Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Rockport, Texas

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Visiting the Texas Gulf Coast? You will have a long list of things to do and places to visit in one of the nation’s best small art towns.

Rockport is a city in Texas famous for its unique and fun recreational activities. The mild weather here opens up many possibilities, from visiting iconic landmarks to chilling at one of their beaches. It is also famous for its fishing piers and rich birdlife. You will never run out of something to do in Rockport!

Geologically, Rockport is only 2.5 hours east of San Antonio, Texas. This town’s pristine natural area will keep you returning for vacation time!

There are over a hundred things to do in this culture-rich city. But you will kickstart your journey with this list. All your senses will heighten in a day full of adventures, nature, art, culture, educational tours, and more.

Continue reading to learn more about the best and most fun things to do and places to visit in Rockport, Texas.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Pre-plan your visit to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, or you’ll lose track of time!

The 115,000-acre protected area on the southwest side of San Antonio Bay offers not one but tons of things to do.

The refuge is best known for its endangered whooping cranes, one of North America’s rarest birds. The scenery here offers much more than meets the eye. You’ll see many kinds of wildlife, and you’ll enjoy the various recreational opportunities.

While its location is a bit “off the beaten path,” it is an ultimate travel destination in Rockport, Texas.

They offer a 16-mile auto tour to drive around, a fishing pier, observation towers, and a picnic spot overlooking San Antonio Bay.

Stretch and walk along several miles of trails to see diverse plants and wildlife, spotting scopes, wildlife habitat, and stunning views.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is also home to diverse migratory birds and other resident wildlife. Its mild winters, bay waters, and abundant source of food attract more than 400 species of birds. They are all worth watching!

Rockport is proud to have this as a tourist attraction, but its main drive is wildlife conservation. 

The refuge houses the endangered Kemp’s ridley turtle, the smallest among sea turtles, and the semi-aquatic reptile, American alligators.

Feel free to pick up a wildlife checklist at the entrance so you’ll know what else to see!

Address: 1 Wildlife Cir, Austwell, TX 77950, United States

Bay Education Center

Come and see the Texas museum with interactive displays of the ecological role of Rockport’s estuaries for free!

Yes, admission is free at Bay Education Center, a research and education facility in Rockport. The ultimate eye-catcher in this educational stop is the interactive Science on a Sphere and exhibits depicting science, animal, and plant life found in local habitats.

This huge digital globe showing the science of land, air, ocean, and space will make you ask questions about the world. Observe how all these elements work to create the place we live in today.

Operated by the National Estuarine Research Reserve, the center is aimed at preserving the local ecosystem. As you may have noticed, Rockport City is filled with rich flora and fauna.

It’s a nice place to visit if you want to cool off since it’s near the beach, too! The experience will be very enriching and informative.

Make sure to plan for your visit ahead of time because the center offers limited hours only.

Address: 121 Seabreeze Dr, Rockport, TX 78382, United States

Fulton Fishing Pier

Fishing is both leisure and tradition in a small Rockport town. But it’s more fun to visit the Fulton Fishing Pier at night!

The pier’s state-of-the-art green LED fishing lights illuminate the water amidst the dark night. It’s an exciting way to fish from the end of this spectacular structure. Don’t forget to bring your fishing pole if you want to catch a variety of fish, like redfish, speckled trout, and large drums.

The fishing pier is accessible at any time of day, 365 days a year. You can visit during day time also. It’s free to walk on the boardwalk, but there’s a fee per rod if you’re there to fish.

While on a round-trip walk to the boardwalk (which is a half mile), it’s fine to bring along snacks. There are several shops nearby selling snacks, refreshments, and other items.

There are also bait shops selling frozen shrimp at the pier shack and other stores within walking distance of the pier.

You can also try other fishing locations in Rockport. The Copano Causeway launch, Rockport Beach Park Pier, and the South Jetty Pier are great spots.

Just be sure to obtain a fishing license wherever you fish in Rockport, Texas.

Address: 301-102 Deforest Loop, Fulton, Texas

Fulton Mansion State Historic Site

Visiting the Fulton Mansion State Historic Site will take you back to the late 1800s, with its French Second Empire-style building.

If you’re looking for a structure with 19th-century affluence, you must visit the Fulton Mansion in Rockport, Texas.

