Nicknamed the “Sparkling City by the Sea”, Corpus Christi sits on the Gulf of Mexico with miles of Texas shoreline and endless opportunities for fun. From fascinating museums highlighting local history and culture to outdoor adventures across sun-soaked beaches and bays, Corpus Christi offers visitors plenty to explore.
| Attractions | Description |
|---|---|
| USS Lexington Museum & The Aircraft Carrier | Explore naval aviation history onboard the USS Lexington, a retired World War II aircraft carrier docked in Corpus Christi’s North Beach. |
| Texas State Aquarium | Discover the incredible aquatic life native to the Gulf of Mexico region at Texas State Aquarium located right on Corpus Christi’s shoreline. |
| Port Aransas & Mustang Island | Just a 20-minute drive northeast over soaring harbor bridge views lies Port Aransas, a laid back beach village offering undoubtedly the best coastal escape near Corpus Christi. |
| Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History | The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History contains extensive regional exhibits perfect for families inside a modern harborfront building. |
| National Seashore Parks | Corpus Christi sits cradled by two gorgeous protected National Seashores offering wildlife vistas and endless stretches of coastal wilderness along the lower Texas Gulf. |
| Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge | Nature lovers find an urban escape walking along two delightful miles of trails looping around woodlands, wetlands and limestone bluffs of Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge. |
| South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center | The South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center blooms across nearly 200 acres just west of Corpus Christi offering floral beauty and native wildlife along the Oso Creek. |
| South Texas Coastal Birding Trail | Grab binoculars and explore nearly 400 miles of preserved South Texas habitats along the Coastal Birding Trail. |
| Ocean Drive Near Padre Island Beach | Wander eclectic beach shops selling colorful handmade pottery, natural bath products and thrifted coastal décor along Ocean Drive. |
| Concrete Street Amphitheater | Perched along Corpus Christi Bay, the Concrete Street Amphitheater hosts open-air concerts, festivals and movies with front row views of the Harbor Bridge shining like a beacon after dark. |
| Heritage Park | Step back through the centuries wandering shaded pathways through Heritage Park’s collection of nine historical homes chronicling 300 years of architecture in Corpus Christi. |
Discover this coastal city’s can’t-miss attractions showcasing national parks, maritime treasures, interactive displays and more for an unforgettable South Texas getaway.
USS Lexington Museum & The Aircraft Carrier
Name and Location:
USS Lexington Museum, located on North Beach, Corpus Christi.
History and Significance:
The USS Lexington is a historic World War II aircraft carrier, known as “The Blue Ghost”. It played a significant role in the Pacific theater.
What to Expect:
Explore the flight deck, bridge, and living quarters of the ship. The museum also features military artifacts, aircraft exhibits, and educational displays.
Visitor Information:
Open daily. Admission fees apply. Guided and self-guided tour options are available.
Explore naval aviation history onboard the USS Lexington, a retired World War II aircraft carrier docked in Corpus Christi’s North Beach. Nicknamed “The Blue Ghost” for its rumored ability to reappear after reportedly being sunk, the massive ship saw action across the Pacific campaign. Today, it operates as a floating museum where visitors can browse aircraft and combat displays across multiple decks via self-guided audio tour. Learn how crews lived and worked aboard the carrier alongside exhibits highlighting naval technology innovations through the ages. Standout sights include the bridge, pilots’ ready rooms, engine rooms, plus retired aircraft like the torpedo bomber or Grumman Hellcat exhibit. Both educational and exciting, the USS Lexington offers interactive naval experiences for visitors of all ages.
Texas State Aquarium
Name and Location:
Texas State Aquarium, located on North Beach, Corpus Christi.
History and Significance:
Dedicated to conservation and wildlife rehabilitation, it’s among the largest aquariums in Texas, showcasing a diverse range of marine life.
What to Expect:
Aquatic exhibits featuring dolphins, sharks, and coral reefs, interactive touch pools, and educational shows.
Visitor Information:
Open daily. Ticket purchase required. Discounts may be available online.
Discover the incredible aquatic life native to the Gulf of Mexico region at Texas State Aquarium located right on Corpus Christi’s shoreline. See pufferfish inflate, green moray eels dart behind rocky reefs, and sharks glide through the three-story Gulf of Mexico tank exhibit. Laguna Madre showcases local favorites like the rare red drum fish and Southern stingrays which visitors can touch. Don’t miss daily dolphin shows at the outdoor Dolphin Bay theater complete with spectacular high jumps. Outside, the Tejas Trail mixes wildlife rescues like playful otters and rehabilitated raptors with interactive children’s areas. With both indoor and outdoor displays revealing area marine life and habitats, the Texas State Aquarium makes learning about our underwater neighbors fun and fascinating.
