Corpus Christi, located on the Gulf of Mexico in South Texas, is halfway between Houston and Brownsville. Visitors will find gorgeous ocean views, and many activities centered around beaches and watersports - fishing, sailing, windsurfing, and just plain old swimming and relaxing on the beach. Corpus Christi is a major deep-water port and one of Texas' s most popular seacoast playground cities. Known simply as "Corpus" to Texans, the city has retained its small town friendliness and charm throughout its years of expansion. The two mile sea wall running through the heart of the business district was constructed in such a way as to open the city to the Bay rather than to form a barricade. Steps lead down to the water and to the popular "T" head docks for pleasure boats. The waterfront was designed in the late 1930's by Guzon Borglum, sculptor of Mount Rushmore. He worked with the city at that time on the major landfill project that created Shoreline Boulevard and Corpus Christi Beach. His design joined the beauty of the miles of blue water with the cityscape. North of downtown over the bridge, is the site of the USS Lexington, a floating naval museum, as well as Texas State Aquarium, and extensive park and picnic areas. Scenic bayfront cruises provide an orientation to all that the waterfront offers. Port Aransas is the deep-sea fishing capital of Texas. Gulf waters are full of king mackerel, red snapper and pompano. The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail offers birders plenty of sightings year around. The sunny beaches, eclectic island atmosphere, funky shops and waterside restaurants of Port Aransas appeal to just about everyone. A favorite with children is the ferry boat ride into the ship channel to watch the dolphins frolic in their natural habitat. The Beach Loop is a scenic drive that takes about an hour with no stops (if the ferry isn't too busy). It is wise, however, to allow a few hours for browsing the shops, walking the beach, swimming in the surf, and enjoying the view. Corpus Christi's status as one of the breeziest (warm breezes) cities in the nation makes it a hot spot for those who love the wind and waves.. Each spring the city hosts the annual U.S. Open Windsurfing Regatta. Weekly sailboat regattas are held on Wednesday evening all year round. The variety of waterways, from open Gulf beaches to protected coves, makes the Corpus Christi area attractive to beginners and experts alike. In keeping with the city's image of maintaining glistening waterways, Corpus Christi's Water Garden at Bayfront Arts and Science Park sparkles for visitors who see, hear, and touch the garden's water. Some 150 fountains form the nucleus of the park, which is lighted at night. The revitalized downtown area provides visitors with an array of stores, restaurants, and nightlife. The center of activity downtown is the Water Street Market, a collection of places to dine, shop, and then relax with a cool drink and evening entertainment.