1. Corpus Christi Is The Real Windy City
Located on the South Texas coast, Corpus Christi has earned its fair share of nicknames like the “Texas Riviera” or the “Sparkling City by the Sea.” But its best known denomer is “The Real Windy City” because our Gulf winds create more of an uproar than that Lake-Michigan-locked metropolis up north.
2. Some People Say It's One Of The Best Vacation Spots On The Planet
And by “some people,” I mean about five million per year. With eleven sun-soaked beaches, two marinas, an average temperature of about seventy degrees, approximately 255 days of sunshine every year, and two-thirds of its square mileage underwater--well, just be sure to bring your bathing suit.
3. Get Your Degree In Island Life
The city of Corpus Christi has a handful of colleges and schools, but the one with the greatest views is Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi. The university is located on Ward Island in Oso Bay and hosts about 10,000 students on average.
4. Corpus Christi Has So Many Districts, You Could Call It Panem
Corpus Christi is divided into sections so distinct from one another that some outsiders initially believe them to be separate cities unto themselves: the defense bases populated with workers, the oil professionals, the surfers (read: Finnick Odairs everywhere), and the booming Hispanic population. Thankfully the divide between niche populations is where the dystopian similarities stop, because all of this accumulates into a city that embraces diversity, identity, and self-expression.
5. Our Floating Museum Is Stockpiled With History
The USS Lexington (or “The Blue Ghost,” if you're feeling ominous) is an aircraft carrier used during several battles of World War II. Nowadays the behemoth carrier sits guard over North Shoreline Blvd as the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, allowing guests to experience the the living conditions of wartime along with some modern day enhancements like an IMAX Theater and flight simulator.
6. Pearl Harbor Happened Here
As directed with ample explosions and close-ups by Michael Bay, that is. The city's phenomenal beauty convinced the film's location scouts that it would be a perfect alternative to the more expensive filming locations of Hawaii.
7. You'll Be BFFs With The Sharks
At the Texas State Aquarium you'll come face-to-face with all sorts of slithery creatures from the depths of the Gulf. Watch a dive show and feeding demonstration, then go hands-on with sharks, stingrays and other sea monsters you probably never want to touch.
8. We Don't Mind If You Drive On The Beach
Just south of Corpus Christi is the Padre Island National Seashore, the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. What that means is that when you visit, you've got 130 thousand acres of undeveloped natural dunes, grasslands and sandy beaches to explore at your leisure. Drive down the beach to kill walking time, climb the observation tower and hunt for rare birds, fish for sharks or search for shells. Your perfect summer day is waiting.
9. Get Your Eye Patch And Peg Leg Ready, Matey
During Buccaneer Days (or Buc Days if you're in a hurry), over half of the city shows up to party their pirate hats off. We've got rodeos, a carnival, BBQ tailgating, an illuminated night parade, kids' activities, and plenty of pirate puns.
10. Corpus Christians Take Sailboats Seriously
Corpus Christi houses the Midget Ocean Racing Fleet (or the M.O.R.F.), which holds sailboat races every Wednesday night. M.O.R.F. holds the record for running weekly sailboat races longer than any other fleet in the United States.
11. Deck Out Your Living Room With Taxidermied Fowl
Since Corpus Christi borders the Gulf of Mexico and Corpus Christi Bay, the city not only provides ample opportunities for fishing fun, but hunting as well. Potential kills/interior decorations include duck, teal, coot and geese.
12. When A Wind Gust Strikes, Grab Your Kite Board
“The Real Windy City” isn't just a cutesy and toothless nickname--Corpus Christi has one of the highest average wind speeds of any coastal city in North America. Take advantage of these ocean gusts with sports like kite boarding, kite flying, wind surfing, and, of course, sailing.
13. Selena Called Corpus Christi Home
Beloved singer and songwriter, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was born in Corpus Christi. After her death, the city erected a life-sized bronze statue of its beloved star titled Mirador De La Flor (Lookout For The Flower). Corpus Christi revealed the statue the same year that Warner Bros. released a biopic about Selena starring Jennifer Lopez, parts of which were shot in Corpus Christi.
14. And So Have Many Other Celebrities
The late Farrah Fawcett of Charlie's Angel fame, former Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, and actor Lou Diamond Phillips have all lived in Corpus Christi.
15. Your Inner Botanist Will Be In Absolute Ecstasy
At the South Texas Botanical Garden & Nature Center you can bask in a lush oasis of different species of birds, reptiles and various fauna. The numerous greenhouses and several miles of nature trails with observation towers and platforms assure that you'll be fully immersed in a world of wildlife.
