Want venues with spectacular views?

The ADA-compliant Paws and Taws Fulton Convention & Meeting Center ^[1], adjacent to Fulton Park, is named for the dancing club that once used the facility as its dance hall. It has 7,608 square feet of Wi-Fi enabled indoor space and a 1,488-sq. ft. covered patio overlooking Aransas Bay. Its east windows look out over the back deck and bay; a wall of windows on the south wall overlooks Fulton Harbor and the park. The building holds up to 400 people for seminars, meetings, banquets, receptions and dances, and is within walking distance of the harbor, restaurants and accommodations. Next door is the Fulton Fishing Pier ^[2], which rents poles and sells bait and tackle. Rockport Beach Park ^[3] is a Blue Wave-certified beach, which means it’s litter-free, handicap accessible, has public restrooms, picnic and play areas and is a bird sanctuary. It has a public boat ramp, swimming and fishing, and two event pavilions ^[4]. The 3,800-sq. ft. Saltwater Pavilion (capacity: 250) and the 1,000-sq. ft. Beachfront Pavilion both have catering kitchens, A/V packages and Wi-Fi. The enclosed pavilions are steps from the water and also ADA compliant. Other beachfront venues include the Rockport Beach Band Shell and gazebos at Triangle Park and Zachary Taylor Park.

Want to put attendees in touch with nature?

Rockport-Fulton is a year-round home to many species of gulls, brown pelicans, shorebirds and wading birds. Tour boats departing Rockport can take groups to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge ^[5] to see endangered whooping cranes (from late October to mid-April) and other wildlife. The refuge also has an alligator viewing area, a 40-ft. observation area, seven walking trails and the Claude F. Lard Visitor Center, which has an auditorium and exhibit space. Other birding hot spots include Little Bay (also known as the Connie Hagar Wildlife Sanctuary) ^[6], and the Compano Bay State Causeway and Fishing Pier ^[7].

Want to meet in a place with history?

The Fulton Mansion State Historic Site ^[8] is a grand Victorian villa, built in 1877. It gives attendees a glimpse of what life was like for affluent families in the late 19th century. Group tours are available; for information about gatherings there, contact the Texas Historical Commission ^[9]. The Big Tree of Lamar, in Goose Island State Park, is estimated at more than 1,000 years old. It was the meeting place of Carancahua Indians and, afterward, for white settlers. Picnic areas and boat rentals are available. ^[10]

Want golf?

Planners can get help planning golf tournaments, menus and theme parties at the Rockport Country Club ^[11]. The 18-hole championship golf course is a par-71 links-style course with clusters of coastal live oaks, 65 acres of interconnecting lakes and ponds, grassy knolls and sand dunes. Golf lessons are available.

Want creative settings?

The Rockport Center for the Arts ^[12] has two parlor galleries displaying the work of local artists and a main gallery featuring work by regional, national and international artists. Two visual arts classrooms can be used for seminars or craft workshops. The backyard has a 10,000-sq. ft. sculpture garden, featuring granite sculpture by Rockport resident Jesus Bautista Moroles and award-winning wildlife sculpture by Leo Osborne. The center also hosts performances, concerts and festivals.

Want an unusual view of the city?

The Texas Maritime Museum ^[13] began as an annual fall festival, exhibiting antique outboard motors, fishing equipment and mounted fish. In 1979, the museum was established to house the artifacts permanently, and in 2008, it was named the “Official Best” Maritime Museum in Texas by NBC Media. In addition to the main museum building, there is a lighthouse gallery space, which has a 48-ft. high observation deck offering panoramic views of Rockport Harbor, Aransas Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway. Group tours and educational programs for children and teens are available.

Want group dining?

New catches are hauled from the Gulf daily, so planners can’t find fresher seafood. Charlotte Plummer’s Seafare Restaurant ^[14] is a favorite local spot overlooking the water. It’s affiliated with the Inn at Fulton Harbor ^[15] so it also provides room service for overnight guests. The Boiling Pot ^[16] specializes in seafood boils, gumbos and oysters on the half-shell. For a serving of art and culture with your coastal cuisine, head to Latitude 28º 02′ ^[17], a restaurant/art gallery with private dining areas for groups of 10 to 50. The 156-seat, Key West-themed Hemingway’s Bar & Grill ^[18] is known for its hand-cut steaks and surf-and-turf entrees. Its Blue Marlin Bar has an extensive wine and martini list. Recommended ethnic eateries include the Vietnamese Fai Foo Café ^[19] and Mexican restaurant Las Camales ^[20].