As you begin planning your 2026 journey to Port Aransas, you may be wondering what you should do when you get there—besides going to the beach, of course! Although the beach should most definitely be put at the top of your itinerary, you probably already know that you won’t be swimming in the winter, so what should you do? We at La Mirage have created this year-round Port Aransas travel guide, chock full of activities you will be able to do, broken down into a seasonal guide for ease of planning.
Winter in Port Aransas
Winter in Port Aransas is a quiet time of year, and although you won’t swim, the peaceful beaches will bring you joy. Strolling on white sand beaches as the sun rises and sets is a must, of course, and if you can fit in a few moonlight strolls, all the better.
The Whooping Crane Festival comes to town in late February, the 19th through the 22nd in 2026, and bird watchers from all over the world flock to our doorstep to partake in the festival and to explore all the birds that are here for winter vacation before heading back home in the warmer months.
The chilly weather may have you seeking heartier comfort food when it is time to dine, and the Crazy Cajun, located at 303 Beach Street, offers a good old-fashioned shrimp boil that sticks to your ribs and heats you from the inside out!
Spring in Port Aransas
A spring journey to Port Aransas offers all kinds of benefits, making it one of the most popular seasons in which to visit. You will, of course, be sharing the beaches with college students, as Port Aransas is a popular Spring Break destination, but it doesn’t get as crazy as it does in Florida or California, especially as the majority of visitors are families celebrating the spring breaks of their own kiddos.
Texas SandFest, occurring April 17-19 in 2026, is one of our favorite annual festivals, offering a display of sand sculptures that will leave you in awe while also offering lessons so you and your family can build your own! The water is warmer now, and you may find yourself walking barefoot as the sun sets, feeling the waves curl around your ankles as you do, and you may even begin swimming, especially if you hail from colder parts of the world.
If you are here for a family vacation, MacDaddy’s Family Kitchen, located at 118 Beach Street, may be your favorite place to eat, and fishing may be one of your favorite spring adventures.
Summer in Port Aransas
Tourist season is in full swing in the summer months, and as the mercury rises, you may find yourself spending more time splashing in pools and the Gulf. Parasailing is a fun way to explore the coastline, and the Deep Sea Roundup, Texas’ oldest fishing tournament (held July 10-13 in 2026), may convince you that you should give fishing a shot, hoping to win the big prize. You may also want to come earlier, celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a fireworks extravaganza that really will make you feel proud to be an American.
Plan a visit to Trout Street Bar & Grill, 104 W Cotter Avenue, which offers a seafood menu and views of the harbor that will make you never want to leave. Shopping for souvenirs is a popular tourist activity, especially as you can cool off in the air conditioning as you search for treasures. Shops such as Indigo Eclectic and the 3rd Coast Shack will allow you to add to your beach wardrobe.
Fall in Port Aransas
Our little secret we want to share with you is that fall in Port Aransas may be the best time of year! This season features temperatures that are still warm enough for swimming. Beachtober, a festival that lasts the entire month of October, includes a Wooden Boat Festival, a Taco & Margarita Trail, and so much more. This is the most comfortable season for fishing, and Deep Sea Headquarters (440 W Cotter Avenue) can make your deep sea fishing dreams come true.
When you are celebrating a special occasion, Tortuga’s Saltwater Grill (429 N Alister Street) will make the occasion even more special, and if you are here for a fall holiday, they often provide holiday meals that will make your resident cook happy to be given the day off! Be sure to check out our available fall rentals in Port Aransas!
Any Time Is the Best Time to Choose La Mirage
It doesn’t matter what season you visit, choosing La Mirage for your Port Aransas vacation rentals will be the best decision you make this year. Reserve your favorite all-seasons sanctuary today!
Celebrating a holiday in a new place can be a little confusing if you don’t know what to do or where to go, but when your holiday journey brings you to Port Aransas for Valentine’s Day and a stay in our La Mirage romantic retreats, we’re here to help! Port A isn’t a large town, but it is a fun town, and we want to ensure that all our guests have all the ways to have fun. To help you enjoy the most romantic of getaways in the most beautiful of towns, we’ve put together this guide to where the locals go for Valentine’s Day activities in Port Aransas, guaranteeing that this retreat will be an unforgettable one!
We Go to the Beach
A sunrise or sunset stroll on the beach may sound like a cliché, but believe us when we say it is a cliché that works. There really is no more beautiful sight than beginning or ending the day on the sand. Some of the best moments we have ever experienced happen during these quiet and peaceful times, and the beach is where many have asked the most important question of their lives! At sunset, Roberts Point Park offers our favorite beach for sunset strolls, but honestly, any beach in town will be perfect for your Valentine’s Day walk.
