Set between calm bay waters and the open Gulf coastline, this sunny coastal city blends beach-town relaxation with plenty of outdoor adventure. Long stretches of sand, waterfront views, and warm weather make it an easy place to slow down and stay awhile.
Located along the Gulf Coast in southern Texas, Corpus Christi sits beside Corpus Christi Bay and a chain of barrier islands separating the bay from the Gulf of Mexico. The city is known for its beaches, family-friendly attractions, and relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Beyond the shoreline, visitors can explore museums, enjoy water sports, hike nearby nature areas, or simply spend time around the waterfront and downtown districts.
Texas Surf Museum
The Texas Surf Museum is in downtown Corpus Christi and is the only museum of its kind in the state. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get to know the surf scene in Texas, and the incredible surfers that put Texas on the map.
The museum has lots of incredible in-action photographs, a variety of eye-catching surfboards hanging on the walls, and documentaries you can sit and watch in their projection theater.
The museum opened in 2005 and is run by some young locals who want to educate visitors and the local community about the benefits and importance of surfing. Pop by for a chat!
Selena Museum
Corpus Christi was the home of the famous Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla. This Mexican American singer grew up in Corpus Christi and grew to be an international star, known as the “Queen of Tejano.”
Sadly, she was murdered in a hotel room in the city in 1995, when she was just 23. She was killed by a close friend, who was also the founder of one of her biggest fan clubs. But before her tragic death, she won Grammy awards and pulled off iconic ‘90s looks, which you can now see on display in the museum.
Recently Netflix ran a TV show that tells the story of her life, called “Selena, The Series”. You can watch it before your visit if you want to know more. Amazingly, some visitors even got to meet her family members!
Bob Hall Pier
This old pier was built in 1950 and extended various times throughout its history. When it was first opened it was just 300 feet, now it’s 1240 feet long! If you head down to Padre Balli Beach and walk along the sandy shore, you’d find it hard to miss the long pier.
Once you’re on the Bob Hall Pier you can walk out into the sea and admire the views of the islands and ocean in the distance. Sunset is an especially magical time to visit the pier.
It’s also a renowned fishing spot. If you’ve got your fishing pole with you, you can try to catch fish directly off the pier. If you can’t make it during the day, don’t worry! The pier is lit up at night for night fishing too.
USS Lexington Museum
The USS Lexington is an old military ship that was built in 1941. She is the nation’s longest-serving Essex Class aircraft carrier, victorious in each of her battles! She was used by the U.S. Navy until 1990 when a more modern, and cheaper ship, took her place.
Various communities started fundraising and coming together to bring the iconic ship to their city, but Corpus Christi was her chosen resting place! The boat was towed to the city and positioned on North Beach in 1992.
You can now climb on board this incredible ship and find out about her long history at the museum, right here in Corpus Christi. You’ll have lots of stories to take home!
Texas State Aquarium
The local aquarium is a great place to take the family on a rainy, grey day. The bright colors and mysterious creatures inside are sure to brighten everyone’s mood. The Texas State Museum is especially known for the numerous aquatic species from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea on display.
The vibrant, eye-catching colors of the aquarium’s exotic fish will have you gasping in disbelief! You can spend some time with the friendly dolphins, followed by a trip to see the most dangerous of sharks.
Don’t leave before seeing their coral reef exhibits, this unique opportunity is increasingly hard to come by! All in all, the aquarium is an easy and fun way for the whole family to pass the day.
Padre Island National Seashore
The Padre Island National Seashore is surrounded by sandy white beaches and unique natural habitats that can only be found in the area. The park is at the end of Park Road 22 on Mustang Island, a straightforward half-hour drive from the city.
Once you’re in the National Seashore you can keep yourself busy fishing, surfing, boating, and even windsurfing on the coast. If you haven’t tried any of these before, now’s your chance!
The area is famous for its Laguna Madre, one of the saltiest water reserves on Earth. The laguna is far saltier than the surrounding sea. There’s enough to keep you busy for a few days, so it might be worth considering staying at a campsite to make the most of your trip.