Experience the ultimate coastal cowboy adventure in Corpus Christi with horseback riding on the beach, Gulf Coast cruising, and a visit to historic King Ranch.

Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album has received all kinds of acclaim. It won Album of the Year and Best Country Album at the Grammy Awards, and it’s racked up over a billion streams. On top of the album highlighting Black pioneers across music, culture, and arts, the album is also a unique spin on Americana. 

As a result, it’s inspired people to get a little more in touch with their inner country spirit, exploring new lands and enjoying rugged activities. But what if you also love spending time at the beach? Corpus Christi is the best of both worlds, offering up a coastal cowboy experience like none other.

From riding horses along the water to exploring the largest ranch in the United States, there’s lots to traverse. Whether you’re a tenderfoot or a mossy horn, here’s how to make the most of your coastal cowboy trip to Corpus.

Saddle Up for Horseback Riding on the Beach

If someone asked you to describe a classic cowboy scene, chances are something like riding horses off into the sunset would pop into your mind. Horses on the Beach lets you live out that picturesque scenario, offering the unique experience of horseback riding along the Gulf Coast. Some of the horses may secretly moonlight as swimmers, too. A few in the group are more than willing to wade into the water, though thankfully, they keep their riders dry.

Guides Laura and Ciera spend significant amounts of time with their horses, and they know their personalities inside and out. If you’ve gone horseback riding before, you may get tossed on a horse who is, at best, displeased to meet you. But Horses on the Beach provides thoughtful pairings. Everyone in your group will have a pleasant ride, although you may occasionally pause for a grass snack break.

Though excursions are available throughout the day, the ideal time to visit is around dusk. The sky turns into a vibrant mix of blue, purple, and red hues as the sun sets, with visually stunning reflections bouncing off the water and surrounding areas. Ask a friend or one of the guides to snap a picture of you, frame that picture, and you will impress everyone who visits your home. 

Should mounting a wild—or in this case, a fairly tame—steed make you nervous, Horses on the Beach provides helmets for every rider if they so choose. The helmet won’t fit over a cowboy hat, but safety comes first. 

Cruise in Mokes Along the Sand

Horseback riding isn’t the only stylish method of transportation around Corpus Christi. Mokes are a highly unique ride, too. When the Beach Boys wrote “Fun, Fun, Fun,” they had a Ford Thunderbird in mind—said fun was had “until daddy takes the T-bird away.” Yet you could replace the Ford with a Moke, and you’d still have a rollicking good time. Mokes were initially designed as a combat-ready vehicle for the British army, though they quickly evolved into a cool method for cruising along the water in a beach buggy. 

Gulf Coast Mokes lets Corpus Christi visitors rent these rides in vibrant, bright colors, with options including Beach Babe (hot pink), Sunny Daze (golden yellow), Pure Bliss (cream), and Salt Life (teal). The eco-friendly, fully electric rides offer up to eight hours of drive time at once, with comfortable seating for four people. And with a Bluetooth setup, you can crank the tunes to your heart’s desire. Riding along the beach is the most coastal setting, though the area around the Gulf Coast Mokes home base has some very impressive architecture. Be sure to ride through the neighborhood when you need a beach break.  

One word of warning: If a sand dune looks a little too big to tackle, avoid driving through it. Otherwise, you may get stuck, and fellow passengers will have to get out of the moke and put some muscle into unwedging your ride. Other beachgoers may offer a friendly hand, which is always appreciated. Don’t ask me how I know this. (It’s because I drove through multiple particularly sandy patches and got stuck in them.) 

Tour the Legendary King Ranch

Every cowboy worth their salt knows a thing or two about life on the ranch. While you won’t feed any livestock or repair any tractors, a tour of King Ranch in nearby Kingsville still features plenty of scenery and history. The ranch was established in 1853, and it is massive; the whole thing is larger than the state of Rhode Island. 

There are several sights you’d expect at a ranch. You’ll likely spot animals scurrying about, such as speedy roadrunners and mighty longhorns. The Ranch has a few surprising elements, too, such as a baseball field. According to King Ranch lore, “We do three things there: play ball, shoot skeet, and land helicopters, but we have a rule that you can’t do all three at once.”

The ranch is also the home of Assault, the only Texas-bred horse to ever win the Triple Crown. Assault pulled off the feat back in 1946, overcoming a deformed hoof after he stepped on a club, earning the charming nickname of the “Club-Footed Comet.” Assault lived to the robust age of 28, and a tour of King Ranch passes by where he’s buried.

One other neat part of King Ranch is getting to see the branding icons used for different people and companies over the years. The branding is housed in a cabin, with an accompanying guide so you can see how your own name would look as branded by an iron. The cabin features some extremely vintage furniture and equipment, in case you need to take a quick rest in a sturdy rocking chair.

Take a Dip at the Texas State Aquarium

This visit is more coastal than cowboy, but it’s well worth getting your feet wet. The Texas State Aquarium is home to more than 4,000 marine animals that natively inhabit Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico ecosystems. Much like a cowboy traverses to new lands, you’ll walk out of the aquarium having experienced something new. 

That might take the form of the charming dolphin show, with viewing areas both outdoors and below the water’s surface. I was particularly smitten by one dolphin having the same name as my dog, Merlin. Or maybe you’ll head to the outdoor sting ray section, where a friendly guide may offer a tooth as a souvenir. If immersive events are more up your alley, the Snorkel with a Shark and Feed the Fish programs are excellent ways to learn more about marine wildlife in a hands-on (or fins-on) environment.

Energize Yourself with Farm-Fresh Treats

All this adventuring will naturally work up an appetite, and you have options for continuing to stay on theme. The Grow Local South Texas Farmer’s Market takes place every Wednesday evening and highlights meat, dairy, produce, and other foods, all of which are grown or made within 200 miles of Corpus Christi. The market also hosts artisans selling different wares, an excellent option for souvenirs. And there’s often an art class going on inside. Slip away from the bustle of the market and put your artistry skills to the test—here are my coloring skills as a very low bar to beat. 

If you’d rather not walk around and forage for food, simply head to Elizabeth’s at the Art Museum. The Mediterranean-inspired menu boasts fresh catches and sun-ripened veggies, a coastal twist to how cowboys live off the land. The servings are bountiful, too. Go back for seconds and thirds—there’s plenty to go around. After you dine, head inside the Art Museum to admire its new American Landscapes exhibit, embracing the beauty of great expanses of land.

As Elizabeth’s says about its food, “It is made to be devoured.” That phrase sums up a coastal cowboy visit to Corpus Christi, as well. Take in everything around you, and don’t be afraid to dive right in. 

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Cover Photo Joey Held

Joey Held is a writer, author, and podcaster based in Austin. His book, Kind, But Kind of Weird: Short Stories on Life’s Relationships, features stories inspired by living in the Lone Star State. He’s also the founder of Fun Fact Friyay, a newsletter for curious people, and Wacky Travel, for travelers who enjoy quirky discoveries in the places they visit.