You came to Port Aransas for Texas warmth, fun, and the sand and water at the beach along the Gulf of Mexico. There are also plenty of fun things to do and see, and several must-see sights you don’t want to miss. Take a sightseeing in Port Aransas trip around the area and make sure to check off some of the most popular sights before heading home.
Lydia Ann Lighthouse
The Lydia Ann Lighthouse located on Harbor Island was built in 1857. Also called the Aransas Pass Light Station, the lighthouse is not accessible by any roads. To see this beauty, you’ll have to take a cruise past it in your own vessel or other sightseeing tour. You can also get a good view of it from nearby Roberts Point Park. The lighthouse is currently privately owned, so no public tours of the historic structure are available at this time.
Chapel on the Dunes
The historic 1930s church was built by the Carter family, which includes former Texas poet laureate Aline Carter. The oldest consecrated church on Mustang Island, the church no longer holds services. It is considered one of the “Eight Wonders of Port Aransas,” having stood the test of time, hurricanes, dune erosion, and other changes to the area. The chapel is built on one of the highest points in Port Aransas. Since the church is still consecrated, they offer wedding packages. You can tour the church and grounds during tours organized by the Port Aransas Museum on the first and third Saturday of the month at 9:15 a.m. or schedule a private tour. The chapel is located at 203 S 11th Street in Port Aransas. Call 361-749-3591 for event information or to book a private tour.
Marine Life Spotting
The waters of the Gulf are the perfect place for spotting all manner of marine wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, whales, and more as you head out into the waters of the Gulf to get up close to the animals that call the water home. You can charter a tour or rent a vessel and craft your own journey.
Tours
Get in to all the nooks and crannies of Port Aransas and take a tour. Paddle the waters at night on a unique kayak tour in a clear, lighted kayak and see into the water beneath you. Climb on a jet ski for a more fast-paced tour, or head out on a guided and fully narrated tour of Port Aransas and the surrounding area. The Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce also has information about the best historic and must-see local sites so you can create your own sightseeing adventure.
Tarpon Inn
The inn was built in 1886 and is the oldest surviving structure on Mustang Island. The inn hosted many anglers during the height of tarpon fishing in the area. Enter and see the lobby walls covered with scales from tarpon caught by the early sports fishermen – including President Franklin D. Roosevelt! The inn is located at 200 E Cotter Avenue in Port Aransas.
Port Aransas Museum & Farley’s Historic Boat Shop
Learn more about Port Aransas and what shaped the town into what it is today. Much of the area’s fishing trade was originally based around tarpon. The museum boasts a number of temporary and permanent exhibits, with rotating featured exhibits, so no two visits are the same. The museum is located in a 1900s “kit house” 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, where some of the first tarpon fishing boats produced in Port Aransas were made, is the premier boat builder in Port Aransas, specializing in tarpon fishing boats. The current location of the active shop, as well as the “living exhibit” can be visited at 716 W. Avenue C on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. It is closed Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday.
Sightseeing in Port Aransas
When you stay in a vacation rental in Port Aransas provided by Sandcastle Resort Condos, you’ll enjoy easy access to the beach and the crashing waves of the Gulf. We’re also close to many other area attractions, shopping, dining, activities, and sightseeing opportunities the area has to offer. We offer efficiency-style units for a more intimate stay, up to three bedrooms for your larger group. Prepare a delicious home-cooked meal 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 pool. For a premium experience, choose a unit with bonuses like multiple flat screen TVs, stainless steel appliances, and more.
Contact us today book your stay in Port Aransas and make sightseeing memories to last a lifetime!