Rockport Beach Park
Texas's first certified Blue Wave beach, with calm, shallow bay water that suits little swimmers.
- Cost
- Daily vehicle pass (about $10) or annual pass
- Ages
- All ages, great for toddlers
- Time
- Half day or more
Start with these
See the full directory →Aquarium at Rockport Harbor
A small, volunteer-run aquarium showing the fish, crabs and critters that live in the local bays.
- Cost
- Free (donations welcome)
- Ages
- Ages 2–12 especially
- Time
- 30–60 minutes
Texas Maritime Museum
The State of Texas's official maritime museum, with shipwreck artifacts, boats and harbor views.
- Cost
- Pay what you can
- Ages
- Ages 6 and up get the most from it
- Time
- 1–2 hours
Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
An 1870s bayfront mansion with self-guided tours, a hands-on history center and a period garden.
- Cost
- Admission fee for house tours; garden walk is free
- Ages
- Ages 7 and up for the house
- Time
- 1–1.5 hours
Goose Island State Park & the Big Tree
Bayside camping, fishing piers, birding and one of the largest live oaks in the nation.
- Cost
- Daily entry per adult; kids 12 and under free
- Ages
- All ages
- Time
- Half day to overnight
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Winter home of the wild whooping crane flock, with a visitor center, tour road and observation tower.
- Cost
- Check current entrance fee
- Ages
- Ages 5 and up
- Time
- Half day
Plan your trip
Family guides
Right now
Fall and winter in Rockport
October brings cooler mornings, fewer crowds and the start of whooping crane season. The cranes usually arrive at the Aransas refuge in late October and stay until spring, and winter boat tours start running from local harbors.
It is also a good time for the beach: the water stays mild into the fall and parking is easy on weekdays. See upcoming events for dates, times and prices, including free Halloween events this month.
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