I hadn’t been to Port Aransas in decades and was so surprised to see that the little beach town I remembered had become a popular tourist destination. The information I’m providing was created by my daughter who has the gift of planning and organizing.
If you are thinking about visiting Port Aransas the very first thing I would suggest is to download the Port Aransas app (Visit Port Aransas!) that has such great information you can find it here:
Port Aransas App HERE
Our Port Aransas Trip 2026
We stayed in a home in Village Walk located at 2525 Eleventh St.
It was a great place but there are lots of options for nice rentals.
https://www.lifeinparadise.com
ARRIVAL
• 4pm Checkin: Beach house: 2525 Eleventh Street, Village Walk, Port Aransas
• Get settled, go swimming, walk down to the beach, and enjoy a relaxed first evening
MEALS
Breakfast/Lunch: Travel on your own
Dinner: Tacos at the house easy first night
Beach Day + Dolphin Tour
MORNING
• Morning beach time
Shade cover, beach chairs, beach toys, sunscreen, hats
AFTERNOON
• Woody’s Last Stand Dolphin Watch 4:00 PM (need to arrive by 3:30)
◦ 154 West Cotter Ave · (361) 749-6969 · https://neptunescharters.com/tours/
◦ Tour ends around 5:30-6:30 PM. After the tour, head straight to FINS for dinner
(There was a 25 minute wait but they have outdoor covered seating and drinks can be purchased outside.)
https://www.finsgrillandicehouse.com
EVENING
• Dinner at FINS Grill & Icehouse
◦ 420 W Cotter Ave · (361) 749-8646 · Open until 8 PM Sundays
◦ Casual waterfront spot with outdoor patio overlooking the boats
◦ Known for fresh seafood, fish tacos, gumbo, and burgers
MEALS
Breakfast: Breakfast taco eggs, tortillas, salsa
Lunch: Sandwiches and snacks on the beach remember a cooler
Dinner: FINS Grill & Icehouse — after the dolphin tour
Golf Morning + Nature Preserve + Beach Afternoon
MORNING — GOLFERS
• Palmilla Beach Resort & Golf
◦ 258 Snapdragon · (361) 749-4653 · Opens 7:30 AM
◦ 9-hole executive course
MORNING (NON-GOLFERS)
• Port Aransas Nature Preserve
◦ Free, easy walking trails through shorebird habitat at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center. FYI it is right by the waste water treatment plant so it’s a bit stinky when you are in the parking lot but it’s a great boardwalk to walk around and there are tons of birds.
- Robert’s Point Park is great for kids
AFTERNOON
• Regroup at the house, afternoon beach time
EVENING
- Port A Pizzeria
◦ 407 E Ave G · (361) 749-5226 · Open until 11 PM
• Ice cream after dinner at Desserted Island Ice Cream
◦ 100 E White Ave · Cash only, ATM on site
◦ Blue Bell scoops, banana splits, and hot fudge sundaes
MEALS
Breakfast: Pancakes or waffles
Lunch: Beach cooler lunch sandwiches and chips, golfers eat at clubhouse
Dinner: Port A Pizzeria Desserted Island ice cream
• Dinner at Tortuga’s Saltwater Grill – 5:45 Reservation
Beach Day + Nice Dinner
ALL DAY
• Relaxed beach morning and afternoon
• Potential trip to Rockport ( not much open downtown on Monday but it is a cute downtown.)
EVENING
◦ 429 N Alister St · (361) 749-2739 · Reservation through OpenTable
MEALS
Breakfast: Yogurt, fruit, and muffins
Lunch: Beach cooler lunch
Dinner: Tortuga’s Saltwater Grill
Corpus Christi Day Trip
LOGISTICS
• About a 45-minute drive from Port Aransas but so worth the trip
MORNING
• 10:00 Texas State Aquarium
◦ 2710 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi · Opens 10:00 AM
The Original Dolphin Watch Nature Tour and Shrimp Trawl
◦ Budget 2–3 hours ( If you have kids, plan on bringing swimsuits for the super cool splash pad and plan on being there a while.)
AFTERNOON / EVENING
• 1:00 Brewery/Lunch – Railroad Brewing, 1214 N. Chaparral
• Corpus Christi Hooks baseball at Whataburger Field
◦ 734 E Port Ave, Corpus Christi · Check schedule at cchooks.com
MEALS
Breakfast: Grab-and-go Muffins or bagels and fruit
Lunch: Railroad Brewing
Dinner: Stadium food at Whataburger Field
Beach Day
ALL DAY
• Relaxed beach morning and afternoon, pool visit
AFTERNOON
• Souvenir shopping at downtown shops
• Pool
EVENING
◦ Burgers and Smores at beach house
MEALS
Breakfast: Yogurt, fruit, and muffins
Lunch: Beach cooler lunch
Dinner: Burgers
Departure Day
MORNING
• Final walk on the beach or coffee on the porch
• Pack up, clean the house, and load cars. Need to checkout prior to 11:00 AM
MEALS
Breakfast: Use up what’s left eggs, toast, and fruit
Lunch/Dinner: Drive-through on the way home
Grocery & Packing List
Breakfasts
• Eggs, bacon or sausage, bread or English muffins Kare
• Pancake or waffle mix, syrup ; also mini bagels and cream cheese
• Yogurt cups, fruit (bananas, berries), muffins or pastries
• Orange juice, coffee and filters
• Milk and Almond/coconut milk for coffee
Taco night
• Ground beef or chicken, taco shells and flour tortillas (extra for breakfast burritos)
• Shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole
• Lettuce, tomato, onion, taco seasoning
We got homemade chips and salsa at a farmers’ market today, so I will add that.
Burgers & hot dogs
• Ground beef patties, hot dogs, hamburger and hot dog buns
• Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickles
• Cheese slices, onion, lettuce, tomato
Beach cooler & snacks
• Sandwich bread – Mary Ann will bring 2 loaves of bread
• Sandwich fixings, deli meat and cheese
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Chips, crackers, grapes, apple slices, granola bars
• Juice boxes
• Water bottles, sparkling water.
• Marshmallows/chocolate/graham crackers for smores
Pantry staples
• Olive oil, butter, salt, pepper, hot sauce, seasoning Karen will bring
• Paper plates, napkins, aluminum foil, Ziplock bags plastic ware and cups.
• Dish soap and sponge
• Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
Beach gear (house has chairs)
• Sunscreen (pack more than you think you need)
• Beach shade
• Sand toys
• Extra towels
• Cooler and ice
• Rash guards, hats, sunglasses
• Beach chairs
Reminders
• Buy tickets for TX State Aquarium
• Desserted Island Ice Cream is cash only — ATM is available on site
Choosing to Reset 
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