7-days in Port Aransas on Padre Island, Texas

Another road trip to the Texas coast of the Gulf of America - this time Port Aransas, on North Padre Island. Similar drive south as our road trip to Galveston Island last year (The Beaches of Galveston Texas & Must See Attractions). The dogs slept most of the way on what was a fairly boring drive, except for the constant rain from the northern Texas border all the way to Corpus Cristi.

Since we knew we would be getting to the rental house early on the last day of driving, and even though it was still raining off and on, we decided to do a quick stop at The Alamo, in San Antonio, Texas (Updates on the Alamo).

Of course, we did not know that the area around the Almo was under construction (The Alamo Plan - OJB Landscape Architecture). The City of San Antonio, through their Alamo Plan (Alamo Plan | The Alamo), is surrounding the front of the Alamo with a very nice pedestrian area, called Plaza de Valero (completed in March 2025) with large trees; a meandering walkway surrounded by shops and restaurants; and shaded sitting areas. Although rainy, there was a crowd, so I did not go into the Alamo. So, it remains on my bucket list.

As we drove across the causeway from Corpus Cristi to South Padre Island (South Padre Island | Explore Texas Beach Paradise) the rain stopped and the sun came out. It made for an easy drive north to Port Aransas (Visit Port Aransas | Island Time & Coastal Charm) on North Padre Island. Once again, we rented a vacation home, this time with a back yard and a pool. Perfect for a laid-back, chill vacation week.

If you are going to Padre Island and plan on renting a vacation home, I highly recommend that you rent a house with a pool — don’t worry, there are many with pools.

Day One in Port Aransas

Even though we arrived a few hours early, the management company, AvantStay, allowed us into the property early. The house is beautiful (Tipsea Turtle in Port Aransas by AvantStay® | Book Direct & Save!), comfortable beds, beautiful private pool area, and a well-appointed kitchen. After a quick unpacking we took the dogs to the beach.

Although we were not far from the beach, it was quite a hike on a boardwalk with a lot of stairs. Turned out, it was easier to throw a few things in the car and drive around the dunes to the beach.

On Padre Island you can buy a beach access pass for your car (Port Aransas Beach Parking Permits | Rules & Cost). Although driving on the beach is free, parking is not. So, you either buy a 5-month pass for $12.00, or you get a fine of $500.00 when they catch you parking without a pass.

The long boardwalk and countless stairs from the vacation rental to the beach

After checking in and the walk to the beach we drove into Port Aransas to grab a drink and maybe an appetizer.

We found Virginia’s on the Bay (Virginia's by the Bay | Fresh Dockside Dining) and had a couple of margaritas, oysters, and calamari — very good food, excellent service, a fun atmosphere right next to the docks, and highly recommended.

Since it was right next to Virginia’s we decided to have a drink at Bernie’s Beach House (Bernie's Beach House • Port Aransas' Hottest Nightspot).

It seemed to be quite the local’s hangout. Nice full-service bar, full deli menu, pool table, and large dance floor keeps Bernie’s hopping ‘till late at night.

After a couple of drinks, we left Bernies and decided to stop to pick up some groceries.

We stopped at The Texan Stores (The Texan Stores - One Stop Shop - Fresh Food and Good Service) near the vacation house. This place has everything.

Day Two in Port Aransas

After a quick breakfast in the very well-appointed kitchen at the vacation house, we packed up the car and took the dogs to the beach for a few hours. The dogs loved the sand and surf. A lot of new, unfamiliar smells.

It was late morning when we heard from some friends that arrived the night before. They had an early lunch and were finishing drinks at Bernie’s (Bernie's Beach House • Port Aransas' Hottest Nightspot). Since they were leaving Bernie’s, they wanted to meet for a few drinks. Told us they just arrived at The Boat Bar ((20) Facebook) — a nice sized floating bar, no food, just beer and wine, you know, the basics.

The Boat Bar and a few of their customers

After several beers at The Boat Bar (The Boat Bar - Woody's Last Stand | Port Aransas, Tx), we weren’t hungry for dinner.

So, back to the house to hang out at the pool. The dogs loved it.

Day Three in Port Aransas

Although we thought about touring the island from the air, by either helicopter or biplane, we decided to pass. You can also rent golf carts and fat tire sand/gravel bicycles. Again, pass and pass. I recommend checking Viator for all Padre Island activities (see a few ideas and links to Viator at the end of this blog post).

So, after a light breakfast, we took the dogs to the beach for a few hours. Since we made reservations to have dinner, at The Phoenix Restaurant and Bar ((16) The Phoenix Restaurant and Bar | Facebook) with our friends, we went back to the house for a light lunch and some pool time with the dogs. I was also able to catch-up on some writing (like this blog entry). Writing by the pool sure beats sitting in an office.

After a couple of hours in the pool with the dogs, we decided to explore a couple of souvenir shops for t-shirts, magnets, stickers, and other bits for friends and family. Although are a dozen or more souvenir shops, we went to The Islander (The Islander). They have everything and anything you might want to give as a gift. Three t-shirts, two magnets, and a bunch of stickers later, I had bought enough. So, back to the house to get ready for dinner.

We decided to meet our friends at The Phoenix Restaurant (The Phoenix Restaurant & Bar | Premier Seafood in Port Aransas) at 5:30pm, the only reservation we could get. It is a busy place and very much in demand so plan your reservation as far in advance as possible.

This was one of the best meals I had on Padre Island. After a shared appetizer of crab claws, I had blackened Red Snapper served with Spinach Risotto and fresh vegetables. It was incredible. The waitstaff was excellent and always ready.

