Proving that there is never a bad time to go to the beach, we at The Dunes have decided to help out our guests who are making plans for a winter journey to Port Aransas. The weather may be a little too chilly to swim or frolic in the surf, but the serenity that accompanies a beach vacation is ever present, providing the perfect backdrop to a vacation filled with fun and wonder. Start every morning with a stroll along shore’s edge and end every day enjoying the comforts of our Dunes seasonal sanctuaries, filling in all the moments in between with the adventures we have listed for you here. This guide to a winter Port Aransas trip will help create a vacation that you will remember forevermore!
Seashells for Souvenirs
Although Port Aransas is more reasonably priced than many other beach vacation destinations, the costs will still add up as you dine out more, pay admission prices to museums and aquariums, and dip in and out of the souvenir shops that line the streets. The ultimate souvenirs, however, can be absolutely free, costing nothing but a keen eye and a walk on the beaches of San Jose Island! Offering 21 miles of pristine golden sands, the island can be easily reached by ferry and provides a plethora of beautiful shells. This is where you go to find sand dollars, starfish, and many other unique and wonderful shells that can normally be difficult to find, giving guests the best souvenirs without having to break the bank! San Jose Island is basically a privately owned wildlife preserve and visitors are restricted to the beaches, but we don’t think you will mind, ignoring the rest of the island. Also popular for bird watching, beach combing, and fishing, your time on the island may end up being the highlight of your Port A vacation experience.
The View from Above
For an eye opening experience, a helicopter tour of Port Aransas and Mustang Island offers an exciting way to explore. Aero-Copter’s Premium Helicopter Tours provides a variety of tours of varying lengths, that will take visitors along the most beautiful land and seascapes in the nation. With prices starting at $40 a seat, this reasonably priced activity packs a load of adventures in its flight time and can also be the perfect place to pop the most important question of your life.
Port Aransas Museum, 403 N Allister Street
Into everyone’s life a little rain shall fall and if the rain happens to fall during your winter escape to Port A, don’t let it dampen your mood, just take the fun indoors with a visit to the Port Aransas Museum! Stay warm and dry no matter what the weather looks like outside as you explore exhibits that delve into the history of our coastal village, exploring a past that is quite entertaining, being sure to stop in the gift shop on your way out to pick up one of a kind gifts, including prints of vintage photos that tell the history of our town.
A Foodie’s Taste of the Town
We all look forward to dining out on vacation, enjoying a taste of the town that is far different than what we can expect in our own hometowns, and the culinary landscape of Port Aransas will bring you your most flavorful adventures! Texas barbecue at MacDaddy’s Family Restaurant, local seafood at Black Marlin Bar & Grill, and a beautiful blend of sea and the old country at Seafood & Spaghetti Works are just the beginning in a long list of what will soon be your favorite restaurants! Breakfast, the most important meal of the day, will be very much enjoyed and quickly devoured when you stop by Coach’s Island Pub & Grub, serving Texas sized breakfasts that will help keep your energy up during your Port A adventures!
A Sneak Peek of the Holidays
If your Port A getaway takes place over the holidays, this sneak peek into some of our more festive events will put you in the spirit! The Lighted Boat Parade shines a new light on holiday parades, with a parade of boats lit up in their most festive best, skimming by Fisherman’s Wharf as night falls over the town. Continue your holiday tradition of seeing the Nutcracker with a visit to nearby Corpus Christi at the Selena Auditorium weekends in December. Drive through local neighborhoods to view homes decorated in colorful lights and when it is time to say farewell to 2023, New Year’s brings fireworks at Roberts Point Park!
Our Seasonal Sanctuaries
Coming home to our seasonal sanctuaries every day of your stay will bring warmth, comfort, and luxury to your winter escape. Reserve your favorite escape with The Dunes today!
You blinked and it happened. The year is almost over, and the big holidays have arrived, bringing with them equal parts stress and excitement, starting with Thanksgiving. Most of us will stay home this holiday, cleaning our homes, causing our bank accounts to wince at the strain of the grocery budget, and cooking all our favorite foods, foods that our grumpiest relatives will complain about instead of enjoying the family feast! The fortunate ones, however, have learned how to avoid the pitfalls of the holiday meant to be about being thankful, and planning getaways filled with serenity, comfort, and the love and gratitude of our closest family members. Even more fortunate are the ones who choose to spend Thanksgiving in Port Aransas and our holiday hideaways at The Dunes, enjoying dinners at local restaurants, sunrise, sunset, and moonlit walks along the sandy shores of the sea, and experiencing everything that makes Thanksgiving wonderful while regaining their holiday spirit that may have been lacking over previous years. This guide to Thanksgiving in our favorite seaside hometown may be just what you need to start making changes to your holiday celebrations!
