Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 361-729-5519; 902 Navigation Circle; 10am-4pm Tue-Sat, 1-4pm Sun)
It's worth popping into this
cheery center, housed partly in a charming 1890s building, to see what's going on with the
lively local arts scene. It offers painting classes and is right on the water.
HISTORIC BUILDING
Fulton Mansion State Historical Park
( 361-729-0386;
www.visitfultonmansion.com
; 317 S Fulton Beach Rd; adult/child $6/4; 9:30am-4:30pm Tue-
Sat, 12:30-4:30pm Sun)
This imposing 1870s mansion comes as a surprise amid other more
modern - and modest - shorefront buildings. It was built by George Fulton, who was
clever with the design. On the outside, it looks like an imposing French Second Empire
creation, right down to the mansard roofs.
Inside those walls, however, are concrete foundations and walls more than 5in thick.
Although other contemporary buildings have been blown away, the mansion has with-
stood several hurricanes.
An education and history center offers interactive exhibits, presentations and Victorian
craft activities. Tours of the mansion itself depend on ongoing restoration work; call to
book.
KAYAKING
Slowride
( 361-758-0463;
www.slowrideguide.com
;
821 S Commercial, Aransas Pass; 4hr kayak rental $40)
The estuar-
ies of the coast are ideal for kayaking. You can rent kayaks at this shop just south of Rock-
port or arrange for guided fishing and ecotours.
Sleeping & Eating
The Fulton waterfront by the mansion has a few modest motels and there is another good
patch down by Rockport harbor.
Bayfront Cottages & Pier
( 361-729-6693;
www.rockportbayfrontcottages.com
; 309 S Fulton Beach Rd, Fulton; r $50-100; )
A
nicely updated old motor court is next to the mansion and across from the water. Use its
pier to catch a fish, then cook it up in the small kitchen that comes with each unit.
MOTEL, CABIN
$
Hoope's House
( 361-729-8424;
www.hoopeshouse.com
; 417 N Broadway St, Rockport; r $110-175; )
This land-
mark mansion overlooks the Rockport Harbor, and has four rooms in the main house and
HISTORIC HOTEL
$$
