Known as the “Sparkling City by the Sea”, Corpus also boasts an impressive stretch of shore. The Padre Island National Seashore stretches from Corpus south 75 miles to the Port Mansfield Cut. This isolated stretch of beach has gained recognition as a sea turtle nesting ground, as well as being a favorite spot for fishermen, sun seekers and beachgoers.
The “Beach Loop” is a very scenic drive and can be done in about an hour with no stops (if the ferry isn’t too busy), however, plan to spend a few hours to stop and browse the shops, walk the beach, swim in the surf, and enjoy the views.
Shoreline Boulevard and a wide seawall walkway link the Holiday Inn with the Bayfront Plaza area and provides a gorgeous 2 mile walk along Mcgee Beach and the two “T-heads” and one “L-head” docks which harbor yachts, fishing boats, and visitor tour boats.
Downtown Corpus Christi is being revitalized and provides visitors with an array of stores, restaurants, and nightlife. The center of this activity is the Water Street Market, a collection of places to dine, shop, and relax with a cool drink and evening entertainment.
From Downtown Corpus Christi, cruise down Ocean Drive, which has gorgeous views of the bay. Turn at Ennis Joslin Road to reach South Padre Island Drive (S.P.I.D.) also known as Route 358, and turn east. You will soon reach a causeway, which meanders up and down over bridges and takes you to Padre Island National Seashore. Turn left on Route 361, a paved road that runs through the middle of the island. You will see several Beach Access Roads along the way. Eventually you will reach Port Aransas, which has lots of shops, restaurants, and bars. Some good places to eat are the Venetian Hot Plate at 232 Beach Street, Shell’s Pasta & Seafood at 522 E. Avenue G, Marcel’s Restaurant at 905 Highway 361, and Beulah’s at the Tarpon Inn.
You will then drive onto a ferry (a fun ride) and if you get out of your car you might see porpoise following the ferry. Route 361 goes to Aransas Pass, known as the “shrimp capital of the world”, then to Gregory, Portland, and back to Corpus Christi.
If you have time, a neat side trip is along Route 35 to the sleepy little town of Rockport, the area “artist community”. You can find all kinds of stores featuring local art, paintings, seashells, and beachwear. If you continue to Fulton, you will pass the Fulton Mansion, a Texas landmark which has periodic tours through this historic home. For fun, stop at the Boiling Pot Seafood which has an outdoor seating area to sip a cold one, or order one of their outrageous pots of boiled crabs, shrimp, corn, and potatoes. They will ceremoniously dump all this in the middle of your table, put giant bibs on everyone, and hand out wooden mallets for cracking all the shellfish.
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