after Christmas!) is December 7 when our town’s City Holiday in the Park takes place. Offering a parade of golf carts all decked out in their holiday apparel, and by apparel we obviously mean lights, there will be holiday themed games to play and the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, something no kid will ever turn down, even if they suddenly become scared in the moment. The holidays mean something different to everyone, but we can promise that everyone will want to explore Roberts Point Park at the holidays!
Holiday Shop Around, December 13, Various Locations in Port Aransas
Offering a second chance to get your Christmas shopping done, the Holiday Shop Around celebrates the work of local artisans with holiday specials in the shops that make up the downtown area of Port Aransas. These magical gifts and treasures will tickle your sense of whimsy, bringing joy to the hearts of the recipients and the prices you will pay will bring joy to your bank account!
Lighted Boat Parade & Holiday Drone Show, December 14, Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf
The golf cart parade was whimsical, but the lighted boat parade is truly magical, offering a procession of boats covered in Christmas lights that light up the night and shimmer against the dark waters below. A local group, the Dunebillies, will be on hand providing holiday music, and the entire evening will be like one big Christmas party. Expect photo ops, and holiday beverages (think hot cocoa), and know that just like most of the other holiday events in Port Aransas, Santa will be there. After the boat show ends, all eyes will turn to the sky, where a Holiday Drone Show will light up the skies with more whimsy and magic, making this night in mid-December as close to perfect as possible!
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display, Roberts Point Park
The last holiday of the year deserves some love too and although this event only lasts an hour, the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display will light up the night with color and style. Starting at 7 PM and ending at 8, parents with young children will still be able to return to their Dunes escape long before midnight, celebrating with their partners once the kiddos have fallen asleep.
Magic and Joy
The magic of our holiday hideaways at The Dunes will bring joy to the hearts of all who reside within and as you watch the waves crash against sandy beaches with hot cocoa in hand, the decision to bring your celebration to Texas will be one that you will never regret. Watch Christmas movies on state of the art televisions, bake Christmas cookies in our fully equipped kitchens, and sleep deeply in rooms built to hold happy dreams. Reserve your favorite holiday hideaway today!
Christmas at the beach is an experience everyone should enjoy at least once in their lives, and when your beachy vacation brings you to the shores of Port Aransas, it may become a new family tradition. Offering warm temperatures, sunny skies, and all the Christmas activities that help make you get into the spirit of the season—including Christmas lights and displays—the only thing better than a holiday visit to Port A is a holiday visit to Port A spent celebrating, resting, and relaxing in our holiday hideaways at The Dunes. This guide to a Texas Christmas will take you to the best light displays in our coastal town, so start marking off the days on your calendar; the holiday will be here sooner than you think!
Nautical & Nice Drive Thru Holiday Light Display, Roberts Point Park, December 7 through January 5th
The Nautical & Nice Drive-Thru Holiday Light Display at Roberts Point Park is one of our favorite holiday traditions, costing nothing to participate in and brightening up our Christmases instantly. Offering ocean-themed cutouts decorated with lights and a large selection of Christmas trees that will bring a smile to your face, this experience can be even more joyful when accompanied by mugs of hot chocolate, carefully sipped under the glow of the moon and in the reflection of the holiday lights. The full moon will be in the sky on December 15th, adding to this heartwarming holiday activity. Christmas music can be heard through your radios when tuned to the right channel (details will be at the entrance of the drive thru) so feel free to sing along to your favorite songs.
Holiday Golf Cart Parade, Roberts Point Park, December 7
We love a parade, the quirkier the better, making the Holiday Golf Cart Parade that kicks off the season another one of our favorite Christmas activities. It is exactly what it sounds like, a parade of golf carts all decorated for the season, including colorful lights, inflatables, and of course, Santa Claus himself. Unlike most parades, Santa leads the way in his golf cart decorated like a sleigh and because this parade is a part of a bigger event, City Holiday in the Park, your kiddos will be able to meet Santa, tell him what they want for Christmas, play games, sing along to the Christmas music, and celebrate the season with joy. This is also a good time to visit the Memorial Christmas Tree, adding a card that honors family or friends that are no longer with us, to its boughs, offering a moving tribute to those we will never forget. Follow up the activities with a drive through the park’s holiday light display as mentioned above.