I highly recommend The Phoenix Restaurant and make sure you call several days in advance and make a reservation. 

Day Four in Port Aransas

Again, the usual light breakfast and coffee - IMHO, perhaps one of the most appreciated benefits of renting a vacation home instead of staying at a hotel is being able to prepare your own meals. We then went to the beach for a few hours with the dogs. It was a cloudy morning, so we did not bake on the beach.

Although our friends recommended The Crazy Cajun Seafood Restaurant ((13) Facebook) (Crazy Cajun) for dinner, we decided to go there for lunch. Unfortunately, it was closed (dinner only) so we went down Beach Street to MacDaddy’s Family Kitchen (Home - MacDaddy's Family Kitchen), known for its BBQ. Well, if we can’t have Cajun, might as well have BBQ.

I highly recommend MacDaddy’s BBQ. I had the two meat, build-your-own plate of brisket and jalapeno sausage, with potato salad and beans on the side. The brisket was "melt in your mouth" moist and tender, and the sausage had just the right amount of heat. Their hot BBQ sauce was excellent on the brisket. A very good and unexpected lunch.

Back to the house for more pool time, feed the dogs, and have a few boat drinks. If I didn’t mention it before, the pool area of this vacation house is fantastic!

Day Five in Port Aransas

Once again, light breakfast, coffee, and taking the dogs to the beach. A nice relaxing routine. Then a little pool time before lunch.

FINS outside deck bar, with a gin & tonic, watching a huge oil tanker coming into the channel

For lunch we went to FINS Grill & Icehouse (Home - FINS Grill & Icehouse – Waterfront Seafood & Grill in Port Aransas, TX) and sat outside. We watched the massive oil tankers coming in the channel to drop-off/pick-up their cargo of crude oil. FINS was nice and the food and service were good, a lot of fried fish on their menu.

After a drink and an appetizer, we decided to go back to Virginia’s on the Bay (Virginia's by the Bay | Fresh Dockside Dining) for another drink. I think that Virginia’s is a nicer bar and I prefer their food. Virginia’s also looks out over the docks and into the channel.

Back to the house for more pool time, feed the dogs, and have a few boat drinks. Dinner will be optional tonight.

Day Six in Port Aransas

Second to the last day and we begin with the usual light breakfast and coffee, then off to the beach for a few hours with the dogs. Like yesterday, a very cloudy morning, so we did not bake on the beach. Decided to head back to the house. check emails, and do a bit of writing, then some pool time.

I also decided to book our hotel rooms in Sweetwater, Texas and in Lamar, Colorado for the return trip to Greeley, Colorado. Good thing I did. Both hotels were quite occupied, and I was just able to get the last two rooms in each hotel. I was told that both hotels see a lot of oil rig workers and truckers, two industries that have increase quite a bit over the last 18 months, thanks to President Trump.

Other views of the beautiful pool and backyard at the vacation rental

After extended pool time and lunch at the house and decided to go for a drink or two and hit a couple of the usual places.

First stop was Virginia’s on the Bay (Virginia's by the Bay | Fresh Dockside Dining) for another drink. A nice, comfortable bar, with excellent service and I prefer their food.

Crazy Cajun dining area and entrance to kitchen - great food and excellent service

We had a couple of margaritas and then decided to try and get into The Crazy Cajun Seafood Restaurant ((13) Facebook) (Crazy Cajun) for dinner. As mentioned previously, our friends recommended it and it was closed when we tried for lunch. It was excellent! We shared a large order of crawfish as an appetizer. I then ordered the seafood Etouffee and a salad, a lot of food. I definitely recommend The Crazy Cajun!

Day Seven in Port Aransas

Last day we decided as much beach time as possible and the forecast was for sun, sun, and more sun.

We spent the morning and early afternoon at the beach until it was time for the dogs to eat, so we headed back to the house.

Most of the afternoon was packing and lounging by the pool, with a drink or two.

Since we went out for most of our dinners and a few lunches, we didn’t get to cook any of the food we brought with us.

So, tonight is a pasta night, with salad and garlic bread — Green Chilie Pappardelle and homemade tomato sauce with sausage. It was excellent!

Goodbye Port Aransas… for now…

Although checkout time was 11:00AM, we were out and on the road by 7:30AM. This was the longest day of driving and would take us to Sweetwater, Texas (Sweetwater, Texas - Wikipedia).

We stayed at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham (Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Sweetwater | Sweetwater, TX Hotels) and had an early dinner at Buck’s Steaks & Bar-B-Que (Bucks Steaks and BBQ).

Nice Morning Walk in Lamar, Colorado

The next day’s drive took us to Lamar, Colorado (Lamar, Colorado - Wikipedia) where we stayed at the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites (Cobblestone Hotel & Suites in Lamar, Colorado - Hotel Accomodations Lamar, Colorado - Lodging Lamar, Colorado) and had a nice dinner at the Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant & Grill ((14) Facebook). The following day was a short 3–4-hour drive from Lamar to Greeley, Colorado.

Port Aransas on North Padre Island, Texas was a very relaxing, comfortable, laid-back place. Although I want to compare it with Galveston Island, its neighbor to the northeast and also a barrier island along the Texas coast, they are two very different places with very different vibes. The history and architecture of Galveston versus the laid-back comfort of Port Aransas… you decide.

Time for you to experience your own 5-days in Port Aransas, on North Padre Island, Texas.

I know you will have fun!

Popular Activities in Port Aransas, Padre Island, Texas brought to you by Viator...