When I need to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and have a relaxing weekend getaway, my go-to place is the charming coastal town of Rockport, Texas. Hugging the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, Rockport offers a peaceful retreat with its nicely kept beaches, quaint shops, and delicious restaurants. Whether you're looking to soak up the sun on the beach, explore local art galleries, or indulge in fresh seafood, Rockport is the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend escape.
Rockport is an easy two-and-a-half-hour drive from my San Antonio, Texas home base. The drive is picturesque once you are off Highway 281 and heading to the coast. I love to go to Rockport Beach Park. There is a $10 charge, but it is worth it. The beach is clean, there are plenty of picnic areas, and there are palapas to shield you from the sun. Do get there early to secure a good parking space and a palapa!
The beach is shallow, so you can go further without worrying too much about currents. A cool activity is taking your metal detector and foraging for lost treasures when the tide is low. I haven’t found anything worthwhile, but the anticipation of discovering a treasure is worth it to me. Something else I love doing is looking for shells. Whenever I go to a beach, I find one that speaks to me and add it to my collection.
One can ride the seadoo’s, paddle board, or kayak on the bay side across from the beach. Many folks also fish there and on the beach. If you’re looking for refreshments, cool t-shirts, or forgotten your sunscreen, the Pirate Shack, on the opposite side of the parking spaces, is the place to go. By now, I must have every single one of their long-sleeve shirts!
Once I’ve had my fill of the beach, I like to go into town and visit all the stores in the Heritage or Cultural District. I’ll walk from one end of the strip and back again to explore. My favorite stops include the Rockport Center for the Arts, a beautiful art museum and gallery highlighting many local artists. The sculpture garden is gorgeous! Other favorites include Moon Over Water Gallery (unique jewelry pieces and fabulous hand-made pottery and other art), Shopping with Siobhan, 4-The Birds (a must for birders!), and the Seashell Shop. If you’re into the weird and unusual stuff, Rowdy Maui is your store. There are so many more to mention, all interesting and offering something for every taste.
If you’re a railroad history enthusiast, the Rockport Railroad Depot is an interesting museum to visit. If you're a nature lover, I encourage you to see the 1,000+-years-old Big Tree on Goose Island. According to Forests’ National Tree Registry, its one of the top ten largest oak trees in the US. Finally, a tour of the historic Texas Fulton Mansion, will take you back to the 1870s to learn more about George and Harriet Fulton and their lavish, state-of-the-art (by 1800 standards) home.
There are also many places to eat in Rockport, but over the years of many hits and misses, my favorites are The Boiling Pot (no frills, savory shrimp boil) and Copano’s (used to be 495 Chesapeake Eats). These two restaurants have been consistent with the level of service and quality of food. You'll find great beer across the street from Copano’s at Dog’Gone Brewery. All their brews are named after dogs the owners have had or have. Their Lucy’Lu’s Blood Orange IPA is delicious and my all-time favorite. And speaking of consistent service and quality, the Inn at Fulton Harbor is my hotel of choice.
Even as I’m writing this, I’m developing a longing to go again!
If you haven’t been, I hope this entices you to visit and explore this gem of a town.
If you’ve been to Rockport before, what are your favorite places to see?
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