Seniors Discover Great Coastal City

Rockport, seniors learn, is one of the smallest places on the list of Best Small Towns in Texas by Cities Journal. The Aransas County seat has a population of under 9,000, which means that it is one small town especially by Texan standards. Its history also didn’t promise much as it was founded in 1870 to be a port where cattle would be slaughtered, packaged and shipped to other parts of the state and the country.

Named for the rock ledge that runs along its shore, Rockport runs adjacent to the town of Fulton, and many refer to the combined communities as “Rockport-Fulton.”

Located along the Texas Tropical Trail as it is called, and a significant stop along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, these twin communities are nestled among the wind-swept oaks of the Live Oak Peninsula.

Aransas County is one of the smallest counties in Texas. Senior travelers will find it on the western side of the Gulf of Mexico,  separated from the Gulf by barrier islands that form the intracoastal canal.

Rockport is perhaps most famous for its town beach, which is also the most visited attraction in the city. The local government and chamber of commerce do everything in their power to make the beach a truly great place to visit.

 Seniors Find Mecca for Bird Watching

Rockport features the Maritime Museum, the Fulton Mansion and several art galleries and shops all housed in historic buildings in the town center. In addition, Rockport hosts annual Seafair, Wine Festival and Oysterfest.

The town and its surroundings are a mecca for ornithologists and bird watchers. Senior birders, Whooping cranes winter in the large Aransas National Wildlife Refuge located nearby.

Local organizations such as the Aransas Bird and Nature Club have helped preserve unique birdwatching reserves such as the Connie Hagar sanctuary and Aransas Woods that are easily accessible.

 Seniors Find A Choice Town

Gulfscapes Magazine’s “2011 Readers Choice Best Gulf Coast Towns” listed Rockport number four in the top ten.  In 2011, Rockport was highlighted as a coastal dream town by Coastal Living magazine.

Better Homes and Gardens in its April 2007 issue listed Rockport-Fulton the number five destination as a “long weekend hotspot” for spring migration bird watching. Caught your attention yet? More to come. Today in America featured Rockport with Terry Bradshaw.

My wife and I would look up The Hoopes-Smith House, located at 417 N. Broadway that is currently a B&B. We have always preferred a good B&B over local hotels. The Queen Anne style house was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1989 and was later added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Seniors,  fill out your itinerary with 51 things to See and Do in Rockport-Fulton. Enjoy the plethora of activities for folks of all ages.  -jeb