Colorado’s fabulous, don’t get me wrong. We wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. But it’s just missing…an ocean. Thankfully, Frontier Airlines is currently making it fast and easy to take in some beach time and soak in an island time vibe. They have direct flights to and from Corpus Christi, Texas twice a week. We gave it a go and had a fantastic getaway. Here’s what we did, what we ate, where we stayed and why it’s so easy to have a beach getaway from Colorado.
Getting there and getting around:
Arriving at the Corpus Christi International Airport will be a relief after making your way through DIA. Corpus’s airport is small and easy to navigate. There are no trams to take or even shuttles to get to the car rental area. It’s all within the building. And it is close to the city; within an hour of landing, we rented our car and were on the beach! Bonus: It’s an attractive airport with a few shops, restaurants, fun art, and regional history displays.
Traffic is surprisingly light in Corpus, especially compared to Colorado standards. We were constantly surprised how much ground we could cover in a short time and how easy it was to find all of the places we planned to go. Note: Plan to rent a car because, to enjoy everything you’ll want to experience, ride shares or public transit just aren’t going to cut it.
Getting to beaches is easy, starting with the place we stayed on Mustang Island, Lively Beach. With more than 100 miles of beach, you’re never far away from one!
Where to stay:
Lively Beach is a small, gated compound of cubist buildings surrounded by natural open space. The guestrooms are clean and simple in their layout and furnishings. Having a kitchen with a full fridge was handy. Nice extras include a rooftop deck on each building; a beautiful pool (with swim up platform and stools); a barbecue area; private boardwalk access to the very clean beach; and activities including karaoke.
From Lively Beach, it was easy to get to everything we wanted to do, from nature areas, more beaches, restaurants and activities.
What to see in Corpus Christi:
Art Museum of South Texas tells you you’re in for something special the moment you walk up the sidewalk. A dreamy shade of bright pink along the front begs you to stop for a few selfies before going into the museum. There’s a great variety of art with some permanent pieces and several revolving shows. TIP: The museum is small enough that you can see it all and still have time to grab a bite at the on-site café, Elizabeth’s (see below) and do other things with your day.
Texas State Aquarium brings out the kid in everyone. It was all I could do to not run from one exhibit to another yelling “Look, look!!!” Like all good aquariums, this one teaches in a wide variety of ways, engages and encourages wonder in the natural world. It also connects visitors to some of the very sea creatures living right there in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Tip: The Aquarium and USS Lexington Museum are in close proximity of each other, making it possible to schedule both in one day. Get tickets ahead to make the most of your time.
South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is a meandering opportunity to be outside, learning about native plants and animals via different “rooms,” inside and out. Don’t miss the orchid house or the butterfly house. If time allows, venture out to the dirt trails and boardwalk for a more secluded, wild experience. Tip: The Botanical Gardens are on the same side of town as the Selena Museum (below) and Hermanos Solis Mexican Restaurant (also below). Visit the Gardens first before heading to the restaurant for an early lunch before the museum.
The Selena Museum was quite the education for us because, honestly, we didn’t know a lot about the artist, so we were glad to go on the tour of what was her recording studio. We stood where she had stood, including at a microphone where she recorded. Her many glitzy and glamourous costumes from her many performances were on display as was her car, jewelry, makeup and many awards. Throughout, music videos show Selena in those very outfits; hearing how very talented she was and knowing her life and undoubtedly successful future career were cut short when she was murdered at the young age of 23, is heart breaking. Local-girl-made-good Selena holds a reverent place in Corpus Christi (people place flowers and take selfies with her statue at a memorial along the marina in Downtown Corpus). Be sure to visit the museum; 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of her death.
Things to do in Corpus Christi:
Coloradans love adventure and Corpus Christi offers numerous things that you can’t do in Colorado like…
GlowRow offers an active way to explore the natural side of Corpus Christi. After a brief training, rowers climb into the completely clear kayaks that are fitted with small lights. A guide leads the flotilla into Laguna Madre where the lights attract a variety of fish, easily seen right underneath.
Horses On The Beach is just that – a horseback riding experience to, and along the beach. It’s amazing to be on the grand creatures, among fellow participants who have different levels of experience and comfort level on horses, with the tide lapping at the horse’s hooves. It’s a quintessential Corpus Christi experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Gulf Coast Mokes were new to us. Essentially a golf cart/dune buggy/Barbie Car sort of thing, the cute electric vehicles take a little getting used to at first but is fun to drive. Follow the instructions carefully as to where you can and can’t take them (i.e. side roads are okay but not major roads) with the most popular destination being the beach. Tip: Because you have to reserve the Moke ahead, also look at the weather forecast to ensure you can take advantage of everywhere that can be accessed with them for maximum fun.
