Things to Do in Corpus Christi, Texas

South Texas Institute for the Arts

The South Texas Institute for the Arts collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets works of visual art with a particular focus on the Americas and surrounding regions.

Established in 1945 to raise awareness of art and its role in society, as well as inspire an appreciation and enjoyment of art, the South Texas Institute for the Arts stands today as both a recreational and educational resource for students, educators, and the public alike.

The museum features a permanent art collection with over 1,500 works of art in various mediums, from painting, drawing, and sculpture to ceramics, collages, and textiles, as well as evolving exhibitions and architecture.

The South Texas Institute for the Arts is one of the best things to do in Corpus Christi, Texas. The museum also presents a variety of programs, which include lectures and bilingual gallery talks, workshops and art classes, and dance, theatrical, and musical performances.

1902 North Shoreline Boulevard, Corpus Christi, Texas, Phone: 361-825-3500

USS Lexington

The USS Lexington is a museum and education facility dedicated to the US warship by the same name, which played a significant role in the nation’s defense for over 50 years. The USS Lexington was converted into a naval aviation museum in 1992 with the aim of preserving the history and educating the public about naval aviation and the role of the aircraft carrier in the national defense.

Visitors can go on five self-guided tours around the vessel that explore the ship’s eleven decks and 1,000 square feet of space, including the flight deck, foc’sle, gallery deck, hangar deck, and lower deck.

Watch an interactive show at the three-storey Joe Jessel 3D Mega Theater, stop by the Virtual Battlestations on the main Hangar Deck and take command of the ship, or take to battle in the Flight Simulator and find yourself in the pilot’s seat of a fighter jet.

The museum also offers a range of educational programs for all ages, including overnight camping on the ship and volunteering to help on board in various roles. The USS Lexington is one of the top Corpus Christi attractions.

2914 N. Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, Texas, Phone: 361-888-4873

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History was established in 1957 to inspire and encourage children of all ages to take an interest in science and exploration.

The Museum’s 40,000 square foot space features a range of historical collections that showcase more than half a century of South Texas history, from shipwrecks of early explorers to intricate decorative arts from local cultures. Signature exhibits include Seeds of Change, which takes a closer look at nature and the environment; Coastal Ecology, a display about life found on the coastal shoreline; and Explore the Nanoverse, which offers an in-depth look at the microscopic world.

The museum also presents several educational programs, workshops, and summer camps for children of all ages, as well as family-friendly events such as the Haunted Museum Tour for Halloween.

1900 N. Chaparral Street, Corpus Christi, Texas, Phone: 361-826-4667

South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center

The South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is a community-based nature center and public garden located on South Staples Road.

Established in 1987 as a recreational and educational resource for the people of Corpus Christi, the gardens have been continually developed into what they are today and now include an arid garden, a modern Exhibit House featuring exotic species such as cycads, bromeliads, cacti, and succulents, a hibiscus and hummingbird garden, an orchid house with over 3,000 common and rare species of orchids, and a contemporary rose garden.

If you are wondering what to do in Corpus Christi, Texas with kids, this is a great place to visit. The gardens are also home to an outstanding collection of plumeria varieties, several landscape demonstration beds, a sensory garden, and water garden. Stroll along the Mesquite trail and take in the magnificent surrounding landscapes, which feature over 35 species of grasses, shrubs, herbs and woody trees, as well as some wildlife.

8545 South Staples, Corpus Christi, Texas, Phone: 361-852-2100

Texas State Aquarium

The mission of the Texas State Aquarium is to engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas, and support wildlife conservation.

Enjoy daily animal presentations with dolphins, stingrays, and sea turtles. Featured exhibits include Dolphin Bay, which houses four Atlantic bottlenose dolphins; Caribbean Jungle, which showcases unique wildlife and geography of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve's lowland rainforest; Tentacles, which is filled with a variety of jellyfish and sea nettles; and Flower Gardens, home to magnificent coral reefs, green moray eels, tarpon, and cow nose sting rays.

The H-E-B Caribbean Sea presents a thrilling and immersive look at the ocean’s most infamous predators with the experience of diving a Caribbean shipwreck, while Islands of Steel recreates the habitat formed around an oil platform and is home to grouper, amberjack, tarpon, nurse sharks, and barracuda. In addition to the many exhibits and displays, the Aquarium offers several educational programs, such as Aquarium Discovery programs, mini camps and outreach programs.

2710 N. Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, Texas, Phone: 1-800-477-GULF

Selena Museum

The Selena Museum was founded as a memorial to the famous singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez and is dedicated to showcasing her achievements and life. Heralded as the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena became the best-selling Latin artist of the decade before one of her fans tragically killed her at the age of 23.

Built by the Quintanilla family at the request of thousands of fans, the museum takes fans on a journey through the singer’s life, with exhibits showing her recording studio, stage outfits, her beloved red Porsche, and her music awards.

5410 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, Texas, Phone: 361-289-9013

Mustang Island State Park

Facing the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the Mustang Island State Park is a must-visit Texas destination for nature lovers. You will have more than 5 miles of coastline to explore-you can spend your days soaking up the sun and swimming or take to the waters on your kayak along the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail which meanders for 20miles along some of Texas’ best shallow water fishing areas. If you would like to linger for a while you can bring your RV to one of the serviced camp sites or enjoy a more back-to-nature camping experience at one of the walk-up primitive camping sites.

9394 State Hwy 361, Corpus Christi, TX 78418

The Art Center of Corpus Christi

Established as the Art Community Center in 1972 and now known as The Art Center of Corpus Christi, this center is a multi-purpose facility dedicated to promoting all forms of art within the community.

Located on North Shore Boulevard in the heart of Corpus Christi’s bayfront district, the Art Center features a variety of rotating exhibitions of original artworks, and it offers engaging art experiences, lessons, and classes for all ages. Enjoy classes on clay-making at the Barry Brown Clay Studio, which is located inside the Art Center of Corpus Christi and provides clay art classes for beginners and advanced artists in wheel throwing and in hand building for adults.

The Art Center also hosts a range of events for the community such as a Farmers Market, Wednesday Art Market, Art Walk and Art-in-Action.

100 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, Texas, Phone: 361-884-6406

Padre Island National Seashore

Padre Island National Seashoreis a pristine stretch of undeveloped barrier island that separates the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre, one of just a few hypersaline lagoons in the world. The national park protects over 70 miles of magnificent coastline comprised of rolling dunes, vast prairies, and windswept tidal flats that teem with life.

Boasting a rich history – Padre Island has been owned by no less than four nations, beginning with the Spanish in 1554 – the natural landscapes provide critical habitats for a variety of marine and terrestrial plants and animals, including a number of rare, threatened, and endangered species such as the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle and over 380 bird species.

The Laguna Madre is a rare treasure - one of only six hypersaline lagoons in the world and home to more than 77% of North America’s wintering population of redhead ducks, as well as a wide variety of other bird species.

20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, Texas, Phone: 361-949-8069

Horses On The Beach

Horses On The Beach Corpus Christi offers horseback riding adventures and experiences on the beach to all ages and levels of riders. Enjoy long rides along the beach on well-trained, manageable horses led by expert guides and take in the beautiful seascapes and natural scenery along the way.

Horses On The Beach also offers nightly Ranch Cookouts, which include a range of fun activities such as horseback rides, hay rides, and the opportunity to visit a petting zoo, as well as a catered barbecue with meat and vegetarian options. Riding helmets are provided, and beach rides and Ranch Cookouts need to be booked in advance.

16562 SPID - Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, Texas, Phone: 361-949-4944