Port A Visitors Guide

Island Images

03/01/2008

An egret does a little fishing among the rocks of the south jetty that lines the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. The distinctive birds are year round residents of Port Aransas and Mustang Island.

Dining Out in Port A

03/01/2008

These listings are not reviews and are provided at no charge to restaurants. Prices represent a typical meal for one person exclusive of drinks, tax and tip. Inexpensive (under $7), moderate ($7 to $17), expensive ($17-$30).

Port Aransas by the Numbers

03/01/2008

Location Northern tip of Mustang Island 30 minutes from Corpus Christi; three hours south of San Antonio, three hours south of Houston and three-anda half hours from Austin. 45 minutes from Corpus Christi International Airport, 30 minutes from downtown Corpus Christi and shopping malls.

Getting Around

03/01/2008

BY WATER Ferryboats run 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year long crossing the Corpus Christi Ship Channel to and from Port Aransas and Harbor Island.

Pool is city's other 'water feature'

03/01/2008

RTA trolley will take riders all around town for a quarter

03/01/2008

I f you're used to riding around Port Aransas on the Trolley for free, better reach for a roll of quarters. The Regional Transportation Authority in Corpus Christi - which operates the Trolley as well as the Flexi-B route from Port Aransas to Corpus Christi now charges a fee for the trolley in Port Aransas. A ride on the bus will cost you a quarter.

Art Fest is fun in many media

03/01/2008

A rt Fest and the Songwriters' Showcase will again join forces with the historic Tarpon Inn to celebrate art and music to benefit the Art Center for the Islands, a non-profit organzation. The third annual Art Fest will start with the ArtFest Fiesta, a barbecue to be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, in the courtyard of the Tarpon Inn, 200 E. Cotter Ave.

Library takes patrons far beyond city

03/01/2008

T he Bill Ellis Memorial Library Web site is www.cityofportaransas. org/library/ cfm. There you'll find the library catalog, general information about the library, current events, and many web links to interesting and helpful Web sites.

Tips will help newcomers

03/01/2008

I f you're now calling Port Aransas home, welcome. Once you've secured your living quarters - through the South Jetty real estate or classified ads, of course! - it's time to set up housekeeping. Here is the low-down in getting set up with electricity and/or natural gas, water and sewer, garbage collection and telephone services.

Every Day in Port A

03/01/2008

FISHING Charters Deep Sea Headquarters, 416 W. Cotter, 749-5597. Three party boats with concessions are available for group fishing, private charters for one to six anglers. Mostly offshore fishing trips made, usually for eight hours. Shorter trips available if demand warrants them. Guides available for bay fishing charters.

Families join college students for Spring Break

03/01/2008

S pring Break: It's not just for college kids any more. Port Aransas has been inviting families to share its beaches during the annual spring holiday, and more and more are accepting that invitation. College students now mix with moms, dads, tots and teens. The focus is less on suds and sun and more on fishing, shopping and fun.

Festival draws birders to island

03/01/2008

T he annual Celebration of Whooping Cranes and Other Birds is on the calendar for Feb. 22-24, when birding tours by land and sea will be available, as well as seminars from world-renowned speakers. The festival has good reason to celebrate, as this year's 266 birds is a record for the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

PACT stages evening, matinee theater

03/01/2008

A fter a busy day of fishing, beachcombing, shopping or some other form of activity, head over to the Port Aransas Community Theater. The nonprofit community theater group presents entertainment year round at the new performance facility on State Hwy. 361 at Sea Isle Drive.

SandFest draws sculptors from around world

03/01/2008

E ach year, Texas Sand- Fest draws dozens of sand sculptors and thousands of spectators to the beach in Port Aransas. The 12th annual Texas SandFest will be held April 18-20 on the beach Between Avenue G and Access Road 1A.

Visitors welcome to join residents for tennis matches

03/01/2008

I f tennis is your racket, you can enjoy a match while visiting Port Aransas - for free. Visitors are always welcome to join an informal group of adult tennis players at the Port Aransas High School tennis courts on Station Street. The only requirement is a knowledge of the game.

Springtime fishing is great

03/01/2008

As the air and water temperatures rise, spring and summer fishing in Port Aransas offers a greater variety of fish in sizes that measure from an inch to 12 feet, and from an ounce to 700 pounds. An angler needs only to decide if he'll fish docks and bays, or go offshore to reap the saltwater bounty.

Texas state saltwater fish records

03/01/2008

Amberjack, Greater: 121 lbs.; length 64.9; John Stout; Gulf of Mexico; 8/20/05. Angelfish, Blue: 2.90 lbs.; length 14.75; Beverly Stapleton, Gulf of Mexico; 6/13/07. Angelfish, French: 8.70 lbs.; length 18.50; Dennis Daye, San Antonio, Gulf of Mexico; 9/11/94.

Birders 'flock' to Port Aransas to see variety of bird species

03/01/2008

V isitors to Port Aransas during the migration seasons are well aware that the city is becoming a birding destination. With three birding areas, the city makes it easy for visitors and residents alike to enjoy both migratory birds and year-round residents.

Computer Center keeps everyone in touch

03/01/2008

Marsh bird exhibit previews area birds

03/01/2008

B irding enthusiasts can get a sneak preview of the birds they'll see in the wilds of Port Aransas in the airconditioned comfort at the Civic Center in the city hall complex, 710 W. Ave. A. There, a bird habitat exhibit, donated by Jo Leta Gavit and her sons, Bill and Brad, in memory of her husband, Lynn Gavit, is on display in the foyer.

Tourist Bureau loaded with visitor information

03/01/2008

T he people in the know about Port Aransas are the staff members at the Chamber of Commerce Tourist Bureau. The bureau is located at 403 W. Cotter, about a block east of the ferry landing. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The office is closed on Sunday.

