Getting There

By Plane -- The Corpus Christi International Airport, located within the city limits on the south side of Tex. 44, west of Padre Island Drive/Tex. 358 (tel. 361/289-0171), is served by American Eagle (tel. 800/433-7300); Atlantic Southeast/Delta (tel. 800/221-1212); Continental/Continental Express (tel. 800/523-3273); and Southwest (tel. 800/435-9792). All the major car-rental agencies can be found here.

By Car -- Tex. 35 follows the Gulf Coast -- albeit slightly inland -- from the Houston and Galveston area to Corpus Christi. From San Antonio, follow I-37 southeast to Corpus Christi. Before you see the town you'll pass the city's oil refining complex.

Getting Around

Most visitors to Corpus Christi will use a car to get around. This is an easy city to navigate. Traffic isn't bad except during rush hour.

In the downtown area, highways I-37 and Tex. 286 (known as the Crosstown Expwy.) intersect. Connected to both is Corpus Christi's busiest freeway, known as South Padre Island Drive or S.P.I.D., as it appears on signs. It does in fact lead to Padre Island. For a nice drive around the bay from the downtown area, take Ocean Drive, which skirts the south shore.

Visitor Information

Contact the Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1201 N. Shoreline Blvd. (tel. 800/766-2322). If you're already in Corpus, go to one of the visitor centers located at 1823 N. Chaparral (tel. 361/561-2000), 1433 I-37 (tel. 361/241-1461), and 14252 S.P.I.D. (tel. 361/949-8743). Hours at these centers are from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday.

Fast Facts -- The Corpus Christi Medical Center has three locations: Doctors Regional, 3315 S. Alameda (tel. 361/761-1400); Bay Area, 7101 S. Padre Island Dr. (tel. 361/761-1200); and The Heart Hospital, 7002 Williams Dr. (tel. 361/761-6800). The main post office, 809 Nueces Bay Blvd., is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.