what reason is there for Houstonians to visit Corpus Christi or South Padre Island (close to RGV area) over Galveston? (Orange: amusement park, condos)

[That One 2000's Baby]

Just curious

Galveston is borderline apart of Houston, have a long beach as well as a pier amusement park

the latter, neither Corpus Christi nor South Padre Island have

[Ghost Town]

South Padre has a lot more and the water is always much better.
Corpus Christi typically has better water. But not always.

[GreenBouy]

Originally Posted by That One 2000's Baby

Just curious

Galveston is borderline apart of Houston, have a long beach as well as a pier amusement park

the latter, neither Corpus Christi nor South Padre Island have

We enjoy heading south at times because it’s something different.

[txdad99]

Whenever we want to go to the beach for a day trip or a weekend… we go to Galveston. But if we are spending a week or going in a group we will usually go to Corpus or South Padre since the water is so much nicer.

[SanJac]

Originally Posted by That One 2000's Baby

Just curious

Galveston is borderline apart of Houston, have a long beach as well as a pier amusement park

the latter, neither Corpus Christi nor South Padre Island have

I would pick Galveston over Corpus in terms of restaurants and things to do. The water is not that much clearer in Corpus.

I typically vacation in Florida but one year decided to check out Padre Island. There are several high rise condos in SPI similar to Florida destinations. The water was noticeably more blue than Galveston that year. Again, there were not more restaurants or attractions. We are talking about an 8-hour drive from Houston vs. 10 hours to Florida. I have not been back to SPI!

My Pictures

Destin, Florida


South Padre Island

[DanielWayne]

Last weekend I parked along the Galveston Seawall, but unknowingly near a small encampment on one of the pavilions. As I was leaving a fight almost broke out in the encampment as one guy was yelling and smashing things. Also as I was leaving the island I got flipped off by a guy slowly stumbling across Broadway... in the dark.

I did enjoy the haunted house on the Strand, but these things happen almost every time I go to the island. I have never seen this type of thing in Corpus, although I am sure it exists. But Galveston riff raff is out in the open. This is why I prefer Corpus.

[detachable arm]

It takes 8 hours to go 370 miles? It’s only a few miles further than New Orleans.

BTW I prefer Orange Beach AL and it’s my favorite beach in the US. The water is about the same… sometimes gets slightly murky emerald when all those shells wash in. Gulf state park is right there if you want to hike/bike to beach, grasslands/bayou, woods & pine forest all in succession. Yes it is the redneck riviera capital where they bow to their orange god, but the vibes are still great and it is 1 hour closer.

I enjoy Galveston but it has always had a thug element that drives people away.

[NTexas2010]

Originally Posted by detachable arm

It takes 8 hours to go 370 miles? It’s only a few miles further than New Orleans.

Yea, 8 hours doesn't track. We make the drive in 6 hours with multiple stops on the way with 3 kids. Without stopping and staying near the speed limit, you're looking at 5 hours unless you're starting from the North/NE/East side outside of Beltway.

[RMESMH]

Originally Posted by That One 2000's Baby

Just curious

Galveston is borderline apart of Houston, have a long beach as well as a pier amusement park

the latter, neither Corpus Christi nor South Padre Island have

Because Corpus is one of only three of the 60 largest cities in the U.S. that I haven't been to .

(all three are between 56 and 60....Honolulu #56, Lexington, KY #59, and Corpus Christi #60)

[Sugarlandbubba]

Originally Posted by detachable arm

It takes 8 hours to go 370 miles? It’s only a few miles further than New Orleans.

BTW I prefer Orange Beach AL and it’s my favorite beach in the US. The water is about the same… sometimes gets slightly murky emerald when all those shells wash in. Gulf state park is right there if you want to hike/bike to beach, grasslands/bayou, woods & pine forest all in succession. Yes it is the redneck riviera capital where they bow to their orange god, but the vibes are still great and it is 1 hour closer.

I enjoy Galveston but it has always had a thug element that drives people away.

I have been to Orange Beach and Pensacola Beach more than 100 times, and it takes about the same driving time to both beaches. Destin is probably another 50 minutes from Pensacola. There is also the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola for the kids.