Things To Do In Port Aransas With Family

One of the fun things to do in Port Aransas is the illuminated kayaking tour with GlowRow. It is a roundtrip from Lighthouse Lakes within 1 mile.

Embark on this glowing kayak tour, where paddling becomes a luminous adventure that will leave you laughing and making unforgettable memories.

Reservations are available for Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Friday. It is a fully guided tour operated at 8:30 pm and 10:00 pm at night.

• Distance from Port: 3.2 miles
• Location: Lighthouse Lakes Launch, Redfish Bay Causeway, Port Aransas, TX 78373
• Contact Number: +1 (702) 720 4569
• Duration: 1 -1.5 hours
• Cost: Starting at $49.95 per adult
• Reservation Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Monday - Friday), 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (Saturday and Sunday)

The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi is a must-see for both marine lovers and families eager to discover the wonders of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

The aquarium opened in 1990 and has evolved into a world-class institution committed to teaching, conservation, and entertainment. Visitors can anticipate an engaging experience that highlights the beauty of these species and emphasizes the need to maintain their natural habitats.

When visiting the Texas State Aquarium, tickets may be purchased online and at the facility's gate. Prices may vary depending on age and whether extra activities, such as behind-the-scenes tours or interactions with some of the aquatic species, are included.

• Distance from Port: 27.8 miles
• Location: 2710 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78402
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 881 1200
• Cost: $39.95 per adult, $37.95 per student and $29.95 per child
• Open Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Every day)

Are you wondering about things to do in Port Aransas this weekend? Book a dolphin watching tour with the Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventure for exhilarating thrills with your kids.

The tour includes a cruise along the waters of the Lydia Ann Channel and a sight of the iconic Lydia Ann Lighthouse. While sailing, you will see dolphins flipping on the water and sea birds saying hello in their own way.

• Distance from Port: 0,7 mile
• Location: 440 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373
• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 749 5597
• Cost: $38 per adult and $33 per child (3-11)
• Open Hours: 6:00 am - 8:30 pm

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There are plenty of places and ways to watch birdlife near the Port of Aransas. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center has preserved different bird species. 

Port Aransas Birding Center: They offer a boardwalk that takes you through various wetland habitats, making it easy to spot bird species, roseate spoonbills, and more. Tickets for guided tours are available only offline.

Whooping Crane Boat Tours: Several tour operators offer specialized whooping crane tours during winter when these magnificent birds are present. The tour costs $50 per person.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge: Since 1966, the city has celebrated the Whooping Crane Festival to cherish the returns of cranes. You can buy tickets at Port Aransas Civic Center.

Another thing you can do for free near the Port of Aransas is visit art galleries. These studios display a wide range of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, and crafts.

Port Aransas Art Center

The art gallery has one-of-a-kind art created by famous artists. Occasional exhibitions are organized for activities to encourage social interaction.

The art center hosts exhibitions for all ages that are arranged on First Friday with free entry and the latest works of art on view.

• Distance from Port: 0.2 miles
• Location: 104 N. Alister Street, Port Aransas, Texas 78373
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 749 7334
• Open Hours: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm (Monday to Saturday)

Island Made Art (A Working Artist's Studio)

Several artists share this same space for creating their individual artwork. The main artists behind this art studio are Jane Gillette and Patti Yoachum.

• Distance from Port: 0.2 miles
• Location: 345 N Alister St, Port Aransas, TX, United States, Texas
• Contact Number: +1 (703) 282 2532
• Open Hours: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (every day)

Take to the skies and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the island as you give parasailing a whirl with Port A Parasail.

You will parasail above the waters of the Gulf of Mexico after a ten-minute ride from the shoreline. A motorboat will pull you along the coast after a surprisingly gentle launch from the beach.

• Distance from Port: 0.4 mile
• Location: Port A Parasail, 154 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 231 1450
• Cost: $94 per flier and $49 per rider
• Open Hours: 

Get onboard Ye Pirate ship of Red Dragon Pirate Cruises for a swashbuckling thrill for the whole family. The vessel has a state-of-the-art sound system, two full-size restrooms, and bars.

Hip Hip Hooray! Be a pirate and enjoy the food at Ye Old Slurp & Burp Pub. They also offer adults-only pirate ship cruises and Sunset cruises.

• Distance from Port: 0.8 miles
• Location: 440 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States
• Duration: 2 hours
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 749 2469
• Cost: $50 per adult and $40 per child
• Open Hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (every day)

Ever dreamt of riding horses on a beach? Make your dream come true! Book a horseback ride on the Padre Island beaches that is perfect for a family outing.

Visitors of any age, from young to old and advanced riders to beginners, are all welcome on this supervised tour. Experience this unique ride on a four-legged companion and click some pictures to take home memories.

• Distance from Port: 20 miles
• Location: 19136 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418
• Contact Number: + 1 (361) 949 4944
• Cost: $79 per ride
• Open Hours: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

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Unleash your inner shopper while shopping in Port Aransas.

The Tower Center: The shopping hub is home to brands including Indigo Eclectic, Casa A Mano, and Island Woman.

Diamond Island by St. Eve's Noel: It is a famous custom jewelry ship in the area. They offer sterling silver art, gemstones, and jewelry made out of shells.

Jo D's Etc: It is a women's boutique-style shop offering clothing and jewelry. Whether you want Navajo Pearls or hand-painted cotton tops, you can buy anything some souvenirs back home.

