Gulf Coast

BEACHES, ART, HISTORY, AND WILDLIFE MERGE IN A PLACE WHERE BIG-CITY SOPHISTICATION MEETS SEASIDE RELAXATION

HOLD STEADY

Though Rockport has weathered plenty of storms, it endures as a family-friendly destination

By Erin Quinn-Kong

Candy-colored houses, bait shops, and fishing piers dot the landscape of Rockport, located on Aransas Bay, about 30 miles northeast of Corpus Christi. Named for the rock ledge beneath its shore, the town began development as a cattle processing and shipping port in 1865 and was incorporated five years later. In the 1920s, the shrimping and tourism industries took off, making the town a thriving coastal vacation spot. But Rockport is perhaps best known for its resilience. Twice, the community and its surrounding areas have been obliterated by hurricanes: the first in 1919 and the second in August 2017, when Hurricane Harvey pummeled the town with 130 mph winds and 50 inches of rain. It took years, but the community has rebuilt. Its 10,000 residents continue to welcome visitors to its picturesque main street and white sand beach to shop, eat, fish, birdwatch, and enjoy fun in the sun.

STAY

The Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay
Sit on the dock of the bay—literally—­at this Victorian hotel with a private 90-foot fishing pier. Each of the 78 rooms (starting at $179/night) features a private balcony or patio with rocking chairs for pool, garden, or bay views. The on-site Palm Room restaurant is known for its steaks and martinis.

SEE

Rockport Beach
As one of only four designated Blue Wave Beaches in Texas, Rockport’s beach is guaranteed to be litter-free and accessible—and to have swimmable waters. Kids love the shallow waters and playgrounds, while parents appreciate the shaded cabanas. Arrive early to score one.

Fulton Mansion
This state historic site was constructed in the 1870s by shipping and cattle tycoon George Fulton. The yellow four-­story mansion built in the French Second Empire style features indoor plumbing and central heat—a first for the area at the time—­and has an impressive library.

The Big Tree
Named Texas State Champion Virginia Live Oak in 1969, this tree at Goose Island State Park outside Rockport is one of the world’s oldest and largest live oaks. Estimated to be over 1,000 years old and to have survived 50 major hurricanes, the tree is 44 feet tall and has a nearly 90-foot canopy.

SHOP

Downtown Rockport
Downtown is known for its local art galleries, like the Wind Way Gallery, where visitors can find paintings, stained glass, and jewelry. Boutiques New Beginnings and Rowdy Maui sell clothing, jewelry, and home goods. Shoppers can fuel up with seafood at Copano’s or Latitude 28°02’.

EAT & DRINK

Yarbarita’s Sip & Swing
Burgers, tacos, and fried shrimp baskets are on the menu at this restaurant outfitted with kitschy pirate décor. Enjoy gorgeous views from the second-­floor patio and hammock swings made for relaxing. There’s also shaved ice for dessert and to-go margaritas.

EVENT

Oysterfest & SeaFair
The Rockport-Fulton area hosts two premier events each year: Oysterfest in March and the SeaFair festival in October. Oysterfest, sponsored by the Fulton Volunteer Fire Department, features (what else?) oysters, as well as a parade, live music, and vendors, while the four-day SeaFair is all about gumbo. The latter also features a parade—bring a tote bag for all the candy—and a carnival with rides, games, crab races, cardboard boat races, and live music. rockport-fulton.org

RV INFO

Bay View RV Resort, located on 120 acres, overlooks the water. It has more than 350 shaded RV spaces, plus two pools—one reserved for adults. Sites start at $45/night. bayviewrockport.com

Resaca de la Palma State
Park in Brownsville. Photo by Earl Nottingham/Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

TEXAS STATE PARKS

RESACA DE LA PALMA STATE PARK

Escape to a semitropical paradise in the Rio Grande Valley, where quiet trails and lush landscapes offer a peaceful retreat for both people and wildlife. Explore more than eight miles of hiking and biking paths, relax on scenic decks overlooking the resaca, or hop aboard a guided tram tour. A haven for birders, this World Birding Center site bursts with color during migration season, making it a prime destination for spotting rare and vibrant species.

“I love Resaca de la Palma State Park! This hidden gem of a well-preserved ecosystem features 1,200 acres of semitropical paradise, Rio Grande Valley specialty birds, and native wildlife galore. Also, the many accessible features of the park and its easily navigable trails are a major advantage.” —Bethany & Oswald Trevino, TPWD volunteers since 2024

MORE GULF COAST STATE PARKS

For more information, directions, and amenities, get your free mobile guide to all 80-plus state parks: texasstateparks.org/app

Brazos Bend State Park
Galveston Island State Park
Goose Island State Park
Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Mustang Island State Park
Sea Rim State Park
Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center

Texas Maritime Museum
in Rockport. Photo by Michael Amador.

MUSEUMS

From the Stark Museum of Art in Orange near the Louisiana border to the Historic Brownsville Museum near the Mexican border, the Gulf Coast is rich with cultural-heritage museums that reflect the diversity of the region.

Delve into Texas Revolution history in the museum at the base of the 567-foot San Jacinto Monument in La Porte’s San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site.

The Texas Energy Museum in Beaumont and the nearby Spindletop Boomtown Museum provide a wellspring of information on the state’s oil industry.

The La Salle Odyssey museums—the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport, Texana Museum in Edna, Calhoun County Museum in Port Lavaca, Museum of the Coastal Bend in Victoria, Matagorda County Museum in Bay City, and the City by the Sea Museum with its La Petite Belle home port in Palacios—tell the story of French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, who led an ill-fated expedition in 1684 to establish a French colony on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

These are among the hundreds of hometown history museums and worldclass cultural institutions across the Lone Star State. Find one to explore at: texastimetravel.com/museums.