South Padre Island
Food scene
Cafe On The Beach
3616 Gulf BlvdLiterally ON the beach! A short walk! EXCELLENT omelettes!
Padre Island Brewing Co
3400 Padre BlvdLocal brewers and EXCELLENT pizza. Easy walk.
Painted Marlin Grille
202 W Whiting StBEAUTIFUL SUNSET DINING! Right next to the ba scene too.
Hole-in-the-wall Mexican spot for the good stuff. Cheap and cash only.
16 locals recommend
Chilitto Pikin
3305 Padre BlvdHole-in-the-wall Mexican spot for the good stuff. Cheap and cash only.
El chilango taqueria
1912 Padre BoulevardThe Real deal. Must try.
Liam's Steak House & Oyster Bar
202 W Tarpon StFine Dining with a beautiful sunset.
Blackbeards'
103 E Saturn LnEasy walk to this reliable SPI seafood staple.
ICE CREAM just a walk away! Food too. Sometie you just need
a paleta to cool those kids off (adults too!) Open late in summer.
Spi munchies
4000 Padre BoulevardICE CREAM just a walk away! Food too. Sometie you just need
a paleta to cool those kids off (adults too!) Open late in summer.
Sightseeing
One of the many famous kitesurfing beaches on SPI. On a breezy day, it's a joy to walk these flats on the Laguna Madre and watch kitesurfers soar above the waves.
Bay Access Point
Bay Access PointOne of the many famous kitesurfing beaches on SPI. On a breezy day, it's a joy to walk these flats on the Laguna Madre and watch kitesurfers soar above the waves.
At the southern tip of SPI, with an excellent view of SpaceX Starbase across the bay.
Cristo de los Pescadores
At the southern tip of SPI, with an excellent view of SpaceX Starbase across the bay.
Activities
Prokite South Padre
5009 Padre BlvdTake a kitesurfing lesson!
Laguna Madre Nature Trail
7355 Padre BlvdSee a bit of Texas history! Arguably the birth place of the Texas that we know today, this 1846 battlefield features a visitor center with interactive exhibits, trails & guided tours.
18 locals recommend
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
7200 Paredes Line RdSee a bit of Texas history! Arguably the birth place of the Texas that we know today, this 1846 battlefield features a visitor center with interactive exhibits, trails & guided tours.
Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historical Park
421 E Queen Isabella BlvdClimb to the top of a lighthouse!
South Padre Island Adventure Park
21040 State Park Rd 100Horseback on the beach!
Off the beaten path beach at the end of the road. Only go with excellent 4x4 capability, check out the unspoiled Padre island as well as the other-worldly artwork.
UFO Beach
Off the beaten path beach at the end of the road. Only go with excellent 4x4 capability, check out the unspoiled Padre island as well as the other-worldly artwork.
Sapphire Spa
310A Padre BlvdSpa day!
Play Watersports
33174 State Park Road 100Rent a jet ski!
Slow down and learn from our feathered friends.
153 locals recommend
South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
6801 Padre BlvdSlow down and learn from our feathered friends.
Market
Dollar General
4400 Padre BlvdMost shopping needs. 2 block walk.
The local super market. 1/4 mile south. Walkable.
114 locals recommend
Blue Marlin Supermarket South Padre Island
2912 Padre BlvdThe local super market. 1/4 mile south. Walkable.
S.O.S. Services
2216 Padre BlvdNeed to pack/ship something, print, make copies? SOS is the local's lifesaver.
City advice
Don't miss
Check out this website for things to do and webcams
https://www.sopadre.com/
Getting around
Closests Airports
The closest airport is Brownsville, TX - BRO, 20 minutes away served by United Airlines connecting in DFW and HOU, and American Airlines connecting in DFW. Many other airlines fly direct and connecting routes as well, so check. The FBO is Southmost Aviation, great folks.
The next closest and probably cheaper too, is Harligen TX - HRL, about 50 minutes away.
Getting around
Do I need a car on SPI?
No, not really, there are many other options, plus traffic and parking in the popular seasons is a pain. Uber/Lyft work fine on SPI. Golfcart and bike rental shops are plentiful. There is also a FREE SHUTTLE called the Island Metro that runs up and down SPI and out to Port Isabel for shopping and sightseeing, google it for schedules. Of course, bring comfortable walking sandals as this is always a great and perhaps best option. Unlike other islands (Hilton Head comes to mind), most if not all of what you need is in walking distance on SPI (groceries, shopping, restaurants, services, clinics).