Over 150 years old, this small Catholic chapel was the first church built in Aransas county when completed in 1858. Originally constructed fronting Aransas Bay, the entire shellcrete structure was relocated here in 1986. The Lamar cemetery next door holds graves dating back to the 1700s.
Stella Maris Chapel
Gulf Coast & South Texas
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
16.01 MILES
For birdwatchers, this 115,000-acre refuge is the premier site on the Texas coast. Although only 15 whooping cranes remained in the wild in 1941, more…
0.96 MILES
This small park focuses on marshy, 140-acre Goose Island, on the edge of Aransas Bay. It's a sweet 2-mile drive east of little Lamar, itself 12 miles…
Fulton Mansion State Historical Park
6.53 MILES
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…
20.59 MILES
A privately owned island just across the ship channel from Port Aransas, known as St Jo to locals. This squat desert island, 2 miles at its widest but 21…
21.86 MILES
The main access point to this county-run park is via Beach St (try to remember that). The park has rest rooms, the Horace Caldwell fishing pier and…
Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture
22.09 MILES
Over 1200 acres of nature preserve look out over the bird-filled marshes and salt flats on the east side of town. The 2-mile-return boardwalk stroll leads…
9.1 MILES
Pop into this cheery center to see what's going on with Rockport's lively arts scene. As well as offering painting classes, it displays and sells locally…
Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
22.44 MILES
A short boardwalk runs through the tall grass to an observation tower with wide-open views over the nature reserve and ship channel. Local guides run a…
Nearby Gulf Coast & South Texas attractions
0.96 MILES
This small park focuses on marshy, 140-acre Goose Island, on the edge of Aransas Bay. It's a sweet 2-mile drive east of little Lamar, itself 12 miles…
2. Fulton Mansion State Historical Park
6.53 MILES
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…
8.84 MILES
Everything from fishing boats to offshore oil rigs, to the story of the short-lived Texas Navy is covered at this large museum on the harbor. Displays…
8.92 MILES
Crescent-shaped Rockport Harbor is one of the prettiest on the Gulf Coast. It's lined with all manner of boats (shrimp, fishing charter, tour and pleasure…
5. Aquarium at Rockport Harbor
8.93 MILES
This tiny volunteer-run aquarium has crabs and other local sea critters, including most of the fish avidly sought by local fishers. In nice weather you'll…
6. Rockport Center for the Arts
9.1 MILES
Pop into this cheery center to see what's going on with Rockport's lively arts scene. As well as offering painting classes, it displays and sells locally…
7. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
16.01 MILES
For birdwatchers, this 115,000-acre refuge is the premier site on the Texas coast. Although only 15 whooping cranes remained in the wild in 1941, more…
19.89 MILES
This otherwise unremarkable city park is the most accessible put-in and take-out point for the Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail.