When that last bell chimes at midnight and the final sips of champagne are enjoyed, it won’t just signify that 2023 is over but mark the beginning of 2024 and a chance to do some things for yourself for a change. Perhaps your dream of travel will come true as you start a journey to Port Aransas, complete with a stay in our beachy escapes, enjoying peace, quiet, and all the relaxation you deserve after the chaos of the holidays. This guide to kicking off 2024 the right way with a visit to Port A and a little salt air therapy will help make 2024 the year for you.
Just Relax
The last few months of 2023 have been crazy ones, with every minute of every day filled with shopping, cleaning, working, and stress, which makes taking some time for yourself the most important way to begin 2024. Although you will find more than a few things to do during your Texas trip of a lifetime, there will be no need to overschedule this vacation. Instead, greet each morning with a casual stroll along sandy beaches, (after sleeping in as late as you want, of course) devour hearty breakfasts containing all the carbs you love (Island Café is known for both their pancakes AND their biscuits) and spend an afternoon sitting on the balcony of your vacation condo with a book on your lap and the Gulf providing a serene backdrop to the adventures taking place on the pages.
A Step Back in Time
The winter months are mostly dry and cool, with daytime temps rarely dropping below the high 60s, but on a surprise rainy morning, exploring the history of Port A will help you enjoy its present delights even more. The Port Aransas Museum, located at 403 N Alister Street, is housed inside a 1900s kit home, adding to the charm of the exhibits located within. Offering both a permanent collection and revolving display of exhibits, visitors can enjoy its warmth, while learning how the Gulf shaped our town’s existence. Stopping in the gift shop on your way out will ensure that you never forget your moments spent exploring the past.
Sunsets of Port Aransas
You need your sleep, and as such, we aren’t going to suggest a sunrise walk on the beach, but we do encourage you to put down your book, step out of the store you are shopping in, or just stop whatever you are doing to look up and enjoy Mother Nature’s most stunning display. If you can get to the beach, even better, especially as you stand on shore’s edge, toes buried in the sand, Gulf waters tickling your feet, watching the sky turn to fire on this beautiful winter’s day. Stay for the whole “show,” watching the golden orb slowly move lower and lower before finally dropping into the sea, leaving a dark sky that will quickly begin to twinkle with starlight.
Texas State Aquarium, 2710 N Shoreline Boulevard in Corpus Christi
If the sea and the world underneath it fascinates you and it is still a little too cold for snorkeling or scuba diving, be sure to pencil in a road trip to the Texas State Aquarium, located in nearby Corpus Christi. Explore their conservation efforts, be engaged by their wildlife rescue programs, and do a deep dive into the stories of the inhabitants of the aquarium, including birds, snakes, sharks, and because land animals need rescuing too, their beautiful young ocelot, Milla, whose distinctive fur pattern makes her stand out in this watery world. The Texas State Aquarium was the idea that formed in the minds of the Junior League of Corpus Christi all the way back in 1969 and today is world renowned for its rescue efforts.
A Taste of the Town
Our fully equipped kitchens provide an alternative to dining out for every meal, but a vacation wouldn’t be a vacation without a culinary exploration of the town you are visiting, and the restaurant landscape of Port A is a delicious one. Breakfast at the previously mentioned Islands Café, lunch at MacDaddy’s Family Kitchen, and because you never want to venture far from the waters that drew you to our Texas coastal village, FINS Grill and Icehouse, sits on the waterfront, serving up the sweetest seafood and juiciest Angus burgers in town.
2024 You Deserve This
You’ve spent so much time doing things for others, and now it’s time to start doing things for you. In 2024, you deserve to relax, play, and explore all the comfortable adventures our sanctuaries at The Dunes provide. Sleep in late every day, binge-watch your favorite movies on state-of-the-art televisions, and let the sea do its thing, soothing the tattered edges of your soul. Reserve your favorite vacation condo today! When that last bell chimes at midnight and the final sips of champagne are enjoyed, it won’t just signify that 2023 is over but mark the beginning of 2024 and a chance to do some things for yourself for a change.
Perhaps your dream of travel will come true as you start a journey to Port Aransas, complete with a stay in our beachy escapes, enjoying peace, quiet, and all the relaxation you deserve after the chaos of the holidays. This guide to kicking off 2024 the right way with a visit to Port A and a little salt air therapy will help make 2024 the year of you.