Distance from Corpus Christi: 40 Miles • 40 Minutes
Kingsville is a Texas icon well worth a day trip. Most known for King Ranch, cowboy and ranching culture dominate the community, while other museums and landmarks round out a road-worthy itinerary.
What to Do
Basically the ranch equivalent of Disney World, the marquee attraction King Ranch is an 825,000-acre National Historic Landmark, where visitors can take guided bus, nature and motorcoach tours. Since 1853, it’s been regarded as the birthplace of American ranching, the history of which is on display at the King Ranch Museum.
In the downtown historic district, more lore is preserved at the 1904 Train Depot Museum. While King Ranch ignited a ranching boom, the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railroad (the StLB&M) connected Kingsville with Corpus Christi, and helped put the community on the literal map. This free-to-visit museum recounts Kingsville’s origins, its railroad ties and all manner of period artifacts, tools and dining car place settings.
Be sure to check out the John E. Conner Museum while you’re here. Located at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, the museum is named for the university’s first history professor, John Edwin Conner, and features exhibits—like the Caesar Kleberg Hall of Natural History and the Graves Peeler Hall of Horns—documenting early life in South Texas.
Round out your jaunt to Kingsville by exploring the historic downtown. One of Texas’ designated Texas Main Street cities, this area of town includes a block of shops, antiques, makers and cafes to stop into on your way out of town. You can even explore the historic block—which includes 15 historic buildings that earned the city its Main Street designation—at your own pace. The self-guided tour includes 12 stops across 1.5 miles, and takes about 45 minutes.
Where to Eat
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or in this case, visit Kingsville Steakhouse. An apt dining destination in cattle country, the family-friendly spot features Texas favorites like chicken-fried steak and grilled calf’s liver, along with mesquite-grilled rib-eyes, T-bones and filets. A Coastal Bend gem, some of the best Indian cuisine in the area can be found at Spice Station. A hot bar filled with curry varieties, chicken dishes and even vegetarian options, along with the friendliest of service, awaits your arrival.
There is nothing fancy about the place—paper plates and all—but don’t let that fool you…the flavors here are rich and satisfying.