Lighted Boat Parade & Holiday Drone Show, Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf, December 14
The cavalcade of holiday lights continues, only this parade takes place on the water, adding a tranquil touch to this most festive of occasions. Costing nothing and starting at 6 PM, this celebration also takes to the skies as the 2nd annual Drone Show lights up the skies, and we really can’t decide which we love more, the colorful and shimmering boats skimming across the waters or the imaginative and also colorful light show in the sky. Also offering live holiday music performed by the Dunebillies (We kind of dig the name!), meet and greets with Santa Claus, photo opportunities, holiday beverages, and an all around magical evening of good cheer and happiness.
The Port Aransas Museum Courtyard, 400 N Alister Street, Throughout December
The courtyard of the Port Aransas Museum and Community Center offers its own holiday display, lighting its trees, playing holiday music, and providing more holiday photo opportunities.
Farley Boat Decoration Lighting, Throughout December
Farley Boat Works has always been a pretty big deal in town and at Christmas, our residents enjoy decking the boughs of their Farley Boat Planters, providing an eclectic display of spirit and joy. They can be in the neighborhoods that surround your holiday hideaway at The Dunes and are always decorating the fronts of local businesses, so take your time and enjoy a leisurely drive through town, stopping and taking pictures of your favorite displays and falling in love with this beachy Christmas vacation you chose to engage in. The Port Aransas Garden Club offers maps and a virtual tour if you are worried about missing some of the displays.
At Home with The Dunes
Some of your favorite displays may be the ones you can view as you walk to and from your holiday haven at The Dunes. Many owners who live here year-round (lucky souls!) will also take the time to add lights, decorations, and holiday cheer to their balconies (visible from the beaches below) or their doors. Reserve your favorite escape with The Dunes today and fall in love with all the joy a beachy Texas Christmas can bring.
P.S., be sure to check our website for the seasonal discounts that may be available during your desired time.
Traveling to Port Aransas over any holiday is always a great idea, and if your journey brings you our way this Halloween (coming sooner than you realize!), we invite you to explore the comforts of our vacation escapes at The Dunes in between all your holiday adventures. Offering comfort, luxury, and a family vibe that makes everyone feel at home, our sanctuaries will provide the perfect spot to recuperate after a wild night out on the town begging. And of course, we are talking about trick-or-treating, one adventure your kids would never forgive you for skipping; this guide to the best places to trick-or-treat in Port Aransas for Halloween will help keep the kiddos happy.
Trunk or Treat at Roberts Point Park, October 24th, 6 PM – 9 PM
We’re sure your children won’t mind an early opportunity to beg for treats with an October 24th visit to Trunk or Treat at Roberts Point Park. Offering an opportunity for your little ghouls, goblins, and princesses to dress up in their costumes and roam safely, the cars will be decorated in a spooky (but not terrifying) fashion, ensuring a spooktacular good time will be had by all. Also offering games, prizes, a costume contest for adults, kids, and dogs, and a traditional hayride that will give you all the feels, we can’t recommend this free family friendly event highly enough.
Annual Trunk or Treat Festival, October 25th, 6 PM – 9 PM, 5830 Williams Drive in Corpus Christi
Offering a second chance to experience the fun of the holiday early, this next trunk or treating event takes place in the nearby town of Corpus Christi, located just 25 miles away. We understand your children were probably pretty miffed at you when you first announced travel plans over Halloween, so we want to be sure that we can offer plenty of ways for you to make it up to them, with this annual festival being a local favorite. Offering free candy, free food, free rides, and free parking, we think you understand that this event is 100% free and guaranteed to make your Texas Halloween celebrations 100% more exciting.
Won’t You Join Our Neighbors?
Our retreats at The Dunes are often located in family neighborhoods, guaranteeing that the streets will be filled with zombies, ghosts, Elsas, and so much more, so why not join in the tradition and let your kids run mild with ours? Safe, fun, and destined to have the best candy, mom and dad can hold their kid’s hand as they cross the streets, walk up to the doors with their costumed adventurers and after the last candy has been begged for and your kiddos are tucked away in the beds of our vacation sanctuaries, a few pieces (or more) will be waiting for parents to borrow.
