There’s absolutely no reason that your holiday celebrations have to follow any type of traditional format year after year. In fact, if you’re looking for a place that’s new and exciting to celebrate that takes you far from the cold and snow, setting your travel sights on time in sunny Port Aransas, Texas could be exactly the experience you’ve been hoping to enjoy!
Making your way to Port Aransas over the holidays is a wonderful opportunity to swap out seasonal snowflakes and icicles for sun, sand, and surf. That’s because Port Aransas enjoys a place on the pristine Gulf Coast and is fortunate enough to be found right on Mustang Island. Port Aransas is loved by visitors from near and far for its laid-back atmosphere, welcoming community, and easy access to outdoor adventures of all kinds.
While Port Aransas never fails to impress its guests in every season, there’s really something special about heading this way over the holidays when you have friends and family by your side. When you’re thrilled to be celebrating the holidays in Port Aransas this year, the following guide is a terrific place to start so you can be sure you’re making the most of the fun every step of the way.
Make Beach Adventures a Holiday Priority in Port Aransas
Even in the heart of the holiday season, travelers who find themselves in Port Aransas will be treated to daily highs that typically linger in the mid-60s. There’s also plenty of sunshine and blue skies to go around, giving adventurers every reason possible to fill their holiday itinerary with time exploring the great outdoors.
Here, you can feel free to swap that holiday parka you would need back home for a light jacket instead. When you have that done, you can head out to enjoy beach time at its best this holiday season in Port Aransas. Whether you’re an early bird looking forward to a sunrise stroll on the sand or you’re excited to go shelling with the kids in the afternoon, you’ll find that the beaches in Port Aransas are peaceful, pristine, and welcoming. These stretches of shoreline are great for birding this time of year as well, and if you’re in the mood for a holiday picnic, there’s no reason not to include that activity on your itinerary, too.
Infuse High-Energy Fun on the Water into Your Stay
If you happen to be a traveler heading to Port Aransas over the holidays with a passion for high-energy thrills in place, you can always pick up the pace on the water here this time of year. In Port Aransas, jet ski rentals are readily available to book year-round, giving you options to enjoy sightseeing from the waves in your own preferred way. For a new and certainly heart-pounding view out over your surroundings, you could also include a parasailing adventure on your lineup on your own, or in tandem with a fellow traveler.
Book Your Place on a Holiday Tour
Sightseeing is always a big draw across Port Aransas during the holidays. When you’re excited to set your sights on some incredible local wildlife, booking your place on a dolphin watching cruise while you’re in town is a must. These eco-friendly outings typically operate year-round and some even come with holiday-themed refreshments served onboard.
If you prefer to tour on your own timeline, you can always include a kayak rental into your holiday stay in Port Aransas. There’s nothing more refreshing than heading out to paddle your way through an afternoon, exploring local estuaries and bays with those you love most.
There are also options to rent street-legal golf carts during your time in Port Aransas when you want to focus your sightseeing on land-based attractions. These carts make getting around a breeze and are often available for multi-day rental options at very reasonable rates.
Enjoy Festival Holiday Events While You’re in Town
Just because you’re leaving home far behind this holiday season doesn’t mean you have to leave festive holiday events off your itinerary. When Port Aransas is your holiday vacation getaway of choice, you’ll find there are plenty to pick from that everyone in your traveling group will surely love.
If you’re fortunate enough to find your way here in early December, you’ll be right on time to attend the highly anticipated annual lighted boat parade. This family-friendly event sees boats covered in holiday lights making their way through the marina when the sun goes down. Spectators often gather at the pavilion bulkhead, Fisherman’s Wharf, or at one of the many waterfront restaurants here to enjoy the view and embrace holiday cheer at its best.
Another fun local holiday event to consider being a part of when you’re in Port Aransas for the holidays is the annual golf cart parade. This unique experience starts at The Gaff on Beach Street and winds its way through town, showcasing golf carts decorated to match the holiday vibe. While the event brings spectators out in droves, it also works as an important fundraising event, supporting the Port Aransas EMS Toy Round-Up each holiday season. If you do choose to be a part of this event, you’ll want to have your camera ready because there’s a good chance Santa himself will be making an appearance.
For even more festive fun built into your holiday away to Port Aransas, you’ll want to set aside time to make your way to the Port Aransas Art Center at least once. Throughout the month of December here, visitors can often enjoy browsing holiday artisan markets, pop-up events, and live musical performances as well.
Port Aransas-bound travelers who decide to stick around through New Year’s will love the annual fireworks show that’s hosted over the water at Roberts Point Park. Just be sure to arrive and get settled in early so you can enjoy the very best view to ring in the New Year in coastal style.
Treat Yourself to Delicious Holiday Moments
For many travelers, taking time to unwind in Port Aransas over the holidays is all about spending as much time as possible in the great outdoors. While the warm weather, sunshine, and fresh air certainly make this part of the trip appealing, it’s also worth your while to build delicious dining opportunities into your itinerary! The holidays should be a testament to terrific flavors, and when you find yourself in Port Aransas, there’s no shortage of impressive options to pick from.
