Bureau welcomes visitors

Staff of the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau is all smiles and ready to welcome visitors. The Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau is ready and willing to give visitors a quick primer on what’s going on in our town.

The bureau is at 403 W. Cotter, about a block east of the ferry landing, in a sea-foam-green building. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and closed on Sunday. When the lobby is closed, a rack with brochures and dining and accommodations guides, and a South Jetty newspaper rack are left on the porch.

An illuminated map in the parking area shows Port Aransas points of interest.

Tourist bureau staff members have a wealth of information, as well as brochures from member businesses. Brochures from other Texas destinations also are available for those planning longer stays.

Details of local and area events are free, of course, along with dining and accommodation guides and the South Jetty’s seasonal Visitors’ Guides. The tourist bureau also sells beach parking permits.

The tourist bureau staff will help plan return visits as part of a family or school reunion, and can arrange a tour guide from the bureau for a narrated tour for groups in buses.

The chamber’s Web site, www.portaransas.org, “is a great source of information with lots of links,” said Ann Bracher Vaughan, president and CEO of the bureau.

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