Island life can appear to be a bit isolating, but during your stay in Port Aransas, you will discover that the opposite is true as you explore the small towns and areas around us. Offering more island adventures, exciting activities, and a more authentic Texas experience, we highly recommend interspersing road trips with beach days and exploring everything that makes this part of the world special. And because we at Sandcastle Condominiums want our guests to enjoy a vacation they only dreamed could exist, we have consulted with friends, neighbors, and other locals to determine that these day trips in Texas from Port Aransas will be ones you will never forget!
Shell Seeking on San Jose Island
Our first day trip will be by boat, as the only way to access San Jose Island is aboard the Jetty Boat that leaves at regular intervals from Fisherman’s Wharf in Port A. Also known as St. Jo’s, the island is an uninhabited private island and visitors are not permitted to wander past the beaches, but we don’t think you will mind that too much. The beaches are pristine, the water is clear, and the shells you will find will make fantastic souvenirs to bring back home, costing you nothing more than the price of your jetty boat tickets. Fishing and birdwatching are also popular activities on the island, but remember, there are no restaurants, restrooms, or shops on St. Jo’s, so you will need to bring everything you need for a few hours of fun with you and carry everything back out again!
The Road to Rockport
Rockport, Texas is another small town located about 35 minutes away from your Sandcastle sanctuary, accessible by car and ferry. Offering that small-town charm and hospitality we are known for, visitors may want to explore its history with a visit to the Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, located at 317 Fulton Beach Road. Built in 1877 and famous for its architectural style (French Second Empire for those who know that type of thing) tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM until 4 PM and on Sundays from 1 PM until 4 PM. The mansion is often the site of special events such as Croquet by the Bay (re-occurring event on Sundays) or their famous Second Saturday Family Craft events, obviously held on the second Saturday of the month. While in Rockport, you may also want to sample the seafood delights served at Paradise Key Dockside Bar & Grill, located at 165 Cove Harbor N and offering waterfront views.
Cruising to Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is probably a town you have heard of before, and it is only a 40 minute drive and ferry ride away from your vacation rental in Port Aransas. There are lots of exciting activities to fill your day there, including the chance to explore a genuine World War II aircraft carrier, the USS Lexington, which has been decommissioned from military use and repurposed as a museum. Its exhibits include historic planes, an IMAX theater, a Pearl Harbor Exhibit, and a flight simulator and as thrilled as your children will be to explore this fun museum, we believe the adults in your traveling party will find it difficult to hide their excitement as well. A Selena Museum, paying homage to Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla, Texas State Aquarium, and Hurricane Alley Waterpark are more attractions you will want to visit during your road trip. And although Corpus Christi is where the Whataburger restaurant first opened its doors, Snoopy’s Pier, 13313 S Padre Boulevard, is probably where you will want to stop, dine, and savor the waterfront views.
A Stop in Bayside
Bayside is a tiny community located about 27 miles away from Port Aransas, offering a natural beauty and the right type of flora to attract hummingbirds, waterfowls, and wading birds, making it a popular spot for bird watchers. Also home to the John Howland Wood House, a historic home built in 1870, this property was once considered the jewel of Bayside but suffered significant damage during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and is no longer open to the public. They are in the process of renovating it, however, and visitors can still enjoy viewing it from a safe distance. Dinner at Gabriela’s Seafood & Tapas, 1815 Broadway Street in nearby Rockport, might be a great way to end your day of discovery in Bayside.
The Road to Sandcastle Condominiums
The day trips you take during your Port Aransas vacation will be wonderful ones, and because all roads (and ferry routes!) lead back to Port A, your evenings will be comfortable, quiet, and relaxing! Reserve your favorite Sandcastle Condominiums sanctuary today and discover how the road to Port Aransas also included a path to your heart!
