Horace Caldwell Pier

Horace Caldwell Pier is known as one of the best fishing piers on the entire US Gulf Coast. It’s location, water depth, and abundance of fish species can make for an outstanding fishing experience that will leave you with memories for years to come. Today you can find almost every salt water species such as Pompano, Tarpon, King Fish, Shark, Speckled (Spotted) Sea Trout, Red Fish, Black Drum, and many others.

Location: 230 N. On the Beach Port Aransas, Texas 78373

Phone: (361)749-5333

Come visit Texas’ largest aquarium. The idea for the Texas State Aquarium was conceptualized by its founders early on to focus on the species in Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The exhibits would contain representatives of the area`s main marine ecosystems. The Gulf of Mexico opened in 1990 with a commencement from former President Bush speaking to a front lawn packed full of supporting visitors. After years in the making, the Caribbean Journey, part of the original vision, opened its doors in 2017. The Caribbean Journey doubles the size of the aquarium and provides homes to an exciting collection of sea and land creatures. It is here that you can break into the mesmerizing secrets of the underwater and jungle world. For those wishing to spend time in an extraordinary place, a promising unforgettable experience awaits. The Texas State Aquarium is the perfect platform for people and families to learn, bond and discover together. Visit us when you are considering things to do in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Location: 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78402

Toll Free: 1.800.477.GULF

Commissioned in 1943, she set more records than any other Essex Class carrier in the history of naval aviation.The ship was the oldest working carrier in the United States Navy when decommissioned in 1991. The USS Lexington arrived at Corpus Christi beach in 1992 as a result of active fundraising, strong community support, and the world`s oldest aircraft carrier has since served as a naval aviation museum, educational facility, and popular area tourist attraction. “The Blue Ghost” has remained self-sufficient, never receiving funds from government agencies. The revenue that keeps this national treasure open has come solely from grants, donations, admissions, Ships Store sales, special events, and the youth overnight program.

Location: 2914 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78402

Phone: (361-888-4873)

Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) is the largest undeveloped barrier island in the world, with more than 130,000 acres of dunes, grasslands, and beaches. PINS separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Laguna Madre, one of a few hypersaline lagoons in the world. The park protects 70 miles of coastline, dunes, prairies, and wind tidal flats teeming with life. It is possibly best known as the nesting grounds for the endangered the Kemp`s ridley sea turtle.

Location: 20420 Park Road 22 Corpus Christi, TX 78418

Phone: (361) 949-8068

Mustang Island (originally called Wild Horse Island) which gets its namesake from the wild horses (mesterios) that the Spaniards brought in the 1800�s, has been developed into a vacation destination. Mustang Island State Park is a state park located south of the city of Port Aransas, Texas, United States on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico that covers 3,954 acres and has a 5-mile beachfront. The land was acquired from private owners in 1972 and opened to the public in 1979.

Location: 17047 TX-361, Port Aransas, TX 78373

Phone: (361) 749-5246

Located on the north end of Padre Island, Padre Balli Park is almost 400 acres, all of which is open year round. The beach park offers a space for primitive campsites on the beach, as well as hardtop campsites and paved campsites with water and electrical hookups. At an impressive 1,240 feet, this pier extends proudly into the Gulf and serves as a hub for many avid anglers.

Location: 15820 Park Road 22 (S.P.I.D)Corpus Christi, TX 78418

Phone: 361-949-8121

The first of today`s marine research facilities on the Texas coast continues to change our understanding of the world`s oceans and coasts and educate a global population dependent on the ocean ecosystem. Check out their website or Facebook page for future updates on Symposiums, classes, and progress of various public educational programs.

Location: 750 Channel View Dr Port Aransas, Texas 78373

Phone: (361) 749-6711

The mission of the Port Aransas Art Center is to provide a place where artists and art patrons may gather, and to encourage, educate and support one another in a pleasant gallery and classroom setting where fine art is produced and presented for sale. Toward these ends, the Center offers art classes for all ages, art exhibitions, and a wide range of activities to encourage social interaction. Drop in classes available.

Location: 104 N. Alister Street Port Aransas, Texas 78373

Phone: 361-749-7334

The Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association (PAPHA) is dedicated to preserving and encouraging the preservation, restoration and reproduction of historic buildings, structures, sites, places, objects, culture, ecology and customs of Port Aransas as a means of positively contributing to and enhancing the community`s natural beauty, well-being and distinctive character.

Location: Community Center Complex 101 E. Brundrett at Alister St. Port Aransas, Tx 78373

Phone: 361-749-3800

The Mission of the Port Aransas Community Theatre (PACT) is to entertain, inform, and educate, thereby enriching the cultural life of the Texas Coastal Bend area. PACT shall provide area residents and visitors the opportunity to attend and participate in quality presentations of a cross-section of the finest theatrical works available. PACT shall provide education in the theatre arts to adults, young adults and children. In meeting these goals, PACT shall be mindful of the standards of its audiences and shall maintain fiscally sound management.

Location: 2327 St. Hwy 361, Port Aransas, TX 78373

Phone: (361) 749-6036

Over 1200 acres of nature preserve look out over the bird-filled marshes and salt flats on the east side of town. An excellent site for shorebirds, herons, ibis, spoonbills, particularly Snowy, Piping and Wilson`s Plover.

Location: 710 W Avenue a, Port Aransas, TX 78373

Phone: 361-749-4158

Search for Seashells on San Jose Island. Better known by locals as St. Joe`s Island, offers some of the best angling from the rocky edges of the North Jetty. Locals and visitors catch the passenger ferry daily from Fisherman`s Wharf in Port `A`. Boasting 21 miles of undisturbed golden sand, vehicles are prohibited on this particular Texas shoreline. San Jose Island is a collector`s resource for beautiful and unique seashells including lightning whelks, shark eyes, sand dollars, starfish, angel wings, and more. Call Fisherman`s Wharf for your San Jose Island excursions.

Location: 900 Tarpon St, Port Aransas, TX 78373

Phone: 361-749-5448

Located down the street from the Community Park at the south end of Ross Avenue next to the Nueces County Water Treatment Facility. A boardwalk and observation tower provide fantastic wildlife viewing. Stretching above shallow, brackish water, the boardwalk offers panoramic views of hundreds of resident and migratory birds, waterfowl, and marine creatures, including roseate spoonbills, egrets, herons and more.

Location: 1356 Ross Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373

Phone: 361-749-4111

This 50-acre park is located on a peninsula of land that juts into the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and forms a safe harbor for the municipal harbor that has 250 boat slips for permanent and transient vessels. The park features a large pavilion for special events such as fishing tournaments, fish weigh-ins, family cookouts, and school outings. An observation tower overlooks the ship channel and provides an excellent spot for watching the dolphins as they bow-surf in front of the cargo ships and tankers that travel the channel. The amphitheater serves as a music venue for monthly concerts that are presented to the public free of charge on the 2nd Friday of each month from April through October.

Location: 301 J C Barr Blvd, Port Aransas, TX 78373

Phone: 361-749-4111