If you’re planning a trip to the beach for Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, know that curfews have been lifted and beaches opened in the Coastal Bend in and around Corpus Christi and Port Aransas. Many of the attractions in the area also plan to launch their reopenings around that weekend, but call ahead before scheduling a visit.
Already open under social distancing guidelines are La Palmera mall and South Texas Botanical Gardens. Currently planning to reopen just before Memorial Day weekend are the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay. The Art Museum of South Texas and the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History will not reopen until June 1.
For more information on each attraction, check out the following list:
OPEN AS OF MAY 1
LA PALMERA
5488 South Padre Island Drive
Currently open daily from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. A list of guidelines and tenants open for business can be found on the mall’s website. Currently, the concierge, food court seating area, children’s play area, and valet parking service are closed. Mall programs such as Wave Walkers and Tide Turners Kids Club are suspended until further notice.
SOUTH TEXAS BOTANICAL GARDENS
8545 S. Staples St.
361-852-2100
Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Some indoor exhibits are closed. Masks are required as is social distancing. Ticketing is online only. Guests are asked to bring personal hand sanitizer and drinks. Picnics are welcome. As an outdoor museum, STX Botanical Gardens is following state park safety protocols, which can be found here.
OPENING BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM
2710 N. Shoreline Blvd.
800-477-4853 (GULF)
The aquarium plans to reopen as part of Phase II of Gov. Greg Abbott’s reopen Texas plan. Hours will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and include the H-E-B Splash Park, Pepsi Shoreline Grill, and Cafe Aqua. Purchase tickets on site or online.
USS LEXINGTON
2914 N. Shoreline Blvd.
800-LADYLEX
Opening May 21 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Will stay open until 6 p.m. on Memorial Day. Will be following guidelines from the Nueces County Public Health District as it pertains to preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
OPENING IN JUNE
CORPUS CHRISTI MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY
1900 N. Chaparral St.
Opening June 1 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The museum will be cleaning and disinfecting daily. Employees, docents, and visitors will be asked to follow health and safety guidelines.
ART MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS
1902 N. Shoreline Blvd.
361-825-3500
Opens June 2. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays. Social distancing and other safety guidelines will be followed.
To keep up with the latest openings in Corpus Christi, follow our COVID-19 update page at CCBizNews.com/covid-19.
