Clute is just 50 miles south of Houston in the Brazo-
sport area. Nearby beaches include Bryan, Quintana and Surfside. Deep-sea vessels offer offshore fishing. Bay and shore fishing and crabbing can be rewarding. Deep-sea diving enthusiasts visit the Flower Gardens reef more than 100 miles offshore. Birding opportunities abound, and the southern part of
the county has at times had the highest bird count in the state. The Brazoria, San Bernard and Big Boggy national wildlife refuges cover more than 80,000 acres. The Clarion at Brazosport College presents nationally
and internationally known performing artists. In the sum- mer it offers children’s programs. Call 979/230-3156 for more information. Clute also is home to the Great Texas Mosquito Festival in July.
CENTER FOR THE ARTS & SCIENCES—The art gallery features changing exhibits, and the theater produces plays and musicals. Wildlife, fossils, rocks, minerals and an aquarium are features of the Museum of Natural Science. The planetarium produces public shows and provides training for NASA astronauts. 400 College Blvd. 877/265-7661.
www.bcfas.org.
MAMMOTH LAKE WATER PARK—This dive-specific lake offers 55 acres of clear water for scuba diving, swimming and kayaking. Objects to dive around include a jet, boats, a submarine, a mammoth replica and a cave system. There is a dive shop and training facility. 330 N. Dixie Drive. 979/529-9174.
www.mammothlakewaterpark.com.
CORPUS CHRISTI POP. 314,279
ALT. 35 MAP V-17/KK-19
CORPUS CHRISTI VISITOR CENTER: A Virtual Visitor Kiosk also is open at City Hall. 1823 N. Chaparral St. 800/766-2322.
www.visitcorpuschristitx.org.
The first European to have visited the area is believed to have been Spanish explorer Alonso Alvarez de Pineda in 1519. The first settlement was a frontier trading post. The city is home to Del Mar College and Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. The Corpus Christi Seawall, with steps to the water, was
built in the late 1930s, creating Shoreline Boulevard and the popular “T” head docks. The Harbor Bridge (U.S. 181) arches 235 feet above the water. Its pedestrian walkway and observation platform offer spectacular views. Near the bridge, Corpus Christi Beach offers park areas with picnic facilities. From the Corpus Christi Marina watch the color- ful sailboat regatta Wednesday evenings. Free fishing is available from numerous municipal piers,
jetties, miles of beach and seawall. Arrangements and res- ervations for group-boat fishing may be made at Corpus Christi Marina or through private operators.
ART CENTER OF CORPUS CHRISTI—Built in 1942 for the USO Club, the center features changing exhibits and indi- vidual studios, providing a chance to see working artists. Demonstrations are regularly scheduled. Free. 100 N. Shoreline Blvd. 361/884-6406.
www.artcentercc.org.
ART MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS—Designed by archi- tect Philip Johnson, the building on the bay features a per- manent collection and changing exhibits such as photogra- phy, murals, handcrafted pieces and historical paintings. The museum offers a program of films, lectures and art classes. Admission charge. 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd. 361/825-3500.
www.artmuseumofsouthtexas.org.
CENTENNIAL HOUSE—The city’s oldest existing home was built in 1848 of then-popular “shellcrete” construction. Once a Civil War hospital, it has been restored and fur- nished. Admission charge. 411 N. Upper Broadway. 361/882-8691.
www.ccahs.com.
CORPUS CHRISTI MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY—View the famous 1554 Spanish shipwreck and the Smithsonian Institution exhibit, “Seeds of Change.”
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Battle stations on the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi provide a World War II experience.
The “Gallery of Cultural Encounters” has a 16th-century carved dome ceiling from Spain, plus a La Salle exhibit. Also tour the Pinta replica. Admission charge. 1900 N. Chaparral. 361/826-4650.
www.ccmuseum.com.
HARBOR FERRY—The 90-foot vessel provides transporta- tion that connects downtown to Corpus Christi Beach. Call or visit the website for the days the ferry operates. Admission charge. 361/289-2600.
www.ccrta.org.
HARBOR PLAYHOUSE—This is Texas’ oldest continually performing theater, in operation since 1952. Group rates available. 1 Bayfront Park. 361/888-7469. www.harbor
playhouse.com.
HARRISON’S LANDING (PEOPLES STREET T-HEAD)— Sail, shop and dine all in the same shaded waterfront location. Visit the Yachting Center to book a sailing cruise or buy tickets for a one-hour boat ride. 108 Peoples St. T-Head. 361/881-8503.
www.harrisonslanding.net.