The mansion is one of the most historic spots in the Southwest United States still in existence. It was once the home of Colonel George Ware Fulton and Harriet Gillette Smith, who owned a cattle business. Moving cattle around the country was their main source of income.

The building, ahead of its time, is greatly treasured in town. It took a few years before this house was built. It features modern conveniences not very common back then, such as flush toilets, central lighting, heating, and indoor plumbing.

Fast forward to now, the mansion is open for visitors to explore. A Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, you will want to learn more about its history and how it came about.

Examine George Fulton’s engineering skills through the mansion’s walls, or walk through a garden inspired by Harriet’s taste in flowers. While at it, you will hear interesting stories of how the affluent family lived in the grand Victorian villa.

A self-guided tour is very efficient in this building for a reasonable price. You don’t have to miss a thing!

If you have the luxury of time of day, the Education and History Center of interactive exhibits and a museum store is located just behind Fulton Mansion.

Address: 317 Fulton Beach Rd, Rockport, TX 78382, United States

Glow Row

See the natural side of Rockport like never before! This location in Rockport is a go-to when you want to experience the unique Texas coast at night, all in the heart of the city!

The Rockport Glow Tour is a night kayaking eco-tour that will take you through the southwest end of Little Bay, known by the local community as the ski basin. The way to this body of water is illuminated with bright LED lights so you can see the below-water ecosystems as you paddle.

Each LED system has seven different colors and settings you can choose from to suit your vibe.

The tour takes about 1.5 hours in transparent two-person kayaks from either of the two departure locations. You and your pair can take the Little Bay route, where you will kayak over artificial oyster reefs and see small fish of mixed species.

Keep an eye out for some stray shrimp or stone crabs!

You can also take the Paradise Key route, where you will kayak through a 1.5-foot cove and see redfish, stingrays, black drums, and other gamefish.

Your designated guide will show you famous landmarks and introduce you to unique wildlife while paddling the gulf coast at night. You will also hear relevant facts and interesting history about the area.

This launch spot is not too hard to locate in Rockport, Texas. It’s perfect for a romantic date night or a fun tour with friends.

It’s nothing but you, your fellow adventurers, and the glowing water.

Address: 1522 E. Laurel Street, Rockport, Texas

Goose Island State Park

Goose Island State Park is one of the best state parks, just a short drive from Downtown Rockport.

Enjoy the afternoon sun in the first coastal state park in Texas, situated on the southern end of the Lamar Peninsula! Goose Island will welcome you with its many landscapes and wildlife habitats.

You can enjoy much outdoor fun here, like camping, fishing, hiking, geocaching, taking photos, or boating.

There are also many places and views to tour and see. Don’t be surprised if you come across some of the region’s rarest species, like the whooping crane.

If you want, you can plan out the rest of your day while eating lunch and picnicking beneath the shade of one of the largest living oak trees in the United States – the Big Tree.

Looking at the oldest tree in Texas will give you the chills, knowing it stood in the same spot for over a millennium. Its trunk has a circumference of more than 35 feet, and its branches span 89 feet.

When you’re done adoring this fascinating tree, you can visit the lighted fishing pier in the park or see interpretative talk shows. Ask any local in town for the best day trip destination, and they will point you out right here.

While the entertainment is endless in this place, they don’t recommend swimming in some of the lakes around.

They will, however, recommend camping out here at night in one of the park’s traditional campsites.

It’s a good opportunity to be with nature and live on the simple side of Texas.

Address: 202 S. Palmetto Street, Rockport, Texas

Main Street Coffee House

It won’t be fair not to include one of the best coffee hotspots in town, will it?

Start your day early with a sip of coffee at Main Street Coffee House, a place for good coffee in Rockport, Texas. It’s near Wind Way Gallery Fine Art, Rockport’s art gallery for local artists.

Main Street Coffee is known to offer a welcoming and fun atmosphere. They serve a variety of coffee flavors, such as Vanilla Latte, Caramel Macchiato, Cold Brew & Sweet Cream, and more. You can order them hot or iced, according to your liking.

They also serve a few selections of teas, hot chocolate, milk, English breakfast, and desserts.

Dine in and try their famous muffins, nicely baked for you and all customers.

Visitors like to visit this local coffee house to hang out and relax after a fun day in Rockport. You will certainly have a good time here! There’s no doubt.

Like many others, you will give a five-star rating to their barista for making the best coffee.

Make Main Street Coffee House a usual stop for your morning run when you happen to be around Rockport!

