Part of the Insituto de Cultura Hispanica de Corpus Christi, this small museum aims to advance and promote the history of Hispanic culture and tradition in this part of Texas. There are exhibitions from all over the Spanish speaking world, from Spain to Colombia and everywhere in-between. The museum is a hidden jewel located in the larger Heritage Park complex. The Lichtenstein House, in which the museum is located, is a beautiful merchant's residence from 1905.
This building was designed by the renowned architect Philip Johnson, where he used a material called 'shellcrete', which is a combination of shells and concrete. The tri-level structure stands majestically by the bay and it houses an interesting permanent collection as well as constant temporary exhibitions. Most pieces are American contemporary and include paintings and sculptures from renowned artists like Georgia O'Keefe and Jackson Pollock. For the little ones there is a children's play area located downstairs and if art makes you hungry, step into the elegant Dobson Cafe for a light lunch.
The USS Lex was once used in military expeditions throughout the world, but today it functions as a floating museum. It is docked pleasantly on the Corpus Christi Bay, and it's quite impressive to see from any angle. To board, you are whisked away in a free shuttle that takes you right to the ship's hangar entrance. The tour allows visitors to see the flight deck, the control and navigation rooms and even the captain's quarters. There is also a mega-theater on board as well as a flight simulator and an interactive exhibit entitled 'Virtual Battle Stations'.