A trip to the Selena Museum will delight any and all fans of the late Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. The museum is a fitting tribute to the Tejano superstar, complete with photos, accolades, her amazing outfits, and more.
Visitors step into the life of Selena, walking the same halls where she once walked, touring the studio where she spilled her heart out in song. Every item on display throughout was Selena’s own and not a replica, including a wine-red lipstick stained microphone.
The Selena Museum is situated inside the pop star’s recording studio, Q-Productions. In 1998, the Quintanilla family built the museum in the back of the studio so fans would be able to honor the “Queen of Tejano.”
When visiting the museum, you’ll park in the lot of a former body shop turned recording studio. Huge tour buses are lined against the fence in the lot.
[image id="20836" title="Selena Museum Corpus Christi" width="100%"] Selena's outfits, some of which she designed herself, are on display. Staff photo by JoAnna Kopp
After paying the $5 entrance free, you’ll get a quick walkthrough of the recording studio where Selena recorded her "Dreaming of You" album. The room has powder-pink carpet and a patch of hardwood floor underneath a baby grand piano. In the 1997 tribute movie "Selena," Jennifer Lopez, who played the role of singer, is filmed in this room performing “I Could Fall in Love.”
After seeing the recording studio, you’ll be escorted to the museum, which you can admire at your own pace. The museum is a large room awash in the star’s signature color — you’ll see purple velvet, purple carpet, purple accent walls. Selena’s music plays throughout the room. A TV playing recorded live performances showcases the heart and soul that Selena poured into her stage presence.
[image id="20838" title="Selena Museum Corpus Christi" width="100%"] Selena's awards and accolades line the purple walls of the museum. Staff photo by JoAnna Kopp
The room is split down the middle with glass cases displaying more than a dozen of Selena’s most famous outfits on mannequins — many of which were designed by Selena herself. Pictures of Selena wearing the outfits bring the ensembles to life. Her pristine red Porche Carrera is parked in the corner.
Platinum and gold records line the walls. Awards, medals, photographs, and other memorabilia are also on display, such as Selena’s handmade, rhinestone-studded bustier collection and several pairs of her tiny shoes. Selena Barbie dolls have a dedicated shelf in a glass cabinet, as well as Selena’s personal Faberge egg collection. Selena’s 1993 Grammy for Best Mexican/American Album “Live” gets a case of its own, lined with rippling purple velvet.
The Selena Museum is located at 5410 Leopard St. in Corpus Christi. The museum is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit Q Productions.