Like the soaring bridges that bookend this sparkling city by the sea, Corpus Christi (180 miles north of South Padre) artfully blends big-city attractions with a laid-back beach vibe and plenty of surf, sand and water sports. Get your bearings with a walk or bike ride along the downtown Seawall, with its graceful gazebos and wide steps leading to the water. Sleek yachts, shrimp trawlers and rental watercraft line up along docks that sprout off Shoreline Boulevard, and popular seafood eateries extend into the bay. Drawn by warm sea breezes, windsurfers and kiteboarders frequent nearby waterfront parks. The city is a gateway to Padre Island National Seashore, known to many as "The Island." Camp on the beach or stay at any of the affordable hotels or extended stay properties. Prowl miles of shore on horseback or discover an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Across the Harbor Bridge, Texas State Aquarium offers a glimpse of what's beneath the waves, with engaging exhibits that replicate reefs, salt marshes and even an offshore gas platform. The aquarium anchors an appealing area of shops, restaurants and other attractions, such as the USS Lexington, a World War II aircraft carrier converted to a floating naval museum. About 30 miles north along Aransas Bay, the quiet hamlet of Rockport attracts artists and waterfowl. Downtown, art galleries are tucked in among shell shops and boutiques. Artists' works fill the Rockport Center for the Arts, housed in a restored 19th century home. It's no surprise Rockport is listed as one of the best 100 small art towns. Along the waterfront, piers as long as football fields stretch into the protected bay, perfect for watching—or painting—the hundreds of bird species that make this harbor their home.