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City in Texas, United States
Photo: Terry Ross from Corpus Christi, Texas, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Corpus Christi (called Corpus by the locals) is Texas's largest coastal city and the gateway to Padre Island. While Corpus Christi isn't on the way to much of anything except itself (and the islands off its coast), it offers enough to fill a visit in its own right, or a multi-day trip from San Antonio, Austin, or Houston. The name is Latin for "Body of Christ".
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Has a collection of art from local and largely unknown artists. Water garden in front.
Corpus Christi has many small parks, such as Artesian Park, scattered throughout the city. For those into the paranormal, Artesian Park is another reportedly haunted Corpus Christi locale.
The downtown area along Shoreline drive, which is formed of concrete steps leading down to the water's edge. It is essentially the heart of Corpus Christi and is a terrific area for family evening strolls or running alone in the early morning. It extends over two miles from Magee Beach along the Marina and T-heads, past the American Bank Center (stadium/coliseum) to the Art Museum of South Texas and the port area. Vendors may occasionally be found here selling cotton candy or renting pedicabs or pediboats. Festivals such as Buccaneer Days ("Buc Days" by the locals) and the Fourth of July celebrations are held here with fireworks being fired out over the water. Some of Corpus Christi's best known restaurants are located only a block away on Water Street.
Corpus Christi also has numerous churches, perhaps the best known of which is the Corpus Christi Cathedral on the bluff overlooking the downtown area. It was built in the 1940s, but the congregation has existed since soon after the founding of the city in the 1840s. (The cathedral is not named after the city it's in, but after the Body of Christ.).
In the historic Kress Building. Non-profit art organization that showcases local, regional and national contemporary art.
A memorial to Selena Quintanilla Perez better known simply as "Selena" who was murdered in 1995 by her deranged fan club president and boutique manager. Includes a life-size bronze statue of the singer.
See water-related exhibits and creatures. You can even work with a dolphin trainer if you contact them ahead of time (and spend a lot of money).
WWII aircraft carrier become museum. See naval life, the ship, and aircraft complement.
North Beach
While small, it is usually not terrifically crowded, and is convenient to other tourist attractions like the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington.
Most popular of all are the barrier islands located just off the coast. Mustang Island and Padre Island are less than 30 minutes from town, and provide plenty of recreation for visitors and locals.
Every Wednesday.
One of the top spots in the nation for windsurfing!
Located on the central flyway, a major bird migration route, Corpus Christi is a terrfic spot for birdwatching. Almost 45% of all North American species have been spotted on Padre Island National Seashore alone.
Hurricane Alley is a small waterpark on North Beach.
AA-level minor league baseball from March through September. The Hooks are affiliated with the Houston Astros and play in the beautiful new Whataburger Field, near downtown, with local flavor galore and outstanding views of the bridge and ship channel.
North American Hockey League ice hockey is played in the American Bank Center during the winter and spring months.
Sports teams of Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, competing in NCAA Division I in six men's and 10 women's sports, mostly in the Southland Conference. Note that the Islanders don't have a football team.
Good sushi. Good atmosphere. Sister location Koi Sushi & Hibachi at 5301 Everhart Rd.
Well-known locally for its burgers. Family atmosphere. Good food. Local legends say the restaurant is haunted.
At two locations: the original on SPID and the new one on Staples. Great pizza and sandwiches with an enormous beer selection.
Seafood on Padre Island under the JFK Causeway. Good seafood and usually a singer. Expect to pay $20-30 per person including a drink.
Three-story dining and entertainment complex on North Beach. Fajitas, spirits and bay views. Beach access from ground-level bar.
Excellent Vietnamese cuisine at reasonable prices at two locations: on Ayers and next to the D'Lounge near the corner of Staples and Saratoga.
Good Italian food on Park Road 22 on (north) Padre Island. Reasonable prices, good amounts. Wine and beer available.
the Beach
Excellent Mexican seafood at two locations in town. All started from the original location near the intersection of South Padre Island Drive (S.P.I.D.) and Rodd Field Road and have grown within the last five years. Expect to pay $15-25 per person.
The steak is the size of the plate. A stand-alone building in a shopping center on Staples and Saratoga. A little pricey, but what a meal.
Gourmet pizza.
Good Mexican food in a clean, family atmosphere at reasonable prices ($10-15 per person). This is a local chain so there are several locations throughout town.
Thai cuisine.
Good Thai food.
Seafood and steaks.
Best burgers in town in a classic Oldies atmosphere. Expect to pay $10-20 per person depending on the size of burger.
Gulf seafood fresh daily. Nice place to eat in the marina area of CC. Kind of loud. Excellent happy hour from 4-7 with 1/4 pound peel and eat shrimp for $3 and a dozen raw oysters for $3. One of the top places locally for seafood.
Great seafood and dining experience. Rich, French-style seafood, views of the bay, and an attentive staff. And you can wear shorts.
A large club with terrific bands usually playing light or classic rock, Latin music, blues or jazz. Classy. Upscale.
Serves beer, has a pool table, the TVs are usually on ultimate fighting and a rugby field is being built out back next to their patio for the local rugby team.
Classy. Upscale. Wonderful place to relax. Olaf, one of the bartenders, won the local 2007 competition for the best martini in town.
Great blues and rock bands in a bluesy atmosphere. Good bar.
A nice, neighborhood bar that has been around forever on the corner of Alameda and Airline.
A sports bar with a few dozen TV screens and several pool tables.
A Corpus Christi classic with well-known south Texas bands playing on an enclosed patio. Excellent food such as burgers and shrimp poor-boys and a great selection of beers on tap in a relaxing atmosphere.
Good food and bands. Texas hold'em tournaments every week. Good local bands. Pool tables and shuffle board available.
This 12-story tower on the marina is out-of-the-ordinary for the Best Western chain. Nice views up and down the coast from most rooms, easy access to CC downtown. Free breakfast in roof restaurant.
Right on the beach, with a breath-taking view of the bay and the city. Tennis courts, a swimming pool. Close to downtown and the marina, next to the South Texas Aquarium and the Lexington Aircraft Carrier. One-, two-, and three-bedroom condos for a lease of at least three months.
The AAA Four-Diamond hotel offers sweeping views of the bay, award-winning dining at the Republic of Texas Bar and Grill and complimentary high speed wireless Internet access.
Motel located on Corpus Christi Beach
By bus
By train
There is no passenger train service into Corpus Christi. You can take a train to San Antonio or San Marcos, and bus or rental car service will get you from those cities to Corpus Christi.
By car
By far, most visitors to Corpus Christi drive. The city is at the southern end of Interstate 37, about two hours south of San Antonio.
By car
Most visitors and locals travel around Corpus Christi in cars. Most likely, a rental or personal car is the best way for you to see the city.
By public transit
Corpus Christi has a citywide bus service, including a small trolley (actually a bus). It is run by the Corpus Christi Regional Transit Authority.
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Corpus Christi · Regional · CRP
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