Christmas comes to Corpus Christi

Southern Living, Dec 1997 by Ford, Gary D

Christmastime comes to Corpus Christi, Texas, with salt in the air, thousands of lights, and special events. The heart of the celebration arrives on December 6 with the Harbor Lights Festival and illuminated boat parade along Shoreline Boulevard. All month the city sparkles as bright as the eyes of children in this season.

Don't Miss

* The displays of Christmas trees at the Art Museum of South Texas

* Tours on the decks of the U.S.S. Lexington

* Texas marine life at the Texas State Aquarium

* Shopping along Chaparral and Water Streets

* Stepping back into l9thcentury Corpus Christi in the nine historic homes in Heritage Park

The Shopping List

The Victorian Lady displays Christmas antiques in its windows; more antiques, art, and artifacts await inside. Several shops share space at 313 North Chaparral, including CMR Galleries (local art) and Exotic Creations (custom beadwork). Antiquity, Inc. sparkles with glassware, jewelry, and furniture.

Need a hat? A few miles from downtown at Padre Staples Mall, Bonnie Brownlee, owner of Texan Hats, Etc., will shape a cowboy chapeau to fit you while you wait. Most sell for $25 to $250, but 100X hats cost $1,200.

Dining Details

Start a weekend with dinner on the 20th floor of the Omni Bayfront Hotel. There the Republic of Texas Bar & Grill offers elegant dining overlooking the sparkling lights of the bay. The restaurant features mesquite-grilled steaks and seafood, along with game (elk, emu, ostrich, venison, antelope, and buffalo) from the Broken Arrow Ranch in Ingram, Texas. Try the venison sirloin.

Join the convivial crowds at the Water Street Oyster Bar and Water Street Seafood Company, two restaurants sharing the same menu and quarters at 309 North Water Street. Most of the popular dishes are favorites from the Gulf of Mexico: red snapper, redfish, amberjack, and mahi-mahi. Don't pass up the oysters raised in Galveston Bay. They're best November through February.

The Executive Surf Club sounds formal, but it's really a popular bar and grill where customers write on the walls. Great burgers, homemade battered fries, and nachos draw people here night and day. It's pretty much an adult place at night, but youngsters are welcome in the day. Saturday is Kids' Day, with clowns, face painting, and other fun for the little ones.

Situated at 4119 South Staples, just a short drive from downtown, Crystal's Restaurant is famous for its margaritas. Some of the best burgers in town are at Wallbangers at 4100 South Staples. Try one stuffed with jalapeno peppers and Cheddar cheese.

Staying Power

If you come for downtown Christmas events, you may want to choose a hotel on Shoreline Boulevard. Weekend rates at the Omni Bayfront, (512) 887-1600, and Omni Marina, (512) 882-1700, are $79 ($89 with breakfast), based on availability. Rooms at Holiday Inn-Emerald Beach, (512) 883-5731, are $85 to $119. Ramada Hotel Bayfront, (512) 882-8100, is $59 with Continental breakfast.

With the Kids

General Quarters! General Quarters! Kids love to ramble across the long decks of the U.S.S. Lexington, the aircraft carrier that served during World War II. It's open for tours daily, and Santa Claus is welcomed aboard for Christmas on the Lex December 6.

Youngsters get their own tree decorating ideas at the "Holiday Forest," December 6-28, in the Art Museum of South Texas. The lobby is filled with trees fashioned by area schoolchildren.

The stars are bright at the Texas State Aquarium. Starfish, that is. They're one of the creatures visitors can pick out of the touch tank. Marine life indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico is exhibited in indoor and outdoor areas.

Insider Tips

Visitors and residents love the Water Street Oyster Bar and the Water Street Seafood Company. Arrive before 11 a.m. or by 6:30 p.m. because both get very busy at noon and nights. Best places to park for the Harbor Lights Festival are in the free spaces along Water Street, one block off Shoreline Boulevard. The parade starts at 3 p.m., but you should be there an hour in advance. It may get chilly during the illuminated boat parade. Bring a jacket.

For More Information

Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1201 North Shoreline Blvd., PO. Box 640, Corpus Christi, TX 78403; (512) 881-1888 or 1-80-766-2322. Gary D. Ford