Address: 802 E Main St, Rockport, TX 78382, United States

Paradise Key Dockside Bar and Grill

Moving on to the main course, stop by Paradise Key Dockside Bar and Grill to experience one of Rockport’s top-rated restaurants.

As the name suggests, you will enjoy good food, a good atmosphere, and a cozy location near the water in Paradise Key.

The views of nature in this part of town are truly bliss. They serve the finest cuisine in all of Coastal Bend. Expect your food to be freshly prepared and delicious when you dine in Paradise Key.

Their specialty varies from steaks, Rockport’s best burgers, and tasty tropical drinks to the bestseller ‘Marina Munchies.’ This place will give you a taste of how and why Rockport is known for its fresh, abundant seafood.

You can get here by car or boat, seven days a week.

Whether you are in their panoramic indoor dining room or dockside bar, you will catch a glimpse of the bay and wildlife preserve.

Bring your friends and family on a Friday or Saturday for some live music, great food, scenic views, and a good time!

Address: 165 Cove Harbor N, Rockport, TX 78382, United States

Rockport Beach

Never miss Texas’ first Blue Wave Beach and one of the most stunning beaches in the state. Besides the fact that it meets environmental quality standards, Rockport Beach, approximately one mile long, offers many fun things to do and experience.

Rockport Beach in Aransas Bay is known for its clean waters and sustainable environment. Part of its waters is Little Bay, Saltwater Pool, and North and South Rockport Beach.

These waters are tested for bacteria twice every week, and results are uploaded online for public information. It’s guaranteed to be a safe place for swimming, boating, and playing water games.

You will love the feel of sand on your feet as you walk along its coasts. It has picnic cabanas, beach palapas, a wildlife sanctuary, beachfront pavilions, boat ramps, fitness trails, fishing piers, and more.

You will also have access to other fun outdoor activities like the children’s playground, a saltwater swimming lagoon, and exercise stations.

They also have restrooms that are very well-maintained, just like the rest of the place.

It’s a perfect destination for a family fun day, with all the interactive things to do around here. It’s also an ideal place to hold special events like birthdays or beach weddings.

Address: 210 Seabreeze Dr, Rockport, TX 78382, United States

Rockport Center for the Arts

Meet the locals at one of the most underrated places to visit in Rockport, Texas!

You must stop by Rockport Center for the Arts to see more of the city’s local art in many forms. RCA offers art activities to the community through exhibits, lectures, theatrical performances, and other events.

They also display works of local artists in their gallery room, filled with changing exhibits every month.

Their sculpture garden will capture your attention the most, filled with fascinating sculptures of local artists. They could mean many things, but the interpretation is totally up to you!

Located in the heart of the arts district in downtown Rockport, RCA displays various art genres like glass and wooden arts and local, national, and international paintings.

Depending on the time you visit, the art center hosts events, activities, classes, fairs, or festivals you can participate in! It’s highly encouraging, especially if you want to immerse more in the area’s culture.

If you want to take home a piece of the local’s talents, you can stop by their art souvenir store for locally-crafted items.

Address: 401 South Austin Street, Suite B, Rockport, TX 78382, United States

Rockport Cultural Arts District

Discover all artistic treasures in Downtown Rockport, a “Harbor for Happy Souls.”

If you’re a visitor, you must explore this part of town. This district is especially for you! Here, they focus on educating visitors about Rockport art as a way of promoting tourism in the culture-rich city.

They host public events throughout the year, so you will likely witness them during one of your visits. You can check this out online, but some of these include the Aransas County Sesquicentennial Celebration, Rockport Art Festival, Rockport Film Festival, and more.

You can also find dozens of small independent art stores and galleries in the Art District. Several of them carry local decorative, functional, and nautical art.

They also have photography studios and quirky stores like the Busted Junk Pot Museum. They almost have everything – antiques, statues, distinctive signs, and many miscellaneous items.

Rockport Cultural Arts District simply wants to preserve the city’s artistic reputation. They believe this attribute will bring economic development within the District.

Besides that, it spreads awareness to residents, tourists, and neighboring cities in revitalizing the community through tourism and art.

It’s historic downtown, after all!

Address: 902 E. Cornwall Street, Rockport, TX 78382

Texas Maritime Museum

Learning never ceases wherever you are in Rockport, Texas. Here you will know the rich maritime heritage of Texas and how it influenced the state’s greatness.

