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Corpus Christi, located on the Gulf of
Mexico in South Texas, is halfway between Houston and Brownsville.
Visitors will find gorgeous ocean views, and many activities
centered around beaches and watersports - fishing, sailing,
windsurfing, and just plain old swimming and relaxing on the beach.
Corpus Christi is a major deep-water port and one of Texas' s most
popular seacoast playground cities. Known simply as "Corpus" to
Texans, the city has retained its small town friendliness and charm
throughout its years of expansion.
The two mile sea wall running through the heart of the business
district was constructed in such a way as to open the city to the
Bay rather than to form a barricade. Steps lead down to the water
and to the popular "T" head docks for pleasure boats. The waterfront
was designed in the late 1930's by Guzon Borglum, sculptor of Mount
Rushmore. He worked with the city at that time on the major landfill
project that created Shoreline Boulevard and Corpus Christi Beach.
His design joined the beauty of the miles of blue water with the
cityscape.
North of downtown over the bridge, is the site of the USS Lexington,
a floating naval museum, as well as Texas State Aquarium, and
extensive park and picnic areas. Scenic bayfront cruises provide an
orientation to all that the waterfront offers.
Port Aransas is the deep-sea fishing capital of Texas. Gulf waters
are full of king mackerel, red snapper and pompano. The Great Texas
Coastal Birding Trail offers birders plenty of sightings year
around. The sunny beaches, eclectic island atmosphere, funky shops
and waterside restaurants of Port Aransas appeal to just about
everyone.
A favorite with children is the ferry boat ride into the ship
channel to watch the dolphins frolic in their natural habitat.
The Beach Loop is a scenic drive that takes about an hour with no
stops (if the ferry isn't too busy). It is wise, however, to allow a
few hours for browsing the shops, walking the beach, swimming in the
surf, and enjoying the view.
From Downtown Corpus Christi, cruise along Ocean Drive savoring the
gorgeous view of the bay. Turn at Ennis Joslin Road to reach South
Padre Island Drive (S.P.I.D.) also known as Route 358, and turn
east. You will soon reach a causeway which meanders up and down over
bridges and takes you to Padre Island National Seashore. Turn left
on Route 361, a paved road that runs through the middle of the
island. You will see several Beach Access Roads along the way.
Eventually you will reach Port Aransas which has shops, restaurants,
and bars.
You will then drive onto a ferry for a great ride. If you get out of
your car on the ferry, you might see some porpoise following behind.
Route 361 leads to Aransas Pass, known as the "shrimp capital of the
world", then to Gregory, Portland, and back to Corpus Christi.
If you have time, take a side trip along Route 35 to the sleepy
little town of Rockport, the area "artist community". There you will
find a wide variety of stores featuring local art, paintings,
seashells, and beachwear. If you continue to Fulton, you will pass
the Fulton Mansion, a Texas landmark which has periodic tours
through the historic home.
For an entertaining and enjoyable meal, stop at Boiling Pot Seafood
which serves huge pots of boiled crabs, shrimp, corn, and potatoes.
They will ceremoniously deposit all of this in the middle of your
table, put giant bibs on everyone, and hand out wooden mallets for
cracking the shellfish. Open from lunch to late evening, seven days
a week, they feature blues bands on the weekends, but the process of
pounding and cracking your way through the meal is entertainment
enough!
Texas is cattle country and no city captures the roping, wrangling,
ranching spirit of the old west like Kingsville. Just south of
Corpus Christi, Kingsville is the city that grew up around the
famous King Ranch. Bigger than the state of Rhode Island, the King
Ranch is one of the largest (825,000 acres) and oldest working
cattle ranches in the world. Guided tours are offered at the ranch
and its history is also preserved in exhibits at the Conner Museum
at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. While visiting Kingsville, be
sure to take time for a big Texas beef steak or spicy Mexican food.
If time permits, plan to take a side trip to Mexico less than three
hours away! And, the Corpus Christi area is a shopper's paradise.
From malls and retail centers, to antique shops, souvenir centers
and galleries, there's something for everyone!
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Corpus Christi's status as one of the
breeziest (warm breezes) cities in the nation makes it a hot spot
for those who love the wind and waves.. Each spring the city hosts
the annual U.S. Open Windsurfing Regatta. Weekly sailboat regattas
are held on Wednesday evening all year round. The variety of
waterways, from open Gulf beaches to protected coves, makes the
Corpus Christi area attractive to beginners and experts alike.
