Located in Aransas County and adjacent to the town of Fulton, Rockport is a popular tourist destination because of its access to a variety of marine recreation (such as boating, fishing, waterskiing, and swimming). It’s also a popular place for birdwatchers and duck hunters, because of the large number of bird species in the area. The city hosts several fairs and festivals throughout the year (such as Oyster Fest, Seafair, and even a wine festival).
If you’re planning your next family vacation or condo purchase in Rockport, TX, here are some kid-friendly activities that are in or near the area.
1: Rockport Beach
Located at 210 Seabreeze Drive, Rockport Beach has great facilities, gorgeous views, and plenty of places for family fun. It’s also the first Blue Wave Beach in the State of Texas and is one of four on the Texas Gulf Coast. The beach is open from 6am to 11pm Sunday through Thursday as well as from 6am to 12am on Friday and Saturday. Parking costs for Rockport Beach are $10 a day, but you can also pay annually for $40. Disabled veterans are given a free annual pass once they provide the appropriate documentation.
2: Fulton Fishing Pier
The newly updated Fulton Fishing Pier has been open to the public since October 30, 2021 and has some new state-of-the-art fishing lights that will illuminate the water so fish are more visible below surface level. Anyone can walk down the pier for free. But, if you want a more interactive experience, be sure to bring your fishing pole. You can even rent some in a little shack at the pier’s entrance for $5 a rod (with a maximum of four poles per person). There’s also a shop where you can buy drinks, frozen shrimp, snacks, and a few other items. There are, however, some rules that you should keep in mind during your visit:
• All children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
• No jumping from the pier.
• Do not dispose of fish carcasses, debris, or remains in the water. Use the trash cans located on the pier.
• Use nonfillament receptacles for any discarded fishing lines.
• Report any injured or strained sea turtles by calling the Texas Sea Turtle Hotline at (866)877-8535.
Make sure to pick up your trash, and you should always be courteous of others because it’s a family-friendly place.
3: Texas Maritime Museum
The history of the Texas Maritime Museum goes back to the late 1970’s at the Rockport annual Seafair Festival where maritime enthusiasts would bring their personal collection of motors, fishing equipment and mounted fish for public viewing. The museum’s establishment was a community-wide project led by a few dedicated members until it opened its doors on July 1, 1989. Its mission is to educated and excite people about maritime history as well as its important to the state’s development and livelihood.
4: Birding Tours
The Rockport area offers one-of-a-kind photography tours and charters that can be custom-designed to fit your group’s specific needs. Some of them have different decks at separate elevations, and they’ll have enclosed cabins so you can take a break while getting out of the elements. You can even find boats with shallow draft capabilities, so you can get really close to the birds. It’s not uncommon for people to get within 50 feet of a flock of whooping cranes, and you can get even closer to shorebirds.
5: Hiking and Biking Trails
Whether you’re looking for an easy walking trail or something through which you can ride your bike, Rockport has some of the best in South Texas. The city has several trails that cover 14 miles, so you can be sure to find one for you and your entire family. One of them includes the Tule Creek Hike and Bike Trail, which is a 10-foot-wide concrete path with a painted center line that goes through a live oak forest, runs parallel to Tule Creek, and ends at Enterprise Boulevard.
6: The Big Tree
The “Big Tree” near Rockport is one of the most famous live oaks in the world after it was named the “Texas State Champion Virginia Live Oak” in 1969, which is a title that it kept until 2003 when a larger oak tree was discovered in Brazoria County. It’s still considered to be one of the largest live oak specimens in the United States and is located in Goose Island State Park.
If you’re planning a family vacation in the area and are looking for one of the best condos in Rockport, TX, be sure to get in touch with Bayfront Kontiki.
