South Padre Island-Town

"South Padre Island may be the epicenter of wild Spring Break antics in March, but the rest of the year is much more reasonable. Spend the day fishing with one of the many trained guides, charter a boat to visit some dolphins, or hang with turtles at Sea Turtle Rescue Center. Head to Isla Blanca Park for family-friendly fishing, concessions, and facilities, or drive up to the north part of the island for a more sparsely populated stretch of sand. And if you want to be in the thick of the hot beach action, post up in front of Wanna Wanna Beach Bar and order yourself one of the famous Turbo Piña Coladas—or just BYOB, because that’s fair game on SPI. Know before you go: Drinking on the beach is allowed, provided you’re not packing any glass. There are beach bars scattered throughout the area, but they’re not as common as other popular destinations. Kite surfing is a big activity here due to the higher winds, and dogs are allowed on the beach as long as they’re leashed. If you make your way further down the island, you’ll pay a small fee in exchange for being able to drive down the sandy expanse (non-four wheel drives aren’t recommended, for obvious reasons). There’s only one grocery store on the island—though there are approximately two zillion convenience stores—so stock up at the HEB in Port Isabel if you’re looking for a bigger bounty. Looking for the liveliest scene? Make a beeline to the bay side of the island for great sunsets and walkable bars. Where to eat/drink: Grab a cold one at Clayton’s for live music and a lively (if overpriced/overpopulated) scene, or cool down with a tropical cocktail on Coconut Jack’s bayfront patio. Build your own fresh ceviche at the aptly named Ceviche Ceviche, carbo and cheese load at Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria, or dig into great fried shrimp at Dirty Al’s. Louie’s Backyard is a perfect spot to start your night with al fresco drinks, steaks, and seafood, while Coral Reef is the place to go for late-night karaoke sessions."