10 million people flock to a vibrant coastal city in Texas, yet it still flies under the radar.
Often overshadowed by the Caribbean-esque beaches of Florida and even neighboring Gulf Shores, Texas is commonly seen viewed as a hootin’ hollerin’ good time in many of the state’s inland cities.
Texas may not have a seat at the table with the likes of Cancun and Los Cabos, but it more than holds its own in the South.
As a born and raised Texan, I can tell you to skip Galveston’s brown waters, but Corpus Christi is a pretty cool place to visit, even if you never step foot on the beach.
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Dallas, Houston, and Austin lies a laid-back getaway ready to surprise you this summer from nearby beautiful beaches, delicious fresh seafood, and a thriving arts scene.
No Need To Visit Florida! Head To The Coast Of Texas Instead
There’s no doubt about it, Florida draws a crowd.
From the immaculate city of Miami all the way around to the Florida panhandle, you will find hordes of tourists enjoying the sun and sand at some of America’s best beach locations.
However, when it comes to Texas, most of the millions of visitors are locals who are aware of Corpus Christi’s allure.
A lot of Texas is flat, nothing reminiscent of paradisal beaches. But once you reach the southernmost points of this vast state, you will find a treasure trove of hidden gems flying under the radar.
Stretching from Corpus Christi to the Mexican border, this region isn’t discussed enough as a top vacation destination, especially in summer.
Florida’s hidden gems are unveiled left and right, but it’s time to shine a light on Corpus and the surrounding area.
And to do that, it needs to be affordable, right?
Budget-Friendly Beaches: Corpus Christi‘s Affordable Stays
Unlike California, the South, including Florida, is typically viewed as an affordable beach destination.
This is true for most of the South – you know, Gulf Shores, Destin, Biloxi, and yes, Corpus Christi.
Airfare can be hard to track with so many factors changing day to day, but Corpus Christi is large enough for its own airport.
On the other hand, hotels are much easier to keep an eye on and rates typically stay in the same ballpark unless there’s a major event.
In other words, if Taylor Swift isn’t touring here, you’re solid!
Corpus has some awesome hotels to stay in overlooking the scenic bay, historic U.S.S. Lexington, and even scattered around nearby beach towns.
Downtown has undergone major renovations where you can easily explore the newfound booming arts scene and surprises like European-esque cathedrals from affordable name-brand hotels such as:
- Omni Corpus Christi Hotel – $160 (August)
- DoubleTree by Hilton Corpus Christi Beachfront – $163 (August)
Formerly the main draw of Corpus were the many tributes to native singer Selina, but this delightful city is undoubtedly a beach destination.
Although, most would agree it’s best to go outside the city limits to level up in terms of quality.
In nearby Port Aransas, Padre Island, and Mustang Island, there are some great deals too such as:
- Wyndham Corpus Christi Resort North Padre Island – $136 (August)
- Seashell Village Resort – $170 (August)
Anyone in Texas, or perhaps in the South for that matter, knows the cult-like following of Whataburger, founded right here in Corpus Christi.
But this seaside city’s foodie claim to fame isn’t fast food burgers; it’s fresh seafood straight from the source.
My personal favorite is beachfront restaurant Fajitaville, a unique blend of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville vibes mixed with Tex-Mex dishes, but also serve Shrimp Cocktail and Ceviche for your seafood fix.
There are too many to name individually, but what you want to do is take advantage of the breezy patios while indulging in your ‘fresh catch’.
Even more so for dinner as the Texas heat winds down with epic sunset views.
According to TripAdvisor, few of the top-rated restaurants where you can do so:
- Doc’s Seafood & Steak Restaurant
- Blackbeard’s On The Beach
- Snoopy’s Pier
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