Guidebook for South Padre Island
Food Scene
Blackbeards'
103 E Saturn LnPopularity with the locals has kept this place going for decades.
Delicious burgers, fries and fried shrimp... and right on the beach! Plus it's right next door.
123 locals recommend
Wanna Wanna Inn Beach Bar & Grill
5100 Gulf BlvdDelicious burgers, fries and fried shrimp... and right on the beach! Plus it's right next door.
Pirate's Landing
110 N Garcia StSuper-casual and campy. Plenty of pirate photo-ops!
Excellent selection of pizzas. As their name suggests, they also brew their own beer. It's quite tasty, but also much higher than normal in alcohol content, so order accordingly.
67 locals recommend
Padre Island Brewing Co
3400 Padre BlvdExcellent selection of pizzas. As their name suggests, they also brew their own beer. It's quite tasty, but also much higher than normal in alcohol content, so order accordingly.
Parks & Nature
They have about a mile of boardwalks over the wetlands. You can see many different types of birds and maybe even turtles and alligators. Birds are most active early morning and right before sunset.
153 locals recommend
South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
6801 Padre BlvdThey have about a mile of boardwalks over the wetlands. You can see many different types of birds and maybe even turtles and alligators. Birds are most active early morning and right before sunset.
It's about a 45-minute drive and you will probably have to dodge a lot of potholes, but it's worth it to possibly see coyotes, roadrunners, bobcats, javelinas, caracaras, etc.
21 locals recommend
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Admin Building And Visitor Contact Station
22688 Buena Vista BlvdIt's about a 45-minute drive and you will probably have to dodge a lot of potholes, but it's worth it to possibly see coyotes, roadrunners, bobcats, javelinas, caracaras, etc.
Shopping
K's Jewelry & Beads
2500 Padre BlvdTake home some fun, locally-made jewelry.
Although it may not carry everything, it's much closer than Blue Marlin (and probably cheaper too). You might also get your beach supplies here.
20 locals recommend
Dollar General
4400 Padre BlvdAlthough it may not carry everything, it's much closer than Blue Marlin (and probably cheaper too). You might also get your beach supplies here.
If you are already on the Island and don't want to cross the bridge to hit up Walmart or HEB, then this is the place for groceries and a few miscellaneous items.
114 locals recommend
Blue Marlin Supermarket South Padre Island
2912 Padre BlvdIf you are already on the Island and don't want to cross the bridge to hit up Walmart or HEB, then this is the place for groceries and a few miscellaneous items.
Entertainment & Activities
Close-by in case you want something to do in the evening or on a rainy day.
25 locals recommend
Island Cinema
4700 Padre BlvdClose-by in case you want something to do in the evening or on a rainy day.