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    Home » Travel

    Things to do in Port Aransas, with kids!

    Modified: Aug 22, 2021 by Jill Jarvis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · 5 Comments

    Things to do in Port Aransas, with kids!

    We recently had a chance to spend a few more days in Port Aransas, Texas. I am certainly not an expert on all there is to do... but we did our best to explore this small town on Mustang Island by Corpus Christi!

    Port Aransas Beach

    Here are our favorite things to do. I also added the reader recommendations for our next trip. (The list was first made pre-Harvey and then updated post-Harvey. Just check the links for changes due to the pandemic.)

    Tell us what to add!

    Jump to:
    • 1. Port Aransas Ferry
    • 2. Roberts Point Park
    • 3. Beaches
    • 4. Golf Carts
    • 5. Port Aransas Museum
    • 6. More to do
    • 7.  Restaurants

    1. Port Aransas Ferry

    To get to the island, we took the ferry. It is a super short ride (just a couple minutes).

    On the way to the island, the wait was 45 minutes (on a Sunday). On the way home, it we drove right on. You can see current wait times HERE.

    (My tot just has one complaint.  She was expecting a fairy and not a ferry.  You can understand her disappointment.  Good thing we spotted dolphins in the water!)

    Roberts Point Park Port Aransas

    2. Roberts Point Park

    Located right next to the ferry landing is Roberts Point Park. This is our favorite spot on the island! The kids play on the cool pirate ship playground and then we watch the dolphins and turtles in the water. (In the evening, dolphins pop up all over the place!)

    This park also has pavilions, restrooms, an observation tower and a lighted fishing pier.

    Port Aransas Beach

    3. Beaches

    Pick up a $12 permit from the local shops (like Stripes gas station) and park anywhere along the miles of beaches. Just check the signs for handicapped spots and a few no parking areas.

    You can back right up to the beach so you don't need to haul anything too far. The sand is packed (unless there has been no rain) so a car, golf cart, truck or RV can drive on it fine.

    The water in Port Aransas is clearer than it is in Galveston and the beaches are wide. (The water is not as crystal clear as Florida, but it's also a lot closer to Houston!)

    4. Golf Carts

    I kept on looking for a downtown pedestrian area... but never found one. That's when I figured out why everyone had rented golf carts. They rented houses and hotels and then took their golf carts anywhere they wanted to go.

    We did not rent one, but we might have been the only ones.

    If you have a favorite spot for renting these, let us know!

    Port Aransas Museum

    5. Port Aransas Museum

    This small museum is free, well maintained and full of information about the fishing town formerly known as Tarpon!

    Port Aransas Pirate Ship

    6. More to do

    Here's what others have recommended for our next trip!

    • Winston's Island Candy
    • Fire It! Ceramics (Just make sure you have 24 hours to pick up your creation.)
    • Port Aransas Community Park, Skate Park, Playground and Pool (Non-residents can swim for just a few dollars.)
    • Dolphin Tours
    • Pirate Ship Tours
    • Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
    • University of Texas Marine Science Institute
    • Sandcastle Lessons (Build your own 6 foot sculpture)
    • San Jose Island (Ferry ride from Port Aransas)
    Port Aransas Fishermans Wharf Things to do in Port Aransas

    7.  Restaurants

    We've either taken the family to these spots... or been told to try them.  Let us know your favorites!

    • Seafood and Spaghetti Works
    • Virginia's On The Bay - Go during the day or at sunset for a great view. We even spotted some dolphins and a pirate ship from our table.
    • Grumbles Seafood Company - Order at the counter and enjoy the view. Prices are not cheap, but the seafood is good and the location is great.
    • San Juan Mexican Restaurant - This place might be the quickest, most reasonable restaurant in Texas.  Kids meals were under $4.
    • Pizzeria Port A - It's not fancy, but it was good and pretty cheap to feed a family of six. That was perfect for us.
    • Dessert Island Ice Cream - Fun and funky place for ice cream.

     

     

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    About Jill Jarvis

    Jill Jarvis is the owner of JillBJarvis.com, a BigKidSmallCity.com and Things to Do in Houston, with Kids, blog!

    She is the mom of five and started the website years ago... when she was tired of constantly cleaning up the same mess in the family room.

    Another mom showed her that you could just go do fun things in Houston, without hours of planning.

    This inspired the blog and changed everything about how she enjoyed life in Houston, with kids!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. MH Kesler says

      July 13, 2017 at 11:58 am

      We were there a few weeks ago and came across The University of Texas Marine Science Institute. It is a quiet, interesting, and FREE facility. It was a great stop for the kids in the afternoon when it was so hot outside to do much else!

      Reply
      • Jill Jarvis says

        July 13, 2017 at 12:10 pm

        Thanks!!

        Reply
    2. Nauti Side says

      July 11, 2019 at 10:34 pm

      I love going to Port A!!! Your guide is well written and will be helpful when I visit again. Great job!!! Whenever you are in Austin Texas though, be sure to check out my blogs for things to do. https://nautisideboatrentals.com/blogs/

      Reply
    3. Lesya says

      April 23, 2021 at 6:42 am

      Check out Port Aransas Sandcastle Carving . Unforgettable memories for a whole family . They can help you build 6 ft tall sandcastle with lots of details and arches .

      Reply
      • Jill Jarvis says

        July 28, 2021 at 7:26 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply

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