Corpus Christi and the Central Coast:

Beyond the beach

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>>Rockport, Fulton and Port Aransas

  Best known for the legions of drunken college students that plague its shores during Spring Break, Padre Island is not the first place that many people think of as a peaceful getaway. But beyond those few weeks in late March and early April, there's a quiet seaside rhythm, a tang in the air and a lot to do besides cultivate your tan and watch the four-wheelers whiz by.

The Texan Riviera

	Windsurfing in Corpus Christi Bay Windsurfers frequently catch the breeze in the calmer waters of the bay rather than in the more turbulent Gulf.

Early travelers to the region called this bend of the coast “the Texan Riviera”, the Corpus Christi area is rich in scenery as well as history. While hardcore beachcombers might find that a bit of a stretch nowadays what with the truck traffic and the twinkling lights of the oil rigs on the horizon, the so-called Third Coast has made a great comeback in recent years.

  This stretch of the Gulf Coast is a pleasant place to take in the sun, the sea breeze and a bit of history. But once you've tired of the beach, take a little time to explore your surroundings. Beginning with the beautiful Shoreline Drive in Corpus -- designed by Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor who designed Mount Rushmore-- the shops and museums can easily occupy a day or two, without even leaving downtown.

  Along the shoreline are eight “miradores del mar,” octagonal structures that overhang the bay and provide a shady shelter to catch a breeze and watch the windsurfers. Each one commemorates a different moment in the region’s history, and the whole series was built in honor of the 19-year-old daughter of beer distributor Dusty Durrill, who died in a fiery car crash in 1978.

  Corpus has earned a name for itself as the cradle of Tejano music thanks to its status as the birthplace of Selena, the beloved performer who took what was then a little-known regional music form to a national level. Since her murder by her fan club president 10 years ago, she has achieved mythical status, as her continuing record sales, her statue on Shoreline Boulevard and even a museum in her name will attest. The Selena Museum, 5410 Leopard St., is open from 8-noon and 1-5 Mon-Fri and is free.

  The city is host to other museums and attractions that are better known. It’s hard to miss the USS Lexington as you head down Shoreline Boulevard. The 900-foot aircraft carrier, which served in the Pacific during WWII, is also home to a museum. $10 adults, $5 children.

	USS Lexington

The Museum of Science and History is filled with memorable exhibits, sure to captivate adults as well as children. Beginning with the Shipwreck Exhibit, with a climbable replica of a pirate ship; on to a geological exhibit with a spectacular display of semi-precious specimens from around the globe; to the recently opened Voyage of Discovery display of the carefully crafted replicas of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, on loan from the Spanish Government; to a paleontologist at work behind a glass window and the interactive displays in Dinosaur Hall, as well as the hands-on science displays at the Children’s Wharf, this museum is well worth the $10 adult/$5.50 child admission.

  The Texas State Aquarium is a great place to visit with dolphins, otters and stingrays as well as learning about conservation efforts and the mysterious ways of marine life.

  The Museum of Asian Cultures, the Art Museum of South Texas, the Heritage Park and Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens offer even more fascinating ways to while away a steamy summer afternoon. 

	Tango Tea Room

And for a nice break that's a treat for the palate as well as the other senses, there' s the Tango Tea Room and Yin Yang Fandango, 505 S. Water St.. The former is a restaurant/coffee house and music venue with a menu rich with vegetarian and Asian options, and the latter, an international boutique and massage center.

Rockport, Fulton and Goose Island State Park

	Goose Island State Park

  Some of the most beautiful coastline can be found north of Corpus Christi, where you will also find the charming historic bay towns of Rockport, Fulton and Aransas, as well as the marvelous ancient oak trees of Goose Island State Park.        

  Unlike other areas along the coast whose old trees were ripped away by hurricanes, this stretch of coast was sheltered from the winds, and many ancient weathered and windblown oak trees have survived. The lovely, shady Goose Island State Park is home to a live oak that is said to be more than 1,000 years old. It can be a good place to camp, but it’s good to call ahead and make a reservation since the park is rather small.  

	Big Oak, Goose Island

  Fulton Beach Drive provides a leisurely view of the bay and the graceful wind-sculpted oaks that line the road. Fulton Mansion is worth a look, but of the two seaside towns, Rockport is the more interesting, having evolved with the years into an artist’s colony. At last count the village had 11 art galleries as well as a cluster of quaint cafes and restaurants.

  If you have a few more hours to spend, it's recommended to see the spectacular bird sanctuary, Aransas Wildlife Refuge. Otherwise, there’s plenty to see in Rockport and Fulton until they roll up the carpet at 5 p.m., when you may want to head back out to the beach – this time, a short drive south to Aransas Pass, where you can drive onto the ferry that will shuttle you across with your car to Port Aransas.

	Port Aransas at Sunset

  During Spring Break, Port A as it’s known by the locals is crawling with college students. But any other time of the year it’s a leisurely beach community, a great place to dine on seafood, watch the sunset and have a nice walk on the beach. If you’ve brought your camping equipment, you can camp out on the beach for a small fee; otherwise, you can find a hotel to spend the night, or head back into Corpus Christi – mission accomplished.