The Best Things to Do in Rockport, TX
Ready to swap skyscrapers for seashells and city lights for starlit skies? Then pack your bags and head on down to Rockport, Texas, where coastal charm meets small-town hospitality. Just a short drive from bustling cities like Houston and San Antonio, Rockport begs you to come enjoy a relaxing nature and beach retreat along the Texas Gulf Coast. With its historic homes, quaint shops, and miles of quiet shoreline, you’ll find an endless array of things to do in Rockport, TX, to create memories that’ll last a lifetime!
Although Rockport is near Port Aransas, another popular Texas Gulf Coast beach town, the two towns couldn’t be more different. Rockport attracts those looking to connect with nature through hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing. It’s the Texas beach town you visit when you want to charter a fishing boat, photograph coastal birds, shop for nautical souvenirs, or hike and bike along miles of pathways.
Rockport is a South Texas coastal retreat, where you’ll find plenty of activities for a memorable weekend or week-long family summer vacation.
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Best Attractions in Rockport, TX
Texas Maritime Museum
The Texas Maritime Museum is a must-visit attraction located right on the water in Rockport, Texas and tops the list of things to do in Rockport for several reasons.
The Texas Maritime Museum is free to visit, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and offers engaging exhibits and artifacts.
The exhibits highlight the importance of the Gulf Coast region in seafaring history, including the local fishing industry, military history, and exploration.
In addition to the indoor exhibits, the Texas Maritime Museum complex includes amazing outdoor exhibits. Take in the salt air and stunning views as you learn through the interpretive signs, visit the “dog house” cabins, and learn about net-tending.
Visitors can also climb the Texas Maritime Museum Lighthouse for spectacular views.
The Big Tree
Perhaps the most famous sight in Rockport is its grand and historic Big Tree at Goose Island State Park. This enormous Live Oak tree is estimated to be over 1000 years old, making it one of the oldest trees in Texas. It boasts a massive trunk circumference of more than 35 feet and has a canopy spread of 127 feet wide.
The Big Tree has been a beloved landmark in the community for generations and has persevered through countless storms over the centuries.
Visitors come from far and wide to see the majestic tree and have their photo taken in front of it.
It’s worth spending some time wandering the trail around the tree and appreciating every angle of this natural wonder. Be sure to look up and take in the full scope of its grandeur.
Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
The Fulton Mansion, originally called Oakhurst, is a beautiful historic beach home located in Rockport, Texas built in the late 1870s by cattle baron George Fulton.
Fulton Mansion has an incredibly rich history. At the time it was constructed, it was the only house to have central heating and indoor plumbing.
Before touring the home, make sure to stop at the Fulton Mansion Education and History Center behind the home to learn more about this architectural gem.
Today, the Fulton Mansion has been fully restored to its Victorian grandeur and is furnished with period-appropriate artifacts and decor.
Visiting the Fulton Mansion is an absolute must for history lovers visiting Rockport. Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM. Admission begins at $7 with discounts available for seniors, children, veterans, teachers, and first responders.
No visit to Rockport is complete without touring this impressive historic home.
Bay Education Center
The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute operates the Bay Education Center at the Rockport Visitors Center. It is free and open to the public daily Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Stop by to see interactive displays and learn about the area’s natural species.
Best Outdoor Adventures in Rockport, TX
Rockport Beach
Families will love visiting Rockport Beach. As the first Blue Wave Beach in Texas, this clean and well-maintained beach helps contribute to the thriving eco-system.
This prestigious recognition is a national environmental certification given to beaches that promote and maintain healthy beaches. With over a mile of clean sand and water, you can enjoy a day full of fun here.
You will find restrooms, swimmable water, and handicap accessible features at Rockport Beach, which is open daily beginning at 6 AM.
Aransas Pathways
Rockport has an impressive pathway system throughout town for hikers, bikers, bird watchers, and kayakers.
The well-marked pathways branch out throughout Rockport connecting well-known landmarks.
Pick up an Aransas Pathways map at the Visitors Center, or the History Center, or download a map for free at AransasPathways.com.
Historic Walking Tour of Downtown Rockport Texas
When you are wondering what to do in Rockport, why not learn more about the town by taking a two-mile walk throughout the historic downtown district?
Start by picking up a guided route map from the History Center.
Follow the map to visit over thirty sites, such as the Rockport Marine Lab, the Rockport Aquarium, the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad Depot, and the Texas Maritime Museum. Plus, there are tons of cute shops to visit.
Go Hunting, Rock Hunting
While visiting popular Rockport sites and attractions, keep your eyes open for painted rocks hidden throughout town. When you find one, visit the Rocks of Rockport Facebook page to announce its location.
Keep the rock as a keepsake, or hide it in a new spot. They just ask if you keep it, please paint another one to replace it. It’s a fun way to enjoy the city while keeping the kids entertained and busy.
Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding
The unique coastal area in Rockport makes it ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Rentals are quite affordable and start at $40 for half-day rentals.
Multiple kayak launch points are located throughout town, including Goose Island State Park, St Charles Bay, Swan Lake, and Airport Road.
Rent your kayak or stand-up paddle board at Rockport Birding & Kayaking Adventures, Texas Coast Kayaking, or Kraken Kayak Outfitters.
Goose Island State Park
Goose Island State Park offers over 300 acres of coastal land for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing. This state park is a prime destination for fishing, camping, hiking, and birdwatching along the Texas Gulf Coast.
The park encompasses several habitats, including salt marsh, bay, and oak woodlands.
Hikers can explore over five miles of trails, including part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.
Fishing is permitted along the shoreline and in Little Bay, where you can catch redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and more. The park has a 1,620-foot-long fishing pier and fish-cleaning facilities.
You do not need a fishing license in a Texas state park when you fish from shore or a pier.