There are tons of Halloween-themed events going on in Port Aransas as well. Check out Halloween with Port Aransas Parks & Rec. From October 21st to the 23rd, you can take a Paranormal Port A Kid’s Hayride at Roberts Point Park from 6-9pm. Be sure to stop by the same park on October 24th for a Trunk or Treat event with plenty of candy for your little ones to enjoy. Want to carve a pumpkin on your vacation? Then you need to stop by the Sand Pumpkin Patch at Port Aransas Beach on October 25th and 26th to pick out the perfect jack-o-lanturn.
Perfectly Paired
Parents want candy as well, and if you have done the math, your kids have three times as much candy as they would have if you had stayed home! This means they won’t miss a few pieces or more, and because this will be an adult experience, we have listed what wines pair best with the most popular candies below!
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – A rich Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot is a dream pairing come true for this classic candy.
• Snickers – It’s the cab for us, dear guests, the fruity goodness blending perfectly with the nutty sweetness of a Snickers bar.
• Starburst – We don’t often think of pairing a Starburst with a wine but after this you will never be able to think otherwise. A sweet and bubbly Moscato is our favorite Starburst pairing and may become a go to snack for you even after the season has ended.
• Candy Corn – Ok, candy corn isn’t the most popular candy, but for the traditionalists amongst our guests you will be thrilled to learn that candy corn pairs beautifully with a chilled chardonnay!
• M&M’s – As with most chocolates, it will be a red that goes best and for today’s intents and purposes, a pinot noir will be the most satisfying pairing with your M&M’s.
• Dark Chocolate – Finishing up the list with any dark chocolate, you will find that a deep red zinfandel will make you happiest.
Bring the Celebration Home to The Dunes
Whether you are trick-or-treating with the kids or are simply looking for a quiet and peaceful getaway at the start of the big holiday season, choosing The Dunes for your vacation accommodations will show you the meaning of luxury and comfort. Binge-watch horror movies, try out our candy and wine pairings, and read your children’s favorite Halloween stories to them before they conk out for the night. Our properties become home when your family resides within. Reserve your favorite today!
As most parts of the world are slipping into their sweaters, curving their hands around their pumpkin spice lattes for warmth in the mornings, and are packing away their swimsuits for the next two seasons, summer in Port Aransas is entering its second act. Yes, the humidity does begin to lessen and yes, the mercury begins to dip, but this just allows us to enjoy beach days and other outdoor activities even more and if you are not quite ready for summer to end, a visit to Port Aransas and a stay in our Dunes’ beachfront escapes will help you keep your tan a little longer as it feeds the part of your soul that celebrates the season. And because you may not want to spend every day at the beach, we have created this guide to some of the top Fall events in Port Aransas, giving you a well-rounded peek into what makes our coastal port village beautiful and fun!
Summers Not Over Until We Say So Party, September 21, Port A Beer Hut
The first day of Fall is September 22 this year, but we Texans are a stubborn bunch and we aren’t ready to say so long to our favorite season, especially our friends at the Port A Beer Hut and we aren’t hating on them one bit. Offering live music, cold drinks, and quite honestly the coolest swings, there is nothing you won’t love about this party, especially when you snag a swing at the bar. Starting at 4:30 and ending at 7:30, visitors can enjoy a quick peek into what an eternal summer looks like in Port Aransas.
Port A Live Music Fest, September 27th & 28th, Various Venues Throughout Port A
The season wouldn’t be the same without music. Remember the first time you slow danced with your first boyfriend on a lazy summer’s night? Dancing with your girlfriends, knowing they didn’t care if you had the moves or not, even sipping cold beers on the beach as your favorite music plays in your earbuds. Summer and music go hand in hand and the Port A Live Music Fest will help continue the season a little longer. The genres, the decades, the locations will all be different, but when you are dancing in your flip flops to your favorite rock song, doing the two step to Texas Country, or soulfully singing along to soul, R&B, and cool jazz, you will forget that Fall is breathing down your neck. Ticket prices range from $30 to $100 and will get you into 15 shows in 5 different venues; VIP tickets include preferred seating and a festival tee.
Beachtober in Port A, October, Various Venues
Port Aransas will be celebrating the entire month of October, ensuring that summer is postponed another month, something we are sure you lovers of summer will not mind at all. Listed below is some of our favorite events in Port Aransas and remember, if you aren’t celebrating the season at one of them, temperatures that reach the 80s ensure that you can enjoy plenty of beach time all month long!
