Any vacation can offer unexpected surprises, but only in the best vacations are those surprises good ones, and when you choose Port Aransas for your vacation destination, you are destined to discover a world of wonderful and unexpected things to do during your stay. And because you may not know what all you can do during your adventures in Port A, your choice of La Mirage for your vacation accommodations was a wise one, leading you to comfort, luxury, and unexpected adventures that we are about to share with you. This guide to the five unique things to do during your in Port Aransas, Texas for a trip of a lifetime will help you enjoy an escape that is memorable in all the best ways!
5 Unique Things to Do in Port Aransas
Today, most boats are built on assembly lines with every finished boat looking identical to the one before it, but once upon a time, back in the days before electronics, assembly lines, and computers, each boat was handmade and the best boats were made from wood, not steel. Farley Boat Works has held a place in our hearts and in our town since Barney & Fred Farley arrived on the scene and built their first wood tarpon boat in 1915. Today, Farley Boat Works is considered a living exhibit, still building boats by wood using traditional tools and also offering classes for those who wish to build their own wood boats, which would certainly make a fantastic souvenir, if you could extend your stay and find a way to get your boat back home, that is!
Pay Homage to Tejana Star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, Mirador La Flor, 600 N Shoreline Boulevard in Corpus Christi
We’re sending you on a little road trip to another Texas coastal city, that of Corpus Christi, located just under 40 miles away from Port Aransas, this time to pay homage to Tejana star Selena. She was just 23 years old and on the brink of a career that would shine brightly when she met her untimely end right here in Corpus Christi, and Mirador La Flor (translates to Overlook of the Flower) is a statue and memorial that will be at the end of your journey. The bronze statue is a life-sized rendition of the young star, standing with microphone in her hand and leg propped up against a white column, looking as if she is about to push away from the column and break into song. Recently upgraded, LED lighting allows you to view the memorial at night, and her music is played in a loop, reminding us of just how talented she was and how much the music world has lost.
A Totally Jawsome Experience with Reel Thrillz Coastal Adventures in Port Aransas
Yes, fishing is something you probably expected you would do during your Port A getaway, but the difference here is your catch. Every month is shark season in this part of the world, and Reel Thrillz Coastal Adventures knows where they bite the most. Offering a variety of fishing excursions that last anywhere from 5 to 8 hours, you may be surprised that you don’t have to go into the deep waters to catch sharks; they are all located closer to shore and some local companies offer shore fishing excursions with sharks as the targeted catch! (Not Reel Thrillz, however, they are strictly a boat based charter.) Prices start at $1050 for up to four daring anglers, with each additional person costing $100 each.
Belt Sander Races at The Gaff, 323 Beach Street
This next adventure leads us from the sublime experience of shark fishing to the whimsical experience of participating in belt sander races at a local pizza joint. The Gaff is a laidback spot serving some of the best pies in the state, and on the second and fourth Saturday of the month, they are where belt sander races are held. And yes, belt sanders aren’t cars, boats, trucks, or motorcycles, they are simply a tool used by carpenters, and if you can hold back your laughter when witnessing the races, you are better people than we! The Gaff itself is one of our favorite local joints, featuring pirate-themed décor and those delicious pizzas we told you about earlier, so even if you can’t make it here for a belt sander race, we suggest you visit when you can!
Find Your Happy Place with La Mirage
You may expect state of the art televisions, super soft sofas, and comfortable beds from your La Mirage Port A sanctuary, and you may have sought out sea views that will take your breath away, but the unexpected joy you will feel from watching the sun rise and set while sitting on balconies overlooking the sea and the realization that La Mirage helped you finally find your happy place will make this the vacation that you won’t ever be able to stop thinking about. Contact us to reserve your favorite escape today! Browse our rentals by bedroom here.