We Stay in for Breakfast
There are many lovely restaurants in town, but on Valentine’s Day, we often like to stay in and serve our Valentine breakfast in bed. Not all of us are proficient in the kitchen, however, and we won’t lie, many holiday breakfasts have consisted of donuts from the Donut Palace (604 N Alister Street); we do mix our own mimosas, so we think that counts!
Our guests are happy to explore the fully equipped kitchens in our properties, perhaps creating their own breakfasts in bed for their valentine, but if you really want to go out, Coach’s Island Pub & Grub, 505 N Alister Street Suite C, serves delicious and hearty breakfasts that will offer the perfect start to the day.
We Explore the Exhibits at the Port Aransas Art Center
When you live in a place for a long time, you sometimes forget about all its beauty, its heart, its soul, so when we want to remember, we make our way to the Port Aransas Art Center to explore all three. Valentine’s Day is a popular day for exhibits at the Center, and when you and your partner find the piece that speaks to you the loudest, bringing it home will remind you of the loving moments and romantic adventures you enjoyed during your holiday in Port A.
We Do a Little Day Drinking
During real life, jobs, kids, and chores keep us from spending time with our life partners, but on Valentine’s Day, you may just find us sipping the day away at the Sip Yard. Located at 123 W Cotter Avenue, a full bar ensures that we both enjoy the beverages we like, and live entertainment on weekends (Aren’t we lucky that Valentine’s Day 2026 falls on a Saturday?) enables us to have the best of times—and ride-share services enable us to get home safely after!
We Love the Sunset
A sunset stroll is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday, but we’ve also been known to take our sunset celebrations out on the water, cruising the Gulf, looking for dolphins and waiting for the main event to drop anchor. Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventures offers dolphin sunset cruises that are romantic, thrilling, and surprisingly inexpensive. We at La Mirage love our Texas sunsets, and we know that you and yours will too, no matter the spot from which you view it. The beach, a boat, or the balcony of your holiday hideaway are all perfect spots to make magic memories while the sun sets over the sea!
A Meal to Remember at the Black Marlin Bar & Grill
The traditional Valentine’s Day dinner out has always been a favorite of ours, and the Black Marlin Bar & Grill has become the place we go for a romantic seafood dinner. It’s quiet, not too expensive, and if you prefer to stay in for the evening and celebrate with just the two of you, they offer takeaway meals that can be enjoyed by candlelight.
Reserve Your Favorite Romantic Retreat Today
Falling in love with each other all over again is easy in our comfortable and luxurious retreats. Reserve your favorite holiday hideaway today!
Any vacation can and should be the best vacation, but there is something about a family vacation that just shines a little brighter, especially when that family getaway ends up on the beaches of Port Aransas. Offering peace to help break up sibling squabbles, joy to enhance the time spent with your favorite people, and so many fun family-friendly activities, you will end every day ready to relax and recharge in the comfort and quiet luxury of our La Mirage Texas retreats. And because it can be difficult to do all the things that are fun in a new place where you really don’t know what those things are, we have created this ultimate family itinerary for your Port Aransas family vacation!
Add a Little Spice to Your Morning Adventures
We’ve all been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and even though our La Mirage retreats do offer fully equipped kitchens, you will still want to experience a taste of the town, especially when that taste brings you to one of our favorite restaurants, Restaurant San Juan. Located at 410 Cut-off Road and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the week, this low-key (and low-cost) restaurant will add spice to your Port Aransas adventures, no matter which meal you devour here.
Their menu reads like a novel of deliciousness, offering traditional favorites such as tacos, fajitas, and margaritas, and at breakfast every dish brings the heat, the heartiness, and the flavor of the old country. For a taste of something different, we suggest you try their Huevos con Nopalitos, which translates into eggs with cactus—and yes, they do take the prickly parts out, leaving behind all the sweet flavors that make nopalitos a popular Mexican meal!
The Pirates of Port Aransas
Now that you have a good meal under your belt, it is time to explore all Port Aransas has to offer, and we thought we would start with kid-sized adventures that kids of ALL ages will enjoy. Red Dragon Pirate Cruises offers an Arrrgh-rated adventure, heading out to sea on a Spanish Galleon replica, aboard which your children will search for treasure, learn pirate lingo, and witness a battle or two. The joy you take in the sheer joy your children will experience may be enhanced with a taste of rum, whiskey, beer, or wine, as the Red Dragon also offers a full bar.