- Taco & Margarita Trail, Every Day in October- Tacos make us happy, tacos and margaritas make us delirious with joy, and the participating Port Aransas restaurants that are working to create their own versions of both make us realize that paradise really does exist and it exists right here in Port Aransas in October! Every restaurant puts their own spin on this feast filled with fun and flavor, and as you skip down the taco & margarita trail you may wonder why this doesn’t take place every month of the year!
- Sweet Traditions Trail, Every Day in October- If you find yourself thinking, hmm, something is missing while devouring your tacos and gulping down your margaritas, we at the Dunes are here to say, Nope, nothing is missing, you just need to take yourself down a new trail when you are finished with the savory one, the Sweet Traditions Trail of utter and complete joy and happiness! Many of the same restaurants on the original trail of taste and goodness will also be participating in this one, so you won’t even have to leave your seat to enjoy the sweet treats they have created to celebrate Beachtober!
- Port Aransas Wooden Boat Festival, October 25 through 27th, Robert’s Point Park- For many years, it was the sea and the vessels that traversed the sea that provided the food we eat and the money we needed, and the Port Aransas Wooden Boat Festival is our way of paying homage to those long ago days. Offering food, arts and craft vendors, even boat kit vendors, it’s the handmade boats, kayaks, paddleboards, and skiffs that are the star of this fun event, set off to sea with great fanfare on all three days of the festival.
Family Moments at Home with the Dunes
After days filled with fun, food, and laughter, the quiet moments spent in our luxurious seasonal sanctuaries will be the ones you remember fondly when Fall can’t be pushed off any longer. Reserve your favorite beachfront escape today!
It seems as if it were only yesterday that you were excitedly awaiting the first days of summer, filled with plans of museum visits with the kids, road trips to cooler places, and a beach vacation that would top all other beach vacations. And yet, here it is, almost Labor Day, and you realize that you haven’t done any of the activities you thought you would fill your summer of 2024 with, but that’s ok. Port Aransas Labor Day Weekend is coming up, offering one last chance to celebrate summer at the beaches, and we at The Dunes are offering this guide to your Labor Day Texas trip of a lifetime, helping you accomplish at least one of those summer goals you imagined all those months ago.
Work for Your Supper
Don’t worry, we aren’t suggesting that you actually labor on this day devoted to relaxation; we are simply inviting you to charter a fishing expedition and catch your own dinner. There are plenty of charters in Port Aransas that are just waiting to take you out to the deep waters, helping you achieve a dream come true, that one where you catch a trophy fish that will make all your fishing buddies back home turn green with envy! Dolphin Dock, Inc., located at 300 W Cotter Avenue, offers a variety of fishing expeditions, ranging between 4 and 12 hours in length, and because the summer months (and yes, Port Aransas Labor Day weekend is still considered summer) are when some of the biggest game fish can be caught.
The Ultimate Summer Treat
Not all your Labor Day adventures need to be grandiose and time-consuming. Sometimes the simplest moments provide the biggest impact, and even as the calendar says September has arrived, with temperatures reaching the mid to low 80s, enjoying an ice cream cone at Desserted Island Ice Cream. Located at 100 E White Avenue and offering not just ice cream but a unique selection of shakes, including a jalapeño peanut butter shake, your sweetest summer memories will be created inside the colorful building that houses this modern ice cream parlor.
Beach Cruising in Port Aransas
Billed as the most bikeable beach town in Texas, all the adventures you can enjoy on two wheels will add shine to a vacation that already glitters brightly, and because we know you didn’t pack a bike in your carry-on, Big Shell Bikes should be your first stop. Located at 409 N Alister Street Suite B, guests can rent a bike for anywhere from half a day all the way up to a week at a time with prices starting at $25 and topping out at $100 for an entire week’s rental. There is a $20 delivery fee if you want the bikes delivered to your doorstep, but that can be avoided if you pick them up yourself, and a tour map of Port Aransas is included with your rental so you never have to worry about getting lost.
Never Leave the Beach
This beach vacation you have been dreaming of for so very long can be one in which you rarely, if ever, leave the beach. Arrive early and watch the sun rise over the sea, spend the day relaxing under colorful beach umbrellas, building sandcastles at water’s edge and frolicking in the surf, lingering to watch the sun fall back into the waters from which you watched it rise earlier that day. And if you think your beach adventures must end when the moon rises, what you learn next will make another beach dream come true. How many beach-themed movies have you watched or beach-themed books have you read in which the main characters end their day of fun under the sun with a bonfire on the beach? Although many beaches across the nation have outlawed this romantic tradition, in Port Aransas, as long as you follow the rules on depth, width, and height of the fire, you can end your day roasting marshmallows on your own bonfire at the beach.