In keeping with the city's image of maintaining glistening
waterways, Corpus Christi's Water Garden at Bayfront Arts and
Science Park sparkles for visitors who see, hear, and touch the
garden's water. Some 150 fountains form the nucleus of the park,
which is lighted at night.
The revitalized downtown area provides visitors with an array of
stores, restaurants, and nightlife. The center of activity downtown
is the Water Street Market, a collection of places to dine, shop,
and then relax with a cool drink and evening entertainment.
These are just a few of the unforgettable sights and sounds of
Corpus Christi. How can anyone resist a visit to this Sparkling City
by the Sea?
The area in which Corpus Christi is located was explored by
Europeans around 1519, but no settlement was made at that time. In
that same year, Spanish explorer Alonso Alvarez identified the area
as Corpus Christi (Body of Christ), giving it the name of the
religious feast day. Attempts to establish missions were actively
opposed militarily by local Native Americans.
When Texas became a republic in 1836, it claimed the Rio Grande as
its southern border. Mexico disagreed and set the border farther
north at the Nuces River. Corpus Christi was established where the
Nuces River reaches the Gulf of Mexico in order to set up a base of
operations to pursue the boundary dispute.
In 1839 US troops under the command of General Zachary Taylor set up
a small tent city there in preparation for battle with Mexico. Among
Taylor's troops were three future US presidents: Taylor himself,
Franklin Pierce and Ulysses S. Grant. Jefferson Davis, future
president of the Confederacy, was also present.
Even before the border dispute was resolved (eventually the Rio
Grande became the boundary), the settlement at the Nuces River
remained and Corpus Christi came into being. It did not become part
of Texas until the Mexican war of 1846. By then it had become a
supply route for US troops headed to Mexico.
The person responsible for establishing Corpus Christi as a
permanent settlement was Colonel Henry Lawrence Kinney, an
adventurer from Pennsylvania who established a trading post in the
area in 1839. After the Mexican war, Kinney aggressively promoted
the town throughout the East as "the Italy of America" because of
its sunny climate.
One of the men who had encamped there, Captain Forbes Britton of
Virginia, returned to Corpus Christi with his wife in 1850 after
retiring from the army. He entered ranching and was active in the
State government. Their home, built on land they purchased from
Kinney, (Britton-Evans Centennial House) is the oldest existing
structure in the city. Built in 1848-1850, the brick house has
foundations of shellcrete, a cement reinforced with oyster shells
indigenous to the area.
Henry Kinney moved away in 1854 and unsuccessfully tried to
establish a colony in Nicaraugua. In the mid 1920's the Army Corps
of Engineers dug a deep ship channel. No longer a landlocked bay,
Corpus Christi had become a deep channel port with access to the
sea. It is the deepest port on the Texas coast and has consequently
attracted businesses and established a strong industrial base.
The city's position was enhanced further with the introduction of
the Naval Air Station and its advanced flight training school. This
facility is one of the area's major employers and includes the Army
Depot, the primary repair facility for Army helicopters.
Henry Kinney's vision was fulfilled in the years beyond his lifetime
as Corpus Christi evolved from a smugglers' cove and frontier
trading post into a booming tourist and vacation area of hotels,
modern commercial buildings and palm lined boulevards |
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Texas State
Aquarium
The visitor's experience begins at the entrance plazas which depict
whales, rays, dolphins, sharks, and the Gulf of Mexico . Guests enter
the building by walking under a "waterfall" representing a full
submersion into the Gulf of Mexico. Volunteer guides are stationed
throughout the Aquarium to explain exhibits and answer questions. The
visitor not only travels an aquatic journey from the shore to the depths
of the Gulf, but also has the opportunity to observe dive shows and
feeding demonstrations and have a "hands on" experience with sharks and
stingrays. The Texas State Aquarium also offers daily educational
programs and Sea Camp, a marine science day camp with one-week sessions
for children ages 6 to 15.
USS Lexington
The USS Lexington, a real World War II aircraft carrier haunted the
waters of the South Pacific and best known as
the "Blue Ghost." Today the
USS Lexington is one of the top ten visitor attractions in the state.
Multi-media presentations dazzle and unique exhibits intrigue visitors
on the USS Lexington. Live reenactments engage visitors of all ages
The Art Museum of South Texas
Changing exhibits of prints, paintings, sculpture, photography and folk
art. Exhibits share space with breathtaking views of the bay in this
facility designed by renowned architect Phillip Johnson.
