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 actually 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!
Sometimes the best way to learn what to do on your vacation is by asking the local residents what they love about their town and when your journey brings you to Port Aransas in August, we at La Mirage have a lot of wonderful answers to that question. Many of us have lived here most if not all our lives, and for all of us, we can’t imagine living anywhere else on Earth, even during the month that is inarguably the hottest month of the year. Today, we are going to answer the age old question, “What do locals love about Port Aransas in August?” by giving you and your traveling party some fantastic ideas on how to fill in the hours of your truly terrific Texas trip of a lifetime!
We Heart Our Beaches
Oh my gosh, we simply cannot imagine living a life without the Port Aransas beaches playing a significant role in our activities, and even in August, when the sun shines brighter than any other month of the year (or at least it seems that way to us!), we find time for a beach day. We just get up a little earlier when the heat is going to be the hottest, splashing in the surf, working on our tans, and if we are really feeling motivated, zipping around the water on our jet skis. And since you probably didn’t pack your personal jet ski in your carryon, Getting’ Salty Watersports, 815 Trout Street Slip 7 #1908, has an excellent selection of jet skis you can rent when you want to follow in our wake!
Fishing Is Our Passion
Did you know that Port Aransas is considered the “Fishing Capital of Texas?” There is always something biting on the business end of your fishing pole, and we probably spend as much time dreaming about our moments spent catching fish as we do participating in the sport. In other words, if we aren’t actively fishing, we are dreaming about the past times we have fished, and the future plans we have already made to go fishing again. The Horace Caldwell Pier is a wonderful fishing pier, or if you want a little more private experience, you can head to the North Jetties. Deep sea fishing charters are plentiful in Port A and places such as Deep Sea Headquarters, 440 W Cotter Avenue, can help you catch the trophy fish of your dreams.
Roberts Point Park is Our Home Away From Home
Already known as the center of most holiday celebrations, Roberts Point Park and its community pool play a huge part in our August adventures, giving families without pools in the backyards a place to chill out on the hottest days of the year. The pool also offers a number of special events in August, including the Glow Swim Party held on August 8 from 7PM until 10PM. The people from Parks and Recreation light up the water with glow sticks and toys, while also offering pizza and ice cream, because what’s a party without pizza and ice cream? On August 22, they also provide a Dive In Movie, Wild America, that guests can watch while floating in cool waters, and yes, our families participate in both of these events!
Obsessed with Dolphins
Whether we are watching a pod of dolphins frolicking off in the distance from our vantage point at the observation tower in Roberts Point Park or we suddenly find ourselves in the midst of a pod party while out on our boats, the dolphins that live in the waters of the Gulf are our obsession and you can experience them organically from the Observation Tower as well, or you can sign up for a dolphin tour with Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventures. The best part about doing the tour is the captain of the Scarlet Lady knows where the dolphins play and you are practically guaranteed a sighting. Take their sunset dolphin tours and life will be just about as perfect as you dreamed it could be!
We Love to Stay Home and Relax
August is the last month of summer freedom, and we know that when the calendar flips to September, crazy and chaotic will be the words of the day. It is for that reason that we choose to stay home and play as much as possible, relaxing, splashing in our own pools, and letting the peace and quiet of home fill our soul. You too can experience all of the above when you choose to spend a day at home in one of our La Mirage summer sanctuaries, watching the sun set over the sea from the balcony, binge watching movies on rainy nights, or napping in the middle of the afternoon as the air conditioner chills and the ceiling fan moves the air. Contact us to reserve your favorite escape today!
The best vacations are often the ones with the best meal memories, and your Port Aransas getaway spent relaxing in our La Mirage retreats is destined to be one of your best vacations. Offering beach days and tranquil nights, margarita sunsets and mimosa sunrises, and a culinary voyage through some of our favorite dining spots, you, your friends, and your family might start to wonder why you waited so long to experience it all for the first time. This guide to summer eats in Port Aransas has been heavily researched and carefully curated to ensure there are no empty stomachs or sad dispositions at the end of each meal!
The Top Places To Eat In Port Aransas In Summer
There is always going to be a donut day on vacation, and in Port Aransas, it is the Donut Palace we flock to for our weekly fix. Located at 604 N Alister Street, and also offering savory croissants, biscuits, and kolaches, you really can’t go wrong starting your day with breakfast at this sweet spot. It’s the donuts, though, that will become your obsession, and if you find yourself debating between the cream-filled éclair or the plate-sized apple fritter, the answer is clear: get both! They often sell out of the best bites, so be sure to show up early and claim your favorite sweet treat.
