The holidays are no longer a vague thought to worry about somewhere off in the far away distance, they are knocking on your door, demanding to be recognized, and now is the perfect time to begin making plans for the first of the big three, Thanksgiving. You could start searching the internet for new recipes that grumpy Aunt Shirley will turn her nose up at, and you should start saving your pennies, as your grocery list that will run several pages long will cost you more than ever this year, and you might want to start running in the mornings to prepare yourself for all the extra work you will be doing to make your home company ready and decorated to please. Or, you could let your fingers do the scrolling, finding their way to the airlines for flight tickets to Port Aransas and our Sandcastle Condominiums website to make reservations for a holiday you will never forget. This guide will show you all the ways Port A will be the perfect Thanksgiving destination!

Thankful for Beaches and Sunshine

If you are from a warmer climate, you may find the water a tad chilly for swimming, but starting or ending your Thanksgiving with a walk along shore’s edge will give you something more to be thankful for. The serenity of the sea always surprises newcomers, and as you bury your toes in the sand, watch the sun rise or set, and maybe start counting your blessings, this holiday is sure to shine brighter than all others. And for those visiting from colder climates? The water is going to be just fine, so grab your snorkel gear, dive in, and prepare to explore the world that lies beneath the surface of the sea!

Port Aransas Turkey Trot, Wednesday, November 27

 If you do it right, the turkey feast is going to involve ingesting a LOT of calories, and participation in the Port Aransas Turkey Trot can serve as a preemptive shot against tighter pants! Held every year the day before Thanksgiving, starting on the Grand Lawn at 258 Snapdragon, and offering a 10K run, 5K Walk/Run, 2K Walk, and a fun little tot trot, this fun event is for all ages and physical abilities. After the conclusion of the run/walk, guests may want to linger a little longer as there will be bounce houses, music, games, and so many more activities designed to help everyone get into the spirit of the season.

Grateful for Someone Else to Do the Cooking

Our Sandcastle Condominiums fully equipped kitchens make it easy to cook the entire feast, but if you are a little burned out and would rather someone else do the cooking this year, the restaurants listed below will ensure you don’t have to skip the feast if you choose not to cook.

  • Virginia’s on the Bay, 815 Trout Street – This restaurant offers a Thanksgiving buffet with all the traditional foods, but this may be the year you try seafood instead. Sweet, delicious and healthy, we love the seafood and the Thanksgiving buffet at Virginia’s on the Bay.
  • Roosevelt’s, 200 E Cotter Avenue – Their standard menu is amazing, but at Thanksgiving, Roosevelt’s obviously goes the extra step!
  • Butter Churn, 1275 Hwy 35 Bypass in Aransas Pass – Offering meals that remind us of the ones our grandmas served us when we were young, the Butter Churn is known for its hearty portions and country goodness, and even as the wait may be a little longer on Thanksgiving, when you are seated, you will forget everything but the deliciousness of the meal before you.

 Black Friday Shopping

For some, the best part of Thanksgiving is the Black Friday shopping that follows, and although stores have moved away from opening on Thanksgiving, when Friday arrives, the shops of downtown Port A will have all the deals. Alister Street is where you will find a really amazing selection of shops, including Beach House and our personal favorite, Winton’s Candy Company, known for the sweet treats you won’t find anywhere else. Wherever you shop, the deals promise to be great ones on this first official shopping day of the Christmas season.

The Embrace of Our Holiday Havens

Some of the moments you will remember the most may be the ones you spend at home in our Sandcastle Condominiums holiday havens. Offering fully equipped kitchens that make cooking fun again, state of the art televisions that will make you feel as if you are sitting on the sidewalks of New York City watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade go by, and beds so comfortable, guests will awaken every day feeling rested and ready for the next holiday coming up to bat. Reserve your favorite Thanksgiving escape today!