Port Aransas & Mustang Island
Name and Location:
Port Aransas on Mustang Island, near Corpus Christi.
History and Significance:
A popular coastal destination known for its beaches, fishing, and birdwatching.
What to Expect:
Beautiful beaches, a variety of water activities, nature reserves, and a laid-back island atmosphere.
Visitor Information:
Accessible year-round. Accommodations range from hotels to beachfront rentals. Ferry and road access available.
Just a 20-minute drive northeast over soaring harbor bridge views lies Port Aransas, a laid back beach village offering undoubtedly the best coastal escape near Corpus Christi. Calm surf and white sand beaches cater perfectly to young families while restaurants and shops lining the marina tempt visitors to stay a while. Rent a golf cart or bike to explore the island’s chaperoning dunes, wetlands, and nature preserves lined with trails and boardwalks ideal for spotting playful dolphins or migratory birds at eye level. Don’t miss groovy beachfront hangout The Back Porch for island-inspired seafood dishes and sunset toasts. With peaked crowds during Spring Break, Port Aransas otherwise offers room to unwind across Mustang Island’s scenic miles of beachfront.
Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History
Name and Location:
Located in downtown Corpus Christi.
History and Significance:
Established to preserve and exhibit the cultural and natural history of South Texas.
What to Expect:
Exhibits on paleontology, maritime history, and local wildlife. Interactive displays suitable for all ages.
Visitor Information:
Open daily. Admission fees apply. Check for special events and educational programs.
The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History contains extensive regional exhibits perfect for families inside a modern harborfront building. Expansive aquarium galleries showcase the diversity of aquatic ecosystems visible in nearby bays and estuaries. Battleship-themed play areas allow young captains to survey the high seas while shipwreck displays reveal treasures along Texas shores. The natural sciences wing dives into geology and fossil records that helped shape the landscape over centuries. Of course, kids make quick tracks towards inventive rotating exhibits like deep sea submarines, electricity arcing across plasma globes or educational physics fun you can only find in museums. With dynamic hands-on activities and detailed insight into South Texas heritage, the Corpus Christi Museum proves museums educate as much as they entertain.
National Seashore Parks
Name and Location:
Padre Island National Seashore, accessible from Corpus Christi.
History and Significance:
The longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, offering crucial habitat for wildlife.
What to Expect:
Pristine beaches, dunes, and a rich variety of bird and marine life. Opportunities for camping, birdwatching, and beach activities.
Visitor Information:
Open year-round. Entrance fee required. Facilities vary by area.
Corpus Christi sits cradled by two gorgeous protected National Seashores offering wildlife vistas and endless stretches of coastal wilderness along the lower Texas Gulf. North of the city lies more than 100,000 acres of fragile dunes, marshlands and shallow bays forming Padre Island National Seashore. Visit during peak migrations to catch 100 bird species stops during their annual traverse across the Central Flyway. Or witness baby sea turtle hatchling releases from May to August. Mustang Island to the north shelters still more shorebird species and endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles. Hike sky-high observation towers along neatly groomed paths and boardwalks. Kayak silently through narrow cuts revealing local flora and fauna. With most lands preserved in a natural state, these National Parks truly showcase Texas untamed shorelines at their finest.
Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge
Name and Location:
Located on the shore of Oso Bay in Corpus Christi.
History and Significance:
A haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, offering vital habitat for coastal and migratory birds.
What to Expect:
Boardwalks for birdwatching, nature trails, and picnic areas. Great for observing a variety of bird species.
Visitor Information:
Open daily, free of charge. Best visited during migration seasons for optimal birdwatching.
Nature lovers find an urban escape walking along two delightful miles of trails looping around woodlands, wetlands and limestone bluffs of Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge. Located near Corpus Christi’s southernmost edge, this peaceful wildlife sanctuary contains habitat for native songbirds, painted buntings, owls and other species. Pause at the Interpretive Center’s outdoor gardens showcasing native plants like Texas sage, yaupon holly and lantana flowering across the landscape. Spring migration brings flocks of warblers, tanagers and other passerines. While late summer sees monarch butterflies pause to feed before their long journey south. With varied topography packed into 250 acres and several lookout points to pause and watch wildlife, the Suter Wildlife Refuge proves nature stays alive and well even within city limits.
South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
Name and Location:
Located on South Staples Street, Corpus Christi.
History and Significance:
A showcase of the diverse flora and fauna of South Texas.
What to Expect:
Orchid and plumeria collections, sensory garden, wetlands, and nature trails. Educational programs and workshops are available.
Visitor Information:
Open daily. Admission fee required. Check for special events and seasonal displays.