The Sandwiches of Miss K’s Kitchen
If this next restaurant were a book, its title would be “The Sandwiches of Miss K’s Kitchen,” and it would definitely have the happiest of endings. Located at 1726 TX-361, this charming eatery is popular with those looking for food to take to the beach. There is a small seating area inside, and if you don’t order the crab & shrimp melt for your midday meal (they close at 3 PM), you really will regret it. Of course, their turkey reuben is very special, and their caprese salad sandwich offers a cool treat on a sultry summer’s day.
So Excited About Stout’s at the Shore
When a new restaurant opens in Port A, we try to be there within days of opening to get the scoop about the deliciousness being served, obviously eager to share with you, our treasured guests. Stouts at the Shore, located at 201 Social Circle, is one of those new restaurants offering an upscale coastal-inspired menu that is just filled with fantastic dishes, including our new addiction, Lemon Dill Shrimp Pasta. Of course, that could be a short-lived obsession, as their menu states that lobster ravioli is coming soon, and we can barely wait for that to be a thing. Their signature cocktails are going to be another thing you will miss when you are gone, and while we are still working our way through THAT menu, we can highly recommend their Vacation Honey made with Suntori Toki Whiskey, honey syrup, lemon, and shishito bitters.
Mexico Comes to the Sea at La Playa Mexican Grille
Mexican food can be heavy and filling, perhaps not something you really want to eat on a hot summer’s day in Texas, but La Playa Mexican Grille, located at 222 Beach Street #5312, keeps things on the lighter side with a seafood-based menu. Still offering the heat, the spice that we all need in our lives, their taco pescados (fish tacos) practically scream that this is a summer dish you are destined to become addicted to! Want to step up your taco game a bit? They also offer shrimp tacos that will make you fall in love at first bite. You may not remember much of this meal, however, if you decide to try and sip your way through their tequila menu, there are 70 different tequilas listed, and we are sure they are continuing to look for more as they come on the horizon.
The Twisted & Churned Difference
Ice cream on a summer day is a time-honored tradition that will never go away, but it can be updated as Twisted & Churned, 1023 TX-361 F, shows with their alcoholic pints of sweet and chilled bliss. One of their newest blends, Perky Peanut Butter, is made with peanut butter ice cream, peanut butter chips, and peanut butter liqueur offering a trifecta of taste that you will long remember, and because they also offer non-alcoholic flavors, including cookie monster, rocky road, and Texas sheet cake, Twisted & Churned will be the favorite ice cream pick for your entire family!
Family Favorites in the Kitchen of your La Mirage Sanctuary
There are obviously a lot of choices for summer eats in Port Aransas, but your favorite dishes may be the family recipes you prepare in the hearts of our condos. Modern appliances, updated fixtures, and plenty of counter space help bring you joy as you cook your heart out in air-conditioned coolness. Contact us to reserve your favorite rental today!
Labor Day weekend is often considered the official farewell to the golden days of summer as well as welcoming fall and all that accompanies that season, and if you are planning a vacation in Port Aransas for your long holiday weekend, you may be ready for a weekend that relaxes. You need to shore up your energy levels for the next 3 months of the year, with the school year beginning and the fall and winter holidays knocking at the door, and choosing La Mirage for your holiday hideaway will be the first step towards peace and comfort. This guide to planning the perfect Labor Day weekend in Port Aransas will ensure that you don’t miss a step when it comes time to explore all this Texas coastal town has to offer!
Fishing Off the Horace Caldwell Pier
The perfect day often starts with a pole, some bait, and an early morning trip to the Horace Caldwell Pier. Extending out 1240 feet into the Gulf, visitors can rent poles for just $4, it costs $3 to fish, and the fish you can catch range from tarpon, black drum, and, if you are really lucky, blacktip or bonnethead sharks. Bring a chair, a cooler filled with beverages, and prepare to catch your limit as the sun climbs high into the sky. You can stay on the pier all day if you like, or when the bites stop coming, pack up your gear, your cooler now filled with fish, and head back to your La Mirage retreat to get ready for more Port Aransas holiday adventures.
Labor Day Concert at Palm Plaza, August 30 at 6:30 PM, 132 Palmilla Beach Drive
A summer night spent listening to live music as the stars twinkle down from midnight black skies is our idea of the most perfect way to spend a summer night and the Labor Day Concert at Palm Plaza will allow you to test the theory. Offering performances by local musicians Timber Wilde and Max Stallings as well as offering drink vendors to ensure that you can sip, savor, and get your groove on this last Saturday in August. Ticket prices range from $30 for general admission to $450 for VIP seating and we can promise a good time will be had by all, no matter how much money you spend on this wonderful holiday activity.
