Coastal Bend Visitors Guide» bay

WaterStreet Market

Kelsea Yarbrough — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:00:32 +0000

In Corpus Christi’s downtown marina and entertainment district is this popular oasis. The square is home to numerous specialty stores and many excellent restaurants, and one of Corpus Christi’s best coffee shops. Enjoy a lovely area with benches and tables at which you can relax and people watch. Also home to the Texas Surf Museum. Wander through the area to view the South Texas Music Walk of Fame. In close walking distance from downtown hotels. For more info visit them online at www.waterstreetmarketcc.com.

Texas State Aquarium

Kelsea Yarbrough — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:49:53 +0000

Come. Sea. Discover the amazing world of the Texas State Aquarium. Take an aquatic journey to the depths of the Gulf of Mexico. Experience dive shows, animal feedings, and “hands on” programs. Thousands of animals (over 250 species) are ready to entertain and inspire you. Get up close and personal with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in Dolphin Bay. Look to the skies as hawks, owls and falcons soar through the Hawn Wild Flight Theater. Visit the Islands of Steel, where sharks and sea turtles live among schools of snapper, tarpon, redfish, and grouper. Enter the mysterious Amazon as you encounter poison-dart frogs, fresh-water stingrays and boa constrictors. Watch sea turtles glide in the waters of Tortuga Cay and see North American river otters play in Otter Creek. Spend time in the Living Shores, where you can really get your hands wet! With so much to see and do, what are you waiting for? Open daily. 800-477-GULF, www.texasstateaquarium.org

The Aquarium, featuring Dolphin Bay, is the number one visitor attraction in the Coastal Bend. Thousands of animals, over 250 species, most common to the Gulf, are displayed in entertaining and educational exhibits. Dive shows, touch pools, food court, playground and gift shops. Admission is $15.50: $13.95 for seniors and active military: $10.50 for ages 3-12, 2 and under free. Parking: $4.00 Open daily 9am-6pm. 361-881-1200

Phase II Express Bay Fishing

Kelsea Yarbrough — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:39:36 +0000

Experience full for the whole family with bay fishing. The Phase II is moored in Corpus Christi at the People’s Street T-Head. Trips are scheduled daily. For reservations call 361-855-7089.

Sail South Texas 2010

Kelsea Yarbrough — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:24:47 +0000

July 1-5

Pirates sailing the Seven Seas? Pilgrims on their way to unknown lands? As you see these mighty ships with sails raised and billowing in the wind, you’ll think you’ve gone back in time.

The Port of Corpus Christi is bringing an unprecedented Tall Ship experience to South Texas for an unforgettable Independence Day Celebration. The event will be hosted at Naval Station Ingleside from July 1 to July 5, 2010.

Sail South Texas 2010, presented by HEB will mark a unique combination of regional, national and international celebrations—the bicentennial of independence from Spain for the home countries of three of the visiting ships, the United States Fourth of July observance, and the official transfer of the Naval Station Ingleside to Port Corpus Christi.

A tall ship is a large traditionally rigged sailing vessel. It is generally more complex than modern rigging, which utilizes newer materials such as aluminum and steel to construct taller, lightweight masts with fewer, more versatile sails. The term tall ship came into widespread use in the mid-20th century, and was not generally used in the era when such ships were the norm.

The vessels that will be sailing into the Bay of Corpus Christi are the United States Coast Guard Academy ship “Eagle,” the “Cuauhtemoc” from Mexico, the “Esmeralda” from Chile and the “Capitan Miranda” from Uruguay. These ships are wonders to behold, The USCG Eagle is a 1936 Barque with 3 masts, measuring 80.7 meters. The Esmeralda is a 1953 Barquentine with 4 masts, measuring 94.1 meters. Cuauhtemoc is the newest of the ships, built in 1982, with 3 masts. Rounding out the fleet is the Captain Miranda, built in 1930, she has 3 masts and is a Staysail Schooner, measuring 50.3 meters. These remarkable vessels are used by each country’s Navy to train its officer cadets and sail with crews of about 300 officers and cadets.

Sail South Texas 2010 is an international event hosted by Port Corpus Christi and the Corpus Christi Buccaneer Commission to open the doors of its newest facility at Ingleside to area citizens and visitors. Free to the public, the Tall Ships experience celebrates national independence, culture, music, food and folklore of the participating countries. Parking is $5. Note that no coolers are allowed. Dress comfortably for ship tours and closed toe shoes are recommended.

www.sailsouthtexas2010.com

Thursday, July 1, 2010

8:00am Gates open

8:00am-3:00pm Ships Arrival

first ship ETA 8:00am

Friday, July 2, 2010

10:00 am Gates open

10:00-5:00pm Self Guided Ship Tours

Musical Guests Del Castillo

Eddie Olivares Jr.

Mariachi Aguila

Scarecrow People

Ships Bands

US Navy Band

9:30-10:00pm Fireworks

Saturday, July 3, 2010

10:00 am Gates open

10:00-5:00pm Self Guided Ship Tour

Musical Guests Albert Del Rio

Another Level

Asleep at the Wheel

Del Castillo

Mariachi Aguila

Seth Walker

Ships Band

Sisters Morales

The Electrotypes

9:30-10:00pm Fireworks

Sunday, July 4, 2010

10:00 am Gates open

10:00-5:00pm Self Guided Ship Tour

Musical Guests Albert Del Rio

Mariachi Aguila

Saline Fiddlers

Seth Walker

Sisters Morales

The Electrotypes

9:30-10:00pm Fireworks

Monday, July 5, 2010

9:00am Blessing of the Fleet

Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History & Columbus Ships

Kelsea Yarbrough — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:59:51 +0000

Featuring ancient shipwrecks, the famous Columbus Ships and an array of live reptiles from alligators to turtles, this museum offers hours of fun with tours and activities. Tours one of the Columbus Ships, the Pinta for a walk back in time. The Spanish 1554 Padre Island Shipwreck contains gold and guns from the oldest scientific excavation in the Western Hemisphere. The convergence of Spanish, French and European cultures in South Texas is revealed in the LaSalle Odyssey story, Karankawa hunters-gatherers and ranching. The Children’s Wharf has interactive, bilingual activities. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm. Closed on major holidays. Senior/active military discounts, Children 4 and under and members are free. 1900 N. Chaparral. For more information 361-826-4667, www.ccmuseum.com.

Art Museum of South Texas

Kelsea Yarbrough — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:52:56 +0000

Since 1972, the gleaming white walls of the Art Museum of South Texas have been a landmark on Corpus Christi Bay. Designed by Philip Johnson, the three-level facility is constructed of poured white concrete and shell aggregate. An addition, completed in 2006, designed by Ricardo Legorreta of Mexico City, doubled the Museum’s size, and includes galleries for the Permanent Art Collection and traveling exhibits, a Museum Store and a cafe overlooking the ship channel. Currently on exhibit: 100 American Ceramics from the Collection of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts. Open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm. Closed on major holidays. Admission is $6; seniors/active military $4; under 12 and members free. www.artmuseumofsouthtexas.org. 361-825-3500