There are many things to do in Rockport-Fulton with kids to keep them happy!
The Rockport-Fulton area is located on the Texas Coast in Aransas County, above Corpus Christi and Port Aransas. It’s a short drive from the Aransas Pass and a little over 2 hours from San Antonio. There is plenty to do in Rockport-Fulton with kids, including Blue Wave Beach, the Texas Maritime Museum, Market Days, and more.
The city of Rockport is rich in history, boasting numerous historical sites and landmarks throughout the town. It’s Texas Gulf Coast hospitality at its best. The area is also an excellent destination for a family getaway, boasting small-town charm, natural beauty, and a range of Gulf Coast activities.
What To Do In Rockport-Fulton With Kids
There are numerous fun activities in this area, including water sports, and the beach is always a popular option.
Experience The Blue Wave Beach In Rockport-Fulton
You’ll find one of the best beach towns here at Rockport-Fulton, so much so that Rockport Beach was named Texas’s Best Beach by USA Today in 2018. And for a good reason. As Texas’s first “Blue Wave” beach, it is nationally certified by the Washington, D.C., Clean Beaches Council. Featuring three playgrounds, two sand volleyball courts, and 71 cabanas, each with a barbecue grill. The mile-long Texas Gulf Coast beach was named the “Blue Wave Beach” because of its cleanliness and well-maintained condition.
Rockport Beach is a place you’ll want to spend all day. The serene bay waters are something you can only experience in the Caribbean. Don’t miss the chance to see the Bay Education Center. It’s free and is open from 10-4 with daily Science on Sphere presentations.
Hike along the beach, piers, and walking trails, taking in the beauty. But, also check out Copano Bay rentals and boat rides on the water.
Fish The Bays In Rockport, Texas
Fishing opportunities abound in Rockport-Fulton. Whether you’re a pro with all the equipment, want an experienced guide to take you on your first fishing adventure, or want some relaxing time with your own fishing gear on one of the fishing piers or jetties, this town offers everything.
Remember, you do not need a fishing license to fish from the Fulton fishing pier or any other pier.
Explore The Texas Maritime Museum
The Texas Maritime Museum exists to excite and educate the public about Texas Maritime history and artifacts by preserving artifacts, documents, photographs, and books that further illuminate Texas’ maritime history.
Kids can stand at the helm and imagine marine life on the sea, learn how to tie knots and visit the many interactive exhibits of the three-level museum. Don’t miss the opportunity to go all the way to the top for the best views of Rockport.
Shop Rockport Heritage District Downtown
Enjoy the old-time feeling as you take a stroll and breathe in the salty bay air while browsing the shops at Rockport Heritage District. Stop by the Sorenson-Stair building, registered as a Historic Texas Landmark from 1886 when it was a mercantile! I love our modern conveniences but equally enjoy pondering what life used to be like.
Our girl time in historic downtown Rockport with my daughter while browsing the quaint shops and checking out the local artists will be forever cherished. I loved walking and talking as we looked for souvenirs, laughed at oddities in the shops, and pictured ourselves wearing beautiful satin attire or floppy beach hats.
Visit The Rockport Cultural Arts District
Coastal Living Magazine has named Rockport a Top 10 Coastal Art Colony in the United States.
Rockport Center for the Arts has three art galleries, a gift shop, and a Sculpture Garden that opens on Aransas Bay. Many little art galleries filled with wildlife art, contemporary abstract artwork, and select Texas Modernist art will sneak up on you while you shop the Heritage District.
Take A Scenic Hike On Tule Creek Hike And Bike Trail
Whether you hike or take your bike on the biking trails, you’ll likely see beautiful birds, a whooping crane or two, deer, marshlands, and many wildflowers. Getting out in nature to see the beauty while getting those endorphins going keeps us healthy and happy. I loved the easy two-mile round-trip nature trails on the Tule Hike and Bike Trail.
Capture The Beauty Of The Bent Oak Trees
The bent oaks are one of my favorite features of Rockport-Fulton. These beautiful trees line the streets and highways. The trees are unique, with the grass below decorated with myriad wildflowers.
Would you believe this above spot was just across from a shopping center? The area is gorgeous!
