Fulton, Texas.

Fulton is a tiny waterfront village that sits between Rockport and the Aransas Bay. It is known as the "Shrimp Capital of Texas" — the waterfront is lined with shrimp boats, and the town's restaurants serve some of the freshest Gulf seafood you will find. Fulton has a nostalgic, old-timey coastal feel, with a small harbor, a few seafood markets, and a pace of life that has not changed much in decades.

Fulton is a small waterfront village between Rockport and the Aransas Bay, about 30 miles north of Corpus Christi. It sits along the Aransas Bay shoreline.

For Hill Country visitors, Fulton offers a genuine working waterfront experience within an easy day trip. You can walk the harbor at dawn and watch the shrimp boats unload their catch, then buy Gulf shrimp right off the dock. The town's few restaurants are unpretentious and excellent — fried shrimp, oysters on the half shell, and blackened fish served in wood-paneled dining rooms with views of the bay. The adjacent Rockport offers additional dining, art galleries, and the Rockport Beach Park, but Fulton itself stays quiet and consistent.

Fulton is adjacent to Rockport but has its own distinct personality. Where Rockport has developed as an arts and tourism destination, Fulton has stayed closer to its fishing roots. The Fulton Harbor is the center of everything — charter boats, pleasure craft, and commercial fishing vessels all share the same slips. The nearby Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, a restored 1870s French Second Empire house, offers a glimpse into the area's 19th-century coastal heritage. For someone considering coastal property, Fulton offers the charm of a historic fishing village with Rockport's amenities just five minutes away.

Drive time from Boerne

Fulton is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes from Boerne via I-37 South and TX-35 South. The drive follows the Coastal Bend through Sinton and Taft, with the last few miles along Aransas Bay offering excellent views.

What to know before you go

• Best time to visit: Fall and spring are ideal. Summer is hot but the bay breezes keep things comfortable near the water.
• Shrimp boats: Early morning is the best time to see the fleet return. You can buy fresh shrimp directly from the boats.
• Seafood restaurants: Fulton's small restaurant scene punches well above its weight. Come hungry and order the fried shrimp.
• Fulton Mansion: The state historic site offers guided tours of the restored 1870s mansion and its grounds.
• Rockport nearby: Rockport is a five-minute drive away and offers more dining, shopping, and a beach park if Fulton feels too quiet.