There are so many incredible spots in Texas, that some of the best often don't even get
mentioned.
That’s how we feel about Corpus Christi.
It sometimes goes under the radar when it comes to incredible places to visit in the
Lonestar State.
And yet, it offers a wide array of fantastic attractions, nature areas, beaches, food,
and more.
If you’re curious about our picks for some of the best things to do and see in Corpus
Christi, Texas, then you’re in the right place.
Stick around, and Viewcation presents, the Best Things to Do in Corpus Christi, Texas!
Texas State Aquarium The best aquariums in the country are the
ones with a shared focus on taking incredible care of their animals, educating visitors
about the wonders of life in the sea, and helping to promote wildlife conservation.
And fortunately, the Texas State Aquarium does all three.
That’s why it’s a great place to visit while you’re in Corpus Christi.
They have a ton of great exhibits of a variety of marine life that will be sure to brighten
your day.
Plus you’ll have the opportunity to learn a lot while you’re there.
Dolphin Bay is a particularly popular spot within the aquarium.
It’s a saltwater pool that’s 12 feet deep and contains 40,000 gallons of water.
And more importantly, it contains four adorable and inquisitive bottlenose dolphins.
There are two ways to see these charmers – either through the glass of the Underwater Observation
Area or by heading up to the surface and seeing them give a performance at one of their daily
shows.
And it's not just about watching them do tricks.
Since the four dolphins aren’t able to survive in the wild, they are safest in the aquarium.
And you’ll learn about the reasons for that, as well as how important it is for us to protect
the oceans and seas on our planet.
Other fantastic exhibits include the Hawn Wild Flight Theater, where you can watch as
birds of prey dive and fly around.
Then there’s the Living Shores exhibit.
There you’ll be able to catch glimpses of crabs and seahorses.
Plus they have the largest touch pool in Texas!
And of course, the rest of the aquarium is filled with a ton of amazing sea creatures,
coral reefs, and more.
Padre Island National Seashore Locals and tourists alike flock to Padre Island
National Seashore for its beauty, serenity, and space.
In addition to being one of Texas’s most acclaimed beaches, it’s also the planet’s
longest undeveloped barrier island.
That means there’s a TON of beach to explore and spread out on.
It runs for 70 miles, and totals around 130,000 acres, so if you don’t enjoy beaches with
a ton of crowds on them, Padre Island National Seashore is an ideal spot for you.
It’s a wide array of beaches, sand dunes, grasslands, and more, and you can easily spend
a day just exploring it.
Of course, you’ll also likely want to just find a remote spot, plop down, and catch some
rays.
On the Gulf of Mexico side of the island, you’ll get a more traditional beach experience,
perfect for sunbathing and surfing.
And on the other side is the Laguna Madre waters, which are protected and quite calm.
It’s an ideal setting for things like paddle boarding, fishing, and even bird watching!
If you’re visiting during summer, you might even be lucky enough to watch baby sea turtles
hatching.
The rare Kemp Ridley sea turtle calls Padre Island National Seashore it's home, and seeing
them hatch is a spectacular sight.
Harbor Bridge If you’re looking for a really cool-looking
bridge, or simply want to beef up the quality of your Instagram account, look no further
than the Harbor Bridge.
It runs from North Beach to downtown Corpus Christi and provides spectacular views of
the surrounding area.
The bridge is six traffic lanes wide, but you won’t have to worry about the cars and
trucks if you’re on foot, because there’s also a pedestrian walkway across it.
Pedestrians are protected by a guard rail and brick wall, so you can take your time
and take in the gorgeous scenery from atop the bridge.
Harbor Bridge was built in 1959, and still remains the largest construction project that
the Texas Highway Department has ever undertaken.
Locals and tourists alike find this bridge to be a fantastic place to visit, and its
location means it gets a ton of foot traffic.
If you walk across at sunset you’ll get a particularly stunning view of the sun setting
over the water.
Or you can wait until a little later to catch the many lights of downtown Corpus Christi
lighting up the night sky.
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if you haven’t already!
South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center If you haven’t had enough nature after leaving
the Texas State Aquarium, you should head over to the South Texas Botanical Gardens
and Nature Center.
This gorgeous and expansive spot boasts more than 180 acres of nature-filled land, complete
with a hummingbird garden, an orchid conservatory, and a butterfly house.
And of course a ton of individual flower gardens.
So if you’re a lover of flora and fauna, you could easily spend an entire afternoon
here admiring the incredible nature if offers.
And if you’re traveling with kids, they’ll probably love checking out all the variety
of reptiles and birds they’ll come across throughout the gardens and nature center.
And there’s a playground on the property, so they can expend some energy there, while
they relax and take in the flowers and animal life.
Art Museum of South Texas Art lovers will thoroughly enjoy the wonder
of the Art Museum of South Texas.
It opened in 1944, hosting only a small collection.
But over the years, the collection has grown and grown.
And it’s now an incredible museum, boasting a permanent collection of 1800 pieces.
Of note is their focus on local artists.
Many works from artists from South Texas and even Corpus Christi itself are featured in
the permanent exhibit.
This gives the museum an authentically southern and Texan feel.
But it doesn’t stop there.
The Art Museum of South Texas hosts works from artists across all the Americas.
These include paintings and watercolors, as well as works as big as full-scale installations.
Because of this huge variety of mediums, geography, and artists, the Art Museum of South Texas
really is a place for everyone.
You can easily spend half a day wandering its halls and finding new and interesting
pieces at every turn.
The museum also plays an active part in the local art community, hosting many events throughout
the year, and encouraging locals and visitors alike to come check out their incredible collection.
Mustang Island State Park If you’re a beach and nature lover, Corpus
Christi has you spoiled for choice.
After you’ve hit up gems like the Padre Island National Seashore and the South Texas
Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, head over to Mustang Island State Park.
It’s only 30 miles south of downtown, so it’s an easy place to get to.
Like South Padre, it comes replete with gorgeous beaches where you can catch some time in the
sun, build sandcastles, and more.
And there are even sea turtles that hatch there sometimes too!
Plus you can try water activities there like kayaking, paddle boarding, and more.
And the birdwatching is excellent there as well.
The USS Lexington If you’re a history buff or are simply interested
in seeing a little piece of naval past, you should definitely check out the USS Lexington.
It was once a warship that was utilized in many battles.
It saw action in World War II at Pearl Harbor and other spots around the world, serving
as a aircraft carrier.
Its blue hue led to its nickname of “The Blue Ghost” and it was vital in the allied
forces’ victory in WWII.
These days, the USS Lexington is permanently docked, and serves as a monument to its incredible
past.
Visitors can embark on a self-guided tour once aboard, which takes you all around the
1000-square foot interior of the ship.
On the tour, you’ll learn about the nuances of the ship, what it was like for sailors
to serve in it, and about general naval history as well.
But it’s not just a history lesson aboard the USS Lexington.
There’s a flight simulator and a 3D movie that you can enjoy.
And there’s also an escape room, and virtual battle stations too!
It’s a great mix of fun, learning, and excitement for the whole family.
Clearly, Corpus Christi is full of incredible attractions and things to see and do.
And while it doesn’t often get as much mention as some of the Texas powerhouse cities like
Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, we think it’s certainly worth a visit.
It has incredible nature offerings, great cultural sites, historical sites, and much
more.
Now it’s time to hear from you.
Have you ever been to Corpus Christi?
Did we miss any of your favorites?
And if you haven’t been there, do you think you’ll ever go?
Let us know in the comments section below.
And before you go, be sure to give this video a like, and subscribe to Facts Verse if you
haven’t already.
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