Top 10 Fun Things to See and Do In Rockport

Rockport offers lots of fun things to see and do. Stick around and read Texas Outside’s list of Top Ten Favorite Things To See and Do In Rockport:

4 Natural Things To Do in Rockport, Texas

If you enjoy being in and around nature, you’ll love Rockport. There are plenty of natural things to do and see in Rockport, from birding to trail riding.

1. Go Birding – The Rockport area is famous for its birding activities. These include Aransas Wildlife Refuge, which is the wintering ground for the near-extinct whooping crane. The refuge is home to 400 species of birds. Personally, I think a boat ride in the Intra-coastal canal is the best way to view the wildlife. Several boats are available from the Rockport Marina. Be sure to visit the Bird Garden and Wetlands Pond. As a bonus, the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary has a number of trails and opportunities for spotting resident and migrant birds.
2. Hit the Trails – Goose Island State Park is a great place for a bike ride or a short nature hike. Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary will get you in touch with nature. For the fitness buff, Memorial Park has walking/jogging trails with exercise stations and rest rooms. My family likes to roam the city on bikes. For an awesome experience, we recommend visiting the Maritime Museum. Be sure to ride out to Key Allegro to check out the homes along the water and stop at Paradise Key Island Grill for an appetizer, cold drink, lunch, or dinner.
3. Go Fishing – If you enjoy fishing, Rockport is a great spot for you. You can charter a boat from one of the many charter companies in the area and fish from the surf, in the bay, from the beach, in the channel, from jetties, or from the Copano Bay State Fishing Pier. It’s the longest pier in the world with a length of over 1.5 miles including concessions for food, bait, and tackle. You might also enjoy crabbing off the piers in the area, which is a great alternative to fishing. Best of all, if you want to catch a trophy or a great dinner dish, you should go out with one of the local fishing guides or charters. We highly recommend Captain Mike O’Dell at A Fishing Fantasy Guide Service!

Go Exploring Near Rockport

If communing with nature and hiking or biking isn’t your thing, there are plenty more fun things to see and do in Rockport, Texas. Try exploring nearby cities:

1. Explore Port Aransas – Rockport is a charming location to stay and do some exploring in the nearby town of Port Aransas, about 15 miles away. Hop on a ferry and do some fishing. Port Aransas also has some awesome places to bike, a good beach, great golf courses, wonderful restaurants, and fantastic nightlife. A number of the bars have live music or karaoke, some have outside patios, a few have games (pool, darts, shuffleboard), many have appetizers or bar-type food, and all of them have a lively, friendly, and fun-loving crowd. We enjoy Shorty’s – “the Island’s Oldest and Friendliest” Bar. Be prepared for a very unique experience stepping through the doors of Shorty’s. Next door is Bernie’s on the Beach, and just outside of town is Sharky’s (downstairs on the weekends is mostly for younger crowds with rock bands). Some of our other favorites include: The Back Porch (open air waterfront hangout) and Salty Dog (“the coolest honky-tonk on the Texas Riviera!”).
2. Check Out Corpus Christi – You’re roughly 25 minutes away from downtown Corpus Christi, which has lots of fun things to see and do. One of our favorites is biking along the seawall, touring the Lexington, or visiting the aquarium. The Corpus Christi Attraction Guide highlights what to see and do when you visit Corpus.
3. Be A Tourist – Take a walk through Fulton Mansion, Texas Maritime Museum, and Rockport Center. The arts are a few of the points of interest that draw many tourists and “Winter Texans” to the area. Visit Texas’ first and only blue wave beach and enter their sand sculpture contest. Better yet, take a dip in the Natural Saltwater Pool at the north end of Rockport Beach Park. If you prefer, just walk the beach collecting sea shells.

4 More Things to Do in Rockport, Texas

Whether you like eating out, golfing, hanging out at the beach, or playing with your kids, there is plenty to see and do in Rockport. Keeping reading because here’s where we wrap up our list.

1. Go Golfing – There are a number of good golf courses within 30 minutes to an hour away. One of Texas Outside Favorites is Palmilla Beach Golf Course just south of Port Aransas. Check out our review of this outstanding course. It’s a must play if you’re in the area. Of course, you can find other courses on our South Texas Golf Map.
2. Enjoy the Local Restaurants – If you enjoy a great setting overlooking the boats and water, Paradise Key Island Grill is the most fun place in Rockport! They are located at the Marina on Key Allegro. Enjoy great food and a casual tropical atmosphere. We rode our bikes to The Moon Dog restaurant – (361) 729-6868 – which is also on the water. The atmosphere is casual with a great outdoor area and picnic tables for eating. The menu includes burgers, barbeque, seafood, and salads. Many of the menu items include a twist of some type. For example, mild pablano peppers on the pulled pork sandwich. Great place to spend an afternoon eating and stuffing the face.
3. Get Some Beach Time – Spend some time boating, walking, playing volleyball, fishing, or just soaking up some rays at Rockport’s Beach Park. You’ll find a mile of beach, boat launch, walking trail, sand volleyball court, fishing piers, swimming area, picnic cabanas, children’s play area, restrooms, and showers.
4. Take The Kids Out – Entertaining children is every parent’s responsibility. The kids will enjoy Aquatic Park, which has a 1/4-mile trail and an 8-lane heated pool. On top of that, it includes a children’s pool with slides and sprays, skate park, picnic area, and playground.

To find a lot of the above, and more, check out our Rockport Map.