< Around Town

Top 10South of San Antonio

The modern city of Corpus Christi, with its gleaming skyscrapers, resort hotels, and lovely vistas across the bay, is an ideal getaway for the entire family. The Texas State Aquarium is one of the best in the country, while touring the USS Lexington offers a fascinating look at the US Navy’s famous aircraft carrier. Other sights include the Museum of Science and History, which displays recreations of the Spanish ships that brought Christopher Columbus to the New World, and the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. The natural wonders of the Texas Gulf coast and the barrier islands draw people all year round. The area is a birders’ paradise with more than 500 species and some of the country’s best birding spots. Above all, the subtropical climate, sandy beaches, sunshine-filled days, and cooling breezes make this a perfect outdoor destination for fishing, cruising, and wind-surfing.




1King Ranch, King Ranch Visitor Center

Rio Grande riverboat captain, Richard King, purchased land in 1853 to set up a ranch here. More land was acquired over the years and today this working ranch is one of the nation’s largest. It has 2,000 miles (3,219 km) of fences, 60,000 head of cattle, cowboys that ride pick-up trucks as well as horses, and also offers several fascinating tours.

  • Hwy 141 West, Kingsville
  • 361 592 8055
  • Open 11am–4pm Mon–Sat, noon–5pm Sun
  • www.king-ranch.com

2King Ranch Museum and Saddle Shop

TopTen

Saddle shop, King Ranch Museum

This museum showcases the history of King Ranch. A highlight is an excellent series of photographs of life on the ranch by award-winning photographer Toni Frissell. Other exhibits include saddles from around the world, vintage cars, and antique carriages. Also visit the nearby King Ranch Saddle Shop, established in the mid-1800s, for top-notch leather goods. Though the shop has expanded over the years, it still produces saddles that are functional and elegant.

  • King Ranch Museum
  • 405 N 6th St, Kingsville
  • 361 595 1881
  • open 10am–4pm Mon–Sat, 1–5pm Sun
  • King Ranch Saddle Shop
  • 201 E Kleberg Ave, Kingsville
  • 800 282 5464
  • open 10am–6pm Mon–Sat
  • www.krsaddleshop.com

3Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Best known for its famous winter resident, the majestic whooping crane, this coastal wildlife refuge lies along a major bird-migration route. More than 350 species arrive here every winter, making this a paradise for bird-watchers and naturalists (For further details see Aransas National Wildlife Refuge).

4Texas Maritime Museum

The Gulf coast is showcased through interesting exhibits in this two-story museum with a lighthouse observation deck. Salvage from shipwrecks along the coast include coins from a 1535 Spanish treasure ship and navigation tools from the 1686 French ship, La Belle. Other exhibits focus on sports fishing, coastal settlements, and off-shore oil exploration.

5Texas State Aquarium Corpus Christi

One of the nation’s top-rated aquariums reveals the amazing underwater world of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Fascinating exhibits and touch pools display more than 4,000 marine animals. Exhibits offer touch tanks, views of schooling fish, sea turtles, and intriguing creatures such as the porcupine fish with human-size eyes that live at more than seven fathoms deep. The huge Island of Steel exhibit recreates the Gulf of Mexico reef habitat found around a steel oil rig.

Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail

More than 500 species of birds spend part of the year along the Gulf coast near Corpus Christi, making this a very popular destination for bird-watchers. All of the best-known and local birding hotspots are identified on the Central Texas Coast map, which provides driving directions as well as descriptions of many of the common birds. Most viewing spots have boardwalks, parking pullouts or observation platforms for getting a closer look at the birds.

6USS Lexington

TopTen

World War II aircraft carrier, USS Lexington

Now a floating naval museum, this World War II aircraft carrier, called “The Blue Ghost” by the Japanese, participated in major Pacific operations. Special museum exhibits display artifacts from each era of the carrier’s eventful 40-year history (For further details see USS Lexington).

7Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

This museum presents the history of the Gulf Coast through exhibits on the region’s marine, human, and natural history. On view are treasures from a convoy of Spanish ships wrecked in 1554, the Western Hemisphere’s oldest scientifically excavated shipwreck. Reproductions of Columbus’ ships, built by the Spanish government to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the New World, can be toured daily.

  • 1900 N Chaparral St, Corpus Christi
  • 361 826 4650
  • Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sat, noon–5pm Sun
  • Adm
  • www.ccmuseum.com

8Padre Island National Seashore

This stunning natural preserve and Gulf-side playground is a beach lover’s dream. Saltwater fishing is popular year-round, with surf-casting for red drum, black drum, and sea trout from the sandy shore, or boat-fishing in shallow Laguna Madre for flounder. Camping is permitted along this entire stretch of beach (For further details see Padre Island National Seashore).

9South Padre Island

One of the most popular Texan beach resorts is located at the southern tip of South Padre Island. Five miles (8 km) of beautifully groomed beaches and 29 miles (47 km) of wild Gulf coast sand beaches offer spectacular sunsets, excellent sports fishing, wind-surfing, and exceptional birding. Fall brings world-class fishing, while winter attracts bird-watchers.

10Museums of Port Isabel

Three museums jointly tell the history of this quaint seaside town. The Point Isabel Light­house and Lighthouse Keepers Cottage date from 1852 when the lighthouse was built to guide ships through the barrier islands. Today, it’s the only one open to visitors in Texas. The Treasures of the Gulf Museum showcases three 1554 Spanish shipwrecks through murals, artifacts, and displays. The Port Isabel Historic Museum is housed in the 1899 Champion Building and offers two floors of exhibits, including a collection of Mexican artifacts from the Mexican War of 1846–8.


