13 Fun Things to Do in Rockport, TX

As you make your way down to the Gulf Coast to explore the best things to do in Rockport, Texas, you are greeted by salty air, glistening water, and seagulls glistening above.

In other words, sure signs that you’re headed to one of the best beach towns in Texas! 

Rockport has a small-town feel but is bursting with things to see, places to go, and some delicious food. 

Here’s what to do in Rockport, TX (plus a few fun things to do in nearby Fulton) to create a memorable beach getaway!

The Best Things to Do in Rockport, TX

Dig your feet into the sand.

Of course, no guide to the best activities in Rockport could start with anything but its famous beach!

Rockport Beach is seriously one of a kind and a great spot to stop by on your trip to Rockport.

Rockport Beach is labeled as Texas’ First Blue Wave Beach!

Essentially, that means that they are on top of littering and do not allow dogs or glass containers on the beach, and it’s one of the best Texas beaches to visit.

In order to enjoy Rockport Beach, you pay 5 dollars for a day pass and you can enjoy the entire day.

Rockport Beach is lined with cabana umbrellas perfect for you and your family to set up for the day.

They also have an area roped off to have a space for migrating birds so you may see all kinds of unique birds on your trip.

Go birdwatching in and around Rockport.

There are so many places around Rockport that are covered in the most incredible wildlife.

In the spring, people come from miles around to catch a glimpse of a Whooping Crane when visiting Rockport, Texas.

Whooping Cranes stand over 4 ft tall, travel in family units of 2-3, and travel through Rockport on their journey south.

If you don’t visit Rockport in the spring, you can catch glimpses of your share of Pelicans, Egrets, Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, and more.

Traveling around Rockport you are sure to find some incredible birds that you don’t see in many places.

An amazing spot to see in the spring is the Egret & Heron Rookery, where Egrets and Herons create their next in the tippy top of trees.

To view the rookery, turn left at HEB, and as you come around the corner look up and to your left.

Grab a delicious coffee (with a side of shopping).

Bella La Brew is absolutely worth a stop when looking for the best things to do in Rockport.

They have a ton of different types of coffee as well as seasonal flavors that are sure to keep you coming back for more.

They also offer all types of light eats such as bagels, muffins, pies, and more.

They have plenty of seating that you can work from or couches to have some friends join you, so don’t worry about hurrying away!

Another neat aspect of Bella La Brew is that connected to this precious little coffee shop is an adorable boutique.

Bella la Rue is a boutique offering some of the best and unique gifts where you are sure to find something to leave with.

They have adorable baby gifts, unique and fun gifts for birthdays, and adorable women’s clothing.

Order your coffee and head on over to Bella la Rue while you wait to soak up a fun little shop.

Enjoy more incredible wildlife at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

Within 30 minutes of Rockport is the most amazing wildlife refuge full of wildlife of all shapes and sizes.

You can join in on a birding tour with an educated guide or you can venture off on your own to discover some incredible wildlife.

There are nature trails and overlooks situated all over the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge where you can catch a glimpse at wildlife.

From February to December every year tourists come from miles around to catch a glimpse at the migrating Whooping Cranes who migrate to the area every year.

One of the most popular trails is the Heron Flats trail where you are likely to see alligators, Roseate Spoonbills, Herons, and more.

You can also continue driving and come to the observation tower where you can climb up to a height where you can view all of the forest and beach below.

No matter where you venture within the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, you are sure to find some great wildlife.

Make sure to bring your camera when visiting this attraction in Rockport!

Stroll through historic downtown Rockport.

Rockport’s historic downtown has an idyllic small-town feel and plenty of sights to enjoy.

This isn’t surprising when you consider that it is one of the best beach towns in Texas.

There are shops of all types and the people that own the shops are so kind and genuine.

Some favorite stops in downtown Rockport are Sassy Chic, Goin’ Coastal Outfitters, and Rowdy Maui.

Sassy Chic is a boutique with the cutest clothes at really incredible prices, absolutely worth a stop. Rowdy Maui is a quirky little shop full of handmade items and great gifts!

Goin’ Coastal Outfitters has the most precious graphic tees revolving around beach living and beyond.

Another neat aspect of Goin’ Coastal outfitters is that they have a place to buy ice cream in the back.

