In 1995, the world lost the Queen of Tejano music, Selena Quintanilla Perez. Immediately following her death, mass vigils were held around the Latinidad to honor our lost reina. After her death, fans turned to her music for consolation and relief as they mourned the musician. Even after 24 years, the superstar is still grieved and celebrated by her fans.

Festivals are held around the world each year in honor of Selena’s birthday, life and death. Murals of the Queen of Tejano still grace neighborhoods from Texas to California to Mexico. Even international brands like MAC Cosmetics, Forever 21 and Target still collaborate with Selena’s estate to bring fans new merchandise.

While these all immortalize Selena’s legacy, there’s only one museum in the world dedicated to the Queen of Tejano.

In Selena’s hometown of Corpus Christi Texas — only a few miles from her final resting place — is Q Productions. Founded in 1993, Q Productions is the actual studio Selena recorded in with her father, Abraham, and Los Dinos. While it’s still an operating studio, the big draw of the location is the Selena Quintanilla Museum. Featuring mementos, collectables and memories from the iconic Latina’s life and career, it’s a visit that every Selena fan should make.

Here are some of the remarkable artifacts you will find at the Selena Museum.

1. Selena’s red convertible

It’s now over 30 years old, but this racy red convertible was Selena’s favorite car. In fact, before she bought the 1986 Porsche, she purchased a new black Porsche hatchback instead. However, something just didn’t vibe for the Queen of Tejano and she traded that one in for this older model. It could be because it’s paint job matches the Latina’s signature red lip but this ride just says, “Selena.”

2. The entire Selena MAC makeup line

In 2016, international makeup company MAC Cosmetics launched a line inspired by Selena. The Selena MAC collection was so well received that it sold out online within HOURS. The full line is on display at the Selena Museum — sporting products with names like “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” “Missing My Baby” and “No Me Queda Mas.”

3. Selena’s fashion sketches

Anyone who has seen Selena knows that the musician had an incredible sense of style. She had first-hand input in her styling because she designed many of her most iconic looks. Had she not become a musician, Selena wanted to become a fashion designer. In fact, before her death, Selena had opened two boutiques — one in Corpus Christi and one in San Antonio. Another was planned for Monterrey, Mexico however it was never built. Following her death, both locations closed but you can still see the sketches that started it all.

4. Selena’s childhood dolls

It’s easy to forget that the legendary Queen of Tejano started off as a little girl, singing songs to her father’s guitar. These sweet reminders of her childhood give us a glimpse into the Selena that only her family know. The baby doll and old Raggedy Anne are toys saved by Selena’s parents and immortalized in the museum. To them, she will always be their little girl.

5. Fan mail from around the world

Selena got her start in South Texas but soon achieved stardom that reached around the world. At the Selena Museum, you’ll find devoted fan mail from places like Japan, Uruguay, Peru, Hungary and New Zealand. You can still send fan mail to Q Productions and share your own love and appreciation for Selena.

6. An original manuscript for “Selena”

Soon after Selena’s death in 1995, studios began vying for the rights to Selena’s life. The Quintanilla Family wanted to make sure Selena’s spirit was especially respected in any depiction of the departed musician. With this in mind, they became very involved in the film of her life. In 1997, “Selena” debuted to critical acclaim and would arguably be the role that made Jennifer Lopez’s career. At the Selena Museum, you’ll find an original manuscript for the screenplay that would become “Selena.”

7. Selena’s famous bustiers

Before pop stars’ became more open with baring a little skin, Selena made the bustier a staple for her wardrobe. Much to her dad Abraham’s dismay, Selena came up with design herself. The fashionista would sow sequins onto regular bras for a show-stopping look. It’s a good thing that Abe eased his anti-bustier stance. They’re further proof that Selena was a star ahead of her time.

8. Selena’s egg collection

If you’ve seen “Selena,” you know the Queen of Tejano had an odd little collection. She liked to collect eggs; specifically, Faberge eggs. The Russian treasures are a luxury that Selena adored and the singer had plenty in her collection. In case you’re curious, the collection DOES NOT include that egg ring from She-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named.

