City By the Bay: Corpus Christi, Texas
The sky is dark with just a hint of twinkling stars appearing on the horizon. The warm wind picks up and the waves increase their gentle pounding on the sea wall. My eyes follow the blue moons dancing on the surf and I behold the brilliantly lit USS Lexington, bathed in blue lights, illuminating its salt water resting place with warmth and welcome.
Corpus Christi Texas, located mid-way on the Texas Gulf Coast (150 miles north of the United States/Mexico boarder), has a bayfront with qualities that will delight your senses, white sand beaches that will stimulate your emotions, blue sky to astonish your creativity, and a sea breeze whispering the fragrance of an angel.
The mild semi-tropical climate and warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico create an outdoor paradise year round. Nestled behind the barrier islands of Mustang Island and Padre Island, Corpus Christi is the gateway to Padre Island National Seashore, a short 15-minute drive from downtown. The average temperature is 71 degrees, and the area enjoys approximately 255 days of sunshine a year.
Being a major coastal resort destination (the second most popular vacation destination in the state of Texas), Corpus Christi has music and art festivals, shopping, restaurants, sailing, surfing, deep sea fishing, golf, outdoor tennis, birding, attractions and, of course, miles and miles of beaches.
Several key state and federal highways provide easy access to the "Sparkling City by the Sea". It is just 130 miles from San Antonio and 200 miles from Austin on I-37. Houston is about a 3 1/2-hour drive on US-77 and US-59. Corpus Christi to Mexico via Brownsville is 160 miles and via Laredo is 144 miles.
The International Airport is served by American Eagle, Continental/Continental Express, ASA The Delta Connection, and Southwest Airlines.
Visitors can step back in time on the USS Lexington, the most highly decorated aircraft carrier of World War II. You will tour the past present and future on the flight deck and see 20 historic airplanes. A real World War II aircraft carrier who haunted the waters of the South Pacific and became known as the "Blue Ghost." Visitors are dazzled by the multi-media presentations, the unique exhibits, and live wartime reenactments.
Then head off to the Texas State Aquarium where you will experience the magical beauty of mysterious jellyfish or see the islands of steel where sharks lurk deep. Be entertained by playful river otters in the Otter Space exhibit and learn about endangered sea turtles in Conservation Cove. The official aquarium of the State of Texas houses over 250 species of animals and plants native to the Gulf of Mexico.
On to Heritage Park, with its beautifully restored homes of Corpus Christi’s founders, and enjoy cultural cooking demonstrations. Stop by the South Texas Institute for the Arts and view its traveling exhibits. If your are visiting in December, don’t miss the famous Holiday Forest. Enjoy lunch at the Heritage Café then go to the Marina and take a ride on Captain Clark’s "Flagship".
The "Flagship" is a 400-passenger paddle-wheeler where you will enjoy a narrated excursion along the beautiful Corpus Christi Bay. You will cruise along the downtown bay font, passing close to the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium on your way into the Port of Corpus Christi, the sixth largest port in America. The vessel is within walking distance of most major downtown hotels.
Walk on the beaches, or ride the wind and the waves of Corpus Christi Bay, known internationally as one of the best windsurfing locations in the world. Windsurfers come from across America as well as Europe. Each spring the city hosts the annual U.S. Open Windsurfing Regatta. Take one look at the downtown Marina and you’ll see that sailing is popular, too. Weekly sailboat regattas are held year round. The variety of waterways, from open Gulf beaches to protected coves, makes the area attractive to beginners and experts alike. Rentals and lessons are readily available.
Bob Hall Pier is open 24 hours a day to the public for fishing. Rod and reel rentals and bait purchases are available. The pier extends beyond the third sand bar in the Gulf of Mexico at 1,240 feet.
A short departure from Corpus Christi to Kingsville and you will tour the world-famous King Ranch, an 825,000 acre spread of Texas ranching lore. Have a country barbecue at the camp house, then take a tour of the King Ranch Museum where you will see a collection of saddles from around the world, antique carriages and vintage cars.
And then its off to downtown Kingsville, where you can shop at the King Ranch Saddle Shop and at the specialty stores offering handmade treasures of the local craftsmen.
Slip on your walking shoes and head out for a nature tour. Thanks to the geography and climate, Padre Island Birding offers exciting variety at all seasons. There are seabirds, shorebirds, and mash waders as well as songbirds, and game birds. Shaped like a geographic funnel in mid-continent and on the extreme southern border of the country, the Corpus Christi area draws thousands of migrants along the Central Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway and the Rocky Mountain Flyway. Over 400 species of birds have been documented for the area.
There are numerous restaurants and hotels along the waterfront. At the T-heads, you can rent a surrey to peddle up and down the sea walk, or a paddleboat, if you prefer being in the water. You can also buy seafood off the boats as they come in. Boats are available to take you bay fishing or deepsea fishing. Don’t miss some of the best "Tex-Mex" cuisine to be had!
Experience the tropical playground that is Corpus Christi. The city is one of the most popular tropical destinations in the country, the perfect choice for a vacation. Put on your colorful beach attire to explore miles of beautiful beaches and enjoy an abundance of family attractions. The tropical climate of Corpus Christi makes this area an ideal choice any time of the year.
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