The year-round sun and warmth of Texas makes it an ideal destination any time of year. Port A is the perfect mix of sun, sand, water, and fun for a vacation that satisfies even the pickiest of travelers. When you visit a new place, you want the low-down on the best places to eat, drink, and spend your time enjoying what the area has to offer. You’ll definitely want to make some of these activities and attractions a part of your Port A itinerary of must-sees. Here are Our Top 5 Local Tourist Hot Spots in Port Aransas.
Red Dragon Pirate Cruise
Cruising the waters around Port A is something for every tourist’s itinerary. There is an array of boats waiting to take to the seas to spot wildlife, or just for a slow cruise of the water. Take a different kind of cruise packed with fun for the whole family and set sail on the high seas like the pirates of old! Cruise the Lydia Ann Channel where you’ll no doubt spot dolphins and other marine life. Sharpen your sword fighting or treasure map reading skills, fire a cannon, and revel in plenty of other pirate fun! Be sure to bring your camera to capture all the memories and pirate mischief.
If that’s not enough to get you aboard, there will be soft drinks and snacks, as well as beer, wine, pina coladas, rum, tequila, and whiskey-based drinks for the adult pirates. Make reservations online, by calling 361-749-AHOY (2469), or stopping by 440 W. Cotter Avenue in Port A.
Port Aransas Museum & Farley’s Historic Boat Shop
Learn how Port A came to be, and what shaped the town into what it is today. Much of the area’s fishing trade was originally based around tarpon. The museum, located in a 1900s “kit house,” boasts a number of temporary and permanent exhibits, with rotating featured exhibits, so no two visits are the same. The museum is located at 400 N. Alister and is open Thursday-Saturday from 1-5 p.m., with tours given by local volunteers. Admission is free, and donations are accepted.
Farley Boat Works is where some of the first tarpon fishing boats produced in Port A were made. They’re the premier boat builder in Port A today, specializing in what made them famous: tarpon fishing boats. The current location of the active shop, as well as the “living exhibit” can be visited at 716 W. Avenue C. Visit on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. It is closed Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday.
The Tarpon Inn
Constructed in 1886 out of surplus lumber from area Civil War barracks, the inn was originally used to house workers building Mansfield Jetty. After the jetty’s completion, the building was turned into a hotel. A major hurricane and tidal wave in 1919 caused the structure to be rebuilt to what it is today – with reinforcements against future damage. Since then, it has been used as a headquarters for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and several military units, as well as shelter area residents during disasters. In 1979, the inn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and also became a Texas Historic Landmark. The inn has a restaurant, 24 active guest rooms, and space for special events. It is located at 200 E. Cotter Avenue in Port A. Call the restaurant, Roosevelt’s, at 361-749-1540 to make reservations.
Parasailing
Whether you need to get over a fear of heights or want the adrenaline rush of flying up over the waves of the Gulf, it’s a “hot spot” activity to add to your Port A vacation bucket list. Get a bird’s eye view when you fly high over the Gulf from a USCG-approved special parasailing vessel where you’ll take off and land from its unique deck.
Beaches
The beaches of Port A are the Port Aransas tourist hot spots. No matter how far you come from or how long you stay, an island vacation should include time at the beach. Pack up your gear and head out for a day on the sand and water. Spread out your blanket and plant your beach umbrella and lounge on the sand with a book or step out into the sun for sunbathing. Swim in the waves of the Gulf, or help the kids build sandcastles before taking a sunset walk on the beach. Pack a picnic in preparation for an all-day stay, then use our community’s private beach access to be having fun in just minutes!
Top Port A Accommodations Near Top Port A Attractions
When you stay in a vacation rental in Port A provided by The Dunes, you’ll enjoy easy access to the beach and the crashing waves of the Gulf, and many Port A tourist hot spots. We offer one-bedroom units for a solo or more intimate retreat, all the way up to three bedrooms to treat more loved ones to the local taste sensations of Port A.
Prepare a delicious meal or snack in the fully equipped kitchen. Afterward, spread out in an open living space for a movie or to relax. Enjoy the view from the private balcony or patio or spend some time near the community pool and meet the neighbors.
Contact us today!