Grab your favorite type of ice cream and continue on your downtown adventure.

Step inside the Fulton Mansion.

The Fulton Mansion is stocked full of incredible history, and so many stories have come from the walls of this amazing home. 

The Fultons were an affluent family that earned their fortune by shipping beef tallow from Rockport to New Orleans in the 1870s.

The house is full of incredible reminders of awe-inspiring architecture, unique construction methods, and the history of the Fulton family.

You can take a self-guided audio tour where you use your own phone to guide you through the halls of Fulton Mansion.

For history buffs, this is absolutely one of the best things to do in Fulton, TX (which is practically connected to Rockport).

Go fishing in Rockport.

There are piers located throughout Rockport allowing you to find the perfect spot for your fishing endeavors.

There are plenty of bait stores lining the Rockport shore where you can grab some live bait or artificial bait for fishing on one of the many piers in Rockport.

You can easily while away hours fishing from the piers around Rockport.

And, if you go at the right times, you can catch the most incredible sunset or sunrise that surrounds you with beautiful oranges and reds while you listen to the crashing waves against the shore.

Visit Goose Island State Park.

Goose Island is a perfect spot to set up your camp whether you are tent camping or pulling an RV behind you.

In order to get to the town of Rockport, you have to drive over a large bridge that offers some incredible views of the water and beach below.

An interesting fact about Goose Island is that many of the trees were windswept during the latest hurricane and were bare for quite some time.

Now, when you visit you will see trees growing every which way that have grown back strong.

Check out the Big Tree while visiting Rockport, TX.

Just a couple of minutes away from Goose Island is a 1,100-year-old tree called the Big Tree.

The (aptly named) Big Tree is a gigantic oak that has branches that sprawl all over the place.

This majestic tree is definitely a sight to see because of how long it has lived and all of the stories it could tell.

The Big Tree still stands strong despite surviving many hurricanes over the centuries and stopping by definitely belongs on your list of things to do in Rockport.

Eat some delicious queso (with a seafood twist).

Paradise Key Dockside Bar and Grill is full of the most delicious food with great views of boats coming and going and pelicans searching for their next meal.

As you go into Paradise Key you pass boats of all shapes and sizes, see fisherman lining the shore, and seagulls and pelicans soaring overhead.

Grab yourself the most amazing appetizer, queso with crawfish etouffee, and sit back and relax with a gorgeous view.

Time can pass quickly as you watch all the birds flying by wondering where they are going next and watching them divebomb for their next catch.

After you eat, you can catch a glimpse at some pelicans that are in search of a good meal at the fish station.

Many fishermen will hang their catch of the day on hooks at the station to capture a picture of all they caught.

Pelicans will stand by, mouths open wide, waiting for one fish to flop off of the hook and into their mouths.

It is a funny sight to watch while enjoying one of the best activities in Rockport!

Grab an ice-cold drink.

Fulton’s Irish Pub and Grill is located right next to Rockport in the adjoining town of Fulton.

The two towns are touching and just a couple of minutes away from each other.

Fulton’s has live music often and you can catch a seat on the outdoor patio to soak in the ocean breeze while sipping on an ice-cold beer.

Grab some appetizers as well and have an amazing night soaking in the smell of the ocean.

Visit the Texas Maritime Museum.

Dedicated to exploring the history and relevance of maritime activity to the development of the Lone Star State, the Texas Maritime Museum is one of the top Rockport attractions for those interested in local history!

In addition to permanent and temporary exhibits, the museum also has a research library on-site.

Exhibits include everything from historical documents to interactive, kid-friendly highlights like a ship’s wheel to spin.

… and the Bay Education Center.

This small museum gets rave reviews, is free to visit, and is kid-friendly–it’s doesn’t get much better than that when it comes to things to do in Rockport on a family vacation!

You won’t need long here, but the exhibits are engaging and interactive, with plenty to teach children and adults alike about the local environment.

Where is Rockport, Texas?

Rockport is located on the mainland of the Texas Gulf Coast, and is known as one of the best beach towns in the Lone Star State!

It’s 30 minutes (31 miles) northeast of Corpus Christi.

Exploring the best things to do in Rockport, TX can easily be combined with a trip to Port Aransas/Mustang Island, Corpus Christi, or Padre Island National Seashore.