Perfection, Your Name is the Beach
You can’t visit Port Aransas without planning on spending at least one day on the beach, and you will probably go back every day. Our white sand beaches encompass the serenity of the sea waters that crash against the shores of Mustang Island, and whether you choose to laze happily under colorful umbrellas, sipping tropical drinks, or you take the fun to the blue waters, splashing in the surf on jet skis and/or surf boards, we want to make sure that you plan on a bonfire under the stars. Our coastal town allows bonfires on the beach, as long as you follow the 3X3X3 rule, which means the fire can’t be more than 3-feet deep, tall, or high. Making your beach dreams come true, this is truly the best way to say so long to summer.
Exploring Roberts Point Park
Roberts Point Park is the center of so many holidays, we are a little surprised that there is nothing official going on over Labor Day, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a great time visiting. Offering a newly finished playground for the kids, pavilions for picnics and celebrations, and an observation tower that looks out over the ship channel, offering stunning views of the sunset, of dolphins frolicking, and the ships that pass through the channel. Fishing is popular at Roberts Point Park, and the Patsy Jones Amphitheater has hosted some of music’s biggest performers and, although it won’t matter during your trip, offers free concerts on the second Friday of the month from March through October.
Celebrate at Home with La Mirage
Of course, you don’t have to go far to have a fantastic time over the Labor Day weekend, our La Mirage escapes offer many ways to play, relax, and pay homage to the holiday. Maybe your celebration will include evenings sitting on the balcony watching the waves crash against sandy shores as the sun falls into the sea. Or maybe you will spend the daylight hours alternating between swimming in the Gulf or sitting poolside with a tropical beverage in hand after enjoying a family barbecue on community grills. Or, quite possibly, your celebration will involve all of the above, making this Labor Day weekend one that you will remember for years to come, perhaps making a holiday getaway to Port Aransas a family tradition beloved by all. Contact us to reserve your favorite holiday hideaway today!
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.
The 4th of July falls on a Friday this year and whether you are planning a long weekend in Port Aransas or are going to stay for an entire week or more to commemorate our country’s 249th birthday, choosing La Mirage for your holiday hideaway is destined to be your favorite way of celebrating. Our town is meant for family and the family-friendly activities you can enjoy will make you proud to be an American, while coming home every night to our comfortable retreats will enhance your vacation experience. This guide to family-friendly 4th of July activities in Port Aransas will ensure that you don’t miss a step when it comes to fun and adventure!
Family-Friendly 4th of July Activities in Port Aransas
Sweet treats have been a part of the holiday traditions almost since the first 4th of July celebration and we all know that on a hot day in the middle of summer, nothing tastes better than a frosty ice cream cone. Port A Creamery, located at 210 N Alister Street is where we bring our kiddos, taking part in the age old tradition of finishing our cones before the heat of summer melts them, leaving a sticky mess on hands and street. Port A Creamery offers a selection of flavors that change with the seasons and if you really want to take your celebrating to the next level, their waffles offer a unique treat. Building off a base of a warm Belgian waffle, they top it with a few scoops of ice cream, then layer sauces over that; their Elvis waffle is made with two scoops of chocolate peanut butter ice cream, sliced bananas, whipped cream and drizzles of chocolate syrup. Beefy enough for more than two people to share, you may find yourself wishing you could eat the whole thing by yourself, these creations are so good!
Sunshine, White Sand, and Sea
Spend your entire day discovering the thrill of living your beach life—er, we mean BEST life, of course! Building sandcastles at shore’s edge, exploring the life under the sea as you snorkel in the clear water, or simply relaxing with a Stanley cup filled with margaritas, a colorful umbrella shading you from the worst of the sun, and the sea’s serenity permeating your entire being. Stay past dark, perhaps building a bonfire in the sand, or simply waiting for the fireworks display at Roberts Point Park to light up the sky. You may not be close enough to feel the big booms, but you should be able to see the colorful explosions from just about anywhere on the beach.
A Fireworks Cruise with the Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventures
If you think watching the fireworks from the beach is going to be fun, just wait until you can watch it from the deck of a boat in the middle of the Gulf! A fireworks cruise with the Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventures is one of our favorite ways to watch the show, offering a full bar that is well known for making the best pina coladas on Mustang Island, it will be smooth sailing for all who take part in this adventure that lasts about an hour and a half and costs just $48 per person for everyone aged 3 and older. Your 2 year old or younger toddlers and infants will be free. For those with tween aged children, Red Dragon Pirate Cruises offers a 4th of July cruise, offering sword fights, cannon fire, and prime viewing seats for the show you can’t wait to watch.
