• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: Tacos are trending strong in this roundup of Dallas restaurant news
    News You Can Eat
    Tacos are trending strong in this roundup of Dallas restaurant news
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Celestina Blok: These are the 6 best food and drink events in Dallas this week
    This week in gluttony
    These are the 6 best food and drink events in Dallas this week
    By Celestina Blok
    Teresa Gubbins: Antoine's Foods, one of Dallas' oldest sandwich shops, has closed
    Sandwich News
    Antoine's Foods, one of Dallas' oldest sandwich shops, has closed
    By Teresa Gubbins

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Fixer Upper castle reigns atop this week's 5 most-read Dallas stories
    This Week's Hot Headlines
    Fixer Upper castle reigns atop this week's 5 most-read Dallas stories
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Alex Bentley: Magical new Nutcracker immersive experience dances into Dallas for 2022 holidays
    New Holiday Fun
    Magical new Nutcracker immersive experience dances into Dallas
    By Alex Bentley
    Alex Bentley: Aubrey Plaza scams and schemes in solid Emily the Criminal
    Movie Review
    Aubrey Plaza scams and schemes in solid Emily the Criminal
    By Alex Bentley

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Lindsey Wilson: Dallas' Cara Mía Theatre gets vocal about social justice in 2022-23 season
    Season Announcement
    Dallas' Cara Mía Theatre gets vocal about social justice in 2022-23
    By Lindsey Wilson
    Lindsey Wilson: These are the 6 can't-miss shows in Dallas-Fort Worth theater for August
    Theater Critic Picks
    These are the 6 can't-miss shows in DFW theater for August
    By Lindsey Wilson
    Lindsey Wilson: Broadway Dallas and Live Nation join forces to keep Music Hall at Fair Park bustling
    Better Together
    Broadway Dallas and Live Nation join forces to keep Music Hall busy
    By Lindsey Wilson

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Actress Christina Ricci stars in trailblazing Dallas charity's powerhouse fall event
    Ladies who power-lunch
    Christina Ricci stars in trailblazing Dallas charity's big fall event
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Dallas luncheon sprints toward success with most decorated track star in U.S.
    lunching for the gold
    Dallas luncheon sprints toward success with biggest track star in U.S.
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Texas Rangers score $1.85 million at charity gala starring Darius Rucker
    Eye on the ball
    Texas Rangers score $1.85M at charity gala starring Darius Rucker
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Ser Steak + Spirits
    Restaurants
    Ser Steak + Spirits
    : Taco Diner
    Restaurants
    Taco Diner
    : Iron Cactus (Closed)
    Restaurants
    Iron Cactus (Closed)

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : Sweet Tooth Hotel presents Rewind
    8.17.22 | 12:00 pm
    Sweet Tooth Hotel presents Rewind
    : Chris Brown & Lil Baby in concert
    8.16.22 | 7:00 pm
    Chris Brown & Lil Baby in concert
    : Perot Museum of Nature and Science presents “Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall”
    8.17.22 | 10:00 am
    Perot Museum of Nature and Science presents “Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall”

    SPONSORED BY

  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    Brianna Caleri: Dallas steps onto list of top 10 U.S. cities with lowest carbon footprints
    By the Footprint
    Dallas steps onto list of top US cities with lowest carbon footprints
    By Brianna Caleri
    Teresa Gubbins: Big spike in thefts of catalytic converters is hitting Dallas vehicle owners
    Crime News
    Big spike in thefts of catalytic converters is hitting Dallas vehicles
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Booming Dallas neighbor unlocks honor as one of America's best places to live
    Most livable cities
    Dallas neighbor unlocks honor as one of America's best places to live
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: Giant online diamond retailer Blue Nile sets showroom for top Dallas mall
    Diamond News
    Giant online diamond retailer sets showroom for top Dallas mall
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Teresa Gubbins: Luxe perfume brand favored by royalty & celebs to open at Ritz-Carlton Dallas
    Fragrance News
    Luxe perfume brand favored by royalty & celebs to open at Ritz-Carlton
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Teresa Gubbins: Statler hotel in downtown Dallas adds old-school perk: a barbershop
    Hair News
    Statler hotel in downtown Dallas adds old-school perk: a barbershop
    By Teresa Gubbins

