Need suggestions on South Padre (Port Isabel: spring break, rentals, condos)

[nicholasa101]

We are thinking of making a trip to South Padre this summer, I wanted to get suggestions on places that some of you have stayed at. There are a lot of nice looking places on line-but that doesnt mean that is how it looks when you get there! Also some suggestions for entertainment- we will have our three kids with us. Thank you

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

Inverness has been completely remodeled and is very nice. We have been going there for over 20 years. I highly recommend it.

[RGJ]

With kids, I wouldn't dare go during spring break..

[nicholasa101]

We are looking at going in late Aug

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

That's a good time to go. It's real mellow, not nearly as busy. I recommend Rovan's for breakfast tacos while you are down there. We usually don't eat out much there, we go over to the dock at Port Isabel and buy a messload of shrimp and just munch on that. My favorite restaurant, The Tiki, has been closed for years and I doubt it will ever be back. Blackbeards has some giant chicken fried steaks. If you are looking for a cool place to take your SO for a drink, there is a little beach bar called Wanna Wanna that has nice frozen Pina Coladas. There is also a COB (but you're probably not interested in that since you will be taking children... but it's nice if you're into that).

I could go on about all the places, but I'll leave it at that for now.

[sapphire]

OK, and I've even been to one and had to google COB.

COB Chrome Over Brass (snare drums)
COB Collocated Operating Base
COB Continent Ocean Boundary
COB Clothing Optional Beach
COB City of Brass (game)
COB Clean on Board (shipping)
COB Circle of Bosses
COB Clear-Over-Base (2-component car paints)
COB Change of Basis (linear algebra, changing vectors from one basis to another)
COB Commencement of Business
COB City of Bridgetown (Barbados)
COB Cranky Old Bastard
COB Current on Board


Just a partial list but it's on here.

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

LOL, yeah I always change vectors from one basis to another when I go down to S. Padre.

[catriona]

We've only stayed at hotels when we went to So. Padre, but there are a lot of nice places that are right on the beach. We stayed at a Homewood Suites (I think that's the name) and it had beach access through a gate and walk way. With three kids, I'd opt for a hotel with suites or one of the vacation rentals. By all means, eat at Blackbeards! They have the best fried fish/shrimp/etc!!

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention that Travelodge isn't too bad. I have stayed there on non time-share trips and it's got a boardwalk to the beach, too.

[MvnonuptoSA]

Staying at S. Padre really depends on your budget....you could stay in a condo right on the beach, but that will usually cost big $$$. You could rent a condo on one of the feeder streets on the beach side, which is less expensive. There are some pretty decent condos on those streets, too. But, it can get very crowded/loud/busy. Or, if you like a more quiet atmosphere, you could rent a condo on the bay side, which has gorgeous views of the sunset. We've done them all and have also stayed in hotels. It just really depends on your preferences. Last Fourth of July we rented a townhouse on the bayside and it was fabulous.

Dinner-wise, you HAVE to go to Sea Ranch. One of the better restaurants on the island. There's a new restaurant that opened that is on the bay side of the island that has watersports...I think it's called Parrot Eyes (pronounced paradise). They have water bumper boats I think, and I for sure saw see-doos. I didn't see the ages of your kids, so that all depends on how old they are. You've always got the beach and mini-golf for outings. There is also a sea-turtle rescue center that you can visit which can be fun for the kids.

Again, I can tell you all the things that we like to do when we're at the beach- for my husband, it's strictly fishing, for me I like the beach and the pool- but whether or not it interests you is another story. Hope this helps!