Youngsters beat the heat under the 350-gallon water dump at the Texas State Aquarium’s newly renovated H-E-B Splash Park. Photo courtesy of Texas State Aquarium
Two new and improved attractions solidify the Texas State Aquarium as a top destination for Coastal Bend vacationers and locals alike.
The newly renovated H-E-B Splash Park opened on July 4, just in time for the blazing Texas heat. It's three times bigger than the water park it replaced. Features include a 350-gallon water dump, slides for just about every age and size, and more interactive water features geared toward toddlers.
Parents can sit at one of 30 covered tables to watch the fun in shaded comfort. You can grab snacks, drinks, and Dippin’ Dots nearby.
At the Port of Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue, watch while staff treat and rehabilitate shorebirds, raptors, sea turtles, and marine mammals, preparing them for eventual release into their natural habitats. View interactive X-rays of animals and then pose for a selfie on the back of a mockup boat.
The wildlife center is one of the largest and most technologically advanced of its kind in the country and has treated 8,700 animals since 1995. Of those, 2,855 were endangered species. Its move to the Texas State Aquarium campus in March 2023 lets the public witness its lifesaving endeavors.
If you’re a first-time visitor to the Texas State Aquarium, schedule a few hours to check out all of its attractions. Visit over 16 different exhibits from Dolphin Bay to the Caribbean Journey, experience immersive cinema at the Whataburger 4-Dimension Theater, and check the daily schedule for wildlife presentations, including dolphins, stingrays, sea turtles, and sharks.
The Texas State Aquarium is located at 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd. in Corpus Christi. Call 800-477-4853. It is open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
The H-E-B Splash Park is open daily from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and is included with Texas State Aquarium admission.
The Port of Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue is open daily from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Entry is free (aquarium admission not required).
chuck@thepicayune.com
