You chose Port Aransas as your vacation destination, expecting fun, relaxation, and an experience that you won’t soon forget, all of which is exactly what you will get. And because you also chose La Mirage for your accommodations, you will also get to enjoy comfortable moments at home, watching the sun set, swimming in resort pools, and experiencing family moments that will bring your vacation to the next level. This guide to a fun day out on your Port Aransas beach vacation is designed to give you a few ideas for your Texas getaway, and whether you choose to follow it exactly as it is written or you decide to borrow a few ideas to go along with your own itinerary, a good time is guaranteed!
Fuel Up for Fun on Your Port Aransas Beach Vacation
A fun day should always start with a hearty meal, ensuring you have the energy to complete everything on your itinerary. For the best breakfast, we encourage you to visit the Island Café of Port Aransas, located at 301 S Alister Street. This isn’t a fancy spot, this is a spot where you go when you want to eat well and feel comfortable, especially when traveling with kids, and when you do, we highly recommend that no matter what you choose for a main course, be sure to order their homemade biscuits.
Sun, Sand, and Surf Await
Our first item on today’s agenda is a visit to the beach, where even in the winter months the experience will feed your soul and bring joy to your heart. It may be too cold to swim during your visit (depending on when you plan on arriving), but if you do nothing more than walk along shore’s edge, feeling the salt air breezes kiss your cheeks as the squawking of seagulls and other seabirds seeking a meal competes with the roar of the surf, it will still be one of the most magical parts of your journey. On sunny days you can still stake your claim on a section of sand, letting the winter sun warm bones that are still chilled from your winter adventures at home and reveling in the beauty of the moment. Finding your way to Mustang Island State Park can also lead to the search for seashells, hikes along trails, and maybe a picnic lunch with your happy family.
An Entertaining Education
The Patton Center for Marine Science Education, located at the Marine Science Institute, offers an aquarium-like experience with its exhibits on marine life. Presenting a peek into the lives of seahorses, eels, local fish, and more, admittance is free and the interactive exhibits will appeal to children of all ages. (And yes, the adults in your group will enjoy this adventure as well!)
The Friendliest Denizens of the Sea
No vacation in Port Aransas would be complete without a dolphin watching tour, and we think the best tours are the ones that take place at sunset with Woody’s Last Stand, located at 154 W Cotter Avenue. Knowledgeable and personable captains will take guests on a tour of the sea, knowing from experience where the best spots are to spy these friendly creatures. When you take their Sunset Dolphin Watch tour, you will also experience the breathtaking beauty of Mother Nature’s finest performance! This wonderful company goes the extra mile in their tours, offering an educational narrative as well as the experience of trawling for shrimp, and we promise that this adventure will be the one you talk about for months to come.
Rollin’ Tide Boil Co
Another quintessential Port Aransas activity is a crab boil on the beach, and the Rollin’ Tide Boil Co is our favorite company to utilize for this tasty activity. Their three-hour Private Seafood Dinner & Bonfire on the Beach will be a joy for all your senses and includes a fan favorite, s’mores, for dessert. (Yes, you will be able to roast your marshmallows in the bonfire, adding to the fun of the adventure!) Offering upgrades to the basic experience, including crab legs for the boil and beach games such as Jenga or Cornhole to play as you relax and savor the beauty of a Texas beach night, this experience is the one that will make all your friends and family back home turn green with envy when they see the pics or hear about the tales.
Hanging Out in Our La Mirage Texas Retreats
Because the fun should not end when you walk in the door of your vacation accommodations, coming home to La Mirage will be an integral part of your day of fun and happiness in Port Aransas. Relaxing with your family while watching movies before going to bed, playing board games while gathered around the table, or simply sitting out on the balcony letting the sea work its magic on your soul are just a few of the ways you will continue to have fun at home. Reserve your favorite Port Aransas vacation rental 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 getaway to 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 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 retreat 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!
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.
Remember when summer offered a magic that made you feel anything was possible? That last bell at school would ring, the doors would open to freedom, and for three short months your biggest worries usually revolved around whether your mom would notice that you stayed up late into the night, reading with a flashlight under the covers. We at La Mirage can’t completely bring those totally carefree days of summer back, but when you plan a summer vacation in Port Aransas and a stay in our seasonal sanctuaries, we come awfully close, and this guide to the top things to do during your Texas summer adventures will help you see the light!
Top Things to Do for Summer Vacation in Port Aransas
For many people the best time to start daydreaming about their summer vacation is in the darkest days of winter, bringing a little warmth and sunshine into the cold, and of course, you are going to be most excited about the time you get to spend on our white sand beaches. Port Aransas Beach offers 6 miles of pristine beauty, framing the turquoise waters of the Gulf and providing that serenity that only the sea can give us. Spend your days relaxing under colorful umbrellas, sipping your favorite adult beverages (no glass containers, please) as the waves crash and feel the magic feed your soul. For those who aren’t content to sit and watch life go by, the water brings its own adventures, including jet skiing (Getting’ Salty Watersports, 815 Trout Street Slip 7 #1908 rents jet skis, SUP, and kayaks) or snorkeling off the Mustang Island Fish Pass Jetty. Sunrises and sunsets will bring you joy, and a nighttime walk along water’s edge will bring romance to your Texas getaway as the moon casts its ethereal glow over the water, the sand, and your true love’s beautiful face!
Exploring Roberts Point Park
A day spent at Roberts Point Park is sure to be one that you will never forget, especially as this is the place where most events are celebrated, including a 4th of July fireworks extravaganza over the holiday. Offering a pavilion for picnics and special events, an outdoor music venue, the Patsy Jone’s Amphitheater which features free concerts on the second Friday of the month from March through October, and the perfect spot to sit with pole in hand, angling to catch the night’s dinner. The observation tower towers over the park, providing one of our favorite spots for watching for dolphins from the land, while also serving as a romantic spot to pop the biggest question you will ever ask, especially if you do wait until sunset! A new playground is scheduled to open this spring, featuring a marine theme playscape that we know your tiniest travelers will thrill to scramble all over; you will be lucky because it will be completed by the time you get here and you won’t have to listen to countless questions about “When will the playground be open?” like we have for the last few months!
Say I Do at Chapel on the Dunes
The Chapel on the Dunes is a simple and stunning church that was self-built by a local resident all the way back in 1937. Small, serene, and offering a painted interior that brings to mind other ceilings that have been painted, only this chapel offers painted walls and ceilings in a cheerful blue and white motif. This isn’t the spot for you if you are seeking a big wedding with lots of guests, but if an intimate affair interests you, a summer wedding at the chapel will be the perfect way to start this next step into your new life.
Tex Mex for the Win
Tex Mex food is our life’s blood, and there are multiple places in our island town in which you can sample all its wonders, but if we had to mention just one place, we would suggest you visit Cancun Grill & Cantina. Located at 1023 TX-361 E and open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you could pick your booth and camp out all day if you wanted, not that we think the staff would appreciate you very much if you did! Try the chilaquiles for breakfast and discover a Tex Mex favorite, and be sure to sample their margaritas, as there is no other drink that signifies summer in our minds!
Chilling with La Mirage
All roads lead back home to La Mirage in Port Aransas, and as you chill on the balcony at sunset, relax in front of state of the art televisions, and play board games at dining room tables after the sun has fallen into the ocean, you may not look any younger but we can assure you that you will feel like you did as a child when the last bell of the school year rang. Contact us to reserve your favorite summer sanctuary today!