16. The Thought Of Hurricanes Make You Happy
Be prepared to face your fears at Hurricane Alley Waterpark on slides like CAT 5--a six story plummet of twisting, twirling havoc--or the upcoming surf simulator Flowrider Double. There's also a relaxing wave pool and lazy river for the faint of heart.
17. Corpus Christians Would Take Kayaks To Work If They Could
Between the Mission, Aransas, and Nueces Rivers and places like the Laguna Madre and Bird Island Basin, there's no limit to stunningly scenic kayaking adventures in Corpus Christi. And residents and tourists alike take every opportunity to grab a paddle and jump on the skinny boats.
18. Corpus Christi = The Cover Of An Epic Romance Novel
To add to the already impressive list of things you can do at Corpus Christi's numerous beaches, here's another: go for a ride on one of its numerous impressive steeds. These horses are available for first timers, kids and experienced riders for a nighttime (or any time) jaunt. Just try not to stampede on any sand castles.
19. Corpus Christians Have Boho Down Pat
Stop by the Yin Yang Fandango and the Tango Tea Room, (mercifully shortened as Tango Fandango) for a bohemian afternoon of sipping of tea, shopping for new threads, or trying out a vegetarian or vegan specialty. Visit on a Wednesday evening and buy something fresh from their farmers' market.
20. We Won't Call You A Landlubber If You're Into Baseball
Catch a Corpus Christi Hooks' game at Whataburger Field to see the AA championship baseball team in action. Don't forget to net yourself some hot dogs and peanuts, too.
21. Not Scuba Diving Is Not An Option
Petting a stingray at the aquarium isn't cutting it? How about a scuba diving adventure, then? At Ascuba Venture or Copeland's Inc. you'll learn how to safely navigate snorkeling and freediving ventures so you can eventually visit the mysterious underworld of sea creatures yourself.
22. The Most Endangered Sea Turtle On The Planet Nests Here
The Padre Island National Seashore is home to the largest Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle nesting ground in the U.S. From April to July, volunteers scout the shoreline for nests so the eggs can be brought to the National Seashore incubation facility for protected care until they hatch and it's time to go back to the sea.
23. And This One Time, Picasso and Andy Warhol Stopped By
You know… metaphorically. The Art Museum of South Texas features permanent exhibits by dozens of local artists from throughout the southern Texas region. But the coolest feature of the museum is its constantly rotating collection of fine art in a variety of different mediums from world-renowned artists.
24. Corpus Christians Hang Ten All Year Round
As a bit of yin to The Art Museum of South Texas' yang, Corpus Christi has a museum that's all about surfing, dude. Aptly called the Texas Surf Museum, the open-year-round establishment was created to celebrate the integral power players in Texas surfing and their impact on the surfer culture on the world at large.
25. Beer and Pizza Never Get Old
At B&J's Pizza and Sandwich Restaurant offers up famously fresh pizzas, sub sandwiches and wings. Wash it all down with a brew from one of the largest selections of bottled and draft beers in the city.
26. Our Jazz Is Smoother Than A Newborn Baby's Bottom
The annual Texas Jazz Festival kicks off every October at Heritage Park. This music celebration draws performers from all over the country and around the world to provide entertainment to the festival's visitors. Famous past performers include jazz greats Kirk Whalum, Louis Bellson and Marvin Stamm.
27. Corpus Christians Can Handle All The Drama
One of Texas' oldest continually performing theaters, the Harbor Playhouse performs a range of productions each year. Depending on when you stop by you could catch a production of “To Kill A Mockingbird” or a riotous performance of Monty Python's “Spamalot.”
28. We Haven't Forgotten Our Past
The Britton-Evans Centennial House (built by Captain Forbes Britton in 1849) is the oldest structure in Corpus Christi. Confederates used it as a hospital during the Civil War and our citizens took refuge there during the Indian raids in the 1870s. Today it welcomes all who are curious about the city's history.
29. Corpus Christi Thinks It's Las Vegas
Well, you'd figure that after you saw the fountains at the Water Gardens go off Bellagio-style, located right in front of the Art Museum of South Texas.
30. It's Got A One-Stop Shop For The Best Views In Town
The Corpus Christi Seawall is a 1.75-mile scenic walkway running along downtown used by joggers, bikers, and tourists on Segways. Built in 1941, the seawall has become one of the hottest attractions around town because of its close proximity to gorgeous vistas and hot spots like the Corpus Christi Marina, numerous restaurants, hotels, and the Selena Memorial.