Padre Island National Seashore’s Malaquite Visitor Center is relatively new and has a large deck with rocking chairs facing the beach. It’s so wonderful to sit there, rocking away, taking in the beautiful views, the sounds of nature, and just relaxing with the natural simplicity of it all. I think sitting in those rockers would be great toward the end of your time in Corpus Christi, to reflect on all you’ve seen and done, focusing on gratitude.
Enjoy Corpus Christi Tours is something we wish we’d done but will be sure to do next time. They have a variety of types of tours that immerse you in the history, culture and vibe of the city. And, starting in 2026, they’ll be adding food tours! Click here to listen to a podcast conversation with the owners and get insider restaurant tips.
Where to eat:
Elizabeth’s at the Art Museum of South Texas is a lovely restaurant that serves Mediterranean cuisine as beautiful as it is delicious. Don’t miss their cocktails or mocktails. Tip: Elizabeth’s is right there in the museum and is a quick drive from the USS Lexington Museum (diners get a perfect view) and the Texas State Aquarium. Make a big day of it but we recommend making reservations for Elizabeth’s at least a day in advance.
Hermanos Solis Mexican Restaurant is popular among the locals and very affordable. The menu is large, so enjoy the delicious chips and salsa while you peruse the options. Be sure to order something that comes with tortillas, which are made in-house and are soft and flavorful (so different than tough, dry store-bought tortillas!). We enjoyed them with the Fajitas for Two which came with two kinds of steak and chicken. Tip: The restaurant is across the street from the Selena Museum so plan an early lunch at Hermanos to allow enough time at the Museum which closes at 4pm.
Nueces Brewing is a local brewery gone big. Cans of their beers are offered everywhere around Corpus. At their downtown brewery restaurant, their full beer menu is served along with tacos, Texas pub fare (Pulled Pork SUPER MAC anyone?!), creative Pretzel-obsessed desserts and Texas BBQ plates. We enjoyed hanging here inside (enjoy the fun sea-themed art of locals) and outside (under skinny palm trees on the deck with a view of Corpus Christi Bay) after visiting the Selena Memorial and other sites downtown.
Island Joes Coffee Shop stands out as a two-story business built from multiple shipping containers. On the main level, beans are roasted, a wide variety of coffee drinks are prepared as are pastries and a simple food menu such as avocado toast is offered. Enjoy sitting inside or in the courtyard patio. The upper level is workspace for those hanging out a good long time. We made Island Joes our daily, early morning stop to fuel up.
Padre Island Burger Company was a great discovery. Having passed it on the road to our lodging at Lively Beach, and having arrived in Corpus right at dinnertime, it was an easy decision to go there for dinner the first night. Although I could have chosen any one of the creative varieties of burgers (what they’re known for), I went with a basic build-your-own with Angus beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. In a place known for seafood, who knew one could get such an awesome burger. My husband chose one of the house specialties, the Tequila Cream Mushroom Chopped Steak which could be had over a beef patty or chicken breast. He chose chicken and a side of onion rings (we shared our fries and rings to create “frings”). The dish was elegant, unexpected and delicious.
Snoopy’s Pier is one of a collection of dockside seafood restaurants in Corpus Christi. It’s a favorite among locals, especially fishermen who know the area can’t be beat for freshness. We ordered the Full Combo basket that comes with fried oysters, shrimp and cod with French Fries plus the Strawberry Salad. Couldn’t be more different, right? But we shared both so that we could be half-healthy while still taking in the authentic and iconic foods of the area. Tip: Snoopy’s is very close to where GlowRow convenes on the island to start their outings so plan to go there in conjunction with the row.
Surfside Sandwich Shoppe was recommended to us by a couple of the locals. Located on Mustang Island, right along the main thoroughfare, we stopped in for lunch on our last day. We had a really hard time making a selection because everything on the menu sounded so good. After asking the guy behind the counter what his favorite was (hot pastrami), I went with that and was very glad while my husband got super-fresh shrimp tacos. Shrimp is plentiful in Corpus Christi so it’s easy to find and reasonably-priced. Tip: Because of its convenient location, stop at Surfside before heading to the Padre Island National Seashore, on the way to Horses On The Beach horseback riding or before picking up your Gulf Coast Mokes to then take to the beach.
Coloradans on Island Time?
Corpus Christi has a very laid-back vibe. People are friendly and helpful (several gave us recommendations for their favorite restaurants, shops, beaches and activities), which helps make visitors feel welcome and relaxed. You aren’t “on guard” all the time.
Time and time again, we noted Corpus Christi’s affordability. From low priced or even free admissions at local attractions, to reasonable prices at restaurants, we didn’t feel financially squeezed during our long weekend getaway.
To learn more about planning your beach vacay in Corpus Christi, visit their website, here.
Use our affiliate links to book your lodging at Lively Beach, and to book flights to Corpus Christi.
-Story and photos by Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher & Managing Editor, InGoodTasteDenver.com
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