WHY CORPUS CHRISTI?

My husband randomly told me he wanted to go to the Selena Museum during the most random times. When he bought it up near his birthday, I went ahead & made reservations and started getting ideas together. This trip was so special to us.

Watch my YouTube video below to experience our trip!

Places to Explore:

Let’s go on a Selena Tour! My husband wanted to visit 3 different spots in honor of her.

SELENA MUSEUM:

MY EXPERIENCE:

My husband has been raving about coming here one day, and I’m finally glad. This museum is run by her family (her dad is in the front at his desk), and her sister checked us out at the gift shop. It's a very eerie feeling but not too bad. It was very cool to see her fashion designs, her awards, and the clothes she wore. I recommend going.

EXPERIENCE TIP:

The museum is open from Monday to Friday. We went on a Wednesday around noon, and it was not as crowded. Our tour guide said that they do receive high numbers during the summer. Plan accordingly.
No flash photography or video recording is allowed. Take as many photos as you can (I did but I don’t want to ruin the experience for everyone by showing the whole place lol)

INFORMATION:

Location: 5410 Leopard St. Corpus Christi, TX 78408
Parking: There is a parking lot with limited spots. As we were leaving, people were circling around.
Cost: $5 Entry
Website: http://selenaetc.com/museum.html

SELENA’S FINAL RESTING SITE:

MY EXPERIENCE:

There is something about going to cemeteries that always make me feel funky but again, we wanted to see the icon’s resting spot. From old photos, it wasn’t gated but they had to protect it from people who were trying to deface it (like, how rude). I love how there were flowers thrown in there mixture of fake and real (bring fake ones so they last ! I wish we did).

EXPERIENCE TIP:

There will be other people visiting their loved ones near her site so please be mindful and considerate

INFORMATION:

Location: Seaside Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 4357 Ocean Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (when you enter, turn right, then turn left)
Parking: Free. Along the grave site.

COLE PARK PIER

MY EXPERIENCE:

“Where the water soooo blueeee.” Nice pier to stop and take photos. The water looks AMAZING.

EXPERIENCE TIP:

Go during the weekday. To be here with no crowds was amazing.

INFORMATION:

Location: 2600 Ocean Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Parking: Free parking lot

SELENA’S MEMORIAL STATUE

MY EXPERIENCE:

The location is very pretty! It looks over the blue water. I loved how there was an audio playing on a loop with information and fun facts. The bricks at the bottom was also a sweet touch.

INFORMATION:

Location: 600 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Parking: Street parking
Cost: Free

USS LEXINGTON MUSEUM AT THE BAY

MY EXPERIENCE:

Wow. If you have never experienced being on a carrier ship, I recommend going. Growing up, my dad was in the military, and we used to take Tiger Cruises, which was pretty cool. I was used to seeing the ship live but not in a museum form. This experience was very cool & let me tell you something, I learned a few things while feeling nostalgic. I highly recommend it for an experience.

EXPERIENCE TIPS:

Wear tennis shoes. The ship's steps are very steep, and there are no elevators.
Expect to be there for more than 3 hours. There is so much to see, read, and experience.
Bring your own water, but make sure you have a purse you can keep it in (the recommended style is cross-body). You need your hands for the stairs.
If you like hauntings, check out their website for an overnight tour/stay. Chile, let me say, my chest was already heavy during certain parts (also, a TikTok confirmed my feeling in a room I was in, along with comments).

INFORMATION:

Location: 2914 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78402

Parking: There are parking lots around ($5-$10)
Price: $21 for adults and kids. Prices vary.
Discount: Save a dollar with this coupon.
Website: https://usslexington.com/

Original Whataburger Replica

EXPERIENCE:

My husband was excited to go, so we went. It was cool to just look at and take photos. To read more about it, visit this article.

INFORMATION:

Location: 4126 S Staples St, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (An actual Whataburger lot)

Parking: At the actual Whataburger lot

Places to Eat:

PADRE ISLAND BURGER COMPANY

MY EXPERIENCE:

The colors and art caught my eye when we pulled up to the restaurant. It’s decorated nicely inside with “I Spy” feels everywhere, which is pretty fun. When trying to decide what we wanted, we saw a whole family order the same burger, Mr. Beckum. We asked the cashier if that was a popular choice, and she said yes. We also tried their fried pickles. Their fries were also tasty.

OUR ORDER:

Fried Pickle Chips
Mr. Beckum (American Cheese, Smoked Bacon, Sautéed Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, & Guacamole)

Rating: 4.5 / 5

RESTAURANT INFORMATION:

Location: 11878 TX-361 Corpus Christi, TX 78418
Parking: There is a parking lot available
Cost: $
Website: https://www.padreislandburgercompany.com/

THE MESS DECK AT THE USS LEXINGTON MUSEUM AT THE BAY

MY EXPERIENCE:

I was a little hungry while on the boat. We stopped by this place and shared tenders and fries. It was very basic, but I was so shook when they gave it to us with white gravy, and it did the job.

OUR ORDER:

Chicken tenders with fries (comes with white gravy)

Rating: 3.5 / 5

INFORMATION:

Location: Inside of the USS Lexington Museum
Cost: $

DOC’S SEAFOOD AND STEAKS

MY EXPERIENCE:
When we arrived, it was about to be sunset. There were no tables available, and it was recommended we wait downstairs at the bar. We ended up watching the sun go down there while my husband had a drink. Great vibes. Our table was ready right on time for the sunset and we ended up getting seated at a perfect angle. The waitstaff was so attentive, and you also got a complimentary photo, which was pretty cool (you have the option of purchasing more, but we didn’t). Overall, it was a great experience, and I would highly recommend it.

OUR ORDER:

Chips & Salsa
Calamari
Coastal Bacon Wrapped Shrimp (Six jumbo shrimp stuffed with cilantro lime cream cheese and wrapped in applewood bacon. Served with rice and veggies)
Catch of the Day) Red Fish with a cream sauce with shrimp. Served with rice and veggies)

Rating: 5 / 5

RESTAURANT INFORMATION:

Location: Under the J.F.K. Bridge On Padre Island 13309 S. Padre Island Dr Corpus Christi, TX 78418
Parking: Lot Parking
Cost: $$
Website: https://docsseafoodandsteaks.com