A neat feature at Goose Island is the Tackle Loaner Program. You can borrow everything you need to go fishing for up to seven days. This is a first-come, first-served program, so make sure to check ahead for availability.
Rockport Parks
Rockport truly embraces outdoor living with its many public recreational parks.
Families will love the Rockport-Fulton Community Pool. Open year-round, the facility offers a recreational size heated pool and a giant whale-shaped zero-depth kiddie pool complete with slides and sprays.
You’ll find no shortage of biking and hiking trails throughout Rockport. Two more popular parks are Memorial Park and the Tule Creek Hike and Bike Trail. With playscapes, nature trails, disc golf courses, fitness stations, and birding sites, you could spend a full day at these two beloved spots.
Birding and Fishing in Rockport, TX
Fishing in Rockport
When it comes to fishing off the Texas Gulf Coast, Rockport is a true angler’s paradise.
The waters here are teeming with red drum and spotted seatrout, making it a haven for fishing enthusiasts.
If you’re looking for a convenient spot to cast your line, the newly reconstructed lighted Fulton Fishing Pier at Fulton Beach Park is the place to be. It is open to the public 24 hours a day, year round.
You can stroll along the pier for free to check out the day’s catch, or for just $5 per rod, you can enjoy a day of fishing and soak in the stunning coastal views. Bait is sold at the entrance, and bait shops are within walking distance if the entrance store is closed.
But don’t stop there! Breakwater Piers, Rockport Beach North Pier, and the Rockport Harbor Seawall also offer excellent opportunities to reel in some big catches.
Just remember, a fishing license and state saltwater stamp are a must-have for both fishing and crabbing in Texas, unless you are in a Texas State Park.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is one of the premier birdwatching spots in Aransas County along the Texas coast. This refuge, established in 1937, is massive with tens of thousands of acres set aside to protect the wintering grounds of the endangered whooping crane.
There are more than 400 different bird species that can be found here throughout the year. During the fall and spring migrations, the trees become filled with endangered birds.
The main attraction of the refuge is the magnificent whooping crane, which can be seen here in large numbers during the winter. These white birds with black wingtips stand at a height of five feet, and are truly a breathtaking sight as they feed and rest along the marshes.
One of the highlights of visiting the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is the 16-mile auto tour. You’ll find some of the best viewing spots along the auto tour route, along with observation platforms and stunning views.
With miles of hiking trails, a paddling trail, a fishing pier, and an observation tower, Aransas provides excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Stop at the visitor center, which is open from 9 AM to 4 PM daily, to check recent sightings, view exhibits, pick up a map, and get advice from the helpful staff.
Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary
Located at the corner of South Church Street and East First Street sits the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary at the original location of the Rockport Cottages. With over six acres, this is the starting point of the Southern Trail, a three mile birding trail to the Aransas Path Pavillion in Rockport.
You will also find a Monarch Butterfly Waystation here, where monarch butterflies stop on the migration to Mexico for the winter. I stopped at a similar spot when visiting Carmel by the Sea, California. These sanctuaries amaze when filled with columns of monarchs.
Where to Stay in Rockport, TX
Rockport has a variety of accommodation options to choose from, but If you want a luxurious place to stay, l recommend renting a coastal home at The Reserve at St. Charles Bay. When compared to the price of rental homes in Port Aransas, these are a deal.
This gated beachfront resort has beautifully appointed homes and waterfront villas overlooking Saint Charles Bay, with proximity to Goose Island State Park.
In addition to an excellent location, the neighborhood offers a boardwalk, a firepit, a fishing dock, boat ramps, and a hammock park with an outdoor kitchen and gas grills. The outdoor bayfront pool, bayfront pier, and kayak access complete your stay.
The contemporary coastal decor and rooms with water-view balconies create a retreat you won’t want to leave.
You will also find other nice hotel options in Rockport, including the Hampton Inn & Suites Rockport-Fulton Area, the Fairfield Inn & Suites, and the La Quinta by Wyndham.
The hotels are all conveniently located near the best things to do in Rockport, Texas, and offer comfortable, and modern rooms with easy access.
Where to Eat in Rockport, TX
Rockport has some excellent dining options, whether you are looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can find a cuisine to suit almost any taste or budget. It’s a great destination for seafood lovers especially, with an abundance of fresh catches on local menus.
Our Family Kitchen serves a serious breakfast with excellent homestyle food. Order all your favorites like pancakes, eggs, and hashbrowns. The food portions are large, so come hungry.
If you want a festive and fun atmosphere, try Yarbaritas Sip and Swing. The lively restaurant features an awesome patio with swaying hammocks. The adults will love the cocktails, while the kids love the shaved ice. You can even rent a golf cart from here!
For authentic Mexican food, La Tequila Jalisco is a local favorite. Their menu features all the classics, like enchiladas, tacos, and burritos, made with fresh ingredients.
For restaurants with a water view, try Charlotte Plummers and Paradise Key Dockside.
For fresh local seafood, you’ll want to visit Old Fulton Seafood Cafe & Steakhouse.
Visit Rockport, Texas
Rockport, Texas offers a charming coastal retreat just a short drive from San Antonio. With its quaint shops, waterfront restaurants, and abundance of wildlife, it provides a serene yet engaging getaway.
During your visit, be sure to stay at the Reserve at St Charles Bay to enjoy luxury accommodations with a coastal ambiance. Enjoy Rockport attractions like the area’s maritime history at the Texas Maritime Museum and see the massive live oak tree at Goose Island State Park.
For more adventure, charter a deep-sea fishing excursion and tempt lady luck at hooking a trophy-sized red or black drum.
With endless ways to unwind, explore, and indulge, Rockport makes a great getaway retreat.
Treat yourself to a coastal escape and come discover the best of this seaside sanctuary for yourself!
