THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • Fall 2018 81 TheCoastalBend.com Art Museum of South Texas has, for over 40 years, been considered one of the leading museums of fine art in the state of Texas, and in some respects, the entire U.S. Permanent exhibits include work from South Texas, Southwestern and Latin American art- ists in nearly all media. Traveling exhibits from some of the country’s leading museums and private collec- tions regularly visit the Art Museum of South Texas. 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd., Downtown (361) 825-3500 • ArtMuseumOfSouthTexas.org Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History chronicles over 500 years of South Texas history as well as the archeological and geological profile of the area. The museum’s Paleontology (dinosaur) and History of Guns exhibits are particularly popular. The museum’s brand new, $3 million science education center opens this spring and offer kids hands-on learning experiences. 1900 N. Chaparral St., Downtown (361) 826-4650 • CCMuseum.com Getting Close to Nature South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is where the focus is FLORA, FAUNA & FUN! After view- ing the Orchid and Bromeliad Conservatories, majestic Rose Garden and Pavilion, Sensory, Arid and Humming- bird Gardens, seasonal Plumeria Garden and Butterfly House—kids of all ages love to interact with exotic par- rots and Resident Reptiles! Monkey Mansion Tree House is a great introduction to scenic trails, Palapa Grande and Birding Tower on Gator Lake. The energetic explore the Wetland Boardwalk and extended Oso Creek Loop Trail, before returning to the Visitors Center to shop in Nature’s Boutique! 8545 S. Staples St. on South Side of Corpus Christi Open Daily 9‑6 • (361) 852-2100 • stxbot.org Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures is home to an impressive collec- tion of art and artifacts from all corners of Asia. Learn about ancient Asian customs, gaze at the art- istry of Japanese kimonos, porcelains and even a rick- shaw! Artifacts from India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Hmong, Thailand, The Philippines, Korea, Taiwan, Laos and Myanmer. 1809 N. Chaparral St. AsianCulturesMuseum.org Explore the Lore of Texas Surf The Texas Surf Museum chronicles the 50 year history of surfing on the Texas Gulf Coast, with exhibits that include vintage surf boards, photographs, fins, newspa- per articles, and even a real Ford Woody. Interactive ex- hibits take visitors through the history of Texas surf, and vintage surf films are shown in the museum’s movie theater. See footage and photos of hurricane surfing on the Texas coast, including surfers being arrested! The museum is located in Water Street Market, home to the Executive Surf Club, a Texas surf-themed restaurant and tavern. 309 N. Water St., Downtown • (361) 888-7873 INFO ONLINE VisitCorpusChristiTX.org USSLexington.com TexasStateAquarium.org CCMuseum.com ArtMuseumOfSouthTexas.org AmericanBankCenter.com CCHooks.com ConcreteStreet.net ArtCenterCC.org HurricaneAlleyCC.com Schlitterbahn.com Caller.com CCTexas.com OrtizCenter.com TheCoastalBend.com Mirador de la Flor The Selena Memorial This beautiful dedication to the memory of Corpus Christi’s beloved Selena is located on North Shoreline Blvd.@People St. T-Head BryanTumlinson Photo Corpus Christi Bay Front and Cole Park Ocean Dr. and Shoreline Blvd. together connect the longest, urban, waterfront route in Texas, and maybe the entire U.S., and certainly the most beauti- ful and accessible to the public. Our seawall was designed by the creator of Mount Rushmore and completed in 1940. It runs from the Emerald Beach Hotel at McGee Beach, north to the Art Museum next to the American Bank Center. Runners, skaters, cyclists and folks walking their dogs take to the seawall daily. Cole Park is located on Ocean Dr. just south of Christus Spohn Hospital and is a beautiful waterfront setting with a mod- ern, padded playground, a pro-level skate park and public amphitheater.