Looking for a cool place to hang out on the water? Check out Corpus Christi, the Gulf Coast Capital of Texas. This is the place to bring your buds.

With 100 miles of sandy shoreline, Corpus Christi is a vibrant coastal city that has it all…contemporary culture, surfing, minor league baseball, and amazing festivals. What do Farah Fawcett, Selena, and Whataburger have in common?  They’re all from Corpus Christi!

The Omni Corpus Christi – Luxury on the Bay

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Room with a view. Photo courtesy of Omni Corpus Christi.

Check out the Omni Hotel and see why this mega 475-room Corpus Christi location lives up to the hype. Great views of the bay and the boats. Head to the heck out the Glass Pavilion for its humongous buffet breakfast with made-to-omelets, fresh breads, and yogurts.

The rooftop has multi-levels for dining in the Republic of Texas Bar & Grill, serving Texas-size steaks, chops and seafood.

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Other hotel amenities include two pools, full service spa and business center. You’ll love the downtown location, ideal for business or leisure. Check out their web

Play at Padre Island National Seashore

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Photo courtesy of Visit Corpus Christi.

Padre Island National Seashore is located on Padre Island,  along Texas’s southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. With 70 miles of unspoiled beaches and dunes, outdoor recreation is king.

Check out surfing, horseback riding and the freshest seafood you’ll find on the planet.

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But don’t be confused by the name. This is not the South Padre Island you’ve seen in pictures, teeming with college students. That South Padre Island is more than three hours away along the Texas Gulf Coast.

First Stop – Island Joe’s Coffee and Gallery

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Come meet the locals and check out the art. Grab a Fro-Joe expresso and fuel up with some baked in-house kolaches or biscuits to go. Check out their Facebook page for info on game nights, movie nights and other events.

Surf’s Up

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Brittany Faulkner instructs the group on the finer points of the surf board. Photo by Mira Temkin.

Want to learn how to catch a wave? Texas Surf Camps provides expert instruction to get you up on the water in no time. Let surf-aficionado Morgan Faulkner and his wife, Brittany of Texas Surf Camp teach you the skills so you feel the salty breezes on your back. Remember to snap a photo or two to show your friends. You’ll make it look easy!

Ride with Horses on the Beach

Horses on the Beach. Photo by Janie Pace.

Horses on the Beach offers a leisurely ride along the shore and through the dunes. Bring your pals for a ride you’ll always remember. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, Horses On The Beach is destined to be your favorite adventure. Choose from two rides, a sunset ride or one-hour ride.

Dine at Doc’s Seafood & Steaks

Freshest seafood at Doc’s.  Photo by Mira Temkin.

A mainstay on Padre Island for almost 20 years, Doc’s Seafood and Steaks is the place for fresh seafood and great steaks with awesome views. Their extensive menu features seasonal fish from the Gulf, fresh Gulf shrimp, certified Angus steaks, salads, burgers, and more.

Dine as you hear the seagulls flying overhead and watch the fishing boats come to shore with their catch. If you’re a fisherman yourself, bring your catch to Doc’s and they’ll cook it for you.

Be sure to check out Scoopy’s Ice Cream for dessert.

Kayaks that Light up the Night

This is the ultimate kayaking gig, almost otherworldly. Join Glow Row “Glow in the Dark Kayaking” and glide along the tranquil waters of Corpus Christi Bay. Equipped with special glow-in-the-dark kayaks and illuminated paddles, it’s chill to follow the group of colorful kayaks. Check out the fish swimming underneath your boat. Choose from the 8 and 10 pm timeslots and ride for 90 minutes on Laguna Madre.

Batter Up at Whataburger Field

Baseball fans can cheer on the Corpus Christi Hooks, a Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. It’s like watching the Cubs or Sox and just as much fun. The Hooks season runs from April – September.

Put the Pedal to the Medal with Local Brews

These mobile cruisers make for bar-hopping fun. So, jump aboard the Blue Shore Pedal Lounge and pedal your way through the Corpus Christi Mural and Art Trail. Stop at craft beer bars and taste the local brews. Great for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Take a selfie with Corpus Christi’s Famous Daughters

Farrah Fawcett was from Corpus Christi.

This is the town of Farrah Fawcett, Eva Longoria and Selena, the Queen of Tejano music. Don’t miss the prominent mural of Farrah by the beach and a newly installed mural of Selena in the neighborhood where she grew up.

Where to Eat
Dokyo Dauntaun

This Neo-Tokyo-inspired paradise is truly unique in décor and cuisine.  A melting pot of diverse culture and culinary delights, DOKYO will delight you with its menu offerings and immersive experiences.

Central Kitchen

Downtown Hot Brown at Central Kitchen. Photo by Mira Temkin.

Central Kitchen is the perfect option for breakfast with fresh-made, in house breads, sandwiches, breakfast toasts, and sauces. Devour the Billy Elvis Bread made with Nutella or the Downtown Hot Brown.

Start planning your next beach escape to Corpus Christi.

The post Water Sports and Bar Crawls – Go Beyond in Corpus Christi, Texas appeared first on UrbanMatter.