Resting Beach Fun
We started with the pirate cruise, but obviously this is your vacation, and you can do anything you want in any order. For most travelers, their adventures often start with a day at the beach. A beach vacation allows you to be a child again, as you bury your spouse deep in the sand, build sandcastles that may be slightly lopsided, or simply splash in the surf with your children, laughing at the look of surprise on their faces as rogue waves knock them down. Older children may be interested in learning to surf or paddling around in the water with a snorkel, fins, and goggles, exploring the world under the sea, and parents, this is an adventure we are sure you will enjoy sharing with your kids!
Where the Dolphins Are
If your visit isn’t during the summer or fall months, you may not spend much time IN the water, but we can assure you there are many things you can do ON the water, starting with a Dolphin Nature Tour offered by Woody’s Last Stand. Located at 154 W Cotter Avenue, Woody’s is home to the Original Dolphin Watch Nature Tour and Shrimp Trawl, taking guests out to where the dolphins frolic while also offering a peek into the catch of a genuine shrimp trawl. Their touch tank allows kids and adults to enjoy a hands-on experience with many creatures of the sea, adding an extra element of wow to your dolphin watching adventure!
Road Trip to Corpus Christi
The town of Corpus Christi lies just a few miles off Mustang Island, offering even more family-friendly adventures, including delicious food, sunset views, and a dog-friendly patio at Snoopy’s Pier. Also featuring an aircraft carrier museum (The USS Lexington), a bowling alley with game room and full bar (Bowlero), and for summer visitors, a waterpark that offers water slides, a lazy river, and a swim-up bar for the adults (Hurricane Alley Waterpark), your Corpus Christi adventures are sure to be memorable ones!
Spending Time with the Family at Home with La Mirage
As we mentioned earlier, at the end of your days in Port Aransas and/or Corpus Christi, you will be more than ready to come home to La Mirage to relax and recharge, but that doesn’t mean the fun family times will end there. Enjoy community amenities such as the resort pool and rec room, or simply relax comfortably inside your spacious retreat, playing board games, watching movies, or sharing family stories as the sun sets over another exciting day in Texas. Reserve your favorite family-friendly sanctuary with us today!
The last day of 2025 is just weeks away, and we at La Mirage are wondering: are you doing ok out there? The holiday season is exciting, but it can also be exhausting, and sometimes you just need to hit the reset button. Fortunately, you found your way to our space, and we think you deserve a break. Now is the perfect time to start planning a serene, tranquil, and restful New Year’s in Port Aransas!
Enjoy the Break You Deserve
The holiday season can take a lot out of a person, and as you rush from shop to shop, eat more Christmas cookies than your doctor would approve of, and fight the crowds on roads and in stores, chances are you are wishing for just a few minutes of peace, quiet, and relaxation. These three qualities are something we specialize in, especially when you choose our waterfront retreats, and although we can’t help you in the moment of all the madness, just knowing that you have your New Year’s journey to Port Aransas awaiting you may make all the difference.
Serenity Is Our Specialty
We don’t have the words to explain it, but the sea is known for its serenity, and with our island home surrounded by Gulf waters, you can understand why we claim this quality as our specialty! The weather won’t be warm enough to swim, but it can be nice enough to plant your umbrella in the sand and spend a day soaking in the rays, reveling in relaxation, and letting the sea’s serenity seep into your soul. Or you can enjoy a similar experience simply by relaxing on balconies that look out over the water, watching the sun set over the horizon and feeling the thunder of the surf in your heart and soul. There is no wrong way to find serenity in Port Aransas, just many peaceful options.
Celebrating the New Year on a Boat Is the Best Way to Celebrate
No matter where you decide to go on New Year’s Eve, you will have plenty of exciting options for entertainment, but we can assure you that nothing will be more fun than celebrating aboard the Scarlet Lady, especially when the cruise around the waters of Port Aransas ends with a bang. Offering snacks and a full bar, the sea will be calm, the stars will be bright, and as the cruise nears its end, the sky will be filled with the colorful explosions of fireworks, all reflected in the sea below. The Scarlet Lady is a tour boat more commonly known for her dolphin watching tours, and if you linger in town for a few more days, we sincerely hope that you return for a sunset dolphin watching tour at least once during your visit!
Keeping Up with the Resolutions
We all hold lofty hopes of maintaining our resolutions, but one of the first resolutions that we often leave by the wayside is the resolve to eat better. You can keep your resolutions a little longer during your January journey to Texas, however, as the seafood restaurants in town don’t just serve healthy foods; they serve healthy foods so sweet, fresh, and locally harvested, you may start wondering if it is time to start thinking about a more permanent move to Port A. If you are here for New Year’s Eve, Tortuga’s Saltwater Grill, located at 429 N Alister Street, is known for its holiday prix fixe meal, served with dessert and champagne if you decide a bottle would be in order. Tortuga’s seafood never fails to bring ecstasy to your taste buds and will definitely help keep you on the straight and narrow when it comes to your resolutions.
