Bringing your kids to Port Aransas this summer? Here are some fun activities your kids will love!
The Red Dragon Pirate Cruise:
The Red Dragon offers two hour cruises where actors keep their passengers engaged with a show and pirate themed activities, like sword fights. Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and food is available for purchase on board.
Woody’s Sports Center
Woddy’s offers parasailing trips, jet ski rentals, and boat rides, all of which would be fun for the whole family!
Dolphin Dock Day Trips
Dolphin Dock offers dolphin watching trips lasting from 5 to 24 hours! Your kids will have a blast watching the dolphins jump out of the water!
San Jose Island
Legend has it that there is buried treasure hidden somewhere on this island! Take your family treasure hunting! Even if you don’t find gold, you’re bound to find some amazing keepsakes that your children will cherish forever!
Funtrackers Family Fun Center – Corpus Christi
It speaks for itself – no doubt you’ll have a blast here!
USS Lexington
Take a tour on this historical ship located in Corpus Christi. Learn and have fun at the same time during this fun trip!
Harbor Playhouse
Harbor Playhouse presents a varied schedule of contemporary and classic musicals and plays for both adults and children – including works by local playwrights. Harbor Playhouse also uses approximately 700 volunteers, actors, technicians and support staff on an annual basis.
Charlie Bujan was born on Mustang Island on September 6, 1906. His father, Matteo Bujan, settled on on the island in 1885.
Charlie had a herd of about 250 cattle that ran on the island for many years until the law required cattle to be fenced in. The land he leased from the State of Texas extended from the current Charlie’s Pasture pier to the end of the island at East Flats. He moved his cattle onto the lease and built stock pens across from the pier.
Charlie’s Pasture was also the place where, as far back as the 1950’s, island youngsters hung out or spent many a night camping out under the stars.
Charlie’s Pasture is a major part of the local heritage on Mustang Island. In May 2002, the City began an effort to preserve this section of natural habitat, enlisting the talents and ideas of many local residents and area agencies. The Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture is truly a gift for future generations – a sense of history, a study of habitat, and an appreciation of nature at its best.
There are numerous settings to view works of island art, ranging from causal home studios to galleries and interior decorators. The Port Aransas Art Center is a local hub for artists and is host to numerous year round events.
Local talent will entertain the entire family at the Port Aransas Community Theatre. Sunset Sounds concerts are held the second Friday of each month, April thru October, and feature area musicians.
The Port Aransas Museam features exhibits that showcase early island living to the present day. The Farley Boat Works showcases the history of boat building in Port Aransas and offers a working boat shop where visitors can watch or participate in building a boat.
So get out and explore all of the creativity that Port A has to offer! You’ll be sure to enjoy it.
Did you know that the Coastal Bend is the only place in the United States where you can see the rare and endangered Whooping Crane at close range? Celebrate this natural wonder at the annual festival honoring the beautiful Whooping Crane hosted by the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce! Along with the Whooping Crane viewings, you will see a variation of wintering migratory birds flying into the wetlands.
This celebration is fun for all ages! There will be a nature-themed trade show with optics, paintings, and photographs that will be featured. Other activities included presentations from world-renowned speakers, photography workshops, and a variety of field trips!
Make your plans today to attend this year’s Whooping Crane Festival! February 23-26, 2017
It’s time to escape from reality. Take a break from your everyday life and treat yourself to a relaxing weekend in Port A. With so many great activities to choose from, you’ll find something fun for everyone!
Get Fishy!
Port A has options for both hardcore and novice casters and features lighted piers, jetties, and surrounding waterways. There are several public marinas allowing private boats to depart, and there are multiple fishing outfitters with secrets that can ensure you hook a whopper. Go bay fishing for redfish, trout black drum and more along Mustang Island’s fringes. Compete this summer in the island’s plentiful fishing tournaments available for all ages!
Birds of a feather…
In Port Aransas, our feathered friends are here year round but flock here in larger groups during the fall and winter. Our town has several easy access vantage points such as Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, which offers a birding tour at 9am every Wednesday. To spot a rare, endangered Whooping Crane, catch a boat tour offered on most days by the Fisherman’s Wharf.
Comb the beach
San Jose, also known as St. Joe, is a 21 mile long undeveloped island that will awaken your inner castaway. Just a 15 minute boat ride is all it takes to walk along the unspoiled beach of St. Joe. Search for sand dollars and sea glass, spot rare birds, cast a line from the beach, or just relax on the sand! Food is not available for purchase on the island, so don’t forget to pack a lunch! Scheduled ferries depart from the Fisherman’s Wharf several times a day.
Hole-In-One
Designed by Arnold Palmer, Palmilla Beach subtly transforms with elements. No day is like the one before. With the Gulf Coast wind, your golf game will be less about your swing and more about patience and outsmarting your fellow players. Celebrate your score, good or bad, at the club’s Black Marlin Grill!
The time to decide what our New Year’s resolution will be is nearing. But let’s be real- keeping a New Year’s resolution can be tough. So many things can weigh in and render us from honoring the resolution that we swore we were going to keep. So, here are some tips to help you keep your 2017 resolution.
1. First, set your goal. What area in your life needs improvement? Think about your relationships, your habits (good and bad), and think about your daily mindset. Is there more negative than positive?
