Soak Up the Sun — and the Sunset Views — in Corpus Christi, Texas

Tucked away on the Texas coast on the Gulf of Mexico is the quiet waterfront city of Corpus Christi, known for its endless outdoor offerings, intriguing museums and cultural centers and delicious seafood.

Thanks to the beautiful beaches that stretch on for miles, Corpus Christi has a reputation as a spring-break hub for college students in Texas; however, there is so much more to the city than its beaches, making it a great destination for families and outdoor adventure lovers as well.

As the age-old saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas, and Corpus Christi is one of the biggest underrated gems in the United States, with incredible nature, diverse culture and a rich history that begs to be explored.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Get Your Culture Fix in Downtown Corpus Christi

Kick off your day with a cup of coffee or tea and pastry from French bakery Bien Mérité, a local favorite that serves delicious drinks and sweet treats like crossants and macarons. From there, head to the Marina Arts District for an afternoon of art and history.

There’s the Art Museum of South Texas, which showcases art from the Americas with an emphasis on works from Texas and the surrounding region, or the Museum of Science & History and the Sidbury House in Heritage Park. After checking out a few museums, refuel for the rest of the day at one of the many nearby restaurants, such as the Executive Surf Club or Water Street Oyster Bar.

After lunch, it’s time to visit the Selena Museum located in the heart of downtown Corpus Christi. Selena grew up in Corpus Christi, and her family built the Selena Museum three years after her tragic death to pay tribute to the late music superstar in her beloved hometown.

You can view precious objects from the singer’s extraordinary career, such as her platinum and gold records, spectacular stage costumes and even childhood memorabilia. If you want to further revisit the legacy of the Queen of Tejano, you can also check out the nearby Mirador de la Flor, a Selena memorial statue located on the Corpus Christi Bayfront seawall.

As the sun sets, head to the Harbor Bridge for an unbelievable view and then make your way back to the Marina Arts District to take part in the nightlife that Texas is known for. Grab dinner or drinks at local hot spots like the House of Rock, the Gold Fish and Whiskey River and stick around for live music that will keep you dancing all night. After all, it wouldn’t be Texas without a little country music.

Saturday: Sit Back and Relax at North Beach

The North Beach neighborhood stretches up the coast of the Corpus Christi Bay and is one of the most popular destinations for tourists to visit while in Corpus Christi. Start your day with a quick and easy breakfast at the Whataburger in the area, before boarding the USS Lexington (also known as he Blue Ghost), a retired aircraft carrier that now serves as a naval aviation museum. In addition to guided tours, the museum features a flight simulator, escape rooms, theater and more, making it easy to spend hours aboard the warship.

From there, head to North Beach, where you can take a leisurely stroll along the edge of the beach, find a sunny spot to sunbathe, read a book or take a dip in the turquoise water. For lunch, treat yourself to fresh seafood and beachy drinks at Blackbeard’s on the Beach or Fajitaville. The waterfront restaurants offer magnificent views of the bay as well as great food to keep you energized for a long day at the beach.

If you want to take a break from the sand, you can head over to the Texas State Aquarium for a couple of hours. Alternatively, there are several parks around North Beach that you can walk to — once you’ve felt enough sand between your toes — such as Dolphin Park or Surfside Park. However, make sure to get back to the Fajitaville Ferris wheel to catch a breathtaking view of the Corpus Christi skyline at sunset

Sunday: Explore the Outdoors on Padre Island

Spend the day exploring all that Padre Island has to offer, starting with a hearty breakfast at Yummies Bistro, where you can indulge in a classic, All-American breakfast of waffles, omelets, pancakes and more. After breakfast, head out to the water for a relaxation-filled day in Corpus Christi’s seaside paradise.

Did you know that Corpus Christi has been named the birdiest city in North America for the past decade? There’s no better place to see these majestic creatures than on Padre Island. Visit the Padre Island National Seashore, a national park that includes the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. The ultimate spot for bird-watching, keep your eyes peeled for one of the 380 avian species that can be found in the park.

For lunch, treat yourself to the seafood dishes at Cap’n Roy’s or go DIY and build your own ceviche plate at Ceviche Ceviche. Both of these restaurants use locally caught fish straight from the Gulf, so you know that your meal will be fresh and flavorful.

After fueling up, stay active by walking over to the beach and trying one of the many water activities offered, from kiteboarding to fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and more.

As the day winds down, walk over to Pier 19 to catch a view of the sunset and either grab dinner here or another beachfront restaurant like Painted Marlin Grille. Finally, head to a nearby bar like Driftwood Landing or Laguna BOB to toast an incredible beach getaway in an unexpected place.