Michael’s guidebook
What to Do on South Padre Island
Here are some of our favorite restaurants, activities, and tips for your stay on South Padre Island.
Great location, just down the street - great food drinks and sunsets!
33 locals recommend
Tequila Sunset
200 W Pike StGreat location, just down the street - great food drinks and sunsets!
This is our number 1 place to eat breakfast on the island. Great coffees and hot chocolate! There is usually a wait but you can shop while you wait.
146 locals recommend
Yummies Bistro
700 Padre BlvdThis is our number 1 place to eat breakfast on the island. Great coffees and hot chocolate! There is usually a wait but you can shop while you wait.
Small restaurant on the beach with AMAZING food - you will be impressed!
30 locals recommend
The Palms Resort
3616 Gulf BlvdSmall restaurant on the beach with AMAZING food - you will be impressed!
Go Parasailing at Parrot Eyes, if you can get the price for $70/person that's usually a good deal.
12 locals recommend
Parrot Eyes Watersports
5801 Padre BlvdGo Parasailing at Parrot Eyes, if you can get the price for $70/person that's usually a good deal.
This place really IS the biggest beach bar in Texas! Definitely worthwhile to checkout and grab lunch here - you'll need to drive to this one though.
164 locals recommend
Clayton's Beach Bar & Event Venue
6900 Padre BlvdThis place really IS the biggest beach bar in Texas! Definitely worthwhile to checkout and grab lunch here - you'll need to drive to this one though.
This is one of the very best places on the island for fresh seafood and fine dining. Highly recommend!!
100 locals recommend
Sea Ranch
33330 State Park Rd 100This is one of the very best places on the island for fresh seafood and fine dining. Highly recommend!!
If you haven't had Ceviche on South Padre Island before, this little cute place has the best on the island and is usually rated in the top 3 overall places to eat on Trip Advisor. A nice place to stop for lunch during a day of shopping.
46 locals recommend
Ceviche Ceviche
1004 Padre BlvdIf you haven't had Ceviche on South Padre Island before, this little cute place has the best on the island and is usually rated in the top 3 overall places to eat on Trip Advisor. A nice place to stop for lunch during a day of shopping.
Support South Padre Island's turtle population! The turtle center/hospital is an easy way to spend an hour or so, and the affordable admission cost is a direct donation that supports the conservation and rescue of sea turtles.
205 locals recommend
Sea Turtle, Inc.
6617 Padre BlvdSupport South Padre Island's turtle population! The turtle center/hospital is an easy way to spend an hour or so, and the affordable admission cost is a direct donation that supports the conservation and rescue of sea turtles.
Really awesome place for catching sunsets over the bay - they have great outdoor seating and live bands all weekend. Still within walking distance if you don't have a car - probably about a 10-15 minute walk.
68 locals recommend
LongBoard Bar and Grill
205 W Palm StReally awesome place for catching sunsets over the bay - they have great outdoor seating and live bands all weekend. Still within walking distance if you don't have a car - probably about a 10-15 minute walk.
It’s very easy to otherwise miss this cute coffee shop, it’s right on the same street - Amberjack. Excellent coffee, smoothies and a book store, great little hangout.
Karma Coffee and Books
2500 Padre BlvdIt’s very easy to otherwise miss this cute coffee shop, it’s right on the same street - Amberjack. Excellent coffee, smoothies and a book store, great little hangout.
Viva
Super close, great place for food and drinks and a sunset.
Always pay attention for upcoming SpaceX launches, you just might have a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch a SpaceX launch from the southern-most beach of South Padre! One of the closest vantage points in the US for a rocket launch. Or take the 55 minute drive towards Brownsville and check out the SpaceX facility (they don’t do tours but you can drive right up to it and see the launch pad).
47 locals recommend
SpaceX Space Launch Facility
Boca Chica BoulevardAlways pay attention for upcoming SpaceX launches, you just might have a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch a SpaceX launch from the southern-most beach of South Padre! One of the closest vantage points in the US for a rocket launch. Or take the 55 minute drive towards Brownsville and check out the SpaceX facility (they don’t do tours but you can drive right up to it and see the launch pad).