2. Once you figure out what you want to focus on, write it down. The trick is to get it out of your head and onto paper. Put your vision in front of you! Turn your focus away from negative thoughts and turn them into positive statements.
3. Every morning when you wake up, look at your resolutions and set your day in line with small goals to help you reach your big goal.
4. Research. Find out as much as you can about your resolution. Why is it important? What are the benefits of the change you are making? Use this research to set specific goals for yourself. A helpful way to set your goals is to answer the questions: What, when where, why, and how? Break down your goal into daily actions. For every day that you work towards your goal, check it off on your calendar. This will help you to stay motivated and not give up.
5. Make time for yourself by heading to the beach to relax! Re-energize by the water and let the waves soothe your soul.
6. Lastly, don’t give up!
Happy New Year! 2017 is going to be YOUR best year yet.
As Christmas approaches and the cooler weather starts to set in, many of us living in South Texas start the process of decorating our homes for the holidays. One of the most common things you will see people using to make their home festive for the holidays is the use of Poinsettia flowers.
The Poinsettia was first introduced to the United States in 1828 by Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, who at the time was the U.S Ambassador to Mexico. When Dr. Poinsett was not dealing with foreign affairs, he also enjoyed dabbling in Botany which led him on a hike in Southern Mexico where he stumbled upon the flower, and brought it back to his home in South Carolina.
The Poinsettia did not initially catch on very well with consumers who disregarded the flower as a weed, but now annual sales reach on average of 34 million Poinsettias sold during the Christmas season. The Poinsettia has become so popular in fact that December 12th has been declared National Poinsettia Day. While red is the most popular shade of the Poinsettia, it also comes in hues of salmon, yellow, cream, and white. The Poinsettia in its native country of Mexico is known as “Flores de Noche Buena” meaning “flowers of the Holy Night”. Many also think of the flower as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem.
“Life is better around a bonfire on the beach.”
There is nothing more relaxing than hanging out around the the fire on a cool Fall night. But have you ever hung out around the fire on the beach? Hanging around a beach bonfire is one of the most peaceful experiences you will ever have. Whether you’re with family or friends, escaping from reality and mediating on the fire and hearing the waves is an experience you will never forget.
Casa is located just steps away from the beach. So if you get down to the water and forget a blanket or marshmallows (the most important item), it’s a quick walk back to your room.
There are many ways to build the perfect fire. The City of Port Aransas will allow you to build a bonfire on the beach as long as it doesn’t exceed 3ft X 3ft.
You could build your fire like a teepee:
1. Dig a deep enough pit in the sand to house the wood
2. Place your wood in the put
3. Form a teepee and leave an opening in your teepee on the side the wind is blowing against. This will ensure that your fire gets the air it needs.
4. Continue adding wood to the teepee
Or, you could lay the wood like a log cabin:
1. Start off by creating a small teepee
2. Get large pieces of wood and lay them parallel
3. Add two more pieces of wood to create a square base
4. Stack wood on top of the base parallel to each other
No matter how you lay the fire, you can trust that you’re going to have a fun time on the beach!
The Gulf of Mexico is calling your name…. “Come to the beach. Come relax. Come and take a break.”
Are you wanting to dive in the ocean without breaking the bank? Beach vacations don’t have to be expensive! If you’re looking to save on your next vacation to the beach, here a few tips:
1. Book directly with Casa
When you book directly through our website or by calling us directly, we guarantee the lowest available rates and lowest booking fees for our units. We cut out the added cost that comes when booking through an online travel agency. There are no additional cleaning fees, extra fees for credit cards or extra service fees. We have a liberal cancelation policy and low deposit requirements.
2. Take advantage of shoulder season rates
Traveling during the shoulder season is a great time to come. The beaches are wide open and costs are cut significantly. Many local restaurant will have special pricing and local souvenir shops will have blow-out, end of season sales.
3. Did you say kitchen?
All of Casa’s vacation rentals come with fully equipped kitchens. That means you can bring your groceries or food from home and cook in your room. To spice it up, try new recipes you would never try before and involve the whole family.
4. Beach toys
Bring your own beach towels, bathing suits, floats, sunscreen, from home.
5. Travel with a group
You could bring 8 family members and split the total cost to stay in a three bedroom for the week. There is no better way to save then to bring the whole family to the beach for a week and cutting the cost in half. You could even stay in the Penthouse…
6. Stay in tune with specials
Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter which will include current specials or rates changes. Check our specials page periodically for any special savings.
These are just a few of the many ways there are to save on your next beach vacation. Don’t let cost scare you – there are always ways to save. Answer the call, come to the coast.
Much like Michelangelo’s famous quote, ”Every block of stone has a statue inside it, and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”
The beach is full of MASTERPIECES; Vibrant, unique stones and shells are naturally pervaded all along the warm sand and it’s up to you to find what they puzzle into! From seashell critters with googly eyes and pipe cleaner arms, to jewelry, wind chimes and picture frames, the possibilities are endless and fun for all ages. You’ll never run out of medium. It’s all around you. All it takes is one peaceful stroll along the shore, a summer pale and an artistic eye.
Also, If you favor traditional materials, just bring your paper, your choice of technique, and capture the moment while you take the ocean into your senses. Relax and let the sunset become your muse. Paint its beautiful blend of colors. The beach is a perfect studio for all types of artists.