When Was the Last Time You Were Able to Completely Relax?
As a whole, we all work too hard and never relax enough, but our La Mirage holiday hideaways will encourage you to spend as much time relaxing as you do exploring our town. Comfortable, inviting, and so very cheerful, our properties will be where your best naps are taken, where your happiest dreams occur, and where you discover that it is ok to sit for just a few more hours, perhaps reading, perhaps watching television, or perhaps doing nothing at all! Rumor has it that whatever you do on New Year’s Eve will set the stage for more of the same in the upcoming year, and relaxing in comfort feels like the best thing of all. Reserve your favorite vacation rental in Port Aransas today!
The holidays are coming and you, savvy traveler that you are, have already begun making plans for an escape to Port Aransas, guaranteeing that your celebrations this year will be all that much sweeter. Offering warmer weather, the beauty and serenity of Gulf beaches, and, when you choose our La Mirage Port A vacation rentals, all the comforts of home, your Christmas in Port Aransas is sure to be one that you will never forget. And because we don’t want you to forget anything, we have created this essential packing guide for your Port Aransas holiday escape, taking the chaos and uncertainty out of packing for a family and leading you to a vacation that is sure to be nothing but smooth sailing in calm waters!
Casual Is Key
Part of the joy that will encompass your Port A holiday getaway will come from the casual vibe of our island home, and that casual appearance will lend itself to easier packing. Will you want to tuck a couple of dressier outfits into your bag, perhaps planning on a special occasion dinner at some of our higher-end restaurants, especially if your visit is one that takes place over New Year’s Eve? Of course, you will, now that you know that Tortuga’s Saltwater Grill offers a special prix fixe menu on New Year’s Eve, ushering in 2026 in all the most delicious ways!
But with mild weather and golf cart adventures, we can assure you that t-shirts, shorts, and jeans will be your main clothing needs, even over the Christmas holiday. Flip-flops, sandals, and tennis shoes are going to be what’s on your feet, so feel free to leave the leather loafers and stiletto heels behind, and ladies, sparkly flip-flops are always the right choice for a night out on the town.
No Puffer Jackets, No Winter Hats or Gloves
The mild weather we mentioned above (highs that reach the 70s and lows that dip into the mid-50s) will enable you to skip having to pack the bulkier items in your closet, including winter coats, hats, boots, and gloves. A lightweight and waterproof jacket will be all you need, and the waterproof part may not even be utilized as November and December are two of our drier months, but being prepared isn’t just for the Boy Scouts. Baseball or straw hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen may be necessary to guard your skin against the rays of the still bright sun, so don’t forget to add those items to your packing list. Winter is more a state of mind than a reality in Port Aransas, which is probably one of the reasons you chose our town for your holiday adventures!
Will There Be Beach Days?
Although you probably won’t be swimming in the Gulf unless you packed a wetsuit, you will still want to bring a swimsuit for soaking in the community hot tubs of our La Mirage holiday hideaways. And just because you won’t be swimming in the saltwater, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a beach day! Many of our retreats will offer chairs, umbrellas, and coolers, ensuring that there will be even fewer items for you to be concerned about when filling your luggage. Relaxing under the winter sun, sipping margaritas you whipped up in the blenders in our kitchens, and letting the roar of the surf lull you into a dreamlike state may end up being the activity that stands out the most in your mind, even more so than the wonderful presents you opened on Christmas morning. Pack a plastic sand toy set (or pick up one at one of our local beach shops) and create more memories as you build a sandcastle with your tiniest travelers.
The Family Christmas PJs
The cozy warmth of our seaside sanctuaries only calls for casual wear; no need to get fancy for us! If you are celebrating Christmas in our island town, feel free to roam your space in the matching family Christmas pajamas you brought along for the occasion. It’s easier than ever to find matching PJs for your family, so who knows, maybe you will pack a different pair for every night of your stay. As you watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” on our state-of-the-art televisions, sip hot cocoa as you play board games around the dining room table, or sit comfortably on plush sofas and chairs as you watch your kiddos gleefully tear into the stack of presents you so carefully wrapped, your Texas holiday adventures will reach new levels of wonderful! (You shouldn’t have to pack the gifts or wrapping paper; those are things you can find right here in Port Aransas.)
Reserve your favorite La Mirage holiday hideaway today!
Are you finally treating yourself to that beach vacation that you’ve been dreaming about for months? Use all of that PTO you’ve saved up and start planning your extended stay in Port Aransas. As you begin to dream up an itinerary, here’s what the locals of Port Aransas want you to know about what to do, where to go, and where to stay.
