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!