Port Aransas had been on my Texas beach list for a while. I recently visited with my three girls for a family weekend at Cinnamon Shore and now I completely understand why people love this little beach town.
From taking the vehicle ferry into Port Aransas to riding around in a golf cart, flying kites on the beach, taking surf lessons and eating dinner under the lights, this trip felt easy, fun and full of the kind of simple memories that make family travel worth it.
What surprised me most was how family-friendly Port Aransas felt. It had the relaxed charm of a beach town, but with enough activities, restaurants and places to explore that my teenagers were never bored.
Quick Look: Why We Loved Port Aransas for a Family Weekend
Port Aransas is the kind of destination that makes it easy to settle into vacation mode quickly.
A few things that stood out:
- Relaxed Texas beach town feel
- Easy beach access
- Golf cart-friendly lifestyle
- Great restaurants
- Fun activities for families and teens
- Plenty to do without overplanning
- A safe, welcoming feel for female travelers
I went into the trip thinking Port Aransas would be a nice Texas beach getaway. I left thinking it is a place I would absolutely recommend to other families.
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Where We Stayed: Cinnamon Shore North
We stayed at Cinnamon Shore North, which is worth mentioning because Cinnamon Shore has both a North and South community.
Our stay was in a 4-bedroom condo, and it worked so well for a family trip. Everyone had space, which is especially helpful when traveling with teenagers, but the best part was the location.
Our condo was centrally located near:
- Restaurants
- Shops
- The cafe
- Pool areas
- Beach access
- Places to grab treats or snacks
Instead of loading up the car every time we wanted to go somewhere, we could walk or hop on the golf cart. If you are traveling with a group, that central location is even more helpful because people can venture out a little on their own while still being close to everything that matters.
The Golf Cart Lifestyle
We had a 6-seater golf cart, and it quickly became one of our favorite parts of the trip.
Golf carts are one of the main ways people get around Cinnamon Shore and the beach area. For us, it made everything feel more relaxed.
We used the golf cart to:
- Ride down to the beach
- Carry beach gear
- Explore Cinnamon Shore
- Go back and forth from the condo
- Make quick trips for food, snacks or activities
If you have ever hauled a family to the beach, you know it can be a full production. Towels, sunscreen, chairs, snacks, drinks, bags and everything else somehow always end up being more than you planned.
Having the golf cart made beach days feel much more manageable.
A Note About Golf Carts in Port Aransas
Before renting or driving a golf cart around Port Aransas, make sure you understand the local rules. Golf carts are allowed on many Port Aransas city streets and even the beach is treated as a city street but they are still considered motor vehicles. That means traffic laws apply, drivers need a valid permit or driver’s license, passengers must stay seated and golf carts are not allowed everywhere, including Highway 361 south of Avenue G. Your rental company should be able to explain the current rules before you head out.
Where We Ate at Cinnamon Shore
One thing that really surprised us was how much we enjoyed the restaurants right inside Cinnamon Shore.
We had planned to explore more of Port Aransas, but the food within Cinnamon Shore was so good and convenient that we honestly did not feel like we needed to leave for meals during our stay.
If we were staying longer, I would definitely want to try more local Port Aransas restaurants because we saw several that looked great. But for a weekend trip, having great food so close was a big win.
Lisabella’s
Our first meal after arriving was at Lisabella’s, and it was the perfect way to start the trip.
This is more of a fine dining option, and we loved it. The seafood dishes were amazing, and it felt like a special first-night dinner without having to leave Cinnamon Shore.
After a travel day, it was so nice to get settled and have a great dinner close to where we were staying.
Dylan’s Pizzeria
Dylan’s Pizzeria was one of our favorite meals of the whole trip.
We sat outside on the lawn under the lights, had pizza and salad, and it was one of those simple vacation moments that ends up being better than anything overly planned.
It had that relaxed beach vacation feel, and I would absolutely recommend it for families staying at Cinnamon Shore.
C Bar
One day while we were swimming, we ate lunch at C Bar near the pool.
I had a fish sandwich, and my girls had hamburgers. Everyone enjoyed their food, and it was exactly what we needed for an easy pool day lunch.
This is where Cinnamon Shore really shines for families. Having food options close to the pool and beach areas makes the whole day easier.
C Treats
At night, one of our favorite things to do was walk to C Treats, an Airstream-style spot with all kinds of fun snacks and desserts.
They had:
- Snow cones
- Ice cream
- Candy
- Sweet treats
- Movie-night style snacks
It was such a fun family-friendly touch, especially in the evenings when families were walking over after dinner. It gave the nights that classic vacation feel: nothing complicated, just a walk for something sweet after a beach day.
More Places to Eat in Port Aransas
Breakfast and Coffee Options
If you are looking for breakfast, coffee or a casual morning stop, a few Port Aransas options to check out include:
- Coffee Waves
- Island Cafe
- Barefoot Beans
- Irie’s Island Bakery
- Palmilla Coffee
- Coach’s Island Grill
- Taqueria San Juan
Casual Dining Options
For lunch or a casual meal in Port Aransas, these are a few spots to consider:
Shopping in Port Aransas
Port Aransas also has some fun shopping options if you want to browse during your stay. Whether you are looking for beachwear, gifts, local finds or something fun to take home, these are a few places worth checking out:
- Tippy Toes
- The boutiques at Cinnamon Shore
- Saltwater Gypsies
I always love when a beach town has places to wander in and out of between beach time and dinner and Port Aransas definitely has that.
Things to Do in Port Aransas
While Cinnamon Shore was a big part of why we loved the trip, we also had some really fun experiences around Port Aransas.
We had plenty of beach and pool time, but we also built in a few activities that gave us something new to try together.
Fly Kites From Fly It Port A
One of our favorite things we did was visiting Fly It Port A, a local kite shop.
When we walked in, there were so many kite options that we were not totally sure where to start. The staff helped us look through the different kites and pick out options that would work best for us.
Then we took the kites down to the beach and flew them. Sometimes the simplest activities are the ones everyone remembers most.
Take a Dolphin Tour With Scarlet Lady Adventures
We also booked a dolphin adventure tour with Scarlet Lady Adventures, and it was a great way to get out on the water.
The boat ride itself was relaxing and fun, and we were able to see dolphins, which made it even better. This is a great activity for families because it gives you a different view of Port Aransas and adds something special beyond the beach and pool.
Take Surf Lessons With Texas Surf Camps
The biggest surprise of the trip may have been our surf lessons with Texas Surf Camps.
None of us had surfed before, but it is now easily one of our favorite memories from the weekend.
Our instructor was amazing. She explained everything clearly, helped us understand the technique and made us feel comfortable getting out in the water.
The best part? All of my girls were able to get up on their boards.
Why I would recommend surf lessons:
- It is a fun way to try something new.
- It works especially well for older kids and teenagers.
- The lesson made us feel comfortable before getting in the water.
- It gave my girls a big confidence boost.
- It became one of the most memorable parts of our trip.
If you are visiting Port Aransas with older kids or teenagers, I highly recommend adding surf lessons to your trip.
Port Aransas: Texas Beach Getaway!
Port Aransas ended up being exactly the kind of family beach trip I didn’t know we needed.
It was easy, relaxed, safe, fun and full of the kind of simple memories that stick with you: ferry rides, golf cart trips to the beach, flying kites, seeing dolphins, eating pizza under the lights and watching my girls learn to surf.
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