Roberts Point Park is the Center of Holiday Activities
As with most holidays around here, the celebrations take place at Roberts Point Park. The fireworks show will be visible from anywhere in the park and that includes from the new marine themed playground that just opened in April and the Observation Tower that has been the site of many proposals over the years. Watching from the tower, however, will be first come, first serve, as it is one of the most popular viewing spots in Port A.
Watching the Fireworks from the Balcony
Not every family friendly activity will take place outside the front door of your La Mirage holiday hideaway. Many of your favorite times will be spent on the inside of that door, binge watching holiday themed movies on state of the art televisions, whipping up frosty margaritas in fully equipped kitchens, and watching the sun set, followed by a fireworks show from the balcony of your waterfront escape. Our properties are meant to be an important part of your vacation activities, no matter what time of year it is when you visit, and we highly recommend setting aside at least a few hours out of your busy getaway exploring all the wonderful amenities and comforts we offer. Contact us to reserve your favorite property today!
Normally we take this page to address travelers flying in from all over the world, but today, we at La Mirage want to talk to our Port Aransas neighbors. Life can be hectic, chaotic, and expensive, and we don’t always have the money or the time to go away for some exotic vacation in foreign lands, but that’s ok; you already live in paradise, so why not look into a Port Aransas staycation in one of our La Mirage vacation rentals? Offering a respite from home chores and honey-do lists, our Texas retreats are designed to be a relaxing oasis whether you are far from your own home or live just down the street and this guide to a staycation in our Port Aransas vacation rentals will give you an idea of just how badly you need this getaway!
Try a Staycation in Our Port Aransas Vacation Rentals
You live here, but when was the last time you spent the day at the beach or you just explored Port A and all there is that makes our town the one you love so much? The ideas listed below will help get you started, but we are sure you have some ideas as well!
Roberts Point Park, 301 JC Barr Boulevard
You’ve probably visited during the holidays—isn’t Christmas special with the light display?—but when was the last time you took the kids to the park and spent the whole day exploring? The new playground has just opened, made to be accessible for all mobility levels and offering a marine life theme, including a lighthouse with a slide, ziplines, and a group swing that is sure to be a hit with your littles! The Patsy Jones Amphitheater is currently offering their free concert series, held on the 2nd Friday of each month, adding an exclamation point to another perfect day at the park. You know they also offer picnic pavilions and that wonderful observation tower, maybe the same one your human decided would be perfect for popping the big question at sunset, and a climb to its top would be a beautiful reminder of all that has occurred in your life together since you said yes on that fateful day!
Roosevelt’s, 200 E Cotter Avenue
The restaurants of Port A are delicious ones, but we tend to get in a rut, visiting MacDaddy’s Family Kitchen on Friday nights, knowing our kids feel comfortable and at ease, but a staycation is the ideal time to get out there and explore the finer side of life, perhaps with a special occasion dinner at Roosevelt’s. Located at 200 E Cotter Avenue and offering a steak and seafood menu that is fresh and locally sourced whenever possible, its upscale ambience makes everyone feel important and treasured. We think that your time away from real life deserves a meal fit for royalty, and Roosevelt’s provides that experience.
Dolphin Dock, 300 W Cotter Avenue
We at La Mirage spend a lot of our days showing all the tourists all the fun things to do here, but it has made us wonder. Have you, a resident, ever taken a dolphin tour or engaged in a deep sea fishing expedition? Your staycation is the perfect time to experience our wonderful island home as a newcomer, and an adventure with Dolphin Dock is sure to be your favorite way of doing both. Offering deep sea fishing expeditions that change with the season and dolphin watching tours, we think you will be surprised at how much you can learn about the area when you take part and how much more relaxed you will be after either experience. And if you happen to catch your limit of delicious fish—the summer catch tends to be red snapper, mahi mahi, tuna, sailfish, and marlin—all the better! Maybe you will catch your dream trophy fish and have it mounted to the wall of your office.
Playing at Home with La Mirage
Your best staycation adventures may be the ones where you can stay at home and relax in your comfy clothes. Our retreats offer all the comforts of home and because many feature sea views, you can feel your blood pressure lowering as you sit out on balconies, watching the sun set, the ships cruise by, or just watching the waves curl over themselves, slapping against white sand shores and retreating once again. Hypnotic, tranquil, and wonderful relaxing, going back to real life at the end of your stay will be something you will be able to tolerate after this wonderful adventure. Our properties also offer resort pools, hot tubs, and barbecue areas, ensuring you can enjoy all the fun parts of summer living without having to leave the boundaries of our property lines! Contact us to reserve your favorite staycation escape today and fall in love with Port Aransas all over again.