Things to Do at Cinnamon Shore & Port Aransas
A handpicked guide to the beach, the village at Cinnamon Shore, on-site experiences and rentals, dining and live music in Port Aransas, and easy day trips up and down the Texas coast — most of it walkable, none of it more than an easy drive.
- Beach & water
- Outdoor & nature
- On-site experiences & rentals
- Inside the village — eat & shop on-property
- Beyond the gates — Port Aransas eats & live music
- Day trips
Beach & water
The whole point. From the door of Beached Inn it is a barefoot walk to the dunes, the surf, and a stretch of Texas coast that rarely feels crowded.
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Cinnamon Shore beach
Five houses to the dunes
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Mustang Island State Park
5 miles of undeveloped Gulf shoreline
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Port Aransas drive-on beach
One of the few Texas beaches you can drive on
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Roberts Point Park
Dolphin watching from the jetty
Outdoor & nature
Mustang Island sits on the Central Flyway, which means birds, bays, and a whole lot of water-borne activity within a short drive of the porch.
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UT Marine Science Institute
Free public exhibits & the Wetlands Education Center
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Deep-sea & bay fishing charters
Half-day, full-day, and evening trips out of Port A
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Birding & nature trails
Mustang Island is on the Central Flyway
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Padre Island National Seashore
The longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world
On-site experiences & rentals
Cinnamon Shore offers a curated lineup of reservation add-ons — golf carts, bikes, beach setups, bonfires, lessons, family photos, and more — all bookable in advance and ready when you arrive. Live availability and the full catalog are on the Cinnamon Shore reservation portal.
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Premium 6-seater golf cart
Lifted, gas-powered carts — drive right onto the sand
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Beach chair & umbrella sets
Skip the haul — let the beach crew set you up
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Beach bonfires
Private fires on the sand — small or social
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Bike rentals — adult, youth & kids'
Cruise the community on two wheels
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Surf lessons on the beach
Group lessons for ages 9 to 18
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Beach yoga & paddleboard yoga
Morning sessions at the water and at the Dune Pool
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Pickleball & basketball at the South courts
First-come paddle & ball rentals
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Family photography sessions
Sunrise, sunset, or lakeside portraits
Inside the village — eat & shop on-property
The Boutiques at Cinnamon Shore is the community's village center — a short walk from the front door, with restaurants, bars, a market, sweets, and a handful of shops. You can stay inside the gates all weekend and never get in the car.
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The Boutiques at Cinnamon Shore
The village center — restaurants, shops & live music
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Lisabella's
Sit-down dinner in the village
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Coastline Grill
Casual coastal grill in the village
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Dos Bocas
Forthcoming — opening at Cinnamon Shore South
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Dylan's Pizzeria
Pizza in the village
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Shore Cafe
Coffee and a relaxed morning bite
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C Treats
Sweets and after-beach treats
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Stout's at the Shore
Neighborhood pub in the village
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Tiki Jay's
Tropical-themed bar at the village
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C Bar
Wine & cocktail spot in the village
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In-Home Shrimp Boils & Paella Parties
Catered Gulf shrimp boils & paella, in your rental
Beyond the gates — Port Aransas eats & live music
When you want the old-school fish-house, beach-bar Port A experience, downtown is under fifteen minutes from the door.
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Downtown Port Aransas
Seafood, beach shops, and beloved local hangs
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Grumbles
Beloved Port Aransas seafood & burgers
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Live music on the shore
Weekly live sets at Cinnamon Shore & in town
Day trips
When you want a change of scene, a few of Texas's best coastal-city stops are within an easy drive.
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Corpus Christi waterfront
USS Lexington & Texas State Aquarium
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Rockport-Fulton
Galleries, oysters, and the Aransas Bay
Practical tips
Do I need a beach parking permit?
Yes if you plan to drive on the Port Aransas beach. Permits are sold at many local stores in town and at convenience stores along TX-361. They're valid for the calendar year regardless of when you buy.
What about the ferry — is it open 24 hours?
The Port Aransas ferry (TxDOT) runs 24 hours a day and is free. Wait times are minimal off-season but can stretch on summer Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings. The JFK Causeway / Mustang Island route is paved and ferry-free.
Can I rent a golf cart at Cinnamon Shore?
Yes — Cinnamon Shore offers easy on-site golf cart rentals, and there are also local operators that deliver to the community. Carts are a popular way to reach the beach club, the village, the boardwalks, and to drive right onto the Port Aransas drive-on beach.
When is the best time to visit?
Late March through May and September through early November are the sweet spot — warm Gulf water, lighter crowds, and Texas coastal weather at its best. Summer is busiest with families; winter is quiet and birding peaks.
More in-depth local guides
Single-topic deep dives — each with a map, the practical details, and the local know-how we'd give a friend. All within easy reach of Cinnamon Shore.
Plan your stay at Beached Inn
Luxury 3-bedroom beach house at Cinnamon Shore, sleeps 10. Private elevator and infinity-pool view, ~500 ft from the Gulf.
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