One of the things to do in Port Aransas with kids is to buy some colorful candies from Winton's Candy Co. It was established in 1995.

Get this confectionary experience with sours, salt water, taffy, nut clusters, licorice, gummies, and caramels. These tasty treats are sure to bring here back again and again.

• Distance from Port: 0.5 mile
• Location: 601 S Alister Street, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 749 4773
• Cost: $12 per lb
• Open Hours: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm (every day)

Let out your artistic side as you paint your very own ceramic pot at Go Pottery At Fire It! Ceramics. You can take home the art you create as a souvenir. 

You will get to pick your piece, colors, and brushes before painting. If you are traveling to the Port of Aransas, it is the most fun thing to do with your children as you play with colors.

• Distance from Port: 0.5 miles
• Location: 611 S Alister St, Port Aransas, TX, United States, Texas
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 749 7967
• Cost: From $1 to $150
• Open Hours: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm (every day)

Let's get the wheels rolling on the beach for some picturesque island driving. Rent one of Bron's Beach Carts, which has become a symbol of convenience for visitors to the sandy shoreline.

Bron's Beach Carts provides a handy and dependable option whether you are a family trying to make your beach excursion stress-free or a group of friends searching for a pleasant method to bring your belongings to the coast.

• Distance from Port: 0.7 miles
• Location: 314 E Avenue G, Port Aransas, TX, United States, Texas
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 290 7143
• Cost: $35 per hour and $150 per day
• Open Hours: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm (every day)

Making sand sculptures with Sandcastle Guy is among the best things to do Port Aransas TX. The famous name behind the Sandcastle Guy is its owner Mark Landrum.

They offer a family plan for stacking sand and carving towers and walls for up to a group of 10 people. They also have advanced lesson plans and I stack you carve plans.

• Distance from Port: 0.1 miles
• Location: Port Aransas, TX, United States, Texas
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 290 0414
• Cost: $100 for a family plan

The best restaurants in Port Aransas are FINS Grill & Icehouse and MacDaddy's Family Kitchen. For the seafood, you can browse Castaway’s Seafood & Grill.

FINS Grill & Icehouse

The restaurant is famous for its seafood and coastal cuisine, including fish tacos, shrimp, oysters, and grilled items. Enjoy your food sitting outside to take in the coastal views.

Famous dishes: FINS Famous Onion Rings at $10 and Homemade Seafood Gumbo at $14.

MacDaddy's Family Kitchen

The family-style restaurant offers the best BBQ and southern seafood taste in the area. It has sixteen taps for brews and cold drinks.

Famous dishes: Smoked and Char-Grilled Chicken (one leg quarter at $7) and Cobbler at $8.99.

The Gaff

The Gaff is a pirate-themed bar and eatery. You can witness the belt sander racing tradition here in parallel, narrow wooden racing tracks.

Famous dishes: Soused mackerel at $8.5, Sri Lankan coconut fish & prawn curry at $13, and Duck chasseur at $16.

Castaway’s Seafood & Grill

It is also a family-friendly restaurant offering its signature shrimp. They have hand-battered fried seafood made to order.

Famous dishes: Jay's Special Hot Off The Grill at $32 and Coconut Shrimp Dinner at $29.

Let's fly a kite on the beach. With awe-inspiring views of the beach and ocean waves, you can fly your kite off to the skyline and control it with string.

You can buy 77 inch Texas Wave Delta Kite at $46.95 and a 3-meter Bouncing Buddy Billy The Crab at $199.95. You can also get flag poles for houses, windchimes, and grommeted flags.

• Distance from Port: 0.8 miles
• Location: 405 West Avenue G, Port Aransas, TX 78373
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 749 4190
• Open Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Except on Wednesdays)

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Are you wondering about free things to do in Port Aransas? Visit the Port Aransas Museum for free. It was opened by the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association in 2008.

In the exhibit, you can see the Fourth Order Fresnel lens, the films of Port Aransas in the 1920s and 1930s, and bell from the train that brought the rocks to build the jetties.

• Distance from Port: 0.1 mile
• Location: 403 N Alister St, Port Aransas, TX 78373
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 749 3800
• Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated
• Open Hours: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

Port Tony Amos City Beach and Aransas Beach are the best beaches in Port Aransas. With so many quiet beaches and lovely seas to explore, you may unwind at the beach while sipping your favorite cocktail.

Port Aransas Beach

It is a public beach best fit for families to sunbathe and spend quality time together. It is conveniently located within one mile of the port, which beckons beachgoers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Port A Beach

Nestled along the shimmering shores of the azure sea, this idyllic retreat offers a haven of tranquility for travelers seeking. Located within 1 mile, it has a $12 annual sticker for parking.

Tony Amos City Beach

The public beach is available for visitors to the resort area. The beach stretches on the sunny coast with golden sand and crystal turquoise.

One of the thrilling things to do in Port Aransas Texas is take a skydive with Skydive South Texas. Get some of the most fantastic views you will ever see.

Skydiving is an awesome adrenaline boost and a unique panorama of the world below. Take this opportunity with Skydive South Texas on Mustang Island.

• Distance from Port: 2.7 miles
• Location: 139 Piper Blvd, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States
• Contact Number: +1 (361) 945 5867
• Cost: $245 per person
• Open Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Friday to Sunday), appointment required on other days