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: Hutsell mansion for sale in Dallas' Lakewood has beautiful vintage bathrooms
    House For Sale
    Hutsell mansion for sale in Dallas' Lakewood has beautiful bathrooms
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Hannah J. Frías: The stars at night are big and bright at this stunning $18.5 million Texas ranch
    Love this listing
    The stars at night are big and bright at this vast $18.5M Texas ranch
    By Hannah J. Frías
    Teresa Gubbins: Exclusive peek inside Mediterranean landmark house for sale in East Dallas
    House For Sale
    Exclusive peek inside Mediterranean landmark for sale in East Dallas
    By Teresa Gubbins

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: 7 spectacular surprises inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle in Waco
    Royal revelation
    7 surprises inside Chip & Joanna Gaines' Fixer Upper castle in Waco
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Teresa Gubbins: Best Buy to open its 3rd Texas outdoor furniture store Yardbird in Frisco
    Home Decor News
    Best Buy to open 3rd TX outdoor furniture store Yardbird in Frisco
    By Teresa Gubbins
    John Egan: Texas builder unveils sleek prefabricated luxury homes starting at $600,000
    High-end housing
    Texas builder unveils sleek prefab luxury homes starting at $600,000
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    Natalie Harms: Amazon tries on same-day mall delivery in Dallas area for in-demand items
    PRIME SHOPPING
    Amazon tries on same-day mall delivery in Dallas for in-demand items
    By Natalie Harms
    Steven Devadanam: 2 Dallas hospitals earn healthy rankings in prestigious list of best in U.S. and Texas
    off the charts
    2 Dallas hospitals earn healthy rankings in list of best in US & Texas
    By Steven Devadanam
    : NASA taps Texas companies to launch revolutionary new spacesuit project
    top (flight) gear
    NASA taps Texas firms to launch revolutionary new spacesuit program
    By John Egan, InnovationMap

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Brianna Caleri: These are the 10 best Austin hotels to book for a full ACL Fest experience this fall
    Night Moves
    10 best Austin hotels to book for a full ACL Fest experience this fall
    By Brianna Caleri
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: 7 spectacular surprises inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle in Waco
    Royal revelation
    7 surprises inside Chip & Joanna Gaines' Fixer Upper castle in Waco
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Brianna Caleri: New Hill Country festival jams out with 15 Texas wineries and 3 bands
    Texas festivals
    New Hill Country festival jams out with 15 Texas wineries and 3 bands
    By Brianna Caleri

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
Travel Texas Dallas
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Travel
On the Road
Travel back in time in Richmond, one of the oldest cities in Texas
Rome or bust
Ancient Roman treasure found at Goodwill now displayed at Texas museum
LATEST NEWS
Make a splash in Grand Prairie with swimming, shopping, and more
On the Road

Feel the sand in your toes at beachy, beautiful South Padre Island

Feel the sand in your toes at beachy, beautiful South Padre Island

By CultureMap Create
Jun 30, 2022, 12:00 pm
Enlarge
Slideshow
Surfer at sunset
South Padre Island is a beach-lover's dream. Photo courtesy of South Padre Island
South Padre Island aerial
Get on island time. Photo courtesy of South Padre Island
Surfer at sunset
South Padre Island aerial

From sun worshippers to sandcastle builders, kite boarders to windsurfers, birdwatchers to beachcombers, South Padre Island (or SPI, as the locals say) attracts them all.

Island life is available anytime here, where you can get coastal and chill out by the water, have a break from the beach at South Padre Island Golf Club, or take the family to splash around at one of South Padre Island’s biggest attractions: Beach Park at Isla Blanca.

