Free Things to Do
Port Aransas
Free Things To Do
Beach!! Duh!!!
The beach is a central attraction, ideal for swimming,
building sandcastles, getting buried in the sand or just relaxing by the sea.Β You can rent a golf cart for your trip and drive on the beach. Be sure to plan to bring your own shade.Β We suggest frameless sun shelters often called sun sails because they pack up small and the the metal pop up tents tend to break easily.Β Frameless shelters can be found around town for purchase or be sure to pack one before you come. Sun Sail, Shibumi andΒ Sun Ninja are common shade sails.
~What’s in my beach bag: Sunscreen, hat, sun shirts, jellyfish gel (rare, but just in case) snacks, water, towels.
~Kid must haves, according to local beach kids: skim board, boogie board, surf board, sand castle toys, big wheeled toy trucks, kite, football, soccer ball, volley ball, frisbee…Β Here is the full Nature Tour Map of Port Aransas.
Leonbelle Birding Center
The Leonbelle Birding Center showcases our vast variety of bird life. Be on the lookout for Boots, our resident 14-foot alligator!!
Walk the Jetty
This is one of my favorite things to do! On a good day when the waves arenβt too high, you can make it to the end. But be careful the rocks are wet and can be slippery/slimy in some spots and always be mindful of the water you never know when a big wave may come crashing over!!
Charlie's Pasture
Charles Pasture is a bike/walking trail from the Community Park through the pasture and ending at the ship channel. The Nature Preserve offers a free Nature Walk every Saturday at 8am. The tour meets at the Community Park. Free Nature Preserve Yoga at the pavilion in Charlie’s Pasture every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Register for both at porta.recdesk.com.
Robertβs Point Park
Roberts Point is a great place to spend the day. Lots of picnic tables, play areas, and even fishing!Β
Free Concerts on the 2nd Friday of each month from March through October.
Catch Sand Crabs
Sand Crabs can be found all along the beach. They like to dig holes in the sand to hide in. You can usually spot these holes pretty easily with their little crabby footprints leading you right to them.Β
Once you find the holes either wait for them to come out or dig them out. This is especially fun at night with a flashlight. Be sure to let the little guys go unharmed.
Community Park
Playground, skatepark, dog park- We have the best community park! Multi-story play structure for the kiddos, skate park, bike trails, dog park, disc golf, pickleball (see below), and even a swimming pool! You can see the pool info below in the low-price activities.
Pickleball
If you enjoy pickleball, be sure to check out the Port A Pickleball courts located in the Community Park at 700 Clark Ave. If you donβt have your own gear you can check out the equipment for FREE by calling Parks and Rec at Β (361) 749-4158
Ghost Tour
Feeling spooky?? Check out the Port Aransas self-guided ghost tour!
Art Center
Be sure to stop in the Art Center and look at all the beautiful beach-inspired art! Located at 104 N. Allister
Mural Tour Port A
Mural TourPort AΒ is a beautiful and colorful beach town you can spend a few hours or a whole day cruising around looking at murals and taking fun pics with them! Here is our Mural Art Map!
UT Marine Science Center
855 E. Cotter Avenue, Port Aransas Texas 78373.
Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.Β
The newly renovated Patton Center for Marine Science Education features eight large aquaria and engaging interactive displays, that provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the local marine life and the research that is conducted at the University Marine Science Institute and its Mission-Aransas Reserve program
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Port Aransas
Ut-Marine Science Institute
750 Channel View Dr. Port Aransas Tx 78373
361-749-6711
If youβre looking for something thatβs free and educational, look no further than the UT Marine Science Institute. Located on the road to the jetty, you will find the beautiful facilities that house a mini aquarium experience, including a touch tank with urchins, starfish and more. There are tons of interactive educational games as well as puppets & a tower viewer overlooking the wetland center. A fishing boat complete with fishing poles and pretend fish is perfect for playing pretend and perfect for mom to get a few cute pictures while the kids play. My favorite feature was their touch screens that have βask a scientistβ, where kids can choose FAQs from a list of different scientists and hear the pre-recorded responses from the scientists themselves. Donβt forget to ask about joining in on an ARK turtle tour or you can register yourself here.
Port Aransas
Low Price Activities
Fishing
Bring a pole or rent one out at Island Tackle. Be sure to check out our fishing page for the best local spots.
San Jose Island
San Jose Island is a deserted island just on the other side of the Port Aransas shipping channel. To access the north side of the channel, you need to catch a ride onΒ The Jetty Boat. It runs daily from Fishermanβs Wharf in Port Aransas to a private dock on the other side. The back-to-nature island offers excellent fishing, birding, and beach combing. This is a walk-on boat only, so be sure to pack snacks and drinks as there are NO accommodations on the North Side. We would also suggest a pull-behind wagon to help carry your gear.Β It is $18.00 for anyone 13 or older, $9.00 for ages 6-12, and Ages 5 and under are free. Be sure to check The Jetty Boat Schedule for departure and return times. Reservations are not required.
Rent A Bike
Rent a bike from Big Shells Bikes!! Only $25 for a half-day rental!!Β Pick one up at 905 Hwy 361 (Port A Beer Hut)
800 Access Rd 1-A (Executive Keys Condominiums) or give them a call to get them delivered for $20.
Kite Flying
Fly – It Port A has almost every kite you could imagine! Flying a kite is everyoneβs favorite pastime, and the kids will love it too! Kite flying is perfect for the beach or the park.
Pool
The Port A Community Pool is an inexpensive way to spend the day. Ages 19-59 is $2 and only $1 for 18 and under and 60 and up!!
Ceramics
At Fire It Ceramics you pick out a preformed ceramics piece, paint and get it βfiredβ (the finishing step). All the pieces are clearly labeled. The smallest ones are only $1 and go up from there.
ARK
Amos Rehabilitation Keep Tours at the Marine Science Institute – The University of Texas at Austin – Every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 10 am. Only 15 people were allowed on the tour. $10/person; three and under are free.
Library
Looking for the perfect beach book to read on your vacation or need to rent a video to relax at the beach house? Be sure to stop by the Library and browse around. A non-resident Library card is $10/year
