Island Time

A quick and dirty guide to the best beachside fun in Port Aransas

The Gulf of Mexico is always churning out fun — and fishing and swimming aren't the only activities in Port Aransas. Here's a quick guide to some of our favorite things to do on "island time."

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Schedule a trip with Handsome Sailor Yacht Charters or Kohootz Etc. and get up close and personal with dolphins and native Gulf wildlife. Closer to shore you'll find more outdoorsy fun, such as kayaking, parasailing, and a wide variety of extreme activities. To get even more in touch with your wild side, try horseback riding at Coquat Ranch in Aransas Pass or with Horses on the Beach in nearby Corpus Christi.

Relax
If you're looking to treat yourself during your Port A vacation, the Balinese Wellness Spa offers a wide variety of services, including massages, facials, manicures, and more. This coastal gem also hosts several fitness classes, including a must-try yoga session on the beautiful outdoor deck.

Discover
Step out of the sun to explore the many art galleries of Port A. The city has a colorful arts scene with an array of adorable markets. In addition to the arts, the ferry between Port A and Aransas Pass is an absolute must, so we suggest traveling across the water to check out the Rialto Theater, which hosts a bevy of entertaining plays and cool events.

Shop
Interspersed among the beachy trinket shops you'll find some more fashionable outposts. For a mix of cute gifts and hot trends, we suggest Coastal Closet, Stephanie's Stuff, Saltwater Gypsies, and Raggdoll Boutique. If you're looking to bring the coast back to your home, Susan Castor Collection is a must for that seaside-inspired interior design. A Mano offers a taste of Mexico with its selection of handmade goods.

Eat
Beach & Station St. Grill is a best bet for seafood, while Fins Grill & Icehouse and Castaways Seafood and Grill will cook your catch. Delicious dishes like seared yellowfin tuna in convenient, picnic-ready containers make Irie's Island Food a must for lunch (or brunch). For fine dining, try Roosevelt's at the Tarpon Inn or Venetian Hot Plate. Coffee Waves is a prime spot for morning coffee or a late-night gelato treat. Stop by the Back Porch Bar for a cold beer (or two) and some live music.

Smile
It wouldn't be Port A visit without a dose of your typical tourist attractions. Go by Winton's Candy Co. to get your fix as well as a close encounter with a live rattlesnake. Make a detour to Destination Beach & Surf for some great cheesy gifts and snap a pic in front of the iconic giant shark.

Chute 'Em Up Parasailing will give you an extreme view of Port Aransas.

Chute Em Up Parasailing Port Aransas Gulf of Mexico boat

Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce/Facebook

Chute 'Em Up Parasailing will give you an extreme view of Port Aransas.

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Holiday News

American Airlines expects record-setting travel on Thanksgiving 2024

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

American Airlines ready for takeoff.

The holidays are looming and American Airlines is ramping up. Over the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, the Fort Worth-based airline expects to process nearly 8.3 million customers across more than 77,000 flights.

According to a statement from American's COO David Seymour, the airline is having a good fall season and canceled fewer flights than its peers during October.

“Thanks to the hard work of our 130,000 team members, we canceled fewer flights than any of our major competitors this October and beat our own records for on-time departures and arrivals,” Seymour says.

That's surely good news. One hates to rain on their parade, but in June 2024, the only flight I booked this year, my flight was canceled less than 24 hours before take-off. I had made hotel reservations, scheduled a pet sitter, planned events, and arranged for a friend to pick me up at the destination airport. One employee speculated that it may have been "insufficient crew." Their only solution offered was: Feel free to reschedule your flight.

Thanksgiving facts and figures
The travel window runs from November 21 to December 3, and the airline expects to carry more than 500,000 more customers than it did last year.

The most-traveled day will be Sunday, December 1. The second most-traveled day will be Monday, December 2.

The peak of peak: 1,035 mainline and regional aircraft will be enroute at 10:45 am on Sunday, December 1 — the highest number of flights handled at any given time during American’s travel period.

The airline expects to serve more than 6.8 million Biscoff cookies on board from November 21 to December 3.

Travel tips
Download the American Airlines app and check in for your flight, noting added any bags to your trip. This will save you time at the airport.

If traveling internationally, download the Mobile Passport Control app, which can speed up your entry into the U.S. Global Entry members can download the Global Entry app, which allows you to submit your entry and go straight to the officer.

Upon arrival at the airport lobby, scan your mobile boarding pass to print bag tags quickly at a kiosk. If you’re not checking bags, go straight to TSA security with your mobile boarding pass.

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