Rockport and Fulton area guide
What to do, when to go, a little history and how to get around Rockport and Fulton.
Last updated
Overview
Rockport is the county seat of Aransas County. It sits on State Highway 35, on a strip of land between Copano Bay and Aransas Bay, about 30 miles northeast of Corpus Christi. Fulton is the smaller town just to the north, on the same highway and on Aransas Bay.
Together the two towns make one stretch of bay shore. Nearby you will find a state historic site, a national wildlife refuge, and the yearly events listed below. Each winter the endangered whooping cranes return to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, in the northern part of Aransas County.
Fishing has been part of the local economy for a long time. Commercial fishing was already flourishing in the Rockport area by the early 1890s.
What to do
Beaches
Rockport Beach Park describes itself as Texas' first Blue Wave Beach. In the beach's own words, a Blue Wave Beach is clean and managed responsibly.
- Rockport Beach Park
A mile-long engineered crescent on Aransas Bay, not open Gulf, so there is no surf and no rip current.
- Saltwater Pool Pavillions
The saltwater swimming area and pavilions at Rockport Beach, calm, shallow, and made for kids.
On the Water
- fishntexas - The Saltwater Cowboy
Rockport fishing guide running bay trips under the Saltwater Cowboy banner.
- GlowRow - Rockport Paradise Key
The Rockport launch point for GlowRow's LED-lit clear kayak night paddles, out of Paradise Key.
- GlowRow Rockport (Little Bay)
Guided night kayak tours in clear-bottom kayaks lit from below with LEDs.
- Gone With The Fish Charters
Rockport charter running bay trips under the best pun in the harbor.
- Little Bay Marine
Boat rental business on Broadway in Rockport, near Little Bay.
- Mojo Guide Service & Outfitters - Rockport TX
Rockport guide service running bay trips with outfitting on the side.
Boat Tours & Cruises
- Rockport Birding And Kayak Adventures
Rockport outfit running birding boat trips and guided kayak tours, including winter whooping crane viewing.
- Whooping Crane & Dolphin Boat Tours
Rockport boat tours running dolphin trips in the warm months and whooping crane viewing in winter, when the world's rarest cranes settle nearby.
Fishing & Birding
- Aransas Woods
Wooded birding tract on the edge of Rockport with a short trail and boardwalk.
- Beacon Bait Stand
Fulton bait stand with live shrimp and the morning's fishing report.
- Connie Hagar Birding Park
Sanctuary honoring Connie Hagar, the legendary Rockport birder who put the town on the birding map.
- Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary
A small free sanctuary of oaks and a labeled butterfly and native plant garden, named for the Rockport citizen scientist who put this coast on the birding map.
- First Light Fishing Charters
Captain Jared runs bay charters for redfish, trout and black drum, and moves spots quickly when the bite dies.
- Fly Fish Rockport
Guided shallow-water skiff trips for redfish and trout with Captain Jeff Gibson and crew, fly or conventional tackle.
Parks & Trails
- Compass Rose Park
Small ornamental city park in Rockport with a covered gazebo, a registered labyrinth, and views of Little Bay and Aransas Bay.
- Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary
Small Rockport nature sanctuary with trails and quiet birding minutes from downtown.
- Little Bay
The shallow bay beside Rockport Beach, calm water for wading kids and reliable shorebird watching along the edges.
- Magnolia Park
Rockport city park on North Live Oak Street that the city describes as open space under the live oaks the town is known for.
- Mathis Park
Small Rockport neighborhood park on South Live Oak with a full-size basketball court, a covered cabana with a grill, two swing sets, and the Aransas County Community Garden.
- Memorial Park Hike & Bike Nature Trails
A large town park with short nature trails, a playground, ten picnic tables each with a charcoal grill, a pavilion, ball fields, basketball courts, disc golf, a fitness court, an off-leash dog park, and clean restrooms.
Golf & Sports
- Live Oak Country Club
A nine-hole course southwest of town with new greens, wide open fairways, and no dress code to speak of.
- Rockport Country Club
An 18-hole course with a nicely restored clubhouse, a restaurant, a pool, and tennis and pickleball courts.
Indoor Fun
- Bay Education Center
A free interactive museum about the bay ecosystem: knot tying, clam digging, animal sounds, a boat to climb in, and a room-sized 3D projected globe running weather and planetary programs.
- The Aquarium at Rockport Harbor
A small volunteer-run aquarium of local marine life and fossils with interactive exhibits, free to enter on a donation basis.
Arts & History
The Fulton Mansion State Historic Site is a Texas Historical Commission property. Rockport Center for the Arts hosts the Rockport Art Festival in early July.
- Beach Family Sculpture
Bronze family sculpture at Rockport Beach, a quick photo stop on the way to the sand.
- Estelle Stair Gallery
A gallery in a historic building showing prints, sculpture, clothing and mug art from a wide roster of artists.
- Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
An 1877 Victorian mansion that had running water, gas lighting and central heat before most of Texas did, with restored interiors, gardens and bay views from the back lawn.
- History Center for Aransas County
Rockport's local history center with exhibits on the county's fishing, ranching, and hurricane past.
- Hoopes-Smith House
Grand 1890s Rockport mansion on the heritage circuit, worth a slow drive-by on a historic-homes wander.
- Jesus Moroles Estate
Legacy site of Jesús Moroles, the celebrated Rockport granite sculptor whose monumental work stands worldwide.
Shopping
- Attitudes and Latitudes
Higher-end women's clothing, notably linen, plus quality home decor, in a calm well-kept shop.
- Bay Window
Longtime Rockport gift shop downtown with coastal art, decor, and cards.
- Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor
Rockport's harborside event grounds, home to the seafair, art festival, and market weekends through the year.