Do Some Bird Watching
Rockport birding is a big deal here. Many bird species flock to this area every year in the winter months. It’s their natural habitat and where they call home for the winter. Whether you’re an experienced birder or a novice like me who loves to gaze at beautiful creatures that we might not have seen at home – Rockport is a birder’s paradise. It’s the ideal spot to get your kids interested in birding, as its skies are full of unique and exciting birds.
These live oak trees facing the bay are called Bent Tree Rookery; some are full of blue herons, great white herons, and black crow night herons. The birds nest in the trees, and you can watch them fly back and forth. There was so much action here. Want to further your birding adventure and learn more about the live oak forest? Take a birding boat tour!
Travel Pro Tip: Bring binoculars
See The Big Tree At Goose Island State Park
The Big Tree is a sight to behold at Goose Island State Park! Estimated to be almost 1,000 years old, the Big Tree is one of Texas’s giant live oak trees and the nation’s!
The Big Tree is impressive, with its trunk circumference of over 35 feet and over 11 feet. The crown spread is 89 feet, and it’s 44 feet high. Even looking at the numbers, it’s tough to imagine its expanse. You’ll want to see this humongous tree yourself.
Memorial Park – Off-Leash Dog Park
If you have dogs that need to roam, Memorial Park offers plenty of space for your pets to run around without their leash. It has two separate sections – one for small dogs and the other for larger dogs. If you have no pets, don’t worry, there is a playground and plenty of picnic tables for a picnic.
Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
If you have a family of history buffs, you may enjoy learning about local history and what it was like back in the late 1800s. Take a self-guided tour starting at the History Center as you work your way around the site. It is located at 317 S. Fulton Beach Rd.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Head to the refuge for more bird watching, including the whooping cranes and other wildlife. It’s a little far from town but well worth the visit. Take a 16-mile auto tour or walk up the observation towers. After that, enjoy a picnic overlooking San Antonio Bay.
Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary Nature Preserve
The sanctuary is located at the corner of South Church Street and East First Street and has 6.25 acres with an observation platform. It has a mixture of oak motte and native grasses. If you go in the spring, many Monarch butterflies will be there.
Rockport Fulton Market Days
It happens the 3rd weekend of the month all year long from 9 am – 4 pm at Festival Groun
If you want to search the area for other things to do, visit Aransas Pathways, and it will give you even more things to do in Rockport-Fulton with kids and just you like coastal birding, kayak adventures, where you can find specific species of birds, and so much more.
Restaurants By The Water In Rockport
Given the water, something about dining is so welcoming and relaxing. Some of my best conversations with my daughter happened as we feasted on delicious food while gazing out at the water and watching the birds dart back and forth and boats come and go.
Many eateries with great views and the freshest seafood are in Rockport-Fulton.
Paradise Key Dockside Bar And Grill
We especially enjoyed Paradise Key Dockside Bar & Grill’s sweeping ceilings and walls lined with windows overlooking the water.
Charlotte Plummer’s Seafare Restaurant
The area’s oldest and most much-loved restaurant also has excellent views and tasty meals. It’s an excellent place to watch them cook your meal.
Do you want to eat your fresh-caught fish but don’t want to clean and cook them? No problem! Many of the area restaurants will cook your catch for you!
495 Cheasepeake Eats
Feast on Seafood and cocktails. Opens at 5 pm. Closed Mondays.
The Groove Steak And Lobster House
Opens at 5 p.m. for steak, seafood, wood-fired pizzas & wine. Eat in the dining room or the patio.
There are so many great reasons to visit Rockport-Fulton with kids! If you’re considering other places to go with a beach, consider one of these top beach getaways in Texas!
Photo Credits: Esther Irish
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Wow, I loved what you said about visiting Goose Island State Park. I’m planning to take my kids to Texas for a little weekend getaway this summer. I think Rockport would be a good place to visit, so I’ll look online to find some accommodations there.
Hi Eve,
So glad you’re wanting to come to Texas for a weekend getaway. Rockport is a great area!. There are at least 10 places to stay that are on the beach or near. I’m sure you’ll find something fun!! Thank you for your comment. KIM