A Little Pre-Planning for Thanksgiving in Port Aransas
The holidays also bring a cornucopia of treats and calorie-laden meals, and if you are worried about looking good in your new swimsuit, (temperatures can reach the mid-70s in Port A over Thanksgiving!) you may be tempted to avoid your favorite foods. A little pre-planning, however, can make all the difference, even if you yield to the temptation of a second piece of pumpkin pie, when you register to participate in the Port Aransas Turkey Trot, held on November 22! Taking place at the Palmilla Beach Resort & Golf Community, 132 Palmilla Beach Drive, this worthy activity won’t just save your waistline, the proceeds will go towards programs and provide scholarships for one of our non-profit schools, the Episcopal Day School. If this fun run sounds like too much of a commitment, however, there are little things you can do that will make all the difference. Want a second helping of stuffing? Wake up early on Thanksgiving morning and take a sunrise stroll on the beach, letting the beauty in the sky distract you from the exercise. Craving a cup of brandy-spiked eggnog? Take the same walk at sunset and as the kaleidoscope of colors lights up the skies you were admiring earlier that day, you will find more to be thankful for and stave off a higher pants size!
Time to Feast
When asked what we are thankful for, we don’t have to think hard to come up with an answer, especially as the focus of the day is on the comfort foods we all love, but just like you, we often don’t feel like cooking. Fortunately, there are quite a few restaurants that will be open in our little section of paradise, filled with efficient and friendly staff who will prepare, serve, and clean up after the meal we just devoured, giving our guests options too. For example, Virginia’s on the Bay, located at 815 S Trout Street, can be counted on to offer a traditional Thanksgiving buffet, staying open from 11 AM until 2 PM, serving guests and then allowing their staff to enjoy the rest of the holiday at home with their own families. Dylan’s Coal Oven Pizzeria, 128 Market Street Suite D, normally our go-to place for delicious pizza, surprises us with a traditional turkey dinner, offering takeout only the day before Thanksgiving, a meal that will taste even better when enjoyed at home with seaside views!
Happy Beach-giving!
Your Thanksgiving at the beach (beach-giving!) will be one you never forget, especially when you choose to stay home and explore the comforts our holiday havens offer to all who reside within. Prepare your own gourmet feast in our fully equipped kitchens, (or just heat up the meal you purchased from Dylan’s) watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade on supersized state-of-the-art televisions, and take long luxurious naps on sofas so comfortable, your tryptophan trance will end with snores! Texas is a big football state, so you know every game possible will be waiting to be watched on those same televisions, and because the pictures on the screens are so clear, you will feel as if you are standing on the sidelines—watch out for surprise tackles! After the last piece of the pie has been devoured and the wishbone has been split in two, the dining room table that was just groaning from the sheer volume of food placed upon it will be the perfect spot to plan your Black Friday shopping adventures.
Every moment of your holiday in paradise will be your favorite one when you choose to celebrate in our comfortable and inviting Thanksgiving rentals. Reserve your favorite property today! Make your reservation now at www.thedunesporta.com and find your Beach-giving retreat!
The holiday season has officially begun, and although Halloween has never really been considered a traveling holiday, with online schooling, working from home, and Fall breaks at schools, it is the ideal time to check out all Port Aransas has to offer! The weather is as close to perfect as can be, not too hot and not too cold, the skies are clear, and the charm and fright factor of your kiddo’s costumes will not need to be covered by winter coats and mittens as happens in many of the colder states in the nation. And no matter how you spend your Port Aransas Halloween days and evenings, coming home every night to the comforts found in our Dunes holiday hideaways will ensure that your escape to the Gulf will be one you wish never had to end. This guide to all the reasons why you should spend Halloween 2023 in Port Aransas will have you saying why not to a vacation filled with wonders!
The Performance of Twist at Port Aransas Community Theater, October 12-29
Now normally we wouldn’t suggest a visit to a community theater as a Halloween activity, but Twist is a play that makes the holiday all the more fun! Presenting a tongue-in-cheek peek at murder mysteries, this comic spoof will keep you entertained and engaged and will be enjoyed by travelers of most ages. Located at 2327 State Highway 361, the Port Aransas Community Theater offers a cast of the most talented actors who truly make guests believe in the magic of the stage. Performances take place on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.
Trunk or Treat, October 26th in Roberts Point Park
Trick-or-treating in a strange place can make parents wary, but Trunk or Treating is always a good idea, no matter where your travels bring you! Starting at 5 PM in Roberts Point Park at Chili Field, parents will appreciate the wide-open spaces and not having to go up to strange doorbells to request treats, and kids will love knowing that quite possibly they will get two chances to beg for candy this year because everyone knows you can’t ever have too many sweets! The neighborhoods of Port Aransas will also be offering trick-or-treating on October 31st, (Halloween falls on a Tuesday this year) or maybe you will be back in your own neighborhood by then, ensuring that the sugar rush will be extended and you will feel safe in familiar surroundings.
Beach Pumpkin Hustle, October 27, 401 Beach Street
Oh, how we love the food of the holidays, but with the excess treats, extra pounds may be accumulated, which is why the Beach Pumpkin Hustle, a Halloween-themed 5K fun run, can help you stay ahead of the calories! Go for the extra flair and wear a spooky costume, just be sure you can run safely in the one you choose, and after? Feel free to steal—er, we mean borrow—as many of your kiddos’ candies as you please! Also, make sure you check out our Beach Cam which is found on our website.
