Tourist Bureau has plenty of info, maps, more

It's a good idea to make the tourist bureau your first stop when you arrive on the island. The Chamber of Commerce Tourist Bureau is a one-stop shop full of information about Port Aransas.

The bureau is located at 403 W. Cotter, about a block east of the ferry landing in the sunny yellow building trimmed in white. 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. When the lobby is closed, a rack with brochures, dining and accommodations guides, and a South Jetty newspaper rack are left on the porch.

The tourist bureau also operates a satellite office in the Port Aransas Community Theater building on State Hwy. 361 at Sea Isle Drive. It has general information and brochures about Port Aransas accommodations, dining, shopping, fishing and other activities. This office also sells tickets for PACT productions. The satellite information center is open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The number at the office is 749-6036.

Tourist bureau staff members have a wealth of information, as well as brochures from all the member businesses. For visitors staying in the area for longer periods, brochures from other Texas destinations also are available.

Details of local and area events can be had for the asking. The tourist bureau also sells beach parking permits and has dining and accommodation guides

Visitors who want to plan a return visit for a family or school reunion or business meeting can get help from tourist bureau staffers. Also, tour groups on buses can arrange to have a tour guide from the bureau join them for a narrated tour.

The tourist bureau's Web site, www.portaransas.org, "is a great source of information with lots of links," said Ann Bracher Vaughan, executive director of the bureau.

Contact the bureau by phone at (361) 749-5919 (1-800- 45-COAST) or by e-mail at info@portaransas.org.