- Goin' Coastal Outfitters
Half boutique clothing and shoes for men and women, half Blue Bell ice cream counter, with a permanent jewellery bar in the back and a penny press machine.
- Harbor Oaks Shopping center
Small Rockport shopping center gathering a handful of local boutiques and services in one stop.
- Mermaid Ranch Coastal Decor
Coastal home decor, women's tops and dresses, kids' gifts and toys, laid out well in a large bright space.
Food & Drink
- Paradise Key Dockside Bar & Grill
A large waterfront bar and grill on Cove Harbor with extensive covered patio seating.
- 2 Girls Burger and More
Food truck with indoor air-conditioned seating serving hand-formed burgers on sourdough buns, fresh-cut fries, onion rings, and complimentary pinto beans.
- Bakery Cafe Rockport
A clean, cheerful town cafe doing skillets, biscuits, waffles, chicken fried steak, and fried fish and shrimp at lunch.
- Cheryl's
A small, twinkle-lit dining room with a vintage feel and a beautiful bar.
- Copano's
Quiet white-tablecloth dining room doing baked oysters, crab cakes that are nearly all crab, steaks, and proper martinis.
- Fulton's Irish Pub and Grill
A proper pub menu: shepherd's pie, cottage pie, meatloaf, chicken pot pie, mussels, prime rib, and a pretzel with beer cheese that people come back for.
Desserts & Coffee
- Bella la Brew Coffee Bar
A cosy coffee bar with pastries, muffins, brownies with caramel, breakfast pretzels and sausage rolls, plus a gift section featuring local artists.
- Dairy Queen
The Rockport DQ, a Texas institution for Blizzards and dipped cones after a beach day.
- Donut Palace
A straightforward donut shop with a drive-through, open from before dawn until early afternoon.
- Duck Blind Coffee
Rockport drive-thru coffee stand with strong espresso drinks and a hunting-lodge streak in the branding.
- Duck Blind Drive Thru & Dine In
Duck Blind Coffee's drive-thru location in Rockport, serving coffee and refreshments.
- FroYo Magic
Harry Potter themed self-serve frozen yoghurt, priced by weight, with boba, snow cones, slushes and refreshers.
Nights Out
- Axe Holes
Rockport axe-throwing venue with lanes and coaching.
- Bay Area Brewing Company
A veteran-owned brewery with rotating taps, frozen daiquiris, craft root beer, sourdough loaves, snacks and games.
- BenchWarmers
Rockport's go-to sports bar for burgers, cold beer, and whatever game is on.
- Boatmen’s Bar and Marina
Dockside Rockport bar with slips alongside and drinks with working-harbor views.
- Cross Eyed Martini
Rockport bar mixing cocktails with a fun, unfussy local crowd.
- Legends Saloon
A country dance hall with a real dance floor, live bands, and no cover charge.
When to visit
Whooping cranes usually arrive at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in late October and leave by mid-April, so winter is the time to look for them. Each spring and fall, millions of waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds also pass through the refuge.
Three yearly events are run by local organizers:
- The Rockport Art Festival is hosted by Rockport Center for the Arts in early July at the Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor.
- The HummerBird Celebration is a Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce event held in September. It centers on the hummingbird migration through Rockport and Fulton.
- SeaFair is another Chamber of Commerce event, held in early October. It includes cardboard boat races and crab races.
Dates change every year, so check with the organizer before you plan a trip around one.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to NOAA. Storms sometimes form outside those dates. Check the forecast from the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi and follow local officials.
History
Rockport was founded just after the Civil War as a cattle slaughtering, packing, and shipping port. It is named for the rock ledge under its shore. In the 1880s, boatbuilding and fishing began to grow into important local industries. A powerful hurricane hit the area in 1919, and much of Rockport was destroyed.
Fulton was founded in 1866 and named for George Ware Fulton, Sr. His mansion is a French Second Empire house, built over three years from 1874 to 1877. It had gas lighting, central heating and indoor plumbing with hot and cold running water. Tourism began to play a growing role in Fulton's economy after 1920.
Getting around
State Highway 35 runs through both Rockport and Fulton, and Fulton is just north of Rockport on the same highway. Rockport is about 30 miles northeast of Corpus Christi.
Much of the northern part of Aransas County is inside the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge offers a 16-mile auto tour, a fishing pier and observation towers, and it points visitors to its Visitor Center for registration and orientation.
Getting here
These drive times come from the OSRM routing service, which uses OpenStreetMap data. Each one starts at the center of the city and ends in Rockport. Drive times vary with traffic, so allow extra time on busy days.
- From Houston: about 185 miles and about 4 hours. The route uses I-69, US 59, US 77, TX 239 and TX 35.
- From Austin: about 190 miles and about 3 hours 45 minutes. The route uses US 183 and US 77 Alt.
- From San Antonio: about 160 miles and about 3 hours. The route uses I-37, US 281 and TX 188.
Where to stay
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Plan your tripSources
- Handbook of Texas: Rockport, TX (TSHA)
- Handbook of Texas: Fulton, TX (TSHA)
- Handbook of Texas: Aransas County (TSHA)
- Fulton Mansion history (Texas Historical Commission)
- Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
- Birding at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
- Art Fest (Rockport Center for the Arts)
- 58th Annual Rockport Art Festival announcement (Rockport Center for the Arts)
- HummerBird Celebration (Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce)
- About SeaFair (Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce)
- Rockport Beach (the beach's own site, linked from the Aransas County Navigation District)
- Tropical cyclone climatology (NOAA National Hurricane Center)
- National Weather Service Corpus Christi
- OpenStreetMap contributors (map and route data)