Take Things Slowly
One of the first things locals will tell you is to slow down, you’re on island time! Even though this term is often used for tropical islands, Port Aransas has its own island vibe that you should embrace. Get into it! Quit rushing to the next thing and just take your time. Linger over the beautiful beach views. Wander through town with no real destination in mind and see what you stumble upon. Have those long days by the beach. Get into the real rhythm of island living during your extended stay.
Check Out These Local Favorites
Residents of Port Aransas have plenty of insights into the must-see sights and local favorites on the island. No island trip can be complete without spending a bit of time at Port Aransas Beach. It’s the city’s main beach so get an early start to find your perfect spot on the sand where you can hang out all day.
For more fun in the great outdoors, visit spots like Charlie’s Nature Preserve. Locals love coming here to walk through the tidal flats and wooded trails to see wildlife native to the area. From one fellow birdwatcher to another, you should know that there are herons, pelicans, migratory birds and more. If you want to get really close to nature, be sure to sign up for the nature walks that are offered on select days.
If angling is more up your alley, locals want you to know that the best spot for casting a line locally is from Horace Caldwell Pier. Everything you need is in one central location. Get your bait and tackle, snacks, and carve out your little space on the pier to see what’s biting.
Eat Like a Local
If you’re having an extended stay, you need to learn the best spots to eat at so you can eat well like the locals. Grab the grilled catch of the day and a pitcher of margaritas at Virginia’s on the Bay. Fins Grills and Icehouse is known for their fried mahi-mahi or shrimp po’boy. Get your brunch on with a shrimp omelet and hash browns at The Island Café of Port Aransas. The café is small, so it feels full and cozy, packed with locals enjoying their meals. Try the crab boil and the best mojito in Texas at Castaway’s Seafood & Grill. Don’t risk trying a restaurant on your own, only to be disappointed. Go where the locals go, and eat where they eat!
Get Involved in the Community
Another local tip? When you come to Port Aransas, you become like family. So, get involved in the community. Join the nature walks and yoga classes held at Charlie’s Nature Preserve. Listen to live music performances from local musicians who call Port Aransas home. Watch a local fishing tournament. Port Aransas has a booming social calendar so be sure to see what’s happening during your visit so you can get in on the action. You’ll feel like you’re a Port A resident yourself.
Live Like a Local at La Mirage
Locals often say the best way to enjoy Port Aransas is to make yourself part of it and that’s exactly what happens at La Mirage Resort Condominiums. Somehow, staying in a hotel room just always reminds you that this stay is temporary. However, choosing accommodations at La Mirage will invite you to settle in and stay awhile. These units have all the comforts of home, and come fully furnished with spacious living rooms, bedrooms, and full kitchens perfect for a long-term stay.
Relax inside your rental and take in the sights from your own private balcony. Take your pick of swimming in either of the two large swimming pools, soak in the hot tub, play games at the sports court, or grill up your own catch of the day at the barbecue areas on-site. You’ll even have those practical amenities like Wi-Fi, laundry units, and more. Enjoy your stay at La Mirage!
Your Extended Stay Is Calling at La Mirage
Locals invite you to come experience Port Aransas for yourself. One week isn’t enough time. Have an extended stay and experience coastal living at its finest. Beach views, a fun social calendar, experiences in nature, and excellent food are all waiting for you in Port A. Trust the locals, they know what they’re talking about!
Allow Port Aransas to work its magic on you and turn you from a visitor to a local yourself. Listen to the locals and reserve your extended stay at La Mirage Resort Condominiums today!
For many people, the holidays are a time to stay home, be with family, and put their efforts towards making a celebration at home that will be enhanced by the memories of all the holidays that went before, and travel just isn’t in the cards. We get that; we love our own homes at the holidays as well, and have often found that when we have the itch to travel, the time BEFORE the actual holidays actually offers an incredible number of benefits. Today, we at La Mirage have prepared this guide to five ways to experience Port Aransas AHEAD of the holidays, giving you a peek into how you can accomplish the best of both worlds: travel and being home for the holidays!
1. Beach Time to Build Your Serenity Levels
Right now as you read this, you are on the cusp of the craziest season of all. Holiday season is a time for family, for traditions, and for cramming all the extra activities into the same amount of hours in a day, hours that are already crammed full of everyday life activities. So fly away to the beach and use this pre-holiday time as a way to build your levels of serenity, letting the sand, surf, and sunshine do its magic. Additionally, it is still swim season here in Port A, and lifeguards will be manning their towers until Halloween, ensuring that you can feel safe as you and your family take a wonderful dose of Vitamin Sea.
