When you see the chemical plants on the edge of town, you may want to keep on driving, but give Corpus Christi a chance and it will reveal a few surprises. On a clear day, the bayfront is a photographer's dream with its calm, shimmering water, diving pelicans, and boats of every shape and size. Further inland, you'll find a huge variety of beautiful trees and shrubs, including the majestic live oak, Mexican buckeye, and desert olive. The city's variety of habitats and its location on a major migratory pathway have helped to make it one of the "birdiest cities in America" for several years, according to an annual Audubon Society bird count. It all adds up to lots of interesting sights and sounds for you and plenty of tail-wagging excitement for your dog.
Where to stay
Omni Bayfront Hotel
The 475-room highrise tower doesn't look like the kind of place that normally accepts dogs, but I think it's a clear sign that the hotel industry has realized that welcoming dogs is good for business. My scrappy dog Lucy looked a little out of place amid the fresh-cut flowers and luxe décor in the lobby, her claws click-clicking on the stone floor, but she's pretty good at making herself at home just about anywhere. We were on the 14th floor, and if anyone had asked Lucy beforehand, I'm thinking she would've asked for ground level. This wasn't the first time she'd ever been on an elevator, but it was definitely the first time she'd ridden up 14 floors. Every time the doors closed, she'd sniff the floor and then look up at me with a worried expression. Despite Lucy's concerns, I loved being up high - the room had a stunning view of the bay. 900 North Shoreline Blvd., 361-887-1600.
Dog-Friendly Fun
Corpus Christi Seawall
There's no better way to start the day than with a walk along the 1.75-mile seawall, just across the street from the Omni Bayfront hotel. Fair warning: wear mosquito repellent. I'm accustomed to an evening onslaught of mosquitoes in Austin, but Corpus' mosquitoes are on the prowl all day. Lucy was enthralled by all the new sights and smells. She was particularly fascinated by a blue heron that remained motionless as we approached it. As we passed the marina, an overprotective schnauzer barked at us from a sailboat. A smattering of joggers, walkers, and cyclists were also up early, along with a few people quietly reading along the seawall's stair-stepped seating area.
Corpus Christi Beach
Is there anything more fun for a dog than a beach? Birds to chase, crabs to sniff, new people offering affection - plus the opportunity to get filthy. It's dog heaven. For humans, the still water of the bay is a nice change of pace from the constant pummeling of waves. The northern part of the beach is primitive and another good spot for a dog walk. Located near the USS Lexington, the beach has restrooms, showers, and picnic tables.
Lunch
Dotz Dawgs and Drafts
Walking distance from the beach, Dotz Dawgs and Drafts is a casual, dog-friendly restaurant that sells hot dogs, sandwiches, ice cream, and beer. Nothing fancy, just the way most dogs like it. 2825 N. Shoreline, 361-904-0630.
Blucher Park
Over the course of 20 years, a devoted group of volunteers known as the Blucher Bunch transformed what was essentially a vacant lot into a world-renowned birding destination. The 4-acre, heavily wooded park is now crisscrossed with trails and chock full of native trees and plants. During fall and spring migration, it's a popular resting stop for birds heading north or south. Some of the more striking birds spotted here include the painted bunting, indigo bunting, and Baltimore oriole. Michelle Horine, of the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau, spearheaded a project that brought $86,000 in improvements to the park. The most visible addition is two chimney swift towers. They added two because of the chimney swift's respectful habit of leaving a nesting pair to themselves. Hundreds of swifts might roost in one chimney (or tower), but if a nesting pair claims the space, the larger group heads elsewhere. There are a couple of beautiful old homes near the park where, on fall evenings, you can see the amazing spectacle of chimney swifts flying - like a swirling black tornado - into the chimney to roost for the night. Near 190 Carrizo St.
Human-Only Activities
Texas State Aquarium
Though it's not dog-friendly, you just can't go to Corpus without visiting the amazing Texas State Aquarium. I could've spent the entire afternoon gawking at a room full of jellyfish displays. There's something incredibly calming about these living Lava Lamps. Don't miss the dolphin training presentation and the wild flight show, featuring raptors as well as other native and exotic animals. 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd., 361-881-1200.
Breakfast
Agua Java
Enjoy a fresh, sweet muffin or savory sausage kolache along with a strong cuppa joe. Free wi-fi. 309 North Water St., 361-882-0865.
Dinner
Republic of Texas Bar & Grill
If you feel like splurging, just head upstairs to the Republic of Texas Bar & Grill on the 20th floor of the Omni Bayfront. Known mostly for great steaks, they also offer fresh seafood and wild game. Top-notch wine list. 900 N. Shoreline Blvd., 361-886-3515.
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written by ron king , January 21, 2010
written by Peggy , December 07, 2009
written by Elysa , December 01, 2009
How pretentious of you to assume you have the right to speak for the entire city of Corpus.
written by Dave Duncan , November 15, 2009
written by Carrie Robertson , November 08, 2009
Feral cats are a human as well as a humane issue. Meaning that we humans are the reason they are there to begin with.
So just kill ‘em?
Managed feral cat colonies are not as much of a threat to bird populations as are free roaming house cats which are well fed. I have indoor-only cats and since they are not a threat to birdlife near my home I am able to enjoy the comings and goings of the natural world around me and so are my cats - from the window.
Aside from the feral cat issue, purrhaps a mandatory indoor-only policy for owned felines would be an idea for the area, including collars with tags and infractors would be fined?
There is no easy solution, but here's some food for thought on the subject:
1. In 1997, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) launched the Cats Indoors! Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats to educate cat owners, decision makers, and the general public that cats, wildlife and people all benefit when cats are kept indoors, in an outdoor enclosure, or trained to go outside on a harness and leash. ABC developed many education materials, including fact sheets, posters, the popular brochure (recently revised), Cats, Birds, and You, an Educator’s Guide for Grades K-6, print and radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs), and more.
http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/index.html
2. “Is there such a thing as a cat-person or a bird-person?” asked a 2008 press release from the Audubon Society of Portland in Oregon. “It’s not about birds versus cats; it’s about protecting birds and cats.”
It was an unusual statement from a wildlife organization, but that group’s conservation director, Bob Sallinger, defies some of the stereotypes that animal advocates have about conservationists. For one, he’s skeptical of lethal control solutions aimed at protecting one species from another— something many environmentalists support when they believe a species is threatened. “Where does it end?” Mr. Sallinger said. “I struggle with that.”
And despite the years he spent overseeing a wildlife rehabilitation hospital that receives a steady flow of the victims of house cat attacks, he doesn’t hold a grudge against cats either. Almost a third of bird species in Oregon are in serious trouble, Mr. Sallinger says, but “even if we solve the cat problem tomorrow, it’s not going to stop bird populations from declining. It would just be removing one pressure—and none of [the pressures] are going to be solved overnight.”
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/the-truth-about-cats-and-birds/