HERITAGE PARK—Visitors can take a self-guided walking tour through the park, which has 12 restored turn-of-the- century homes. The Galvan House serves as the park’s headquarters. 1600 block of N. Chaparral St. 361/826-3460.
www.cctexas.com. Inside the park, visit the museum of the Instituto de
Cultura Hispanica. 1617 N. Chaparral St. 361/879-0336.
www.culturahispanicacorpuschristi.org.
HORSES ON THE BEACH—Offers 1- and 1.5-hour horse- back rides along the sandy beaches of Corpus Christi. 16562 Park Road 22. 361/949-4944. www.horsesonthe
beach.com.
HURRICANE ALLEY WATERPARK—The park is integrat- ed into Whataburger Field. It has three waterslides (one at 65 feet), a wave pool, lazy river, kiddie area, swim-up bar, and baseball-themed spray deck. 702 E. Port Ave. 361/883-9283.
www.hurricanealleycc.com.
K SPACE CONTEMPORARY—This gallery is dedicated to promoting contemporary art in South Texas by exhibiting emerging and experimental artists. 415D Starr St. 361/887-6834.
www.kspacecontemporary.org.
LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI—See MATHIS.
LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI STATE PARK—See MATHIS. MUSTANG ISLAND STATE PARK—See PORT ARANSAS.
PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE—This is one of the United State’s last natural seashores. Information about swimming, camping areas and nature trails is available at the visitor center, which has a museum and bookstore. Collecting historical artifacts and use of metal detectors are prohibited. Admission charge. 361/949-8068.
www.nps.gov/pais.
PARKS—The Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge along Oso Bay features a viewing tower for birding, especially flocks of herons and roseate spoonbills. Includes a board- walk and a hike-and-bike trail. Access by Ocean Drive or take South Padre Island Drive, exit at Nile. City Parks & Recreation: 361/884-7275. Padre Balli Park, on Gulf side from Park Road 22, has
a bathhouse, beaches, camping, fishing pier, and small Beach comber’s museum in the park office with nautical and unusual items found along beach.
SEGCITY TOURS—Get a unique perspective of the luxury boats at the “T-Heads,” journey through the historic district, and ride through the solar-system exhibit. 403 N. Shore- line. 361/563-4050.
www.segcity.com/corpus.
SELENA MUSEUM—The museum displays outfits Selena designed and wore to shows. Other exhibits include music awards, a Selena movie script and personal memorabilia. No cameras allowed. Map of Selena-related sites available at Corpus Christi Visitors Center. Admission charge. 5410 Leopard St. 361/289-9013.
SOUTH TEXAS BOTANICAL GARDENS & NATURE CENTER—Features a butterfly house, bromeliad conserva- tory, orchids, rose garden, hummingbird garden, arid garden, sensory garden, plumeria garden and resident reptiles. It is a Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail site. Admission charge. 8545 S. Staples St. 361/852-2100.
www.stxbot.org.
TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM—The aquarium offers dive shows, animal feedings, training sessions and “hands-on” programs with sharks and stingrays. Thousands of animals representing more than 250 species are displayed. The HEB Splash Park features water cannons. Parking charge. Admission charge. 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd. 361/881-1200 or 800/477-4853.
www.texasstateaquarium.org.
TEXAS SURF MUSEUM—Museum pays tribute to the history of surfing, with an emphasis on the Texas Gulf Coast. Exhibits include a Gulf Coast surf mural, Hollywood surf memorabilia, a “board-shaping garage,” films and seasonal exhibits. Free. 309 N. Water St. 361/888-7873.
www.texassurfmuseum.com.
U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION—Home of the U.S. Navy’s Air Training Command. Naval air activities share the site with the Corpus Christi Army Depot, one of the world’s largest helicopter repair facilities. On the peninsula at the south- eastern edge of the city. 361/939-2674.
USS LEXINGTON MUSEUM ON THE BAY—This National Historic Landmark and museum has interactive battle stations that provide a World War II experience. A flight simulator launches visitors into combat. Admission includes a large format movie. Reduced rates for groups of 10 or more with advance reservation. Admission charge. 2914 N. Shoreline Blvd. 361/888-4873 or 800/523-9539.
www.usslexington.com.
VOYAGE: A JOURNEY THROUGH OUR SOLAR SYSTEM—The permanent exhibit is a one-to-10-billion scale model consisting of 13 stations representing the planets and other objects. Visitors can see how far apart the objects are in the solar system. Peoples Street T-Head/Ocean Drive.
www.voyagesolarsystem.org.
WHATABURGER FIELD—Home of the Corpus Christi Hooks, Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros baseball club, the field was ranked one of the top 10 best minor league ballparks by USA Today. This facility features more than 5,000 seats, luxury suites, a swimming pool and
PHOTOS: WILL VAN OVERBEEK/TXDOT
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