USS Lex a floating museum

03/01/2008

The USS Lexington Museum on the Bay is a preserved World War II aircraft carrier that gives visitors first-hand looks at life aboard a city at sea. The Lexington is a National Historic Landmark and museum permanently docked on Corpus Christi Beach.

Waterfront park offers space for many activities

03/01/2008

W hether you're after fishing, soccer, en- tertainment, a picnic, ship watching in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel or just sitting back and enjoying the view, Roberts Point Park has something for you.

Area Attractions

03/01/2008

Bayside Fennessey Ranch Highway 2678, Bayside (361) 529-6600 www.fennesseyranch.com Custom birding trips, photography seminars, photo blinds for day leases, Russian boar hunting, country hayrides, hummingbird tours,

JELM programs abound

03/01/2008

W inter Texans can't complain about being bored or lonely thanks to the Joint Effort Leisure Ministry (JELM) Center. In addition to JELM's usual five-day a week schedule of fitness classes, games, lectures, workshops and live music, the activity center also offers a variety of trips.

Kayak trails offer much closer look at wetlands

03/01/2008

F ishermen or birders looking for some serenity along the Texas Coast are turning more and more toward a series of paddling trails that snake across the shallow waters and flats west of Port Aransas.

Surf's always up at Texas Surf Museum

03/01/2008

N ot all surfboards come from California. The Texas coast has its fair share of surfboard makers too, and the Texas Surf Museum in Corpus Christi is celebrating those craftsmen in an exhibit Feb. 16 to May 18.

Where to Worship

03/01/2008

Fins, feathers, more at Texas State Aquarium

03/01/2008

A new home for sea turtles is the newest thing going at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi. Tortuga Cay will house sea turtles that have been rehabilitated after being found sick or injured on Texas shores. Visitors will be able to see the turtles from above and below the water's surface.

Knowledge and art abound at center

03/01/2008

0 riginal art in a variety of media, as well as classes in many of those media, are offered at the Art Center for the Islands, 323 N. Alister St. The center is a nonprofit organization serving Mustang and Padre islands. It features a gallery and gift shop, classes and workshops.

Safety is behind each rule governing beaches

03/01/2008

P ort Aransans are proud of our Gulf beaches, and want visitors to enjoy them as much as possible. But we also have to take care of them, to assure our children and grandchildren can also enjoy them.

New park headquarters open

03/01/2008

N ot everything is new this season at I.B. Magee Beach Park, but returning visitors are sure to be impressed with the new multi-purpose office building. The building was dedicated in October 2007 in ceremonies at the park. The park was named in memory of I.B. Magee Jr., a Port Aransas resident who was widely known for his community support.

Spring brings changing types of beach booty

03/01/2008

S hifting winds and tides mean a change in beachcombing on the shores of Mustang Island. Curious visitors and residents interested in learning more about what washes onto the beaches may join the free, guided beach walk held each month.

State offers venue for campers, RVers, anglers

03/01/2008

M ustang Island State Park, 13 miles south of Port Aransas straddling the island from the Gulf of Mexico to Corpus Christi Bay, continues to draw visitors who are interested in a stay along the beach or a visit to a wetland - or both.

ARK provides hope for injured animals

03/01/2008

T ake an ever-changing menagerie that can range from pelicans to turtles. Stir in a staff that consists mostly of volunteers. Add nearly $30,000 a year for food alone. That's the Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) at The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute (MSI).

Sail out of Port Aransas to gamble on the high seas

03/01/2008

G et your "gambling fix" on the M/V Texas Treasure I. The ship sails twice daily six days a week from Port Aransas on the Harbor Island side of the ferry landing. As the Texas Treasure motors away from the Port Aransas, patrons may enjoy live entertainment in the showroom during the 9-mile journey to international waters.

Ferries work 24/7 bringing vehicles to island

03/01/2008

M any visitors to Port Aransas will say that one of the most entertaining parts of their visit is the ride aboard the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) ferry boat between Port Aransas and Harbor Island. The ferry ramps are, of course, at the west end of Cotter Avenue near Roberts Point Park and on Harbor Island at the end of the State Hwy. 361 causeway.

MSI brings science to everyone

03/01/2008

A longside the south jetty is one of the crown jewels of Port Aransas: The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute (MSI). Research is conducted at the MSI in a variety of fields including marine biology, ecology, geochemistry, and mariculture.

Out on the Town

03/01/2008

Back Porch Bar, 132 W. Cotter, on the harbor, next to Woody's Sports Center, 749-2800. Re-opens in March. Open daily noon through 2 a.m. Open-air hang-out where you can watch anglers return with the day's catch while sipping a margarita or ice-cold longnecks. Look for live music Wednesday-Sunday nights featuring an eclectic mix of Texas music from honky-tonk to reggae.

Spring 2008 Calendar of Events

03/01/2008

MARCH 1 ................. Adult Round Robin Tennis Tournament PAHS tennis courts, 749-4861/749-5131 5, 12, 19, 26 ................. Birding on the Boardwalk Guided tour, 9 a.m., Birding Center, 749-4158 6 .................................

Indians once roamed Mustang beaches

03/01/2008

W ith an Arnold Palmer Signature links style golf course scheduled to open in May, the Port Aransas of 2008 has little in common with the island where Karankawa Indians once roamed and cattle grazed.

Airport in step with growth

03/01/2008

S everal recent improvements at Port Aransas' Mustang Beach Airport bring the once-quiet little island airport into direct competition with larger fields such as T.C. McCampbell Airport in Ingleside and Aransas County Airport in Rockport. If you haven't visited the airport in a while, you may be surprised at what's there now.