In case you need more convincing, here are five reasons to love SPI:

1. Outdoor adventures are yours for the taking
Sure, you can beach it all day and take part in nearly any type of water sport, but if you want to swim on a slightly wilder side, get face-to-face with exotic marine wildlife in the clear, shallow waters of Laguna Madre Bay.

Or take a deep dive and book a lesson for scuba diving with American Diving and learn how to navigate the open waters of the Texas Gulf Coast.

Adrenaline junkies will run for the parasailing and jet skis, while you’ll find fishing enthusiasts inshore and deep-sea fishing. Pro tip: Have one of the island’s local spots cook your catch. 

2. You can be a nature tourist
SPI is a habitat for the endangered Kemp’s Ridley turtle species, and Sea Turtle, Inc. offers an up-close look at these creatures.

As the Rio Grande Valley’s premier destination for birdwatching, the South Padre Island Birding Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary has some of the best access to observe birds, butterflies, and natural wildlife in coastal South Texas.

3. It’s the Sandcastle Capital of the World
While you’re at the beach, book a sandcastle lesson with one of the island’s many talented pros and learn from the finest sand sculptors around.

Whether you want to build a traditional castle, an animal, a character, or even your own sand throne, you’ll learn both the basics and advanced sculpting skills — no artistic ability required!

4. It’s a seafood lover’s dream
It will come as no surprise that seafood is the most popular cuisine in SPI, but you might be amazed at the diversity in flavors and vibe among the restaurants, which each have their own unique style.

For example, The Painted Marlin Grille serves up fresh seafood paired a relaxed atmosphere and gorgeous views of the sunset over Laguna Madre Bay.

Another glorious view comes courtesy of the aptly named Cafe on the Beach.

For something a bit more formal, Sea Ranch Restaurant and Bar sends out surf-and-turf at its finest — and don’t skip their Sea Ranch Swirl Margarita.

5. There are fireworks all summer long
You don’t have to wait until the Fourth of July to find that spark. There’s no more festive way to end your day at the beach than to watch fireworks reflect off the water, which happens each weekend during the summer.

Naturally, SPI also boasts a range of places to stay, all with easy access to island activities and attractions, including romantic inns, luxe resorts, and family-friendly hotels and rentals.

To plan your trip and discover more about what makes SPI special, head over to the South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Read These Next
JSX
Dallas-based JSX tempts high rollers with new hop-on flights to Vegas
silver falls park crosbyton
Stop along the Texas Plains Trail Region for stunning vistas
jack ryan's patio drinks
Strike it rich with Kilgore's nostalgic charm and heaps of history
JSX
Dallas-based JSX tempts high rollers with new hop-on flights to Vegas
silver falls park crosbyton
Stop along the Texas Plains Trail Region for stunning vistas
jack ryan's patio drinks
Strike it rich with Kilgore's nostalgic charm and heaps of history
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • Dallas-based JSX tempts high rollers with new hop-on flights to Vegas
  • Where to shop in Dallas right now: 7 must-hit stores for August
  • Stop along the Texas Plains Trail Region for stunning vistas
    - promoted -
  • Strike it rich with Kilgore's nostalgic charm and heaps of history
    - promoted -
  • Seasoned chef debuts Mixtitos Kitchen, new Mexican spot in East Dallas
See All Latest News >
  • Hutsell mansion for sale in Dallas' Lakewood has beautiful bathrooms
  • Exclusive peek inside Mediterranean landmark for sale in East Dallas
  • Antoine's Foods, one of Dallas' oldest sandwich shops, has closed
  • Tacos are trending strong in this roundup of Dallas restaurant news
  • Thirsty Lion Gastropub to open on Dallas' most restaurant-friendly row
Vote Now
Where to Eat
6/17
Where to eat in Dallas right now: 8 intriguing restaurants for June
5/5
Where to eat in Dallas right now: 10 hottest new restaurants for May
4/20
Where to eat in Dallas right now: 10 hottest new restaurant openings
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2022 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>