Día de los Muertos Festival, October 28 & 29, 623 N Chaparral Street in Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is another coastal town located about 40 miles away from Port Aransas, and although the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) may sound a little morbid, we can promise there is only fun and excitement in this specialty festival. Offering a taste of the Southwest with food, costumes, and live entertainment, the day is for honoring those who have passed and in Texas, we enjoy celebrating both holidays, paying homage to our Hispanic roots as well as our American ones! La Catrina invites you and your family to this very special celebration, and as you and your family play games, eat delicious Mexican food, and partake in arts and crafts, we think you may discover your newest obsession!
At Port Aransas Halloween Home with The Dunes
Some of your favorite memories are going to be made at home in your holiday hideaway from The Dunes! Spend your evenings’ binge watching all the classic horror movies on state-of-the-art televisions, being sure to examine the new movies that are being released, create holiday cocktails in our fully equipped kitchens, taking your creations out to the balcony that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, and feeling the peace and serenity of the sea soothe your soul.
At night, even after an evening spent watching the scariest of movies, there will be no nightmares as our tranquil bedrooms only allow happy dreams and the deepest sleep you have ever experienced in your life. Wake up feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready for new Port Aransas Halloween adventures every day of your stay when you choose The Dunes for your holiday escape to the Gulf. Check out our 30 Day rentals in Port Aransas then reserve your favorite sanctuary today!
From the Texas Hill Country to the beaches of Port Aransas, a vacation in the state with the biggest heart is destined to be the one that steals your own heart, especially when you choose our Dunes Unit 104 for your stay in Port A and your vacation sanctuary. Offering two serene bedrooms, two spacious and spa-like baths, and a beachfront getaway you will wish never had to end, the sea will soothe, and the luxuries found within will spoil! Designed for a maximum of six guests, if every day can’t be a day at the beach, we wish for you a vacation filled with sunrises that will change your life, sunsets over the sea, and all the comforts of home. This guide to Unit 104 will help you prepare for the vacation of a lifetime.
Filled with Light
As you step inside for the first time, we dare you not to fall in love with this sophisticated condo that somehow manages to stay cozy and spacious at the same time. Light streams through walls of windows that peek out onto a magical seascape, with walls painted the hue of a cloudy day in paradise. The footprint of Unit 104 is much like that of most condos, with the front door opening into a large open space, hiding nothing, and revealing a style that speaks to your soul. The sea-themed décor ensures that even when in bathrooms with no windows, it is never far from your mind, showing itself in the artwork on the walls, the fabric and throw pillows, and even in the bookshelves shaped like a canoe that you will see almost immediately upon entering!
The first room on the tour, as we build anticipation for the great reveal beyond that wall of windows, is the kitchen, located right off the front door. Reddish-hued tiles (similar to the coral framed in the pictures on the walls) leads you quickly and efficiently to the heart of the home. This is a first-floor unit, ensuring that you won’t have to lug groceries and luggage up many flights and because the kitchen is so close to the entryway, you can drop those bags easily on the seafoam-green counters. Stainless steel appliances give visitors a way to save a little on vacation expenses by choosing to eat in a few times throughout their stay and a tile backsplash that shimmers like a mermaid’s tail gives the cook of the day a little something extra to be entertained by when preparing the meal. The stove is built into the counter that faces that stunning wall of glass, and as you mix, stir, and season, your eyes can drink their fill of the everchanging seascape, even as your kiddos may be perched on the barstools that belly up to the breakfast bar!
Next stop on this tour of comfort and beauty is the dining area, centering the space of the main rooms, and offering a comfortable place to play games, sip coffee, and devour meals. A wagon wheel chandelier with a modern spin (clear sconces and stainless steel arms) keeps the room light, even after the sun has fallen into the sea every night and on rainy days may be the center of all family activity. The living room space is a beautiful blend of sea and farm, offering a feature wall of painted shiplap on which is mounted a 50-inch state-of-the-art television, with a whimsical pelican perched on the cabinet below. The furnishings in this large space are comfortable and colorful and the sofa topped with azure fabric harbors a secret. It folds out into a queen bed, which is how six guests will fit so comfortably in a 2-bedroom condo!
The bedrooms of Unit 104, both offering king beds, will bring happy dreams to all who sleep within, providing tranquility and comfort. The primary suite has a wall of accordion doors that can be left open for maximum enjoyment of that wall of windows and also provides an ensuite bath and its own television. The second bedroom, anchored by a rattan and wood bedroom suite also provides another television and windows that let in those incredible views plus access to the second bath.
Stay in Port A and Enjoy the Views
At last, it is time to slide open the glass doors and step out onto a patio that takes up the length of the condo. Out here, the sea is loud and powerful, providing the rhythm for the household, and as you sit lined up along the wood rails staring out onto a sea of grass that shimmers over the dunes, you will find your peace. The sky meeting up with the sea, the waves that can be gentle one day and angry the next, and the sun falling into the sea in a fiery blaze—these are the memories that will burrow into your soul, ensuring that you will never forget these days of sun, sea, and the Dunes Unit 104. Reserve this beauty today!
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