Vacation In Corpus Christi Texas

Corpus Christi Texas is a popular beach destination visited by many tourists each year. This guide includes useful information and tips to help you plan your vacation. From the many tourist attractions to local attractions, you’ll find everything you need in this comprehensive guide.

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Corpus Christi vacations are perfect for anyone who is interested in spending some time on a sunny Texas beach, with sparkling blue water and soft white sand. Not only that, but you can do everything from water sports to visits to historical sites. The rich history of this region makes Corpus Christi vacations especially fascinating. While some of the most interest things to see are actually under the water, there are plenty of other things to keep even the most enthusiastic visitor busy. So if you’re interested in learning more about what it has to offer, read on.

Vacation In Corpus Christi Texas

Corpus Christi has a thriving tourism industry that includes many attractions. There are several famous hotels in the area and lots of restaurants, inns and other attractions.

The city of Corpus Christi has much to offer. It is home to the Texas State Aquarium, a hands-on exhibit of the ocean and its sea life. For those that have ever considered joining the Navy, but wondered what it’s really like, the USS Lexington is moored just 2 miles away in the port of Corpus Christi. The ship was used during World War II and was featured in the movie “The Hunt for Red October.” If a land vacation is you cup o’ tea, take a nice drive down Padre Island

The city of Corpus Christi is perfectly located between the Fishing Capital of Texas in Port Aransas and the longest undeveloped natural barrier island in the world on Padre Island National Seashore. The natural beauty of the area and the Corpus Christi beaches beckon outdoor enthusiasts.

The soft and sandy oceanfront goes on for miles, creating an outdoor playground for fishing; surfing; horseback riding; and simple family fun, like building sandcastles next to the waves.

The two most magnificent treasures in the Corpus Christi region are Mustang Island and the Padre Island National Seashore. Both areas have impressive beaches with a wide footprint and comforts that enable you to spend a full day by the water.

The cultural mix of Corpus Christi is not to be overlooked. From the Hispanic and Asian cultures that each have museums in town to the arts culture on display in public venues like the Harbor Playhouse, you can feel an eclectic mix of influences throughout the town.

There are plenty of tourist attractions in Corpus Christi to fill a vacation, from museums to the SEA District entertainment area downtown, where you will find nightlife action and waterfront restaurants. To learn more about the many sightseeing opportunities in the area, read our list of the top attractions in Corpus Christi.

See also: Where to Stay in Corpus Christi

Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.

1. Padre Island National Seashore

Padre Island National Seashore, located south of Corpus Christi, is the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world and stretches about 66 miles from end to end. This is a must-visit for anyone visiting Corpus Christi. It is run by the national park service and is a preservation effort of an area that represents just two percent of natural habitat that used to cover 13 million acres of the Texas and Louisiana coastline.

Thanks to its location along the Central Flyway — a major migratory bird route — it’s a birder’s paradise, and home to 350 different species. In fact, nearly half of all North American migratory bird species can be spotted here at certain times throughout the year.

It’s also a haven for marine life such as sea turtles, including endangered species reintroduced to the area (check out the official website for details of programs that allow visitors to view the sea turtle releases).

Due to its preserved natural surroundings, the Padre Island National Seashore beaches are popular for RVers and campers who want to spend the night in this peaceful paradise. You can camp with a proper permit, and a suitable vehicle is necessary for driving on the sand.

Your best public access point is at the Malaquite Visitor Center, where you can access a great information office and restrooms.

Address: 20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, Texas

Official site: www.nps.gov/pais/index.htm

2. The Blue Ghost: USS Lexington

Commissioned in 1943 and a major player in the Pacific theater of WWII, the massive aircraft carrier USS Lexingtonshould be part of any visit to Corpus Christi. Now a naval museum, “The Blue Ghost” was so named for her dark blue camouflage and Japanese claims to have sunk her only to have her appear in action elsewhere.

Highlights of a tour include the chance to see numerous vintage aircraft, as well as having a close-up look at the command deck and quarters. Also notable are the attraction’s huge collection of detailed scale models, simulators, and games, a fun escape room experience, as well as the thrilling Fighter Pilot 3D movie in the Mega Theater.

Guided tours are available. If you have the stamina, go for the four-hour long Hard Hat Tour, which takes you into the very bowels of this huge ship. Overnight camping experiences are also available. After you spend time touring the USS Lexington, you can grab lunch at the Pier 99 restaurant located onshore next to the ship.

Address: 2914 N. Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, Texas

Official site: www.usslexington.com

3. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

The 70,000-acre Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, along the Texas Gulf coast, sits approximately 50 miles north of Corpus Christi and is well worth a day’s visit. Established as a winter home for endangered whooping cranes, the refuge is also home to alligators, snakes, and numerous other species of birds living among the area’s expansive tidal flats, salt marshes, grasslands, and freshwater ponds.

The refuge has easy walking trails and a scenic, one-way driving route with easy access to trailheads and scenic stopping points. This is a spectacular opportunity to see the whooping crane, which migrates through the area in the winter months.

The tall observation tower that overlooks the wetlands is the best vantage point for birding and appreciating the landscape.

Address: 1 Wildlife Circle, Austwell, Texas

Official site: www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas/

4. Texas State Aquarium

The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi provides fascinating information and fun displays relating to the rich aquatic life to be found in the Gulf of Mexico. Of particular interest is the Living Shores exhibit with displays relating to Laguna Madre (a body of water in the heart of Corpus Christi) that include seahorse and crab exhibits, along with one of the largest touch pools in Texas.

The Texas State Aquarium is committed to conservation, so you will learn about their efforts like the Wildlife Rescue Program during your visit, as well as the museum’s involvement with the conservation of coral, sharks, sea turtles, and other marine life.

The most popular display is Dolphin Bay. This massive 400,000-gallon exhibit houses Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, complete with an underwater observation area. Also worth seeing is the Hawn Wild Flight Theater, which hosts avian acrobatics from various birds of prey. For younger kids, there’s also a fun splash park and a fossil dig site, as well as unique animal encounter programs.

Address: 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, Texas

Official site: https://www.texasstateaquarium.org/

5. Walk the Beaches

Corpus Christi beaches are some of the best along the Texas Gulf Coast. With a wide variety and more than 100 miles of beaches to choose from, there are plenty of options to find something that is suitable for your itinerary.

If you are staying in downtown Corpus Christ, North Beach, next to the USS Lexington, and McGee Beach, which has a pedestrian promenade alongside it, are two great options within the city.

If you are looking for an oceanfront experience, you can go to Cole Park Pier in downtown Corpus Christi. It is located along Ocean Drive and sits right on Corpus Christi Bay. It has a skateboard park, a pier, an amphitheater, and a large children’s playground.

Some of the other Corpus Christi beaches are fantastic for recreational activities, like windsurfing, horseback riding, and paddleboarding. Whitecap Beach, South Packery Channel Beach, and Mustang Island State Park Beach are all good options.

The most stunning beach in Corpus Christi both in terms of natural beauty and a day-at-the-beach experience is Padre Island National Seashore, with its undisturbed beauty.