It’s not yearly that the 4th of July and my birthday collide in such fabulous style. However this yr? It was fireworks-worthy. I wished one thing equal components festive and stress-free, family-friendly however teen-approved—and I discovered it in Port Aransas, Texas. We packed up the children, some sparklers, and a wholesome urge for food for seafood and enjoyable, and headed straight for the coast.
However the actual win? Reserving our five-bedroom seaside home by Whimstay—a platform I’m now formally obsessive about. Suppose Airbnb or VRBO, however with higher costs and customer support that doesn’t ghost you. Whimstay makes a speciality of last-minute trip leases—aka should you’re the type of mum or dad who forgets to guide till college’s already out, that is your new finest buddy.
We booked our home lower than 30 days earlier than check-in and scored an excellent deal on a spacious residence steps from the seaside. It had every little thing we wanted: sufficient bedrooms for everybody to have their area, a kitchen for snacks and birthday cake, and loads of area for the children to unfold out, hang around, and burn off power (whereas I sipped espresso in peace—bless).
Right here’s every little thing we did throughout our lengthy vacation weekend in Port Aransas that saved the kids, the children, and me very completely satisfied.
Day 1: Arrival & Dinner at Tortuga’s
We rolled into city simply in time for a sundown dinner at Tortuga’s Saltwater Grill. It’s the proper first cease after an extended drive—laid-back however upscale sufficient to really feel like a “deal with your self” meal. Don’t wish to exit to eat, they’ve acquired loads of grocery shops and Domino’s on the island.
Day 2: Jet Skis, Fireworks, and All of the Festive Vibes 🇺🇸
Morning Thrills:
We kicked off the 4th of July vibrant and early with a jet ski journey by Gettin’ Salty. This was the spotlight for the older youngsters—nothing bonds siblings like racing one another at 40 mph throughout the bay.
Afterwards, I took my nieces to the seaside the place they boogie-boarded and constructed sandcastles.
Lunch:
We dried off and refueled at Grumbles Seafood Co.—an off-the-cuff spot with killer harbor views and seafood so contemporary it might have winked at us. You don’t want a reservation to dine right here. You stand in line to order after which seize an out there desk. The road was lengthy after we had been there, however you’ll be able to seize a drink on the bar as you wait in line.
Within the afternoon, we relaxed on the pool as a result of the wind was fierce. That’s one factor in regards to the seaside in Port Aransas, the wind can actually kick up at instances, to the purpose you’d relatively be doing one thing else.
Night Magic:
Our night time ended with the Fireworks Boat Cruise hosted by Deep Sea Headquarters. Watching fireworks burst over the water whereas floating within the bay? The proper view.
My cousin and his household didn’t go on the boat cruise, and so they may see a number of fireworks exhibits from our home rental, together with the one we noticed. So, based mostly on this, I might say that you could see fireworks from virtually anyplace on the island.
Day 3: Espresso, Pickleball & Catching Dinner (Fishing)
Morning:
We began the day gradual at Coach’s Island Grill — a comfy spot with espresso robust sufficient to revive even the grumpiest teen and reasonably priced breakfast choices ok for my single mother finances. My meal was simply $5!
Noon:
Subsequent up: Pickleball on the Port Aransas Neighborhood Park. In some way, this sport has turn out to be an excellent generational unifier—youngsters, teenagers, adults, everybody had a blast. Jonah and I play on a regular basis. Not within the temper for pickleball or it’s simply too scorching, hit the seaside once more!
Lunch:
We tried FINS, but in addition heard rave opinions about The Gaff and Trout Road if you wish to shake issues up. The advantage of consuming at Fins was that it was proper subsequent door to the place we had been catching a fishing constitution from. We didn’t have a reservation however managed to stroll proper in.
Afternoon:
Time to fish! We hopped aboard a Bay Fishing Constitution with Deep Sea Headquarters. The children acquired to reel in fish (and bragging rights), and we even introduced some again for a sundown dinner.
I did assume based mostly on the outline, we had been doing a brief deep-sea fishing expertise. I rapidly realized that the rationale it could possibly be performed in 3.5 hours was that we went out to the transport channel to fish. We caught a whole lot of fish, it simply wasn’t remotely deep-sea fishing. The good factor about that is no sea illness. The final time we went deep-sea fishing, everybody threw up. On this tour, nobody even felt queasy.
Adults want a one-day fishing license for all waters. Children don’t want a fishing license.
Dinner:
For dinner, we feasted at Virginia’s on the Seaside. They may prepare dinner the fish you catch for $15 per particular person. Didn’t catch something, don’t fear, they’ve acquired an intensive menu.
They don’t take reservations, however you’ll be able to be part of the stay waitlist on Yelp. There are solely two eating places with stay wait lists; the opposite is Seafood and Spaghetti. As quickly as we had been performed fishing, I put our social gathering of 14 on the waitlist for each locations. It took somewhat over an hour, however we acquired a desk no downside at Virginia’s. I believed all their meals was nice, however the service was tremendous gradual. Took two hours to eat right here.
Bonus: Seaside Bonfire & S’mores at Cinnamon Shores
What’s higher than a seaside bonfire? A seaside bonfire you didn’t need to arrange. Cinnamon Shores dealt with every little thing—from the fireplace pit to the s’mores kits—so we simply confirmed up, made gooey marshmallow masterpieces, and watched the celebs come out.
Why I’ll Be Reserving with Whimstay Once more
Reserving a seaside home with Whimstay was a game-changer. Right here’s why I’ll be utilizing them for future household getaways:
- Higher Costs: Whimstay gives the similar properties you discover on Airbnb or VRBO—usually at as much as 40% much less whenever you guide inside 30 days of your journey.
- Final-Minute Pleasant: Nice for us spontaneous varieties (or these of us who neglect to plan till the week earlier than… not naming names).
- Buyer Service That Really Solutions: Rated 4.3 on Trustpilot, in comparison with Airbnb’s 1.3. Sufficient mentioned.
- 365 Days of Offers: Sure, they specialise in last-minute, however you’ll be able to guide with them year-round.
Last Ideas
In case you’re trying to create core reminiscences with out core stress, Port Aransas is the last word vacation spot. It checks all of the containers for household journey: seaside, meals, actions, and loads of room to loosen up.