A Driving Tour of the Padre Island National Seashore

Morning

Start early at Padre Island. See the exhibits at the Visitor Center, then walk along Malaquite Beach. Back on the highway, drive north­east on the Texas Coastal Birding Trail, TX-P22, which becomes Park Rd 22/JFK Memorial Causeway. Turn right on TX-361 and drive north toward Port Aransas for 17 miles (28 km). The drive along Mustang Island, named for wild horses brought by the Spanish, offers splendid views of Corpus Christi Bay. Explore the Mustang Island State Park. Continue into town on S Alister St to the Port Aransas Brewing Co. for lunch.

Afternoon

Continue along N Alister St and turn left on W Cotter Ave. Stop at the Visitors’ Information Center at 421 for information on the hot birding spots nearby. Continue to the ferry terminal and cross to the mainland. Stay on Hwy 361 into Aransas Pass and try a piece of home-made pie at the Bakery Café. Continue on Hwy 361 to the intersection with Hwy 181 and turn left toward Corpus Christi. Just after you cross the long bridge, exit at Burelson St and turn left under the overpass, right on Surfside and follow the signs to the Texas State Aquarium. Take an hour to see the exhibits, and then drive north on Shoreline for two blocks to relive World War II Pacific War history aboard the USS Lexington. Dine at Landry’s Seafood in Corpus Christi.

< Around Town

Top 10Corpus Christi



1Texas State Aquarium

Fascinating, interactive exhibits of marine life found in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean (For further details see Texas State Aquarium Corpus Christi).

2USS Lexington

This famous World War II aircraft carrier is docked permanently on the southern tip of North Beach (For further details see USS Lexington).

3Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

The marine and natural history exhibits here include artifacts from the 1554 Spanish galleons and reproductions of Columbus’ fleet (For further details see Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History).

4Padre Island National Seashore

The world’s longest barrier island extends for 113 miles (182 km) along the magnificent Texas Gulf Coast (For further details see Padre Island National Seashore).

5Mustang Island

Exceptional bird-watching and fishing draw visitors to Port Aransas and the beautiful beaches of this island.

6South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center

These gardens, also a nature preserve, bloom with exotic orchids, hibiscus, roses, and plumeria nearly all year.

  • 8545 S Staples
  • 361 852 2100
  • Open 7:30am–5:30pm daily (until 9:30pm May 1–Labor Day)
  • Adm
  • www.stxbot.org

7Downtown Waterfront and Waterfront Cruise

Green spaces and a two-mile (3-km) waterfront walkway open the city to the bay. The adjacent marina is the departure point for fishing and cruise boats.

8Art Museum of South Texas

Diverse and frequently changing works by Texan artists.

  • 1902 Shoreline Blvd
  • 361 825 3500
  • Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sat, 1–5pm Sun
  • Adm
  • www.stia.org

9Centennial House

A house-museum depicting the life of a wealthy Corpus Christi family in the 1850s.

  • 411 Upper Broadway
  • 361 882 8691
  • Open noon–4pm first Sun of month; call for tours
  • www.ccahs.com

10Heritage Park

The beautifully restored Victorian houses nestled in this park form an excellent introduction to the city’s architectural history.

  • 1581 N Chaparral
  • 361 826 3410
  • Open 9am–5pm Tue–Thu, 9am–2pm Fri, 11am–2pm Sat; call for tours
  • Adm

< Around Town

Top 10Places to Eat

1Catfish Charlie’s

Bayou-style seafood with Southern favorites such as fried catfish.

  • 5830 McArdle Rd, Corpus Christi
  • 361 993 0363
  • under $20

2Republic of Texas Bar & Grill

Fine dining on the 20th floor of Bayfront Tower. An extensive wine list.

  • 900 N Shoreline Blvd, Omni Corpus Christi
  • 361 886 3515
  • $55–80

3Landry’s Seafood

Enjoy superb seafood on a waterside houseboat.

  • 600 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi
  • 361 882 6666
  • $20–40

4Snoopy’s Pier

A popular local choice for its rustic decor, casual patio dining, and fine fried shrimp.

  • 13313 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi
  • 361 949 8815
  • $20–40
  • No credit cards

5Water Street Seafood Company & Oyster Bar

A downtown favorite for seafood and oysters served with house sauces.

  • 309 N Water St, Corpus Christi
  • 361 882 8684
  • $20–40

6Lisa Bella’s Bistro and Java Bar

Small and cozy upscale Nouveau American bistro.

  • 165 Social Circle, Port Aransas
  • 361 749 4222
  • $40–55

7Bakery Café

Stop by for home-made baked goods and the legendary banana cream pie, or opt for the hearty daily specials.

  • 434 S Commercial & Port Aransas Hwy, Aransas Pass
  • 361 758 3511
  • under $20

8Port Aransas Brewing Co.

Burgers on artisan buns, gourmet pizza, hot wings, and much more.

  • 429 N Alister, Port Aransas
  • 361 749 2739
  • $20–40

9Sea Ranch

One of the best places for spectacular sunsets and pan-grilled red snapper, the house specialty.

  • 1 Padre Blvd, Sea Ranch Marina, S Padre Island
  • 956 761 1314
  • $20–40

10Café Kranzler

Unique blend of traditional European cuisine (crêpes and paella) along with imaginative American dishes.

  • 2412 Padre Blvd, S Padre Island
  • 956 772 1840
  • Closed Sun
  • $40–55