Exploring the Amenities of Your Summer Sanctuary
The moments you remember fondly just may be the ones you enjoy staying in and exploring the amenities of your summer sanctuary from The Dunes. Sleeping in late every morning, not quite willing to leave the plush comforts of our cloud-soft mattresses and enjoying simple breakfasts you prepare in the gourmet kitchens that are fully equipped with everything you need to make the morning meal—minus the food, of course.
Rainy nights can be enjoyed as your family gathers around state-of-the-art televisions, watching beach movies, eating fresh popped popcorn, and sipping your favorite beverages. And if you decide to skip your sunset walk on the beach, you won’t have to suffer from FOMO when you rent one of our Port Aransas staycation rentals; simply walk out on the balcony and wait for the show to begin. Reserve your favorite holiday hideaway today before summer 2024 ends forever!
As you are sitting out in your backyard with your feet in the kiddie pool your kiddos are playing inside to keep cool, you can almost feel a slight lowering of the temperatures, and you can practically hear the sounds of your children’s schools coming back to life. The summer has flown by, and it is almost time for the first bell of the school year to ring, but if you feel that your summer has been missing something—a trip to the beaches of Port Aransas, for instance—it’s not too late to get in one last Texas-sized vacation. Offering beachy days and comfortable nights when you choose The Dunes for your last weeks of summer sanctuary, this guide to taking a back-to-school vacation to Port Aransas, our coastal town, will help make the sunniest season end on a perfect note.
Meals to Remember
Your diet starts on Monday or whatever the first day of school is in your hometown, so your Texas getaway should be filled with all the foods you won’t be able to enjoy once you start counting calories. The restaurants of Port Aransas offer an authentic taste of Texas, and whether you are devouring breakfast at Island Café (301 S Alister Street), chowing down on barbecue at MacDaddy’s Family Kitchen (118 Beach Street), or savoring the spicy heat of a delicious Mexican meal at La Playa Mexican Grille (222 Beach Street #5312), you can be assured you will leave each place well-fed. Our fully equipped kitchens will be there for those times when you just want to stay in and enjoy our cozy havens, but we encourage you to explore the culinary landscape of Port A whenever you can.
Beach Days You Will Wish Never Had to End
There’s a certain joy and peace that can be found from a day spent at the beach, and our white sand beaches are sure to be the most joyous part of your vacation activities. Wake up early and walk along water’s edge as the sun rises and sets the sky on fire, or take your time, packing a cooler with your favorite foods and beverages and a wagon with beach towels, chairs, and an umbrella to protect your skin from the rays of the sun and plan on spending a day at the beach that you will never want to end. Some visitors live to explore the thrills that can be found on the water, including boating, canoeing, or jet skiing, and however you spend your days at the beach, your vacation will shine brighter just because you could.
Let’s Go to the Park
Families with younger children spend a lot of time in the parks in their own hometowns, so a visit to Roberts Point Park, located at 301 JC Barr Boulevard, is a natural progression of those fun moments, but also offers so much more. Yes, there is a playground your kiddos will scramble all over like the little cute monkeys they are and yes, there are picnic tables and pavilions where you can enjoy your al fresco meal in shaded environs, but this park offers a variety of sport activities as well. Shuffleboard, bocce ball, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, even horseshoes and a soccer field are a part of this 50-acre park. Fishing from the jetties, watching the sunset from the observation tower (and perhaps dolphins out in the distance) or attending an event or concert at the Patsy Jones Amphitheater, Roberts Point Park offers something different every time you visit.
Exploring Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island is a barrier island, offering pristine beaches, prime seashell collecting opportunities, and many active fishing spots where the fish seem to always be biting and spending a few hours exploring its magic is a favored activity for visitors and residents of Port Aransas alike. Kayakers may want to check out the Mustang Island Paddling Trail, consisting of three shorter trails (North, Shamrock, and Ashum Trails) that take paddlers to some of the best shallow water fishing spots in the area. The natural beauty of Mustang Island will make this adventure one of your favorites.
