Road Trip to Rockport, Texas

There was nowhere to go but everywhere,” wrote poet Jack Kerouac, author of “On the Road,” an epic road trip tale. We beg to disagree. Sometimes where you go matters — especially if your family’s diverse interests clash.

Road trippers looking for a place to please everyone will find the perfect destination in Rockport — Texas’ cutest coastal town. Pack your poles, your paints, your kayak and your birdwatching binoculars too when you steer your vehicle to this artsy fishing haven on the Gulf Coast, just an hour from Corpus Christi.

A historic holiday hotspot that dates back to the Victorians, this small South Texas town, peppered with public artwork, boasts fishing piers galore, marine-life-rife bays, unique bird life, a slew of working artists with ateliers, a colorful marina, nature trails and friendly residents. Steeped in captivating legends (pirate Jean Lafitte purportedly buried treasure here), Rockport has a mainstay gourmet staple (fried shrimp), some exemplary Victorian buildings and electrifying culinary, arts and music festivals.

Discover the community’s creative spirit on Austin Street, Rockport’s renovated main drag downtown where you’ll find eclectic galleries, antique stores, clever boutiques, sea-to-plate restaurants, music venues, day spas and dives.

What To Do

Take a picnic to Rockport Beach, where shady palapas, a fitness trail, playgrounds, boat ramps and a volleyball area — among other amenities — await. Visit cutting-edge Rockport Center for the Arts, which offers art classes for all ages, along with gallery space and music and performance venues. Birdwatch at myriad locales including nearby Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and Goose Island State Park. Choose from a bevy of spots to kayak, sail or cast a line.

Where To Eat

Sail (or drive over) to Cove Harbor to Paradise Key Dockside Bar and Grill, where sunsets rule. Sit outside to watch for passing boats and dolphins. Cold beer and tropical drinks accompany specialties such as pecan-encrusted red snapper, fried shrimp and  juicy burgers.

Where To Stay

Touted as a “pier with nine rooms,” Reel ‘Em Inn, an iconic bayside tourist court, was re-imagined last year by San Antonio-based starchitects Lake|Flato as a dreamy, retro-modernized fishing camp.  Originally built in the 1950s, the intimate retreat conjures vintage road trip vibes, melding a coastal breeziness with city slicker cool. Enjoy luxurious beds, spacious bathrooms, captivating architecture and thoughtful kitchens. Pro tip: Buy out the whole place for a family reunion, and be sure to nab those units in the front with ample porches and water views for yourselves.

Don’t Miss

Enjoy the Austin Street Art Walk, held the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Stroll the sidewalks during this interactive ramble. Galleries and boutiques offer special deals and serve snacks and libations.