Sandy Toes, Pirate Ships, and Pelicans – Oh My! An Epic (and Slightly Sandy) Adventure Through Port Aransas & Corpus Christi, TX

Grab your sunblock, your fishing hat, and at least one extra pair of shorts (because let’s be honest, the ocean’s coming for ya) – because we’re headed down to the sparkling Gulf Coast of Texas! That’s right, we took a whirlwind, snack-filled, occasionally chaotic, but totally unforgettable trip to Port Aransas and Corpus Christi. And let me tell you – it was like stepping into a time machine with a beach towel and a snow cone.

First Stop: Port Aransas – The Salty Slice of Paradise

Nestled on Mustang Island like a forgotten treasure, Port Aransas (or “Port A” if you want to sound like a local) is a funky little beach town with the heart of a pirate and the soul of a flip-flop.

It has a rich history – once a pirate haven (yes, real pirates!), later a sleepy fishing village, and now a family-friendly beach destination with just enough quirk to make it fun.

What We Did (or: How My Daughter Talked Me Into Riding a Banana Boat)

• Beach Day at IB Magee Beach Park

  • This is where my daughter declared, "I’m going to build a sandcastle big enough for a crab family." And she did. She also tried to adopt a seagull, which we later renamed "Captain Screech" after he dive-bombed our Goldfish crackers.

• Pirate Ship Cruise on the Red Dragon

  • You haven't lived until you've seen your child sword fight a fake pirate while yelling “ARRR!” with total conviction. The adults were just as entertained – maybe more – especially when “Cannonball Carl” tripped over his foam sword.

• Port Aransas Museum and Chapel

  • We stopped in to learn a bit about the town’s history – which started with pirates, progressed through shipwrecks, hurricanes, and sand dunes, and somehow evolved into a place that serves fried shrimp bigger than your hand.

    
    

Corpus Christi – Bigger, Bolder, and With an Aircraft Carrier

Next up was Corpus Christi, just a short drive away, but offering a totally different vibe – like your cool uncle who owns a boat and has a fridge full of Dr. Peppers.

Corpus has been around for centuries – named by Spanish explorers in 1519, it became a trading post, military outpost, and now, a sun-drenched city with enough attractions to fill ten vacations.

Top Hits from Our Corpus Christi Adventure

• USS Lexington Museum

  • “Is this a real ship?!” my daughter gasped, eyes wide as we walked aboard the massive aircraft carrier known as “The Blue Ghost.” She got to sit in a cockpit, we climbed through hatches (read: I got stuck once), and learned all about WWII history. Super educational… and also a great workout for your calves.

• Texas State Aquarium

  • We pet stingrays, saw a dolphin show, and discovered my daughter may or may not believe she can speak fluent jellyfish. Bonus: it’s indoors and air-conditioned – a parent’s best friend after two days of Texas sun.

• The Selena Museum

  • My daughter twirled in front of Selena’s Grammy dress and said, “She was SO pretty and strong.” It’s a beautiful tribute to why glitter is basically a personality.

    
    

Honorable Mentions & Must-Do Moments:

• Ferry Ride Between Aransas Pass and Port A

  • Totally free, usually full of dolphins, and always a thrill for kids (“WE’RE ON A BOAT!” even if it's just a short one).

• Eating All the Fried Things

  • From the legendary Shells restaurant in Port A to Hester’s Café in Corpus, we consumed approximately 47,000 calories of Gulf seafood, fresh tortillas, and ice cream. Regret? Zero.

• Hunting for Seashells

  • We turned it into a game: whoever found the weirdest one got to pick the next snack stop. Spoiler: the winner was a crab claw that somehow still moved.

Final Thoughts from a Slightly Sunburned Mom:

This trip was everything I hoped it would be: fun, weird, historical, and full of sandy hugs from a kid who just discovered her love for marine biology (and pirates). Port Aransas and Corpus Christi are perfect for family getaways – where education hides inside museums and pirate ships, and joy shows up in the form of a dolphin swimming beside your ferry.

So, pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and remember: life’s too short to skip the beach. Especially one with pirates.

Travel Tip:

Bring baby powder. It gets sand off everything. You're welcome.