Making resolutions is a time-honored tradition on New Year’s Eve, and although yours may mostly be about eating better or working out more, we think that your 2026 resolutions should be ones that spoil you. Why not start with the one that encourages you to travel more? A beach vacation in the new year is sure to bring joy and happiness to your life, and our Texas island town can provide the vacation that you will compare all others against for years to come. Choosing The Dunes for your vacation accommodations will enhance your experience even more, and this guide to a Port Aransas New Year’s trip spent in our properties warm embrace will ensure that you don’t miss out on a single moment of wonderful, setting the stage for a 2026 filled with possibilities!
You’re Tired of the Cold
Unless you are from the coldest of climates, you probably won’t be swimming during your New Year’s trip of a lifetime, but we can assure you that you can leave your parkas, gloves, and winter boots at home! Temperatures in January range from lows in the 50s to highs in the mid-60s, and as the sun shines and the waves crash against sandy shores, there will be nowhere else on earth that you will want to be. The sea water may be too cold for swimming, but there is still something wonderful about walking along shore’s edge, letting the serenity of the sea wash away all the bad and prepare your soul for a year filled with good things!
Saving Money on Your Beach Vacation
Ocean towns are always more expensive travel destinations, but January is the middle of our off-peak tourist season, and prices will be lower, streets will be less crowded, and you will have an even greater chance of finding The Dunes vacation rental of your dreams without having to fight off other travelers whose dreams may be similar to yours. Restaurant wait lists will be shorter, and as such, you may end up having a more authentic vacation experience, as wait staff may have more time to spend with you, telling you about all the fun you can have during your January visit!
A Walk on the Wild Side
January days are most beautiful ones, encouraging visitors (and locals) to get outside and play, and whether you choose to hike through Charlie’s Pasture South Trail, explore the activities and fun you can have in Roberts Point Park, or simply hang out at the beach, letting the roar of the surf make you feel peaceful and serene, this vacation is sure to be different than all others. Watch for birds as you hike or take a tour of Mustang Island State Park and explore all that is left behind in the tide pools created by rocky areas on the island. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing when you play, it just matters that you are outside doing it!
Set Your Soul Free With an Exploration of Art
While not exactly a January specific activity, if you spend any time in Port Aransas, you wouldn’t want to miss an exploration of the Port Aransas Art Center, located at 104 N Alister Street. Offering a gallery filled with the best works of the most talented artists, it also offers guests the opportunity to explore their own artistic talents, offering a large number of classes. Their January classes aren’t listed as of yet, but in current months they are offering oil and watercolor classes, craft classes, even the occasional paint and sip classes, ensuring that you will return home with great memories and a souvenir you created yourself. Also the host of our first Friday event, if your visit takes place over the first Friday of the month, an evening of artistry will be combined with live music and refreshments.
You Deserve a Break
The last few months of the year are always the busiest, and after all the shopping, cleaning, and socializing, you deserve some peace and quiet, a break from the chaos. The quiet of Port A will give you that peace, and as you relax in beach chairs that you may have found in the closet of your Dunes sanctuary, sip chardonnay while watching the sun set from your balcony, or dreaming happy dreams while you sleep in the most comfortable beds in the state, the year that lies ahead will look promising and exciting. Giving yourself a break after the stress of the end of year holidays will help you feel refreshed and ready to face anything life throws at you, and our retreats will enhance your vacation experience.
Reserve your favorite Port Aransas condo rental today and discover all the reasons planning a New Year’s trip to Port Aransas will be the best plans!