The South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center blooms across nearly 200 acres just west of Corpus Christi offering floral beauty and native wildlife along the Oso Creek. Paved paths make the gardens wheelchair accessible winding under the canopy of mature woods and crossing babbling creeks on arched bridges. The central attraction Sparkling Lagoon lives up to its billing with waters rippling and flashing when struck by the south Texas sun. Nearby cultivated beds burst with color from hybrid roses, plumerias, daylilies and over 300 varieties of hibiscus. Kids search for fairies and gnomes tucked within blooming thickets and underbrush during monthly storybook gardens events. Rent kayaks and spend a quiet afternoon drifting beside snowy egrets fishing Oso Creek’s banks lined with natural springs and grasses. The Botanical Gardens provide an oasis celebrating fragile Gulf Coast habitat and ecosystems.
South Texas Coastal Birding Trail
Name and Location:
Spanning several counties in South Texas, including areas around Corpus Christi.
History and Significance:
Part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, one of the most popular birding destinations in North America.
What to Expect:
Diverse habitats hosting a vast array of bird species. Ideal for birdwatchers and nature photographers.
Visitor Information:
Accessible year-round. Free of charge. Maps and guides are available online.
Grab binoculars and explore nearly 400 miles of preserved South Texas habitats along the Coastal Birding Trail. Spotted sandpipers, long-billed curlews, white ibis and other species thrive across this series of designated sites dotted between Corpus Christi and Rio Grande Valley. Beginner birders can pick up trail maps pinpointing promising observation areas located off highways close to the city like Labonte Park’s saltwater lagoons and Hans Suter Refuge’s mixed forests. Arrange boat trips out towards the undeveloped barrier islands in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to glimpse endangered whooping cranes up close during winter months. With year-round and migrating species flocking across diverse South Texas landscapes, you’re sure to check new birds off your lifelist while supporting critical conservation land protecting them.
Ocean Drive Near Padre Island Beach
Name and Location:
Ocean Drive, running along the waterfront in Corpus Christi.
History and Significance:
A scenic route offering stunning views of Corpus Christi Bay and access to local attractions and beaches.
What to Expect:
Beautiful coastal views, access to beaches and parks, and proximity to restaurants and shops.
Visitor Information:
Open to the public. Best experienced by car or bike.
Wander eclectic beach shops selling colorful handmade pottery, natural bath products and thrifted coastal décor along Ocean Drive. The lively stretch running parallel to Corpus Christi’s Padre Island Beach packs in plenty of family attractions. Kids clamor aboard the century-old Blue Ghost Pirate Ship replica anchored beside souvenir stores. Grab ice cream watching waves crash along concrete jetties lined with locals fishing. Unwind over one of Blackbeard’s on the Beach’s picnic tables for a hook and line caught shrimp burger with the perfect beachfront views. Enjoy palm tree dotted plazas that set the scene for live music spilling from beach bars. And best of all – the soft sands and crashing waves of the Gulf sit just steps away ready for swimming as soon as you’ve scored the perfect breezy hoodie.
Concrete Street Amphitheater
Name and Location:
Located in downtown Corpus Christi.
History and Significance:
A popular outdoor music venue hosting a wide range of concerts and events.
What to Expect:
Live performances by local, regional, and national acts in a unique outdoor setting.
Visitor Information:
Event schedules and ticket prices vary. Check the venue’s website for upcoming events and details.
Perched along Corpus Christi Bay, the Concrete Street Amphitheater hosts open-air concerts, festivals and movies with front row views of the Harbor Bridge shining like a beacon after dark. The grassy hillside sloping down towards the floating stage creates a cozy, intimate setting for globally renowned acts, orchestral performances and touring Broadway musicals gracing the venue throughout the year. Cool down at the bayfront splash pad on hot summer days before grabbing sweet and savory funnel cakes or turkey legs from dozens of food vendors. Annual events include culture celebrations, autism and diabetes fundraisers, Wednesdays on the Green music series, plus 4th of July and New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganzas. For beautiful backdrops and community vibes, Concrete Street Amphitheater hits the high notes.
Heritage Park
Name and Location:
Located in downtown Corpus Christi.
History and Significance:
A cultural center featuring restored historical homes representing various architectural styles.
What to Expect:
A walk through the park offers a glimpse into the city’s past. Guided tours may be available for the historic homes.
Visitor Information:
Open to the public. Some homes may have specific visiting hours or require a fee.
Step back through the centuries wandering shaded pathways through Heritage Park’s collection of nine historical homes chronicling 300 years of architecture in Corpus Christi. Spread across 21 harborfront acres, the living history museum traces different periods from a 1830s Texas cavalry soldier’s log cabin to a 1939 art moderne beach house reflecting sleek shapes of Streamline design. Friendly tour guides share stories and customs associated with different eras represented. Kids imagine being cavalrymen readying for battle inside the Rincon Cottage built in 1853. B