Local restaurants like MacDaddy’s Family Kitchen are the perfect place to be when you’re traveling with your entire crew this year over Thanksgiving and looking for a feast that revolves around Southern comfort and traditional fare. If you prefer to enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner in the comfort of your vacation rental, the team at MacDaddy’s Family Kitchen will provide options for a pre-order feast that you can pick up and enjoy whenever you’d like. This often includes a collection of classic sides to match your choice of smoked ham or turkey.
When your travel plans have you enjoying time away in Port Aransas over Christmas and you’re looking for an elegant place to enjoy top-notch seafood options, a meal at The Phoenix Restaurant & Bar promises to be palate-pleasing. Guests who choose to dine here for the holidays will also be thrilled to find that their fresh-caught fare will be perfectly matched with gorgeous Gulf views from the dining room.
For those who stick around until New Year’s Eve, The Gaff is the place to be. This quirky and fun stop hosts fireworks over the holidays and beforehand, guests can enjoy pizza and beer served up in a pirate-themed setting that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Spend Quality Time Shopping
Whether you’re hoping to get those last few items checked off your gift list for family and friends, or you love including retail therapy in your holiday getaways, the options for shopping fun are sure to inspire across Port Aransas.
Don’t overlook an opportunity to browse the holiday treats, handmade crafts, and fresh produce alike that are on display this time of year at the Port A Farmers Market while you’re in town. If you’re on the hunt for great women’s apparel and accessories, your time at Island Woman Boutique is sure to be filled with successful finds.
In the event you’re on the hunt for whimsical souvenirs, jewelry, one-of-a-kind gifts, or custom apparel, you’ll want to spend some time at the Gratitude Gift Shop on North Station Street. Once you see the bubble gum pink exterior on the horizon, you’ll know without a doubt you’re in the right place!
Try Birding During Your Holiday Getaway This Year
A refreshing and certainly fun way to spend the holidays in Port Aransas is to try birding when you’re in town. Whether you’re new to the activity or a seasoned expert, you’ll want to enjoy a morning or afternoon at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center during your stay.
This scenic destination is home to a variety of species, and guests are invited to take to the boardwalks with binoculars in hand to spot as many as possible. It’s a family-friendly activity that really lets you connect with nature and wildlife over the holidays.
If you could use a little guidance when you arrive, stop by on a Wednesday morning at 9:00 when the center hosts a guided bird walk tour with great insight into the birds, plants, and other wildlife that call this area home.
Settle into Accommodations That Enhance Comfort, Style, and Luxury
There are a lot of reasons to spend time exploring and enjoying your scenic surroundings when you make your way to Port Aransas over the holidays. However, finding time to relax and unwind in good company is equally important this time of year.
At Sandcastle Resort Condominiums, we know what a difference the right accommodations can make when you’re planning to enjoy a holiday away and far from home. That’s why we maintain a portfolio of holiday property options that are designed to inspire! Whether you’re traveling here on your own, as a couple, with friends, or with your entire family this holiday season, we have exactly the right home-away-from-home to match.
Our rentals provide our holiday guests with the space they need to feel welcome upon arrival, and always host a full collection of stylish and comfortable furnishings throughout. Many of our property options showcase open floor plans that make it easier than ever to move breezily between living, dining, lounge, entertainment, and sleeping spaces during your stay. In our holiday rentals with floor-to-ceiling windows in place, you can count on waking up each day you’re here endlessly inspired by the gorgeous surrounding views, too.
Extras to Elevate Your Holiday Fun
When you book holiday accommodations in Port Aransas through Sandcastle Resort Condominiums, you’ll find that you always have options to include even more into your stay. Many of our holiday rental properties provide guests with access to full kitchens complete with spacious counters, custom cabinetry, cooking essentials, and modern appliances. Booking a property option of this kind is exactly right when you would prefer to skip the restaurants and serve up a holiday meal on your own instead while you’re on vacation.
Our properties also provide guests with beachfront locations to enjoy while they’re here, as well as private balconies overlooking the waves. Whether you’re looking to spend time in one of our resort-style pools, hot tubs, or you can’t wait to enjoy the BBQ grilling area, we’re here to help you make it a holiday away to remember.
Book Your Stay Today
We hope you enjoyed our Holidays in Port Aransas guide. Now is a great time to begin turning your Port Aransas holiday travel plans into the vacation you deserve to enjoy. When you do, Sandcastle Resort Condominiums has the property options in place that will keep you close to the places you can’t wait to explore. We’ll also make sure your stay is exceptionally comfortable and offers up the world-class amenities you’ve been looking forward to while traveling.
Reach out to our team today to learn more about our many exciting property options available to book this holiday season, and how we can help you tailor the details of your trip that matter most. We can’t wait to see you in Texas soon!