2. It Is Never Too Early to Do Your Holiday Shopping
Shopping and vacations go hand in hand, so you know that you already have that penned in (no erasing THIS activity!) to your vacation itinerary. Adding Christmas gifts to your purchases will actually help lessen the stress and improve your time management skills later in the season, and honestly, our favorite shops will make it surprisingly easy to find the right gifts for the ones you love most. Gratitude, located at 316 N Station Street, will make you feel grateful that you started there, offering gifts that cover the gamut from beach kitsch to holiday decorations. Their Gratitude Boxes, filled with positivity, love, and smiles, make amazing gifts for coworkers, schoolteachers, and family members who are notoriously difficult to shop for!
3. Savor Healthy Seafood in Preparation for Your Holiday Gluttony
With the start of Halloween, diet really does become a four-letter word, and you know that in the upcoming months you will be sneaking candy from your kids’ Halloween haul, eating more stuffing, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and pie than healthy vegetables and low-fat foods at Thanksgiving. Then there are all the cookies at Christmas, eggnog spiked with rum, and at New Year’s, the food served tends to be of the appetizer variety, but the champagne does add fluff to your figure!
The reality of the holidays is that to truly enjoy them, you are going to find yourself gorging yourself on treats for many months, so spending time devouring seafood at restaurants such as Grumbles Seafood Co (850 Tarpon Street) and FINS Grill & Icehouse (420 W Cotter Avenue) will help get your figure in fighting shape. Also, the water views will add to your serenity stores!
4. Take Part in Beachtober
We love the month of October in Port Aransas, and we celebrate every day of the month with a variety of events and activities all lumped together under the title event of Beachtober. Offering a Taco & Tequila Trail and Sweet Traditions Trail, Beachtober Beats concert series at various locations, and a fun event we call Fall Kite Fly, the month is full of fun activities. We even feature two additional festivals during this most beautiful month of the year: the Port Aransas Wooden Boat Festival (October 24-October 26th) and the Port A Plein Air Paint Out (October 20-October 26) Also offering a Beach Run (you really will be in fighting form when you start the glutton era!) a Sand Pumpkin Patch—which, if you have been here in April for our Sandfest, you will truly appreciate the fall version—and our once a year Port Aransas Farmers Market, it doesn’t matter when you vacation here, there will be something exciting and fun in which to participate.
5. Feeling Cozy at Home with La Mirage
We cannot stress enough how much the next couple of months are going to drain your energy levels, and the moments you spend at home with La Mirage feeling cozy will help you mentally and physically prepare! Lounge by our community pool, lazily watch the sea and the sunset from balconies perched over the water, and sleep in late every morning, relishing soft linens and premium beds every day of your stay. Reserve your favorite pre-holiday haven of peace and relaxation today!
When you think of fall, chances are you aren’t imagining sandy beaches, sunny days, and the surf roaring in your ears, but maybe you should. There is comfort to be found in the serenity of the sea, and an autumn visit to Port Aransas can bring you that comfort, just as a stay in our La Mirage seasonal sanctuaries can bring you a cozier comfort, one that grabs hold of your heart and refuses to let go. The busy season of your life is about to move in at lightning speed, but before the turkey, before the presents, and before the first sip of champagne, take some time to explore the essential comforts that we offer in our Port Aransas rentals during a fall Texas vacation that will help you prepare for the onslaught of holidays!
Welcome Home
It’s true that the weather outside, still warm and sunny, won’t remind you of the fall you’ve lived with your entire life, but the comforts found inside our La Mirage retreats will remind you that we have officially entered the season of pumpkin. Sofas with colorful throws tossed across their backs will be plush, inviting you to sink in, toss the throw over your lap, and spend a couple of hours watching the first of the holiday shows on state of the art televisions. Of course, if the reminder of Christmas gets your anxiety rising, it is officially football season, and we Texans love our football, so you know there will always be a game on! It doesn’t matter how you spend these comfortable minutes, just that you are relaxed, cozy, and at peace while you do!
Comfort in the Kitchen
We’ve always had a love/hate relationship with our kitchens, loving the results, the artistry, but deploring the chores that follow, but you can still find comfort in our cheerful kitchen spaces. Maybe it is knowing that there is plenty of chilled wine waiting for you, stored at the proper temperature in wine refrigerators tucked away under the counter, that brings you comfort. Possibly it is the simple act of taking your first sip of freshly brewed coffee in the morning that offers you the same vibe. Sitting on padded barstools, resting your elbows on the stone countertop of the breakfast bar, smelling the robust flavor of your favorite brew, feeling the steam rising (and fogging your glasses for just a second!), and tasting the nectar that is coffee as you wait for the caffeine to do its thing. This simple, comfortable moment will be one you repeat over and over again throughout your stay and will be the quiet space your soul needs. How comfortable is that?
