Corpus Christi is a small coastal city in South Texas, also referred to by its nickname, “The Sparkling City by the Sea.” Corpus Christi is beloved by local residents and popular with tourists, too. One of the top seaside destinations in Texas, Corpus Christi is a vibrant big city with an inviting small-town feel. It is well known for its beautiful bays and sandy beaches, scenic hiking trails and pleasurable birding opportunities, and interesting museums and other fun attractions. Before spending time in the Gulf Coast Capital, check out these five interesting facts about Corpus Christi, Texas.
#1 In Corpus Christi, beautiful beaches abound.
The city is a seaport situated on Corpus Christi Bay, a large saltwater estuary and natural harbor on the Texas coast. It has several city beach areas, located at spots along Corpus Christi Bay. And just to the south of the city is scenic Padre Island National Seashore, which offers 70 miles of protected beach area on the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world.
#2 The largest aquarium in Texas is in Corpus Christi.
The Texas State Aquarium is the “Official Aquarium of Texas,” though it is a nonprofit organization and receives no state funding. It has been open to the public since 1990, serving as an educational resource and environmental steward with a focus on the conservation of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
#3 Corpus Christi has a long naval aviation history.
Home to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi is proudly patriotic. NAS Corpus Christi was commissioned in the spring of 1941, specifically as a US naval air training installation. It has supported US military pilot training and operations since that time. The USS Lexington Museum on the Bay is another local link to military history. This aircraft carrier-turned-museum highlights the history of naval aviation in America, including its own role.
#4 The arts and entertainment scene is big in Corpus Christi.
From music venues to museums to sports facilities, Corpus Christi has a lot to offer. There are several locations to experience the musical stylings of local bands and singers, or organizations like the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra. Corpus Christi isn’t short on first-class museums, either, with various popular ones including the Selena Museum and many others. And for opportunities to take in sporting events, the Corpus Christi Hooks minor league baseball team and the Corpus Christi IceRays professional hockey team play often.
#5 The coastal city of Corpus Christi has a key link to cattle ranching.
When people think of Corpus Christi, they rarely think of cattle ranching. But there are numerous cattle ranches inland of the city, including King Ranch, one of the largest and oldest working cattle ranches in the world. According to the Texas State Historical Association, there was a great cattle boom in the area during the 1870s, during which “…Corpus Christi emerged as an important shipping point for cattle from the South Texas plains, and in the 1880s packing houses, stockyards, and markets for hides, tallow, and other cattle by-products flourished.”
WEICHERT, REALTORS® – The Place of Houses real estate professionals can share even more about Corpus Christi and other spots along the Texas Gulf Coast. And if you are interested in buying or selling any Coastal Bend real estate, the team of experienced real estate specialists will gladly assist you. Contact WEICHERT, REALTORS® – The Place of Houses, so the expert real estate group can answer your questions about the area and the local real estate market.
