South Padre Island, TX

[merrily]

My family is planning a trip the end of April to South Padre Island. Until recently I had never even heard of the place and I do not know anyone who has gone there. I figured that someone on the DIS would have some insight!

We will have 15yo and 12yo sons with us. I see that there is a very cool looking water park near there that is opening the weekend we arrive. Should we go? What other things are there to do in the area? We are staying at the Inverness in a condo. If anyone has any suggestions where to eat, shop for groceries etc. I would love to hear it. Thanks!

 

[rockbottomsound]

I've never been, but I do know it is a big party area, mainly for spring break. I've heard that the beaches are decent, but not near as nice as the beaches around the Destin/Ft. Walton area in Fl.

 

[belle&beast]

All I know is I wanted to go there for spring break when I was in college and my mom and dad would NOT allow it! (This was 12 years ago.) Just be sure you are avoiding college spring breaks, especially since you are going with your sons.

 

[sha_lyn]

We were there for a wedding a few yrs ago
The Water park is very cool
We also really loved the sea turtle rescue
a dolphin cruise is a must
We did a reall nice educational one in a glass bottom boat.
They not only looked for Dolphins but other sealife
We also toured the lighthouse that is on the mainland right before you start acoss the bridge to the Island. There a a really good icecream shop near the lighthouse.

We really enjoyed was the Sea Ranch(turn right onto the island, it's not too far donw on your right)
There was a nice cafe' next to our hotel. I think if was only opened for lunch. It was in a little strip mall/shopping center. Turn left onto the island and it isn't too far down on your right.
oh and the Shrimp Hause at Schlitterbaun Beach was pretty good too.
Groceries were from a local chain. If you turn left onto the island, the store is probably a mile or 2 down on your right. The best sorvenier shop was on the left just after turning left onto the island

 

[merrily]

Thanks for the info!

We are going after Spring Break. From what I've found on the web it appears to be quite the party place.

Anyone else have any info?

 

[sha_lyn]

We were there mid sept I guess it was. Actually went to Schlitterbaun beach the last weekend it was opened for th yr. It was far from a party place at that time of yr, even with the large amount of teens/young adults there for the boogie board contest that was gong on

 

[dturner]

I spent a week there a couple of years ago during the off-season in mid-September and loved it. I'm sure I loved it because there were hardly any people on the beach - felt like we had a private beach.

Since we had a child with us we ate at the fast food restaurants on the island. We did buy some groceries in the only grocery store I saw which was on the main road through the Island.

Go into the McDonalds and look at all the pictures they have hanging in there of Spring Break - Holy Cow, there are a lot of people during that time - I'll never go then, LOL!!!

There are TONS of very pretty shells that you can collect - I did that early, early in the morning when they all washed up.

We didn't do any of the dolphin tours or go to Mexico so I can't comment on that. The water park was closed when we were there so we didn't do that either.

The beach is decent for Texas, LOL!!! I agree that the Florida panhandle beaches are much nicer.

If you have any other questions, just ask.

Here is a picture I took of DH and DS while we were there:

 

[lajones81]

One of my friends went recently and said it was quite the party place (just as other posters stated)...

 

[Simba's Mom]

My family is planning a trip the end of April to South Padre Island. Until recently I had never even heard of the place and I do not know anyone who has gone there. I figured that someone on the DIS would have some insight!

We will have 15yo and 12yo sons with us. I see that there is a very cool looking water park near there that is opening the weekend we arrive. Should we go? What other things are there to do in the area? We are staying at the Inverness in a condo. If anyone has any suggestions where to eat, shop for groceries etc. I would love to hear it. Thanks!

I live about 45 minutes from South Padre Island, and DH works about 15 minutes from "the Island". It's been the destination for many a day trip for DH and I, and for both DSs (but not at the same time as Mom and Dad). Let me know if there's any specific info I can give you. Unfortunately, the water park you're talking about, Schlitterbahn, is someplace we've never been to, though. Just avoid Spring Break time (the month of March) at all costs-it was voted the third wildest Spring Break location by Travel Channel one year, and it's at least third! Unbelieveable! And the two weeks surrounding Easter are very busy also, as many Mexican Nationals celebrate [what's it called] Semana Santa(?) It gets pretty busy, and not calm, then too. Feel free to PM me with any other questions.