Fun events: What to do in Coastal Bend this weekend

Not sure what to do this weekend in the Coastal Bend? We put together a guide of the best events happening in the area every week so you can plan your fun ahead of time.

More: April shows: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Stoney LaRue and more in Corpus Christi

Kid-friendly events

2024 Birdiest Festival in America

The 2024 Birdiest Festival in America, Wednesday through Sunday, is based at South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples St. Register for your choice of five presentations, six workshops and 21 field trips to private ranches and coastal shorebird havens, all at one of the country’s spring migration hot spots — Corpus Christi! Presented by Flint Hills Resources for beginners to pros, attendees can meet birders from 30 states, browse the vendor trade show and artisan booths, watch Raptor Project presentations, and take guided bird walks. Explore and register for this exciting festival, now in its seventh year, at www.birdiestfestival.org. Cost: Basic registration $40 (includes presentations, Raptor Project, family fun day, gardens admission.) Information: www.birdiestfestival.org.

Kidz Fest

CoastLife Credit Union will hold its 17th annual Kidz Fest from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Tuloso-Midway High School at 2653 McKinzie Road Saturday. The event will feature family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo, pony rides, an obstacle course, games and food trucks. Cost: Free. Information: coastlifecu.com.

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays at 1900 N. Chaparral St. Visit this 90,000 square-foot facility that is the repository for hundreds of thousands of artifacts and historically significant items while learning about science and history through exhibits and programming to inspire curiosity, understanding and an enduring thirst for knowledge. Tickets and information: 361-826-4667 or https://www.ccmuseum.com/.

Texas State Aquarium

The Texas State Aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays at 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd. Visitors of all ages and can get up close and interact with many different kinds of animals, enjoy educational and entertaining exhibits featuring more than 300 species, learn about conservation and how our actions impact the other inhabitants of both the ocean and land, and thrill at exciting presentations featuring bottlenose dolphins, raptors and other kinds of birds, and an assortment of fascinating mammals. Information and tickets: www.texasstateaquarium.org.

USS Lexington Museum on the Bay

The USS Lexington Museum on the Bay is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 2914 N. Shoreline Blvd. Tour the longest serving Essex Class aircraft carrier of World War II. The 16-deck "Blue Ghost" displays military artifacts and more than 20 aircraft, take one of five tour routes, visit the 3D Mega Theater, flight simulator and more. Tickets and information: usslexington.com.

South Texas Botanical Gardens

The South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 8545 S. Staples St. Tour the 182-acre showcase on Oso Creek or stop by one of the specialty gardens or the screened Butterfly House, Anderson Bromeliad or Samuel Jones Orchid Conservatory. And don't forget to visit the resident reptiles and parrots. Cost: $10 people 13-59 years old; $8 adults 60 and older, active military and college students; $6 children 3-12 years old; and free for members and children under 3. Information: 361-852-2100 or www.stxbot.org.

Visit the Art Museum of South Texas

The Art Museum of South Texas is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays at 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd. See multiple exhibitions during your visit, including including the newest temporary exhibition, "King Ranch: A Legacy in Art, Paintings by Noe Perez." The exhibition will run from April 26 through Aug. 25. Cost: $8 adults, $6 military and seniors, $4 students and free for members, A&M-CC students and children 12 and younger. Information: www.artmuseumofsouthtexas.org.

Collier Pool, natatorium open for lap and general swim

Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department's Collier Pool, 3801 Harris Drive and Corpus Christi Natatorium, 3202 Cabaniss Pkwy., are open for lap and general swim for the winter/spring 2024 swim season. Collier general swim hours are 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lap swim hours are 6-9 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.-2 p.m.; and 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Natatorium general swim hours are 2:30-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lap swim hours are 6-8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cost: Free. Information: www.cctexas.com/swim-programs-pools.

Free events

Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront

Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation presents Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront from 7-11 a.m. every Saturday weather permitting at The Water’s Edge park, 602 S. Shoreline Blvd. Join these free fitness activities including a 5k/10k, HIIT camp, yoga and Zumba. Classes are for ages 8 and older. Register at linktr.ee/safefunfit.cctx. Cost: Free. Information: www.cctexas.com/safefunfit or www.facebook.com/SafeFunFit.CCTX/.

The Best of Murphy Givens on KEDT-FM

KEDT presents “The Best of Murphy Givens” at 7:45 a.m. and 5:44 p.m. Fridays on KEDT-FM 90.3 in Corpus Christi and KVRT-FM 90.7 in Victoria. KEDT will air repeats of favorites of Murphy Givens’ local history radio columns every Friday during NPR’s Morning Edition and NPR’s All Things Considered. Segments will also be available online at www.kedt.org/. Information: www.kedt.org/murphy-givens.

Southside Farmers’ Market

The Southside Farmers’ Market is 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays at The Market on Everhart shopping center, 5800 Everhart Road. Rain or shine, come shop local produce, honey, eggs, jams and jellies, pickles and preserves, herbs and spices, snacks, baked goods and body products, plus arts, jewelry, crafts and more. Information: info@ccssfm.com or www.ccssfm.com.

Water Street Farmers Market

The Water Street Farmer's Market is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Sunday at 309 N. Water St. The market features a variety of local farmers, artesian vendors and more. Cost: Free. Information: 361-600-1782.

Everything else

Port Aransas Community Theatre presents ‘Steel Magnolias’

Port Aransas Community Theatres is presenting “Steel Magnolias” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at 2327 State Hwy. 361, Port Aransas. The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. The play is alternately hilarious and touching — and, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the antic banter of its characters. Cost: $22 general admission. Information: www.portaransascommunitytheatre.com/magnolias.

Aurora Arts Theatre presents ‘Laundry & Bourbon’ and ‘Lone Star’

Aurora Arts Theatre presents two one-act comedies, “Laundry and Bourbon” and “Lone Star,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at 5635 Everhart Road. In these two one-act offerings, the audience sees two sides of the same coin. Two years after service in Vietnam, a couple struggles with a husband’s trauma and disillusionment. Their best friends struggle with raising a family and longing for their high school glory days. And another couple grapples with status seeking and childlessness. Through two very different sets of characters, we see the intimate details of life in a small Texas town during a time of unrest and uncertainty in America. Cost: $20 general admission. Information: www.auroraartstheatre.com.

Blue Ghost Paranormal Overnight Investigation

The USS Lexington will host a paranormal overnight investigation from 6 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday aboard the vessel at 2914 N. Shoreline Blvd. Known for its eerie creaks and encounters with spirits, the public can explore the USS Lexington to experience a possible encounter with the paranormal. Overnight guests will be provided a berthing — sleeping — compartment and continental breakfast. Cost: $100 to $125. Information: 361-888-4873.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Things to do this weekend in Coastal Bend