Tranquil Bedrooms Bring Comfort and Coziness to Your Fall Fun
Of course, we can’t go any further without discussing the comfort and coziness offered in the bedrooms of our seasonal sanctuaries. These are the rooms you go to, shutting the door behind you, when you just need quiet, peace, and of course, rest and they are designed to give you the best sleep of your life. Décor can be quiet, something you will find out when you step inside after a long day of Port Aransas adventures. Calm, quiet, and conducive to sleep, the beds that dominate the space will be topped with premium mattresses, silky soft linens, and the perfect pillows. And whether you climb in and fall asleep the second your head hits the pillow or you sit up for a while, watching a little television, reading a few chapters, chatting about your day with your favorite traveling partner, your nights with La Mirage will be ones you dream about when real life so rudely interrupts your cozy and comfortable Port Aransas fall vacation.
More Comforts to Explore
Life in Port Aransas moves at a slower pace than in other parts of the world, and it won’t take you long to get used to sleeping in late, relaxing on balconies that are perched overlooking the water, or simply hanging with the family at the dining room table, sipping coffee (or wine), playing board games, and retelling the family stories that have been told many times before. Chairs that surround our tables will often be padded or cushioned, and balcony chairs will provide the perfect place to watch sunsets and sunrises. (If you choose to get up that early) Community amenities include a beautiful pool surrounded by cushioned lounge chairs, offering more opportunities to relax, get comfortable, and yes, sip tropical drinks as the sun smiles down on you.
Reserve Your Favorite La Mirage Fall Escape Today
The world isn’t always a comfortable place in any season, making our La Mirage seasonal sanctuaries a wonderful respite from real life. Reserve your favorite today!
No two vacation experiences will look alike, even when traveling to the same place, and if your upcoming Port Aransas, Texas trip of a lifetime is a true family adventure that includes grandparents, parents, kids, and friends, your experience will be a special one. You may be wondering how you will be able to find adventures that everyone, no matter their ages, will enjoy, but we at La Mirage are happy to tell you that you found your way to the right spot. We have created this guide that will help you experience a multi-generational Port Aransas adventure that will be long remembered as the vacation that never stopped giving!
The Family That Fishes Together
You probably already know that Port A is a renowned fishing destination spot, and fishing is an activity that can be enjoyed by travelers of most every age. Obviously, if you are traveling with toddlers or infants, you may want to stay on the shore, casting your line closer to home, while your infant sleeps and your toddler builds sand creations within sight. But if your kids are older ones and your mom doesn’t suffer from motion sickness, a deep sea fishing charter with Deep Sea Headquarters would be a great starting adventure. Offering 5-, 8-, or 12-hour tours, the captain will take you to his secret fishing holes and help you reel in all the big ones, perhaps giving grandma the thrill of her lifetime!
Road Trips to Corpus Christi
Don’t get us wrong, there are lots of things you can do as a multi-generational traveling group right here in Port A, but if you have an extra day and some time to kill, there are fun things to do in Corpus Christi as well, starting with a visit to the USS Lexington Museum, a World War II aircraft carrier that has been transformed into a museum filled with vintage planes, flight simulators, and offering a peek into history. Fuel up for the drive with a breakfast at the Island Café in Port A, and before you end your day of adventure, feed your soul with a hearty comfort food meal at Portis Kountry Kitchen in Corpus Christi!
We All Scream for Ice Cream at Port A Creamery, 210 N Alister Street
The best way to enjoy a summer day in Texas, in our humble opinion, is with an ice cream cone in hand. Port A Creamery never lets us down, offering 25 delicious ice cream flavors, milkshakes, and our personal favorite, ice cream waffles, including their Elvis waffle made with a fresh waffle, two scoops of chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, banana slices, and caramel. This adventure isn’t a grand one, but it is one that will make every member of your traveling party very, very happy.
Dolphin Cruises with Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventures, 440 W Cotter Avenue
From the tiniest infant to the oldest human, it is impossible not to be charmed by the sight of dolphins frolicking in the Gulf and a dolphin tour, Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventures immediately comes to mind, will let you experience the wonder yourself. Offering a variety of tours, including a Sip & Shuck Tour that brings you to the oyster farms, and a Wine on the Water tour that offers a charcuterie board for snacking purposes, their standard and sunset dolphin cruises are inexpensive, fun, and also feature a full bar and soft drinks to enhance your experience.
