Port Aransas is a town in Texas on the northern tip of Mustang Island on the Gulf of Mexico about 30 minutes drive north from Corpus Christi.
- Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce/Tourist Bureau 403 W. Cotter. +1 361 749-5919 or +1-800-45-COAST. Stop by and peruse the visitor's info.
You can drive on the beach on Mustang Island. The sand is mostly packed but sometimes the winds builds loose drifts and it is easy to get stuck. If you do get stuck, don't panic. Stand outside your car looking dumbfounded by the situation and usually a few burly, macho, half-drunk guys will show up in a few minutes to help push you out. Be sure to shake their hands, thank them and offer them a beer if you've got it.
To park on the beach requires a beach parking permit available at the Chamber of Commerce and most stores around town. The police patrol the beach looking for problems and for cars without parking permits.
Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce/Tourist Bureau 403 W. Cotter. +1 361 749-5919 or +1-800-45-COAST. Stop by and peruse the visitor's info.
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute Visitor Center, Cotter Street, +1 361-749-6729. M-F 8PM-5PM.
- Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center. Located at the south end of Ross Avenue behind the Trolley Stop. Includes a long boardwalk extending out over shallow brackish water. The birding is fantastic and includes pelicans, egrets, herons, gulls, terns, cormorants, and many more. Turtles abound. And occasionally you can spot the resident alligator.
University of Texas Marine Science Institute Visitor Center, Cotter Street, +1 361-749-6729. M-F 8PM-5PM.
Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center. Located at the south end of Ross Avenue behind the Trolley Stop. Includes a long boardwalk extending out over shallow brackish water. The birding is fantastic and includes pelicans, egrets, herons, gulls, terns, cormorants, and many more. Turtles abound. And occasionally you can spot the resident alligator.
- Whooping Crane Festival. Normally held in February, this festival brings together guest speakers and includes events meant to celebrate the endangered bird that is found locally.
- Deep Sea Roundup. "The Granddaddy of all Texas Tournaments."
Whooping Crane Festival. Normally held in February, this festival brings together guest speakers and includes events meant to celebrate the endangered bird that is found locally.
Deep Sea Roundup. "The Granddaddy of all Texas Tournaments."
- Dairy Queen, 325 W. Cotter, +1 361-749-5283. Burgers, tacos, shakes, and ice cream. A Texas favorite.
- Crazy Cajun, 303 Beach St, +1 361-749-5069. Cajun style seafood, gumbo, red beans and rice, dirty rice, shrimp, stone crab claws, crawfish and baby-back ribs served on butcher paper family style. Live entertainment on weekends. Enjoy a drink outside in the beer garden before dinner. Unusual place to eat as the food is dumped on the butcher paper tablecloth. Over the years, the prices have gone up and the portions have gotten smaller.
Dairy Queen, 325 W. Cotter, +1 361-749-5283. Burgers, tacos, shakes, and ice cream. A Texas favorite.
Crazy Cajun, 303 Beach St, +1 361-749-5069. Cajun style seafood, gumbo, red beans and rice, dirty rice, shrimp, stone crab claws, crawfish and baby-back ribs served on butcher paper family style. Live entertainment on weekends. Enjoy a drink outside in the beer garden before dinner. Unusual place to eat as the food is dumped on the butcher paper tablecloth. Over the years, the prices have gone up and the portions have gotten smaller.
Port Aransas is a tourist town and fairly safe from violent crime. The police and sheriff patrol constantly, especially on the beach. One of the main problems is public intoxication, mainly on the beach.