The Texas Maritime Museum is dedicated to educating the public regarding the ocean’s history near Rockport through collections of maritime artifacts.

This started in the 1970s when hobbyists displayed these collections, which later evolved into a permanent display and museum.

Since then, the museum has housed several collections of artifacts, literature, and exhibits recording the maritime history of the coast, mainly rooted in steamboat and sailboat transit. Now, it’s one of the best museums in town.

You’ll learn about Spanish exploration in the search for oil and gas, stories of piracy, and how Texas heavily relied on the sea to become a powerful state.

If you’re here to learn about the Gulf Coast, you’re in the right place, too.

It’s easy to plan your itinerary since the place is not fair-sized. You will probably require an hour to do the tour, and you’re good to go.

Address: 1202 Navigation Cir, Rockport, TX 78382, United States

The Official – History Center for Aransas County

Uphold local heritage in the beautifully restored home of the History Center for Aransas County.

This Queen Victorian cottage tucked within a residential neighborhood in Rockport, Texas, showcases outdoor and indoor exhibits that tell the stories of the real people of Aransas County.

They also provide space for displays and host meetings, gatherings, and workshops to preserve the town’s history for many years to come.

The two-story house was built in the late 1800s, with steep, irregular roof shapes, front-facing gable, patterned shingles, asymmetrical porch and door, pine floors, and decorative ornamentation.

Architecturally speaking, the structure has indeed stood the test of time without losing its shimmer. It was first owned by Albert Lewis Bruhl, or ‘Doc Bruhl’ in 1896. It was passed on to several hands (including notable figures) throughout the centuries.

In 2014, the home was opened as The Official – History Center for Aransas County.

Touring the home would be as fun as strolling their gardens, where you will see additional historical relics on display.

It’s best to visit the Center during one of its regularly scheduled public events and history talks. You will hear in detail the story of the making of Aransas County. The fun thing is if you come in the winter, summer, and fall, you’ll learn something different each time.

Don’t be afraid to get lost in time as you walk around and see displays showcasing different periods of time.

Address: 801 E. Cedar St., Rockport, Tx 78382

Tule Creek Hike and Bike Trail

Go and get physical! Rockport, Texas, offers great opportunities for hiking and biking at Tule Creek.

This is a fun way to get yourself around Rockport and see more of the city’s views. You can bike around the city for leisure or take the rougher road for a more active adventure.

Tule Creek provides bike trails that cater to all skill levels, of which many of them are connected. You’ll pass through a wide, paved trail that takes you through a forest and somewhere alongside a creek.

There are other trails you can try, like the Southern Trail, where you start at the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary. This was recently established in Rockport and is a 1.7-mile paved bike trail. It connects to other trails in the city, too.

You can also visit Rockport’s premier city park through the Memorial Park bike trail. It’s a 1.65-mile trail that takes you through one of the largest nature and recreation parks in the city.

Ride slow or get fit; there’s no pressure! Just don’t miss to appreciate nature as you go.

Address: 2429 Hwy 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382, United States

Whooping Crane Boat Tour

It has been mentioned many times over that whooping cranes are greatly treasured in Rockport, Texas. This is because their species are rare to find in the city.

It’s uplifting to see these wonderful creatures in their natural habitats doing their thing.

Marine Biologists from Rockport Birding and Kayak Adventures allow you to ride on board and watch these birds from a distance. Grab your binoculars because you would like to see this up close!

On board the flagship Skimmer, you will experience Rockport’s only whooping crane boat tour. Rockport Adventures is focused on providing visitors the opportunity to witness the vast array of species habitats in the area, especially the rare whooping crane.

Capt. Tommy Moore and his experienced guides will accompany you in one of the best experiences you can have in Rockport.

As you ride past the shores of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll see this stunning species in its natural habitat that will change your perspective on many things. During the 3-hour trip, you will most likely be introduced to 30 to 60 different species.

To this writing, there are over 400 species that have been documented along the Texas Coastal Bend.

If you’re a nature-lover, you will be stunned by Aransas’s abundant wildlife and rich history. It’s best to share this experience this opportunity with your families, friends, and loved ones.

Address: 215 N Fulton Beach Rd, Fulton, TX 78358, United States

One trip is never enough! Explore the best things to do and places to visit in Texas for more top attractions.

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