Corpus Christi, Texas is one of the most underrated cities in the Lone Star state. Located on the Gulf Coast about two hours from San Antonio and three hours from Houston, it’s an ideal Texas beach town for large groups and solo travelers alike.
This in-depth guide will take you through the top activities, attractions and places to stay in the beautiful town of Corpus Christi, Texas.
Interesting Facts About Corpus Christi, TX
- An estimated 10.61 million people visit Corpus Christi every year, thanks in large part to the heavenly climate. The town gets about 250 sunny days per year and temperatures rarely drop below 50 degrees in the wintertime.
- The name “Corpus Christi” means “Body of Christ”, an homage to the Catholic Feast Day of the same name. Legend tells that Spanish explorers discovered the quiet tropical bay in 1519 on the Corpus Christi Feast Day, and the name was set in stone.
- Corpus Christi is also known as the “Gulf Coast Capital” because it’s the largest coastal city in Texas after Houston, with a population of over 300,000.
- Local residents call Corpus Christi “The Real Windy City” because of the blustering Gulf Winds, which are allegedly stronger than the winds in Chicago.
- Thanks to the unique climate and geography, Corpus Christi is an ideal town for water and wind sports year-round. You can expect to see kites in the sky and people in the water on every sunny day.
- Corpus Christi is the most popular bird watching city in the United States. It hosts the annual Birdiest Festival in America, where bird enthusiasts can see more than 200 species during the spring migration.
- Corpus Christi is a protected nesting area for the most endangered sea turtle species on the planet, the Kemp Ridley Sea Turtle.
- Corpus Christi almost never gets snow, but in 1897 it snowed six inches in one day – more snow than all of the previous years combined. The latest snowstorm was a four-inch snowfall on Christmas Day in 2004.
- Corpus Christi is a popular location for TV and movie productions. Some notable works include Pearl Harbor (2001), The Legend of Billie Jean (1985) and Selena (1997).
- Corpus Christi is the birthplace of Whataburger, Texas’ favorite fast food chain. Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger on Ayers Street in 1950.
Things to Do in Corpus Christi
The Bayfront Seawall
The main attraction of your average Corpus Christi vacation is the Bayfront Seawall, stretching for 1.5 miles along the coast. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum led the seawall’s construction in 1928, and he would later build Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. He chose to mix the concrete with local seawater instead of freshwater, making it more resilient to the salty air.
The Bayfront Seawall has eight miradores del mar that people use for small weddings and other special occasions. Their architecture has Spanish and African influences, making the seawall stand out from the landscape. The most famous miradore is Mirador de la Flor, honoring the late Texan musician Selena Quintanilla-Perez.
Looking for a beach camping area in Corpus Christi with quick access to the Bayfront Seawall? Check out Kampgrounds of America’s conveniently located Rockport/Corpus Christi Holiday campground!
Padre Island National Seashore
Outdoor enthusiasts must pay a visit to Padre Island National Seashore, a 130,000-acre protected landscape of sand dunes, grasslands and beaches. You’ll find numerous animal species in their natural habitats, including sea turtles. Thousands of people come here during the summer to watch early morning hatchling releases on North Padre Island.
Perhaps the most popular attraction on Padre Island is Laguna Madre. The hypersaline lagoon is one of only six lagoons in the world where the water is saltier than the ocean, which allows swimmers to float with little effort.
Primitive tent camping is allowed on the islands, but if you prefer something more comfortable, KOA has a cozy RV park camping spot in Corpus Christi nearby.
Wind and Water Sports
Corpus Christi has an abundance of wind and water sports for people of all ages. The sunshine and consistent winds provide ideal conditions for traditional surfing, windsurfing, and swimming. You can also go kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, or simply cast a fishing line and watch the sailboats pass by.
People who prefer tent and RV camping can stay right on the beach and never miss a moment of action.
Mustang Island State Park
Another barrier-style beach is the Mustang Island State Park, where coastal dunes dominate the landscape. It’s a popular beach camping area in Corpus Christi for larger groups because of the built-in wooden pavilions right next to the water. Other family events like the Salty Safari and Junior Rangers expeditions are available year-round, weather permitting.
Texas State Aquarium
Every Corpus Christi vacation should include a visit to the Texas State Aquarium. The exhibits entirely focus on marine and coastal wildlife in the Caribbean Sea. There are dolphins, sharks, alligators, sea turtles, and much more. The aquarium also hosts presentations and snorkeling sessions year-round, which makes for an amazing family-friendly experience.
USS Lexington
History buffs will love the USS Lexington, a vintage World War II aircraft carrier that now serves as a museum with many unique attractions. There’s a fully operational flight deck, escape room, 3D megatheater, and even a Pearl Harbor sound display. The museum also offers an overnight program called Camp LEX for the most adventurous visitors.
Camping Near Corpus Christi, TX
Corpus Christi has many beach camping areas, but KOA’s local campground has the best location and the best selection of them all. Here’s why you should choose our tent and RV camping area for your Texas vacation
Rockport / Corpus Christi KOA Holiday
The Rockport / Corpus Christi KOA Holiday campground has everything you need in a beach camping spot. You can choose to sleep in a Premium Tent Site or RV Site depending on availability. Every lot is within walking distance of Rockport Beach and several family-friendly beaches. Plus, an exclusive bike rental service allows you to explore other nearby attractions without driving.
Rockport/Corpus Christi KOA Holiday is one of the best campsites in Texas in terms of amenities:
- 50 Max Amp
- 105′ Max Length
- Wi-Fi
- Cable TV
- Propane
- Firewood
- Pets allowed
- Two in-ground pools (open year-round)
- Concrete pads with full RV hook-ups
While other campgrounds in the Corpus Christi area offer some of these amenities, KOA is the only place that offers them all in one package. Although this site accommodates up to 243 vehicles at a time, reservations can fill up quickly!
Choose KOA for Your Corpus Christi Vacation
Ready to visit the Gulf Coast Capital and see why Corpus Christi is such a popular vacation destination? Book your stay at KOA in Rockport/Corpus Christi and get the most luxurious beach camping experience in Texas!
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
