Attractions Nearby Corpus Christi, Day Trips and Excursions

(Corpus Christi, Texas - TX, USA)

Places of interest and tourist attractions abound in Texas, and Corpus Christi is within easy reach of some of the very best. Day trips from Corpus Christi are always popular and holiday makers often like to pay a visit to Port Aransas, San Jacinto and the Padre Island National Seashore.

Further away from Corpus Christi and still popular excursions are the attractions of Brownsville, Galveston and Pasadena, as well as the monumental city of Houston. Actually the biggest city in the whole of Texas and the fourth-largest in the USA, Houston has a population of more than two million.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Formerly named the Aransas Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is a vast protected reserve encompassing more than 70,000 acres / 28,325 hectares in total, and was established as far back as 1937. This really is the premier site for bird watching in Texas, particularly between the months of March and November, when it becomes rather awash with 'twitters'. Other attractions at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge include everything from alligators and armadillos, to deer and wild boar.
Open hours: daily - half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset
Admission: charge, applicable to vehicles and individuals

Brownsville

County seat of the Texan Cameron County and some 162 miles / 261 km south of Corpus Christi, Brownsville is a sizable city with a well-placed southerly location. There are some fun things to be found within Brownsville, such as the Gladys Porter Zoo, where almost 400 different species of exotic animal attractions are housed, including African lions, chimpanzees, gorillas, rhinos and zebras. February is always a good time to pay Brownsville a visit, since it is when both the Charro Days Fiesta and the Sombrero Festival are staged.

Galveston

A city standing on Galveston Island, next to the Texas Gulf Coast and roughly 260 miles / 418 km to the northeast of Corpus Christi, Galveston certainly knows how to party. Each year on Galveston, the Mardi Gras celebrations are almost legendary and its local beach is extremely popular. Over the past century, Galveston has suffered at the hands of hurricanes, with the latest hurricane damage being as recent as September 2008.

Houston

The best selection of tourist attractions in Houston tend to be clustered within the Montrose and Museum districts. Houston is situated approximately 223 miles / 359 km to the northeast of Corpus Christi and although a little too far for a day trip to be feasible, the city does warrant a getaway of at least a few days to make the most of what it has to offer. For children, Hermann Park, Houston Zoo and the Children's Museum of Houston are firm favorites.

North Padre

Located just across the bay is North Padre and on the coastline of Texas. Standing between Mustang Island and Padre Island, North Padre is considered a suburb of Corpus Christi and is best known for being a leading destination for surfers, who come here in their droves to enjoy the strong waves and breaks.

Pasadena

Pasadena lies some 235 miles / 378 km to the northeast of Corpus Christi and south of Houston, where it is located within Harris County. The city is fronted by Galveston Bay and boasts a number of interesting museums, such as the Armand Bayou Nature Center, the Bay Area Museum and the Pasadena Historical Museum. Each June, the annual Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo draws large crowds.

Port Aransas

Head some 35 miles / 56 km east and across the bay and you will reach the attractions of Port Aransas. This popular town resides on the northerly tip of Mustang Island and within the Gulf of Mexico, being around a 30-minute drive away from Corpus Christi, using either the State Highway Park Road 22 or the Cemetery Road to cross the bay. Port Aransas highlights include the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center and the University of Texas Marine Science Institute Visitor Center.

San Jacinto

It was at San Jacinto in 1836 where the Texas War for Independence was won. The main attraction here is the San Jacinto Battlefield State Historical Complex, which preserves in excess of 1,000 acres / 405 hectares of past battleground. Look out for the San Jacinto Monument and its elevated observation deck, the 1914 Battleship Texas and the San Jacinto Museum of History.

South Padre Island

South Padre Island is a small town relatively close to Corpus Christi, serving as a popular beach resort. Packed with condos and beachfront attractions, South Padre Island is highly developed and has become a leading spring-break destination, with students tending to flock here throughout March. The beach of South Padre Island stretches for literally miles, while the mid-19th century lighthouse in Port Isabel offers exception views across the sea.