This month is the first of a series of columns spotlighting weekend getaways you can enjoy without driving. If you have a favorite place you would like included in a future column, or would like to be a guest columnist and help me spotlight your hometown or favorite vacation spot you can enjoy without needing to drive, e-mail me at steveatlas45@yahoo.com.

Today’s spotlighted community: Corpus Christi, Texas.

Corpus Christi, Texas: A Gulf City With a Lot to Enjoy

Would you enjoy a vacation that includes a downtown with lots to do, trolleys, a Harbor Ferry, and an opportunity to enjoy both popular beaches near downtown, and the unspoiled Gulf beach? Then, Corpus Christi, Texas may be the perfect vacation spot for you.

Getting To Corpus Christi Without A Car

Corpus Christi International Airport is served by three airlines: American, Continental, and

Southwest. From the airport, several hotels provide free airport shuttles. Check with the hotel when making reservations.

Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA)'s Route 67 provides three daily trips from the Airport to Corpus Christi City Hall, every day except Sunday. Buses leave the airport at 6:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. Directly across the street from City Hall is CCRTA’s Staples Street Station: the hub of all RTA bus routes.

The Greyhound bus terminal is located at 702 North Chaparral Street in downtown Corpus Christi. The downtown trolley (CCRTA Route 79) stops outside the bus terminal: every half-hour, Monday-Saturday.

From Staples Street Station, catch the 75- Bayfront Connector at 6:45am, 11:45am, 4:45pm to get to downtown hotels.

Check in to one of your favorite hotels, see www.visitcorpuschristitx.org for ideas, and get ready for the wonderful options Corpus Christi has to offer.

Enjoying Corpus Christi After You Arrive

Local bus service is provided by the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA). For route and schedule information, visit www.ccrta.org, or call (361) 883-2287. A single ride costs 75 cents (less for students, seniors 60 and older, and persons with disabilities). The downtown shuttle (Route 79) and Port Aransas shuttle (Route 94) cost just 25 cents. A one-day pass costs $1.75. A weekly pass is $7.50.

CCRTA also operates 4 trolleys (Routes 73, 75, 78, and 79)

If you don't want to drive, downtown Corpus Christi is a convenient location to stay during your visit. Several attractions are within walking distance, and two popular beaches are a short bus ride away.

Two Popular Bay Beaches Are Close To Downtown

McGee Beach

Because of its bay location, there is very little seaweed and no undertow, making McGee Beach the perfect location for children. Swim—from April until Thanksgiving; enjoy the view of sailboats, wind surfers, and shrimpers hauling in their catch or turn street-side to watch the pedal carts and passersby. McGee Beach has a pier, with rest rooms and a small restaurant, where you can bring a rod and some bait and try your hand at fishing.

CCRTA's Route 73 Trolley (McGee Beach Connector) runs every hour, between 7:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every day except Sunday, from Staples Street Station in downtown Corpus Christi

Bicyclists Are Welcome Here!

The best biking trail in town is along Shoreline Boulevard and Ocean Drive. Rent a bicycle from Shoreline Bikes, 555 N. Shoreline Blvd.,

(361) 883.8888, (No Web site), or a four-person bike from the Peoples Street T-Head at the Corpus Christi Marina. From there, enjoy a paved bike trail for several miles.

Outings and Attractions

Bus stops line the downtown corridor and concierge’s can help guide you to the nearest bus stop. Two places you should not miss are the Texas State Aquarium, and the U.S.S. Lexington Museum on the Bay.

Texas State Aquarium

Observe aquatic life from jellyfish to dolphins and learn about the Gulf of Mexico without leaving shore. Open 9 to 5 daily. www.texasstateaquarium.com, or call toll-free (800) 477-GULF.

U.S.S. Lexington Museum on the Bay

As soon as you climb aboard this World War II aircraft carrier, you’ll be transported back in time, with an opportunity to climb behind the controls of a jet fight, catch a movie in the Mega Theater or take a ride in a flight simulator. Open daily 9 to 5. http://www.usslexington.com/ or call toll-free (800) LADY-LEX.

To get to the Aquarium (www.txstateaquarium.com), catch the 76- Harbor Bridge Shuttle to get you over to Corpus Christi Beach , it runs ever 40 minutes beginning at 10:00am. After the Aquarium, walk over and visit the historic USS Lexington http://www.usslexington.com/)

Tired of the sights and want to relax on the beach or get your toes in the sand? Corpus Christi Beach is a short walk from both the Lexington and Aquarium. Just don’t forget the 76- Harbor Bridge Shuttle picks up its last passengers from the Aquarium at 5:35pm.

Here are some other ideas for enjoying your weekend here, without needing to drive:

Bird Watching

Blucher Park, located at Blucher and Carrizo Streets next to the Central Public Library, is a four-acre, city park specifically set aside to ensure the preservation of bird habitat and provide birds a welcome pit stop during their annual migrations.

Sightseeing Boat Tours

Take a tour of the Sparkling City by the Sea from the sea with Captain Clark’s Sightseeing Tours on the Peoples Street T-head, (phone: [361] 884.8306}. Enjoy day or evening trips on a 400-passenger paddle wheeler with narrated cruises.

For more Information:

Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau, http://www.corpuschristicvb.com/ or call toll-free (800) 678-6232

Regional Transportation Authority: http://www.ccrta.org/ or call (361) 883-2287

Do you have a favorite vacation spot visitors can enjoy without driving? Let us know. Perhaps, we can spotlight it in a future column. E-mail steveatlas45@yahoo.com with your comments or suggestions.

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Pubtrantravel welcomes Steve Atlas founder of carfreeamerica.org as its newest contributing writer.

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