A Day at the Beach
Perhaps the one adventure that will always appeal to all generations is a day at the beach. You’ve traveled all this way, you shouldn’t skip out on the ultimate beach experience and many of our La Mirage beachy escapes will provide chairs, umbrellas, even coolers to ensure that you can spend the entire day splashing in the surf and relaxing on the sand. Build sandcastles with your tiniest travelers, enjoy in depth conversations with your parents as you stroll along water’s edge, and maybe, you will even spot dolphins frolicking off in the distance, an exciting experience even as you may have already participated in a dolphin tour. You really can’t see too many dolphins during your Port Aransas multi-generational adventures.
Bringing it Home to La Mirage
Every adventure at home with La Mirage will bring you comfort and joy as you sit out on balconies overlooking the sea, laughing and chatting with family, watch beach movies on state of the art televisions offering super-sized screens, and gather around the dining room tables each night playing board games or constructing puzzles as grandpa releases his latest rounds of grandpa jokes. (Like dad jokes, only more groan worthy!) Reserve your favorite Texas retreat today!
If it weren’t for the Gulf, Port Aransas and the other small towns and islands that surround us wouldn’t be the popular vacation destination they are today, but there is more than beach days that will make your Texas getaway one you will never forget. There are nature walks and bird watching fun, snorkeling adventures, and dolphin watching cruises, and although you can do all those activities right here in Port Aransas, we at La Mirage want to encourage you to explore the natural side of life all over the area. This guide to the best nature-filled day trips that start and finish at home in Port Aransas will give you a vacation experience that is well rounded and wonderful!
Stop and Smell the Flowers at the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Reserve in Corpus Christi
Located at 8545 S Staples Street and offering 180 acres of botanical garden and nature center, the South Texas Botanical Gardens never bores. In addition to featuring what you might consider standard gardens (rose, plumeria, and even an orchid conservatory), guests will discover sensory gardens that delight the senses, a butterfly house and gardens filled with color and the delicate flutter of butterfly wings, and a hummingbird garden that always thrills. The Botanical Gardens are where kids can see an armadillo for the first time, watch for birds, and be amazed by parrots as well as hike along a variety of nature trails, making it the perfect stop for your natural Texas adventures.
Savor the Shade of the Big Tree at Goose Island State Park in Rockport
Goose Island State Park is an awesome natural experience on its own merit, offering camping, fishing, hiking, and boating activities, but if you do manage a day trip to the park, don’t have so much fun that you miss standing in the shade of what the locals call the Big Tree. This centuries-old coast live oak stands 44 feet tall, has a trunk circumference of over 11 feet, and a canopy that spreads out over 89 feet. It truly is a big tree, and its longevity and gnarled beauty makes it a popular selfie spot as well.
Commune with Wildlife at the Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge in Corpus Christi
A popular spot with birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts, the Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge is also the site of ancient burial grounds used somewhere in between 1000 BC and 1000 AD and determined to be that of the Karankawa Tribes. Today, a medicine wheel can be found in the park, and an annual blessing of sacred grounds is conducted with plans for a memorial to be built. But there is also a 1-mile nature trail that traverse the area and picnic spots where guests can enjoy a meal as they watch for snowy egrets and great blue herons, giving guests a serene way to spend their day.
Linger Closer to Home With a Visit to the University of Texas, Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas
Your natural day trip doesn’t have to take you far from “home” as you plan to spend some hours exploring all the University of Texas, Marine Science Institute has to offer. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM until 4 PM, it is free to enter and explore its 8 large aquariums, interactive displays, and fish feeding demonstrations. Keepers Chats are always a hit with the littles, educating them on the importance of protecting our waters and the animals who inhabit those waters, without making it feel like they are actually learning something! Also offering walking trails that take visitors through the Wetlands Education Center and the Water Wise Wildlife Garden, the Marine Science Institute is always a smash hit for visitors.
Kayaking Along the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail
Kayaking on the Mustang Island Paddling Trail is one of our favorite ways to enjoy a beautiful day in Texas, offering 20 miles of “trails” that take paddlers along the western shoreline of Mustang Island. The trails lead through secluded coves, marsh islands (naturally formed), and spoil islands (man made formations made from dredged materials), ending at the Island Moorings Marina right here in Port Aransas. During your paddling adventures you might fish, watch for birds or scour the land you are paddling alongside for armadillos running free, or you may just paddle, enjoying the calming repetition of paddling.
Natural Adventures at Home With La Mirage
Your day trip may be more comfortable if it is the journey you take from the living room to the balcony of your La Mirage sanctuary! From your perch you may be able to see schools of dolphins frolicking in the surf, and you will definitely be able to watch the sun rise and set over the water. Reserve your favorite escape today and enjoy a natural adventure that will be complemented by all the comforts of home!