Known as a paradise for many species of birds, Corpus Christi sits on the Gulf of Mexico along the Texas shoreline. The 8th largest city in the Lone Star state, it’s a great place to visit and an even better place to call home.
Much of Corpus Christi’s industry comes from tourism with $1 billion of visitor income impacting the region every year. Other top industries include shipping, petrochemical and the military.
You’ll find plenty of things to see and love when you visit or move to the area. Be on the lookout for these most iconic landmarks.
1. Corpus Christi Watergarden
Everyone in town knows about this beautiful downtown watergarden. The Corpus Christi Watergarden features 150 water fountains arranged in a circle. The fountains flow over a stone staircase into a pool. It’s no surprise it’s one of the city’s major attractions. Children love to play in the water while adults are often getting engaged or married at the watergarden. This stunning landmark was designed in 1988 by Robert Zion, an internationally recognized cityscape architect.
2. Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge
This 6-lane arch bridge is used every day to connect downtown Corpus Christi with North Beach. The harbor bridge sits over the Corpus Christi Ship Channel which is home to the port of Corpus Christi. This waterway sees plenty of action as one of the busiest ports in the country. More than 26,000 vehicles cross the Harbor Bridge daily.
The bridge is over 240 feet high and 600 feet long with a clearance of 138 feet from the water below. New LED lights make it an easy landmark to see at night. Open since 1959, the bridge was only meant to last 50 years. A new bridge project, the New Harbor Bridge, is now under construction and will soon allow more ships to pass underneath.
3. USS Lexington
Known not only a local landmark but a national one, the USS Lexington sits in the water off Corpus Christi beach and has been serving as a museum since 1992. This World War II Essex Class aircraft carrier is the oldest in the world and is known as “The Blue Ghost.” The USS Lexington arrived in Corpus Christi thanks to a group of residents who wanted to bring her home to coincide with the area’s long naval history.
Also known as LEX, the museum is open daily and offers a wide range of attractions including movies, tours, and exhibits. A daily fee is required which helps the USS Lexington remain self-sufficient.
4. Corpus Christi Downtown Seawall
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This scenic spot in downtown is known for its walking path as well as the views of Corpus Christi Bay. The Corpus Christi Downtown Seawall features 1.5 miles of landscaped trail that allows residents and visitors to bike, walk, or jog along the water. You can also access McGee Beach. The area features a Journey Through the Solar System exhibit as well as a monument honoring the life of singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez.
5. Whataburger Field
Whataburger Field! Here to see the @cchooks! pic.twitter.com/dj7Ign3Ww0
— 🤘𝕋𝕨𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕟 𝕎𝕚𝕘𝕘𝕪™ (@HtownWiggy) June 5, 2018
Home to the Hooks, a minor league baseball team, Whataburger Field sits right on the port with ample views of Harbor Bridge and the ships that pass underneath. You won’t find a bad seat in the stadium with excellent sight lines to the entire field. The Hooks play during the spring and summer season, and the locals enjoy catching a game or two under the beautiful Texas sun. Whataburger Field also hosts other events during the offseason.
There are plenty of iconic landmarks that are easy to spot in the Corpus Christi area. From beautiful old bridges to new ball fields, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out these most iconic landmarks to learn more about this beautiful city.
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