Corpus Christi：Sparkling Coast with Its Authentic Heritage

Located in the South Texas region, Corpus Christi is a coastal town of US States of Texas. The name Corpus Christi denotes as Body of Christ in Latin, and the name was given by Spanish traveler, Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda to the semi-tropical southern coast of Texas when he discovered the area during the Roman Catholic Feast Day of Corpus Christi. Known as the Sparkling City by Sea, port of Corpus Christi ranks fifth in the US. The port is meant to serve the Agriculture and Oil Products. The city harbors Texas State Aquarium, US Lexington Museum, Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, etc., to greet its spectators warm-heartily. The city has a fantastic nature with its beautiful coastal line, historical heritage, and much more to satiate the dreams of wandering eyes.

1. Padre Island National Seashore

It is one of the longest and undeveloped barrier islands in the world, and the seashore is known to serve the college students for fantastic vacation and leisure destination. It is famous as one of the best hyper saline lagoons across the globe. The seashore offers a lot of entertainment things for the visitors such as camping, canoeing, and kayaking, turtle hatchling, ranger programs, fishing, budding, etc. You will have a fantastic time by diving in the Mexico Gulf beach or participating as a castle builder down the shores either under hot sunny noon or under the dark blanket of stars. The shoreline is famous for its red drum and blacked typed sharks.

2. USS Lexington

Built for the navy of the US States during World War II, USS Lexington is Essex-class aircraft carrier which is popularly known by the nickname attributed to it, "The Blue Ghost." The ship currently anchored in Corpus Christi where she serves the purpose of a Museum for briefing its visitors about the World War II and the role of the US Navy had engaged. She has been stationing at Corpus Christi since 1992. The ship's maintenance is carefully carried out, and slowly every zone of the vessel has converted as a spectacular showpiece for the visiting guests. It has the prestige of being the first aircraft carrier of the US in the naval history to have female crew members.

3. The Art Museum of South Texas

Indeed, it is a famous destination one should take note of and should not miss visiting. Being established in 1972 by the renowned architect Philip Johnson, the museum presents its regional arts before the visitors. The institute offers many educational exhibitions signifying the diversified culture of the state. The museum hosts various programs, which include video demonstrations, dance, bilingual gallery talks, artist residencies, etc., for the visitors. One can find the museum as very charming with scenic/photogenic locations, and it offers friendly services to disabled. Visitors will have free access to Wi-Fi facilities, which can make communication a relaxed affair. The museum is built in white concrete and shell cluster. It offers membership options for visitors, who wish to extend their helping hand to the artistic styles displayed in the museum.

4. Texas State Aquarium

Being a nonprofit aquarium of Corpus Christi, the Texas State Aquarium targets environment protection and conservation of the wildlife. It exhibits Caribbean jungle, H-E-B Caribbean Sea, Coral reef, Dolphin Bay, Eagle Pass, Tentacles, Hawn White Flight Theater, Steel Islands, Living Stores, Otter Creek, Saving Sharks, Stingray Lagoon, Swamp Tales, and Tortuga Cay, etc. The wide variety of educational program it offers includes aquarium discovery programs, aqua-vision distance learning, overnights, outreach program, spring break mini camps, summer sea camps, etc. It has received the coveted accreditation of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium. The aquarium is a perfect location for the tourists’ as well educational enthusiasts and a place definitely to visit.

5. Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge

The six line Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge connects Corpus Christi to the neighboring cities. It is locally known as North Bridge. The bridge crosses the busiest port of Corpus Christi known to serve 26,000 vehicles on a daily basis. As per engineering terms, it is a 'through arch bridge' with 243 ft. in height, and a total length of 1773 meter has constructed entirely by using steel and reinforced concrete material. The bridge declared for public commutation in 1959. It has adorned with multi-color LED lighting system and was put into action on December 4, 2011, as part of the Christmas lighting celebration. For the entire lighting, it uses 950 Philips Color Kinetics fixtures and has been using more than 11,000 individual RGB color nodes for an enhanced appeal. Watching the illuminated Harbor Bridge is an exciting experience. Visitors just throng to this location to see and experience the color projections.

6. Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

Since opened for public in 1957, Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History is a center of attraction for people who want to know the technological advancement of modern science and ancient artifacts of human civilization. The 40,000 square feet museum is located very close to the Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge and waterfront. The museum exhibits a diverse range of services including Seed of Change, Paleontology, Xeriscaping, Shipwreck, Hall of Earth Science, Kennedy Gallery, Coastal Ecology, and much more. It also serves as an educational platform and organizing programs for different strata of the society, i.e., teachers, students, families, schools, adults and many offsite programs too. Plan your family trip or a school visit to this museum and witness the heritage of Texas scientific and historical artifacts.

7. South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center

South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in the city of Corpus Christi, is known for its beauty and serenity. Spread over 183 acres of land the botanical garden showcases a wide range of flora and fauna. It's a birding tower of Great Texas. The place exhibits Anderson Bromeliad Conservatory, Rose Garden & Bates Rose Pavilion, Plumeria Garden & Willoughby by Viewing Platform, Sensory Garden, Hummingbird, & Arid Gardens, Samuel Jones Orchid Conservatory, Butterfly House, Wetland Awareness Boardwalk, etc. It facilitates the visitors with membership options at individual, couple, family, grandparent categories. Also, it offers membership at the commercial levels. The garden is open for public daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

8. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Best described as a protected area, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, is spread over 464 square kilometers, along with the gulf coast of the US state of Texas. The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge has witnessed many changes in its appearance along with the flow of time. As a tourist, you can watch wildlife activities and engage in natural trails, hunting, fishing, and bicycling features.

Its unique attraction is the Matagorda Island, which is a chain of small islands down the line of Texas coast. A wide variety of wildlife is found here inclusive of coyotes, alligators, Ridley sea turtles, and many more. The Refuge has its comprehensive conservation plan for next 15 years. It is a beautiful location for people who want to spend quality time mingling with nature.

9. Whataburger Field

A small league baseball stadium of the Corpus Christi, Whataburger Field has a capacity of 7,050 people. The land was pre-occupied by cotton warehouses. The stadium showcases the rich heritage of the architectural work of the state. You can enjoy all the modern facilities, and as a spectator, you will love every moment watching the events. The field is thus designed keeping in prioritizing the needs of the disabled for their convenience. Facilities provided by the stadium is inclusive of parking, entrance, well-managed tickets counter, elevators, wheelchair accessible ramp, service animals, etc.

10. Cole Park

Bring your kids in and make your boring Saturdays a happy one. It is a park along the side of the bay coupled with a playground. The park contains a lighted pier for fishing lovers. Besides the dock, the park offers a skate park for skating lovers and a few acres of open space for any outdoor activities such as mass communication or public performance. The amenities facilitated by the park are scenic view (perfect for snapshot), beach and or gulf view, and supporting facilities for differently challenged people.

◎ Closing

Corpus Christi is a pristine sparkling coast in Texas blessed with natural beauty of the long shoreline. The city has been remolded with more authenticity demonstrating their rich heritage. You will be overwhelmed by the facilities available for tourists, which will let you enjoy every bit of your stay here. The educational initiative maintained by the government receives an overwhelming response from the people, and same get radiated to the visitors in every nook and corner of the area when they spend their leisure time. People are friendly and warm-heart. The city is a perfect blend of natural and human mind to please its guests. It stands distinct from the entire world for the facilities it presents prioritizing the differently-able people in the society, which is evident all part of the city.