GULF COAST REGION: CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS

CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS

Map of the Corpus Christi Area & Additional Corpus Christi Information

Corpus Christi is the county seat of Nueces County. Corpus Christi also sprawls into Aransas, San Patricio and Kleberg Counties. In 2006 the Census Bureau estimated the Corpus population at 285,175, making the town the 8th largest in Texas. In 2008 the population of the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Area was estimated at 416,376.

Corpus Christi is the 2nd most popular vacation destination in Texas. The city is nestled behind the Mustang and Padre barrier islands, helping make it a major deep-water port. Corpus Christi projects an image of glistening waterways. To help with that theme the Water Garden at Bayfront Arts and Science Park sparkles for visitors with around 150 fountains.

CORPUS CHRISTI MUSEUMS

At the Texas State Aquarium you'll see 1000's of denizens of the sea representing over 250 species. You can get up close to bottlenose dolphins in Dolphin Bay. In Amazon you will run into exotic birds, poison-dart frogs, boa constrictors and fresh-water stingrays.

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History will educate you as to the Gulf Coast's relationship to the natural, cultural and scientific world. At Heritage Park you wil see 12 restored Victorian era homes. The centerpiece is the Cultural District's Galvan House. The Asian Cultures Museum has a collection of objects and from the west side of the Pacific. The Art Museum of South Texas is in an impressive 3 story bright white building with 13 pyramids on the roof and works of art inside representing Mexico, Texas and the Southwest. Selena Museum was created by Abraham Quintanilla in honor of his murdered daughter, Tejana singer, Selena.

The USS Lexington is a decommissioned World War II aircraft carrier that now serves as a giant floating museum, taking visitors back in time with tours or the ship, exhibits, airplanes and a high-tech flight simulator. Voices and music blare from speakers giving you the feel you are onboard a working ship.

Captain Clark's Flagship is a 400 passenger paddle wheeler that cruises Corpus Christi Bay, cruising along the downtown Bayfront, passing close to the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium.

Buccaneer Days has evolved from celebrating the arrival of of the Spanish founder of Corpus Christi, Alonzo to celebrating the pirate Jean Lafitte, with the modern day event starting off when the Pirate Queens enter Corpus Christi Bay and take the mayor prisoner. After the mayor gives control of the town to the pirates, he walks the plank and the fun begins. With a beauty pageant, parades, a rodeo, BBQ cook-off, sports games, a carnival, plus and art and music festival. Buccaneer Days takes place the last week of April.

Hans A. Suter Wildlife Park in Corpus Christi Its climate and geography have made Corpus Christi a birding paradise. Rare seabirds, marsh waders, shorebirds, songbirds, game birds and raptors call Corpus home. You can call the Corpus Christi Bird Hotline at 512.364.3634 for current birding information. Hans A. Suter Wildlife Park is one of the bird watching spots you will find on the Corpus Christi Bay Loop of the Great Texas Wildlife Trails.

At the Corpus Christi Marina you'll be able to find a variety of sightseeing cruises, private boats and commercial shrimp boats. You'll find fishermen willing to sell you fresh seafood right off their boats. You can rent paddleboats, jet skis, sailboats and other watertoys.

Oleander Point at the south end of Cole Park is an internationally famous location for windsurfing, with consistently windy conditions blowing at between 15 to 25 miles per hour. This has repeatedly been the site of national and world windsurfing championship competitions. Corpus Christi built a breakwater at Oleander Point that had the unintended consequence of creating a wind-surfing mecca.
Padre Island National Seashore
If you are in downtown Corpus you can go to Corpus Christi Beach for a quick beach fix. Smaller, but also walking distance from downtown is Magee Beach. For serious beachcombing and surfing you need to head to the stretches of sand on the barrier islands. At Mustang Island State Park you will find 5 miles of pristine beach. South of Mustang Island is the Padre Island National Seashore, a protected area that is very nature oriented and is not a party place like South Padre Island.

BARS & CLUBS IN CORPUS CHRISTI

Executive Surf Club in Corpus Christi There are plenty of Corpus Christi area opportunities to sip an adult beverage at a beach location. The adventurous can venture off the beach and go where the locals go to hear live music. The Executive Surf Club is downtown, next to the Water Street Seafood Co., with surboards on the walls and serving as tables. The Surf Club's scene is lively and casual, with live music on most nights. The Republic of Texas Bar & Grill is on the 20th floor of the Omni Bayfront Hotel, dimly lit with great views of the city and the bay. You will find a younger and louder crowd at Dr. Rockit's Blues Bar, located on Chaparral Street in downtown Corpus, with live bands nightly. At Bourbon Street Bar and Grill you will find Cajun food in a New Orleans atmosphere, with drinks in the Voodoo Lounge and next door at Porky's Saloon.

WHERE TO STAY IN CORPUS CHRISTI

You will find plenty of lodging options in Corpus Christi. For the bargain minded there is Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, La Quinta Inn, Knights Inn, Econo Lodge and Quality Inn & Suites. Slightly less of a bargain is the downtown Bayfront Plaza Hotel and Best Western Marina Grand Hotel. On the beach you will find Radisson Corpus Christi Beach Hotel and Holiday Inn Emerald Beach. The deluxe place to stay in downtown Corpus are the Omni Marina and Bayfront Towers.

If you are looking for an RV spot to stay in Corpus Christi there is Puerto Del Sol RV Park, Colonia Del Rey and Padre Balli Park

You will also find plenty of condos to rent in Corpus Christi and the surrounding area.

WHERE TO EAT IN CORPUS CHRISTI

Corpus is a big town with plenty of restaurants.

For Seafood a Corpus Christi legendary location is Water Street Seafood Co. and its next door sister, Water Street Oyster Bar. An upscale seafood destination is Yardarm Restaurant. At Snoopy's Pier you will get good seafood in a casual setting. If you are looking for seafood on Corpus Christi Beach head to Pier 99, across from the USS Lexington or Blackbeard's on the Beach, across the street from the Radisson.

For Mexican food in Corpus Christi you will find plenty of options. For seafood mixed in with the Tex-Mex head downtown to La Costenita. On South Padre Island try La Playa Mexican Restaurant & Cantina for real good Tex-Mex. Locals like Kiko's, due to their enchladas. Locals also like the classic taqueria, Solis Mexican Restaurant. At Rosita's you will find the combination plate platters are huge.

For American cuisine head to the beach to the Republic of Texas Bar & Grill on the top floor of the Omni Bayfront Hotel, where you will find plenty of steak options with a great view. Good greasy hamburgers are the claim to fame of the 1950s style City Diner & Oyster Bar. In downtown Corpus you will find a good steakhouse in Katz 21 Steak & Spirits. You will also get a good cheeseburger at the Executive Surf Club.

Barbecue can be found at Knuckhead's, which cater to a biker crowd of the non-mountain bike sort. Their specialty is hickory smoked brisket. At Joe Cotten's BBQ, located in Robstown, about 15 miles west of Corpus you will find out why this place has a reputation for being one of the best barbecue joints in south Texas.

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