Museum of Science and
History
The fascinating Museum of Science and History. Here you can explore
"Reptiles of South Texas," featuring a live alligator and "Shipwreck,"
an award-winning story of a 1554 shipwreck.
International Kite
Museum
A celebration of the history of kites from their origins in the Orient
to their uses in Europe and the U.S. for science and warfare.
Pirates of the Gulf
Miniature Golf
18 Hole championship miniature golf course.
Art Center of Corpus
Christi
Watch artists practice their craft, display their accomplishments and
teach others new skills. The complex includes a gallery, gift shop and
Jezebelle's restaurant.
Asian
Cultures Museum
The museum houses over 8,000 objects and documents... the largest
collection of artifacts to leave Japan in the 1950s. There is also an
exhibit of arts and crafts from the Philippines, China and Korea.
Exhibits include a 5 ft. bronze Buddha, Chinese porcelain, lacquerware,
opera costumes and Hakata dolls.
Captain
Clark's Sight Seeing Tours
Captain Clark's Flagship is a 400 passenger paddlewheeler in the
downtown Corpus Christi marina. Passengers enjoy a narrated cruise along
the downtown bay front, passing the USS Lexington aircraft carrier and
the Texas State Aquarium into the Port of Corpus Christi, the sixth
largest port in America. The vessel has 3 decks; main deck is climate
controlled with restrooms, full bar facility, and concession stand.
Chartering is also available for private functions.. The vessel is
within walking distance of most major downtown hotels.
Captain
Clark Fishing & Private Charters
Boat is available for private charters. Captain Clark provides
everything you need to fish Corpus Christi Bay. Full-service snack bar
on board.
Britton-Evans Centennial
House
Built in 1848, the Centennial House is Corpus Christi's oldest
structure. Special tours available.
Giggles Surf & Skate
Rent rollerblades, bicycles and sea kayaks right on the bayfront.
Harbor
Playhouse
The oldest continually performing community theater in Texas. A variety
of productions are offered each year at this theater by the sea, from
musicals to melodramas.
Heritage Park
The site of nine historical homes, the oldest dating back to 1851. These
homes are now beautifully restored.
World of Discovery
At the Museum of Science & History, explore "Reptiles of South Texas,"
featuring a live alligator and "Shipwreck," an award-winning story of a
1554 shipwreck.
Cole Park
This sprawling 43-acre park along Ocean Drive offers a spectacular view
of sparkling Corpus Christi Bay. The Kid's Place playground is always
popular. Free concerts are held Thursdays and Sundays throughout the
summer.
Corpus
Christi Marina
Called the "T-heads" by locals, this scenic bayfront area is bustling
with activity...private yachts, sight-seeing boats, water sport rentals
and waterside restaurants. Buy fresh shrimp right off the shrimp boats
and don't miss the colorful sailboat regatta every Wednesday evening.
Downtown Seawall
Impressive waterfront wall and promenade. Bicycle, rollerblade or just
stroll and people-watch. Miradores del Mar provide visitors with shady
rest spots along the way. And the special Mirador del Flor includes a
pavilion and statue dedicated to the late Tejano singing star, Selena.
Harbor Bridge
The second tallest bridge in Texas spans the port and connects Corpus
Christi Beach to the Downtown area.
Ocean Drive
A seven-mile scenic waterfront drive lined with stately homes, parks and
walking paths.
Port of
Corpus Christi
The sixth largest deep-water port in the U.S. The Port's Cargo Dock One
pavilion offers an incredible view of the city and ship traffic.
The Watergarden
A scenic rest area with dancing fountains on the grounds of the Bayfront
Convention Center.
Corpus Christi Greyhound Race Track
Evening Races Tues. - Sat. 730 ; Matinees Wed. Sat. Sun. 130 . Simulcast
races Mon. Tues. and Thurs. Call for current schedule. The Clubhouse
area features booth service with an excellent view of the track and
televisions at every table showing the racing action live. The
Grandstand area contains a variety of seating, plus a food court. Both
are fully air-conditioned.. Admission $2.00 Clubhouse, $1.00 General
Admission.
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Corpus
Christi Botanical Gardens
This 180-acre site along Oso Creek combines nature, tourism and
eco-education with colorful, exotic floral exhibits and local
landscapes. Tour the Orchid House, Exhibit House, Plumeria collection,
Sensory Garden, Hibiscus Garden and Water Garden. Be sure to save time
for the shaded Bird & Butterfly Trail, Oso Creek Trail and Gator Lake.
