Rockport, Texas: Travel Destination

Rockport, Texas is known as "The Charm of the Texas Coast" and for good reasons too. It's a quiet, little town on the coast of Texas just 30 minutes north of Corpus Christi. Over the last ten years Rockport has evolved, expanded and become a tourist destination but it still retains it's small town flair. Rockport is often also referred to as Rockport-Fulton because it's technically two small towns joined together, like twins. My opinion of Rockport is probably biased because it's my home town and even though I've moved to the city almost ten years ago I still consider it home.

Things to do

Despite Rockport's small town status there's actually plenty of things to do while you're visiting this little gem. If you're more of the outdoorsy type there's fishing, camping, golfing and nature trails. A few places to enjoy the wildlife are at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Connie Hagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Goose Island State Park. Rockport also has interesting museums to visit like their Texas Maritime museum, Rockport Center for the Arts, which is more of a gallery than a museum, and the Fulton Mansion which is actually a historical site.

If museums and wildlife aren't your thing there's always shopping and the beach. Rockport and Fulton has a number of quaint little shops to check out, everything from antique shops, art galleries, book stores and jewelry stores. One of the best things, in my opinion, about Rockport-Fulton is the beach. When I was living in Rockport my house was literally just across the highway from the beach. Rockport Beach Park is nothing like Galveston beach or South Padre Island. First of all it's much cleaner and well maintained than any of Galveston's beaches. There are also several pavilions and covered tables spread out through the entire length of the beach. So there are real bathrooms with real showers that are kept clean and open pretty much all the time. Whereas Galveston has porta potties for days they're pavilion isn't open. The water and beach is also much cleaner than Galveston's as well. Rockport Beach Park also doesn't get all the crowds and noise that South Padre Island does during Spring Break.

Where to eat

For a small town Rockport-Fulton offers a fairly eclectic choice of cuisines to choose from. One of the more abundant choices is seafood because the Gulf of Mexico is right outside and it's a town of shrimpers and fishermen. My favorite seafood place is Charlotte Plummer's Seafare Restaurant. Aside from seafood there's also a number of Asian restaurants, Italian, Mexican, Tex-Mex and even a Cajun restaurant called The Boiling Pot.

Places to stay

Whether you're visiting Rockport or just looking for a place to stay while passing through there are no shortages of places to stay. Rockport has hotels and motels if that's more your style. A nice one is the Waterfront Hotel and Suites, and like it's name it really does have a waterfront view. If you prefer something a little more homey and charming check out one of their bed and breakfast like Angel Rose Bed and Breakfast Inn, Anthony's By the Sea Bed and Breakfast and Crane House-Nature Retreat just to name a few. There are also cottages and homes to rent out if you prefer something more private or planning a long stay.

Surrounding destinations

Rockport is a small town and there are a number of cities and towns that are within a reasonable driving distance from it if you're looking to explore. Corpus Christi and Port Aransas are about 30 minutes south of Rockport. Port Aransas is another small town but there's not much to it. Corpus Christi on the other hand is the closest city to Rockport if you're looking for big city fun. There's also Mustang Island which is located across the Corpus Christi bay, they offer horse back riding on the beach, and just south of Mustang Island is South Padre Island.

Who says small towns have to be boring? If you're ever in the area or passing through don't forget to check out some of the many attractions that Rockport-Fulton has to offer. For more information on places to stay, eat and visit check out www.rockport-fulton.org/.