Located on the beautiful Texas Coastal Bend is the community of Ingleside, 18 miles north of Corpus Christi. With the average temperature at seventy-two degrees, the town offers some kind of recreational activity for everyone, including swimming, fishing, skiing, sailing, boating, birding, dolphin watching, tennis, Frisbee, disc golf, and biking. Located on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, it is the perfect setting for avid bird-watchers and nature lovers. The town is home to the United States Naval Station-Ingleside, as well as many national and international corporations. The atmosphere of Ingleside is a family oriented, hometown environment, with quiet residential neighborhoods, four city parks, excellent schools and top quality businesses. For more information contact the Ingleside Chamber of Commerce Tourist and Information Center at 361-776-2906, or check www.inglesidetxchamber.org.
Things to do in Ingleside
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to protect the vanishing wildlife of coastal Texas. The 70,504-acre refuge is made up of the Blackjack Peninsula, named for its scattered blackjack oaks, and three satellite units; grasslands, live oaks, and redbay thickets cover deep, sandy soils. Ringed by tidal marshes and broken by long, narrow ponds, Aransas is home for cranes, alligators, deer, and many other species of wildlife. The refuge is famous as the principal wintering ground for near-extinct whooping crane. Other bird species include Canada geese, pintail and baldpate ducks, sand hill cranes, and more. Facilities include a paved tour road, a wildlife interpretive center, an observation tower, several miles of walking trails and a picnic area. Commercially operated boats offering narrated tours depart from Rockport. Located about 35 miles northeast of Rockport via Texas 35 north. Call 361-286-3559 for more information.
Cove Park
With a beautiful view of Corpus Christi Bay, Ingleside's Cove Park has a free public boat launch that provides easy access to the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and the Gulf of Mexico. Local fishing guides and charters are available daily, and the free fishing pier and bait stand are open to the public. Popular activities include skiing, sailing, dolphin watching, picnicking, jogging/biking, birding and watching spectacular sunsets. Call 361-776-2906 for more information.
Golden Triangle Art Association
Ingleside is proud of its artist community. Some of the finest painters and crafters call Ingleside their home. Artist works can be seen on display at the Golden Triangle Art Association in a historical building located on Hwy 361. Many art fairs are sponsored by this talented group and art classes are offered. Call 361-758-7113 for more information.
Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail
The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail winds through 43 Texas counties, encompassing the entire Texas coastal region. The Trail features 308 distinct wildlife-viewing sites. Enhancements such as board walks, parking pullouts, kiosks, observation platforms, and landscaping to attract native wildlife have been constructed at a number of sites. Each section of the Trail has a map showing 12-16 separate loops. The color-coded loops encompass an array of associated sites and birds and provide easy access to related information. Each site on the Trail is marked with a unique sign and site number designed to coincide with the site description on the map. The Trail maps have information about the birds and habitats likely to be found at each site, the best season to visit, and food and lodging available in the vicinity. Maps can be ordered by calling the Texas Cooperative Extension Bookstore. Call 888-900-2577 for more information.
Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail
The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail winds through 43 Texas counties, encompassing the entire Texas coastal region. The Trail features 308 distinct wildlife-viewing sites. Enhancements such as board walks, parking pullouts, kiosks, observation platforms, and landscaping to attract native wildlife have been constructed at a number of sites. Each section of the Trail has a map showing 12-16 separate loops. The color-coded loops encompass an array of associated sites and birds and provide easy access to related information. Each site on the Trail is marked with a unique sign and site number designed to coincide with the site description on the map. The Trail maps have information about the birds and habitats likely to be found at each site, the best season to visit, and food and lodging available in the vicinity. Maps can be ordered by calling the Texas Cooperative Extension Bookstore. Call 888-900-2577 for more information.
Live Oak Park
Located in south Ingleside, Live Oak Park is set on 90 beautiful oak covered acres in Ingleside. The park features a unique disc golf course, tennis and basketball courts, a softball field, a playscape for children, nature trails, and picnic facilities. In addition, the park is the #55 site on the "Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail." Live Oak Park is also used to host the community's annual Renaissance Faire and Round Up Days events. Call 361-776-2906 for more information.
Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island State Park offers 3,954 acres of sand dunes, sea oats, and beach morning glory with five miles of Gulf beach. Popular activities include seaside camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, hiking and mountain biking on 5 miles of open beach, sunbathing, hiking, and surfing. In addition, the area offers excellent birding for abundant shore and migratory birds. Located 14 miles south of Port Aransas on Texas 361. Call 361-749-5246 for more information.
Port Aransas Beach
Port Aransas Beach offers 6.3 miles of white sandy beach along the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The water is great for swimming, bodysurfing, boogie boarding, and surfing. In summer beach guards oversee the beach area from Avenue G south to Sandcastle Drive. Camping is permitted at the beach for up to 3 consecutive days. Call 361-749-4158 for more information.
Texas Maritime Museum
Experience the rich maritime heritage of Texas from Spanish exploration to the search for offshore oil and gas. With changing exhibits, interactive displays and educational public programming, visitors experience how Texas has relied on the sea. Located across from picturesque Rockport Harbor at 1202 Navigation Circle. Call 361-729-1271 for more information.
United States Naval Station Ingleside
The 450-acre Naval Station is designated as the "Mine Warfare Center of Excellence." The mission of the facility is to provide logistics and base support services to 48 commands, including 21 ships, and 3,900 personnel that make up the Mine Warfare forces. It is situated on the Corpus Christi channel that links the Port of Corpus Christi with the Gulf of Mexico. Call 361-776-4205 for more information.
University of Texas Marine Science Institute
This research facility is the oldest marine research station on the Texas Gulf Coast. The Visitor Center receives 40,000 visitors annually, and offers self guided tours and educational films. Aquariums at the center display typical Texas coastal habitats and the organisms that live in them. Other displays highlight research projects and feature photographs of local plants and animals. The institute sponsors a free public lecture series on various topics. An Ocean Emporium offers educational items and souvenirs. Located on Cotter Street on the way to the beach. Call 361-749-6729 for more information.