The complex contains extensive natural wetlands and protected native
habitats. The Gardens is a Greater Texas Coastal Birding Trail site with
lakeside observation tower, air conditioned Visitors Center, gift shop
and gallery.
There is also a playground and covered picnic sites. Parking is free.
Call for class schedules and schedule of events, including spring and
fall Children's Garden, April and October plant sales, and summer day
camps.
Corpus Christi Zoo
The Corpus Christi Zoo continues to expand its existing collection of
exotic birds, primates, big cats, hoof stock, reptiles and water fowl.
Children's Petting Zoo.
GCCA/CPL Marine
Development Center
See red drum and spotted sea-trout up close in a 3,000-gallon saltwater
spawning tank at one of the largest marine fish hatcheries in the world.
Hans A. Suter Wildlife
Park
This coastal marshland is one of the best bird watching locations in
Texas! A boardwalk, viewing tower and hiking trails offer an ideal view
of ducks, rare brown pelicans and other shore birds in their natural
habitat. Picnic Tables.
Padre Island
This is where the surfers hang ten and hang out! The "surf pier"
generates lots of wave action. A pavilion and recreational facilities
are nearby. Special events.
Padre Balli Park
A recreational complex with pavilion, overnight camping hookups for
RV's, tent sites, showers and covered picnic areas. Bob Hall Pier is
nearby. Admission Call.
Padre Island
National Seashore
Over 80 miles long, Padre Island National Seashore is the largest
undeveloped barrier island in the continental United States. The park is
open year-round for beachcombing, camping, surfing, swimming, hiking,
fishing and other activities. The Visitor Center has restrooms with
showers, a convenience store and an exhibit/information center. There's
a free boat launch at Bird Island Basin.
Mustang Riding
Stables
Ride on horseback along the beach on Mustang Island. Hay rides and beach
parties also available. Instruction available
Robert's Point Park
Watch dolphins chase the ferries across the ship channel and cargo ships
steam by on their way to the Port of Corpus Christi. Pavilion, picnic
areas, fishing pier, scenic overlook and a play area.
University of
Texas Marine Science Institute
This "mini-aquarium" addresses mysteries of the sea from a scientific
viewpoint and highlights current research projects.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
30 miles north of Rockport, this expansive wildlife refuge offers a
16-mile paved loop with wildlife photo opportunities, a museum, hiking
trails, picnic areas, a visitors center and an observation tower. It's
the winter home for the endangered Whooping Cranes.
Dolphin Connection
Five trips a day during peak season. Call between 8 and 10 tour times.
Seasonal--March through October. Reservations required. View dolphins in
their natural habitat in Corpus Christi Bay on this guided boat trip.
Fulton Mansion
A spectacular example of French Second Empire architecture, this home
has been completely refurbished by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.
Sixteen rooms showcase technology that was far ahead of its time when
constructed in 1877.
Goose Island State Park
Home to the "Lamar Oak", the largest coastal Live Oak tree in the state.
Fishing, nature trails and a boat ramp.
Naval Station
Ingleside
Home to more than two dozen U.S. Navy ships, this installation is the
headquarters for the Navy mine warfare program.
Rockport
Center for the Arts
A showcase for works from around the region. Housed in a refurbished
Victorian home nestled in the harbor.
Texas
Maritime Museum
Explore the rich maritime heritage of the Lone Star State from Spanish
treasure ships to the black gold of offshore oil wells.
Conner Museum
The John E. Conner Museum and the South Texas Archives preserve an
authentic account of the history and nature of the area including the
Peeler Collection.
The
King Ranch
The King Ranch is one of the largest and oldest working cattle and horse
ranches in the world. This is the birthplace of the American ranching
industry, founder of the Santa Gertrudis breed of cattle, and home of
the first registered American Quarter Horse. Tours on ranch's history,
wildlife and agriculture offered.
King
Ranch Museum
Trace the history of the King Ranch from its early days as a cow camp to
the present-day activities in agribusiness, energy exploration and
cattle.
Historic Goliad
The third oldest municipality in the state is home to a number of
important missions, battlegrounds and historical structures. There's
also Goliad State Park.
Lake Corpus Christi
State Park
Two fishing piers and two boat ramps.
Welder Wildlife Refuge
This is the largest privately-endowed wildlife refuge in the state of
Texas.
Port Aransas
(Port A to the locals) is full of colorful characters. Just a 30 minute
drive from Corpus Christi, Port Aransas is a laid-back fishing village
for most of the year. During peak summer months the population has been
known to grow to 100,000.
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