This post is sponsored by Cinnamon Shore.
A couple years ago, my husband and I took our kids to stay in Port Aransas. Neither one of us had been there before, but I found a really cute place in Cinnamon Shore that looked really nice so I booked it. It was one of our favorite vacations to date.
While we were there, we were able to entertain the kids with a sand castle competition, ride on a golf cart on the beach, and watch a movie on the lawn in the community area. We left that weekend trip vowing to go back one day just the two of us.
And this past week, we were able to do just that. We stayed in a beautiful condo in the same Cinnamon Shore area and it was even better than we remembered. We roasted marshmallows on the fire pit, ate at both on site restaurants, and swam in one of the three pools on the property. It was amazing.
So if you’re looking to visit the Corpus Christi/Mustang Island/South Padre Island area but are looking for something a little more upscale with all of the amenities you could ever want, Cinnamon Shore is the place to go.
Where to Stay
We stayed at the beautiful Serenity Blue at Cinnamon Shore. It’s part of a large community that is right on the dunes! They’ve got 2 dune cross overs to the beach, three community pools, on-site dining, weekly entertainment, two community lakes for fishing, a pirate ship playground, a dog play ground and dog washing area, and a fitness center. And don’t forget to rent a golf cart from Top Deck Golf Carts because that’s how everyone travels from place to place in this beach-side community.
Where to Eat
Dylan’s Pizzeria
Right as you enter Cinnamon Shore, you’ll find Dylan’s Coal Oven Pizzeria. We were able to have dinner there one evening and the guys working there couldn’t have been nicer! They gave us some great recommendations on what to order and we were so glad to have taken their advice!
I had the Bianca Pizza with pesto chicken added. It’s a white sauce pizza and I’m not lying when I tell you that it was probably the best white pizza I’ve ever had. It was amazing. My husband had the Tradizionale with sausage and peppers and he said that his was great too.
I’d also recommend getting the Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita. It was so flavorful! The predominate flavor was pineapple and then a gentle heat sneaks up on you towards the end. Delicious! I can’t wait to go back and eat there again!
Lisabella’s
When you’re staying at Cinnamon Shore for a relaxing getaway, this restaurant is a must for dinner. Their menu is primarily seafood, with some steak and quail thrown in as well.
Recommendations: Get the crab cake for an appetizer. It’s got tons of crab in it and is served with a delicious beurre blanc sauce. For your meal, get either the Red Snapper or the Filet. I’ve also heard that the Seafood Enchiladas are good as well.
Our chocolate cake for dessert wasn’t all that special. So maybe skip dessert here.
Pro Tip: You’ll want to make a reservation. Because of social distancing, a reservation is required to get a table – especially on Tuesday and Thursday evenings when there is a live band playing.
The locals also recommended La Playa, Phoenix, Venetian Hot Plate, Island Market, Lelo’s, and Roosevelt’s. So I’ll try to check out a few of these the next time I’m in town.
Indulge Yourself
The best way to relax while on vacation is to plan ahead and anticipate your needs.
When I travel, I always have a plan for what we’re going to eat upon arrival. It never fails. You go on a road trip, you get to your destination, you get unpacked, and then you’re exhausted and hungry with no energy to go out to eat.
That’s why on this trip, I ordered from Bodega Box to have a charcuterie box of nibbles to be delivered around the time that we’d be arriving. It was perfect! They thought of everything and it was the perfect snack to tide us over until our dinner reservation. Plus, we had some left over to use for a beach picnic the next day!
Shopping is great here too! Be sure to check out Roam, Roam Home, The Palm Republic, and Coastal Closet. They have all sorts of things from clothing to home décor and you’re sure to find something you like.
What to Do
The beach is definitely the #1 spot to spend some time while you’re enjoying the Port Aransas area.
Texas Sandfest is a close second. We brought our kids a couple years ago to this event and it was amazing! There were people from all over the world building huge, detailed sand art and displaying it for all to see. There were some really amazing pieces! The event takes place every April (although this year’s was canceled) and they’re already scheduled for next year’s to be bigger than ever!
Cinnamon Shore also has daily activities scheduled all year round! While we were there, there was s’mores at the fire pit, sand castle building lessons, and yoga. During the Fall, they also have movies in the outdoor theater, beach workouts, surfing lessons, and tons of live music. During the summer months, they have up to 5 different activities scheduled each day! You WILL NOT be bored at Cinnamon Shore
More Texas Towns You’ll Love:
If you’d like to see more travel tips like this, follow me on Facebook!