9. Selena’s Grammy dress

Since fashion is such an essential part of who she was, the Selena Museum has several of the late star’s iconic outfits. One that’s exceptionally gorgeous is the Lillie Rubin white sequin dress she wore to the Grammys. You might remember that legendary scene in “Selena” with the rude boutique clerk and swarm of fans. That scene was inspired by a memorable shopping trip in Houston to buy that dress.

10. Collectable Selena dolls

Raise your hand if you had one of these babies as a kid. Selena has been memorialized in several different ways but the different collectable dolls made in her image may be the most awesome. At the Selena Museum, there is a collection of six Selena dolls — all sporting one of her signature looks.

11. The studio Selena used to record her final album

Q Productions has been a working studio since it’s opening in the 90s. To this day, it still accommodates musicians but Selena was their first ever recording artist. Infact, Selena recorded her final album — “Dreaming of You” — at Q Productions.

12. And the very microphone she used, too

Including Suzette’s first drum kit and Abraham’s prized piano, Q Productions has many treasures on display. One you’ll be able to see is the very mic Selena used to record “Dreaming of You.” The album debuted number 1 on the Billboard 200; the first ever predominantly Spanish-language album to do so.

13. The outfit from the cover of “Amor Prohibido”

One of Selena’s most iconic looks is the fierce leather and lace outfit featured on the album cover for “Amor Prohibido.” This album proved to be one of Selena’s biggest. Besides being a solid listen from start to finish, it also features hits “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” “Yo Me Queda Más” and “Techno Cumbia.” The popularity of this album ensured that Selena will forever be remembered for this look.

14. Selena’s Grammy

For all of Selena’s talent and popularity, she was honored with many awards in her career. The prize of that collection is the 1994 Grammy she won for Best Mexican/American Album. This Grammy made history for the first win by a female Tejano singer. There’s no telling how many more of these she would have won had her life not been cut tragically short.

15. The plaque honoring Selena’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2017, Selena was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony drew 4,500 fans — the largest gathering to ever attend an unveiling. This plaque was presented to the Quintanilla family to commemorate the historic event and moreover recognize Selena’s legacy.

16. Buckles celebrating Selena’s Houston Rodeo preformances

Selena played the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo a total of three times. While all three concerts drew huge crowds, her 1995 appearance broke attendance records for the Houston Astrodome. Following the concerts, these commemorative belt buckles were presented to Selena to celebrate her successful shows.

17. A custom Selena guitar from the Fiesta de la Flor

Every year, celebrations of Selena’s life happen all over the world. One such event happens in Corpus Christi. Since 2014, Fiesta de la Flor — an event with music, food, a mercado and all things Chicano — has been held for Selena’s memory. At the Selena Museum, you can see a custom guitar that bares the Queen of Tejano’s face from the event.

18. Selena’s jewelry collection

As someone who lived for fashion, it’s only natural that Selena would love a good accessory. The Selena Museum has on display a large collection of jewelry owned and worn by the musician herself. Some items were gifts from loved ones like husband Chris, while others were gifted by fans.

19. Condolence letters from world figures

When Selena passed away, the whole world mourned. The loss of such a vibrant, beautiful and kind young woman was such a tragedy that even world leaders took notice. On display at the Selena Museum are several noted condolence letters from the likes of Larry King, President Bill Clinton, and then-Texas Governor George W. Bush.

20. Selena’s famous purple jumpsuit

Remember that record-breaking performance at the Houston Rodeo? Even if you’ve never seen footage of the big event, there’s no doubt that you’ve seen Selena’s look from that night. The famous purple jumpsuit she wore to the 1995 Houston Rodeo has become the most recognizable outfit from Selena’s memorable wardrobe. At the Selena Museum, you can take a selfie with it and immortalize your love for the Queen of Tejano.

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My curiosity about the many civilizations, cuisines, and customs of the world started when I was a child and would spend countless hours staring at the wall-sized world map that hung above my father’s desk. Red push pins marked the route that he took to escape the Uruguayan military dictatorship in the 70s. He’d traveled, by necessity, mostly solo and on foot, from Uruguay to Mexico. I didn’t understand the gravity of his journey at the time but loved to hear him tell the wild stories from what he’d describe as his greatest adventure.

At home, we had a rickety old globe that we’d spin in circles until our fingers grazed across random coordinates of some far off place.