Loving a Vacation to Port Aransas with The Dunes
As every parent knows, once that first bell of the school year rings, life moves at breakneck speeds, making this last vacation of the summer the most important vacation of the year. These minutes, hours, and days spent in the warm embrace of our coastal escapes will offer relaxation, comfort, and some of the most fulfilling family activities, making memories you will never forget. The serenity of the sea invades our properties and your soul, and when life gets chaotic and exhausting, you will be able to take the memories out of your heart and take a mini vacation from stress whenever you need. Reserve your last-minute vacation rental today!
What better time to make your beach vacation dreams come true than in the summer months and what better place to live them than in Port Aransas? It’s true, We at the Dunes, may be biased, we love our Texas hometown with a fierce passion and we have made it our life’s goal to introduce all that’s wonderful about Port A to travelers from all over the world, so when your journey has you heading west to the beach, we seriously can’t imagine why you would choose anywhere else to stay. There are always wonderful on-the-waters activities in Port Aransas, that surround our coastal village, and today we would like to show you a few of the ways you can enjoy all the hours you will spend on the water, as well as remind you about the comforts you will experience when you are off the water, lounging happily in our Dunes summer sanctuaries.
A Time to Swim
Ok, this is kind of simple and obvious, but not everyone understands the pleasures of swimming in the warm and salty waters of the gulf. The feel of the sun shining down on the exposed parts of your body, the way the water embraces your body, taking the pressure off backs and knees and seeming to massage tight shoulders that have held the weight of the world on them. The sounds of seagulls squawking overhead, the quiet roar of waves crashing against the sandy shores, and the laughter and conversations of fellow swimmers and those lounging on the beach. Even when surrounded by people, you may feel as if you are in your own watery world, sheltered from the world’s problems and if lucky, you may even catch sight of dolphins frolicking in the waves off in the distance.
Since We’re Talking About Dolphins
Now that you have caught the dolphin-watching bug, why not take a closer look at the happy silver creatures that live in the sea, taking part in a dolphin tour? Woody’s Last Stand/Dolphin Watch Nature Tours, 154 W. Cotter Avenue, is one of Port A’s most popular tour companies, taking guests out to where the dolphins play. Offering sunset cruises that begin with the dolphins and end with the fire in the sky, dolphin watch tours that include trawling for shrimp, giving visitors an idea of how many local seamen make their living (only this tour is much more comfortable!) and although the 4th of July has nothing to do with dolphins, they also offer a 4th of July Fireworks Tour that offers the best seats in the house for another display of fire in the sky.
Hang Ten in Port Aransas
The thrill of pitting man against waves in a sport that has lingered in the spotlight for thousands of years never gets old and even if you have never tried to surf before, there are multiple companies in the area that will help you get the “hang ten” of things! Texas Surf Camps, located at I B McGee Beach Park offers both surfing lessons and surfing camps to ensure that your surf experience is exceptional. In business for over 20 years, the staff really knows their stuff and will take students to areas that are arrestingly beautiful and stunningly perfect to learn the sport. Texas Surf Camps | Surfing Lessons-Summer Camp-Standup Paddleboard
Angling for the Big Ones
Every fisher-person tells stories about the one that got away, but when you sign up for a deep-sea fishing charter with Deep Sea Headquarters, 440 W. Cotter Avenue, you may just find yourself posing next to the trophy fish you caught during your Port Aransas deep sea adventures. Offering private fishing charters that are either 8 or 12 hours long, bay fishing trips that keep travelers with motion sickness in the calmer waters, your choice of adventure is surely going to make the highlight reel of your Texas vacation memories! Prices range from $43 (children) for a bay fishing charter that lasts about 3.5 hours to thousands of dollars for the longer deep sea expedition for up to 30 people.
Keeping the Sea in Sight
And for those moments not spent on the water, guests can keep the sea in their sights by renting one of our beach view rentals in Port Aransas, Texas. Spend your downtime sitting out on the balcony, letting salt air breezes whip through your hair as you watch the sea do its thing below or, if you have had enough salt air for the day but aren’t through with the beach, watch summer movies on televisions offering pictures so clear you will swear you can feel the sand between your toes. And at night, when the moon is casting its ethereal glow on the waves crashing against sandy shores, you and your family will sleep deep in the most comfortable beds in the state. Reserve your favorite escape today and enjoy these fun water activities in Port Aransas!