Attractions & Landmarks
The spots worth a detour: piers, nature preserves, historic sites, murals, and the kind of places you should stop for a photo.

Oldest functional chapel on the island!
Chapel On The Dunes
This chapel was built in 1937-1938 and sits high atop a sand dune overlooking the Gulf. Its hand-painted biblical interior murals — added decades later — make it worth the visit.

The historic boat shop where Port A's tarpon boats were built
Farley Boat Works
The restored boat shop behind Port Aransas's tarpon-fishing legend — now a working heritage program where you can watch wooden boats take shape.

Fun for the whole family!
Fire It! Ceramics
Choose your piece, pick your colors, paint, and they fire it up for you! Perfect for families with children or couples looking for something fun to do and in the end you get to take home a memory!

Perfect for fishing, dolphin watching, or just enjoying the view!
Horace Caldwell Pier
The Horace Caldwell Pier provides access for fishing, bait and tackle for rent and purchase and concessions.

A tiny freshwater pond famous with birders
Joan & Scott Holt Paradise Pond
A small freshwater pond that punches far above its size — one of the Texas coast's celebrated migrant-bird traps. Free, with a boardwalk.

Spot Spoonbills, Herons, Egrets, Pelicans, Songbirds or even a gator!
Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center

A 160-year-old light on the channel behind San Jose Island
Lydia Ann Lighthouse
One of the oldest lighthouses on the Texas coast — reachable only by water, and an easy highlight of any Port Aransas boat tour.

Five miles of undeveloped Gulf shoreline south of town
Mustang Island State Park
A Texas state park with five miles of natural Gulf beach, camping and a paddling trail — the wild, uncrowded side of Mustang Island.

Port Aransas's community art center and gallery
Port Aransas Art Center
Port Aransas's community art center — rotating local exhibits, classes and a gift shop. A pleasant, low-key stop and a good rainy-day option.

The island's fishing-village history, kept in one small building
Port Aransas Museum
A small, volunteer-run history museum that turns Port Aransas from a beach into a place with a story. Free, indoor, and kid-friendly.

Boardwalks and trails through the island's tidal wetlands
Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture
A free city nature preserve of boardwalks and trails through tidal flats and wetlands — Port A's best easy-access birding.

A great spot for fishing or just taking in the view!
Port A South Jetty
The Port A South Jetty is a wonderful spot for fishing or for simply taking in your surroundings and appreciating the magnificent view and diverse wildlife.

Waterfront park with stunning views and spots for fishing!
Roberts Point Park
An excellent spot to bring the kids with plenty of activities and play equipment. It's also a great spot for fishing, watching the ships pass by, or even just taking in the beautiful oceanfront view!

The undeveloped barrier island across the channel
San Jose Island
An undeveloped private island reachable only by the jetty boat — empty beaches, great shelling and fishing, and no facilities at all.

UT Austin's marine research campus — with public exhibits
University of Texas Marine Science Institute
A working marine research institute on the island with a public education center — aquaria and exhibits that explain the Gulf you're swimming in.