Together, we’d learn about the people, animals, foods, and landscapes of these foreign lands via trips to the public library and endless hours of documentaries on the Discovery and History channels. My father’s sense of wonder imprinted on my young mind and shaped me into the traveler I am today.

I’ve been on the road full-time for nearly four years–mostly solo. I left the U.S. with no intention of returning when I was 25. I hadn’t previously traveled much on my own. I’m grateful for that I set out on this alternative life path in my mid-20s as I believe that the sweet spot for a first solo overseas trip is between 25-30. There’s nothing wrong with solo travel in your early 20s–but for me, it was a disaster.

My first solo vacation was to Spain. I’d never traveled alone stateside, so going all the way to Europe alone was daunting at 21. I made so many rookie travel fails on that first solo trip from checking out of my hostel in Barcelona to catch my train to Valencia a day early and drinking a few too many chupitos on a night where I ended up losing my camera’s memory card, but luckily, not the camera. Visiting Valencia and Barcelona was life changing for me and set in motion the desire to move to Spain, which I did exactly four years later.

I’m glad to be traveling at a time in my life when I’m a bit more mature and organized.

Solo travel is the greatest gift I’ve ever given myself. There is bliss in knowing that I don’t have to adhere to anyone else’s preferences when heading out for the day to explore a new place.

The many benefits of taking a solo vacation before 30 all stem from one crucial factor–freedom.

During a solo adventure, you don’t have to compromise with anyone.

This may expand your perspective on your own priorities, after all, travel has a tendency to change us in deeply meaningful ways. Solo travel is a wonderful opportunity to truly pursue whatever it is that your heart desires, and to do so unapologetically. If your dream vacation is hiking through the jungles of Costa Rica in search of wildlife, go for it! If you’d rather zone out on a beach at a resort in Tulum, Mexico with a great book and a cocktail in hand for a few days, you do you! No one is there to tell you what you should be doing with your hard earned time away from reality. There’s no right or wrong way to travel, as long as you’re not making a negative impact on others.

Solo vacations can be a bit intimidating when you head off on your first adventure.

Don’t let your fears hold you back from having an eye-opening voyage. Do some research in advance so that you’ll understand the cultural norms of the place you’re visiting. Once you arrive, be respectful of what you’ve learned. Try not to stick out as a foreigner and draw unwanted attention to yourself. Always trust your instinct, if you get a bad feeling about a place or a person, just leave.

Don’t keep postponing adventures to your dream destinations because you can’t find a companion who wants to go on an epic trip together, you can do it on your own, and you might just have a better experience traveling to your own accord. Traveling with a companion means that you’ll have to make sacrifices along the way. When you travel solo, you’ll prioritize your own needs and organize the itinerary of your dreams or just completely go with the flow and see where your heart takes you in the moment.

Figuring out your travel style may help you have a deeper understanding of yourself.

No matter if you’ve booked every flight, accommodation, and meal in advance or if you’re winging it and showing up with no plans, you’re bound to come across a few frustrating situations. Try to be flexible during these tense moments. The way you handle the stress of missing a bus or unexpected bad weather will help you get to know yourself on a more intimate level as you’ll have a newfound understanding of your limits and boundaries.

When you travel solo you’ll have more opportunities to interact with locals and other travelers. Perhaps you had plans to spend a day in a National Park but instead were invited by a new local friend to try some traditional cuisine or hear a musical performance–the decision of which to choose is yours and yours alone. If you’d been traveling with someone else you’d have to take into consideration their wants and needs and may have missed out on a unique cultural exchange.

If you’re a bit wary about heading out into the great wide world on your own consider booking a group tour that has the option to have a private room which a reputable company such as Intrepid so that you’ll be able to have company and alone time when you crave it. Solo travel doesn’t have to equal constant solitude–unless you want it to. If you’d like to meet other people while you’re on your solo vacation join group walking tours, stay in social hostels, or post in Facebook communities like Viajeras: A Travel Latina Community to see if there are any other solo Latina travelers visiting your destination.

After 30, there may be fewer times in your life where you can truly be selfish. Perhaps you’re at a point in your life where you have to constantly subvert your desires for others–your peers at work, your romantic partner, or your children. Solo travel is liberating and an excellent exercise of self-love. You’ll develop a deeper respect for yourself after overcoming a rough day or achieving something from your travel bucket list. Buen viaje!

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