My favorite things about Rockport

If you are looking for a place to retire, fish, work, vacation, or relax you will love Rockport, Texas. But this city is more than its beaches and fishing, with its rapidly growing economic environment, great schools, abundant parks, and a vibrant art culture. There’s also a thriving tourism industry, with a plethora of resorts catering to travelers looking for fishing, golf, the beach or just an escape. The reasons to make Rockport your forever home are plentiful!

Here are a few reasons why we think Rockport earns its title of “The Charm of the Texas Coast”.

1. Great Neighborhoods
Whatever your ideal arrangements are, from bayside condos and waterfront villas to gracious golf course-centered homes, to quaint mid-century single-family houses in coastal style, all can be found in Rockport across its 18.5 square miles.

2. Economic Growth
Gov. Abbott recently commended the Texas Coastal Bend, which includes Rockport for it’s great contributions to Texas’ rating as the Top State for Business.
From USA Today: The future looks bright in our coastal communities. While businesses are still recovering from Hurricane Harvey, tourists are returning, retail sales are trending up and real estate sales are rebounding. A recent survey shows that business conditions are improving and business leaders are optimistic.
Thanks to hardworking Texans in Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend region and beyond, we are seeing good news about jobs and economic growth in communities all across the Lone Star State.
It’s no surprise then that Texas was just named America’s Top State for Business by CNBC.
Overall, the Texas economy is the fastest growing in the nation. More Texans are working than ever before as the Lone Star State leads in private-sector job creation — over the month, over the year and over the past 10 years. And jobs in Texas are now on pace for the strongest growth in four years.

3. Outdoor Living
Rockport boasts dozens of parks and outdoor spaces. For a day off the water; Memorial Park is the city’s largest park with 100+ acres including recreational trails, sporting fields, exercise stations, birding sites and picnic facilities. Aransas Pathways is a group of linked trails and paths through a variety of birding, hiking, biking, kayaking and nature sites in Rockport and the surrounding area. The pavilion, called “Pathways Center ” is the principal information center for all of the Aransas Pathways projects and is located in Rockport. Here you can find information about the Birding, History, Kayaking, and Hiking and Biking Trails. “Pathways Center” houses informational kiosks with interpretive signage explaining each Aransas Pathway project, with an open space for meetings and events. There is also a deck for relaxing and observing Tule Creek and the adjoining Shellcrete Birding and Nature site. Rockport Beach park includes Texas’ first “Blue Wave” beach, walking trails along little bay, a boat ramp, festival grounds, pavilions for rent, a bird sanctuary, and more!

4. Shopping and Entertainment
Highlighted by downtown Rockport and Austin St., our community boasts a wealth of shopping and entertainment choices. The Austin St. shops include a variety of art galleries, souvenir items, jewelry, restaurants, and antiques. The Rockport Center for the arts is also located in downtown Rockport as is a local winery. When you’re done strolling on the beach; walk or drive downtown and enjoy world class seafood, shopping, and art!

5. Arts
Speaking of the Center for the Arts, the Rockport Center for the Arts draws tourists from all over the world.
From their website: The Rockport Center for the Arts boasts a state-of-the-art main gallery as the result of building renovations and expansions in 1998 and 2000. The two parlor galleries are now dedicated entirely to the works of its member artists, while the main gallery allows the Center to host local, regional, national, and internationally acclaimed artists in both solo and group exhibitions. In 2000 the Garden Gallery was added, allowing the Center for the first time to simultaneously feature three distinct exhibitions, at times displaying over 100 original works of art.
Today the building also houses two visual arts classrooms which are home to numerous workshops, classes, seminars, and open studio sessions. A well-furnished pottery studio is always active, and includes a kiln room which hosts daily firings. Visitors enjoy the art center gift shop where member artists display a wide range of art and craft.
Our “backyard,” a 10,000 square foot Sculpture Garden, is home to works by internationally acclaimed granite sculptor Jesus Moroles, as well as acclaimed sculptors Kent Ullberg, Sandy Scott, Charles Umlauf, and James Surls.
The Art Center continues to host community-driven events around the arts. Events such as Art Educator Days, ArtLink for Kids, the Rockport Film Festival, a Music Performance Series, and the Rockport Clay Expo are just a few examples. Rockport itself has over 200 working artists, a variety of downtown art galleries, and was recently named a “Top 10 Coastal Art Colony” by Coastal Living Magazine.

6. Fishing and Outdoor Sports
Rockport offers some of the best fishing on the Gulf Coast. Rockport is surrounded by three bays, St Charles, Copano, and Aransas Bay. The Gulf of Mexico is a short boat ride away as well! Fish the bays for Speckled Trout, Redfish, Black Drum, and more or head out into the Gulf for Red Snapper, Kingfish, Cobia, and more! Numerous fishing guides are available to take you on a fully outfitted trip to the gulf, around the bays, flyfishing, and more. The area also offers great duck hunting opportunities with guided hunts available.

7. The Weather
Rockport boasts year round sunshine and mild temperatures even in winter. The summers are hot (We are in Texas after all), but ask anyone who lives here and they’ll tell you we always have a breeze!

8. Sunsets
Rockport boasts world class sunsets. If you can find a place along Copano Bay or anywhere in Rockport with a westerly view you will be treated to a world class sunset year round.

Whatever your reason for relocating to Rockport you’ll find an excellent economic climate, beautiful weather, abundant outdoor activities, a beautiful beach, and amazing art and history. So whether you’re retiring, relocating, looking to disconnect, or want a second home Rockport should be at the top of your list.