| North Padre Island is a favorite tourist destination | | | | fast-food restaurants such as Sonic and |
| of ours on the Texas Gulf Coast. It is located | | | | Whataburger. Padre Pizzeria delivers gourmet |
| across the bay from Corpus Christi and shares | | | | pizzas, and we really liked the Thai Surprise pizza. |
| many of the attractions, but North Padre has a | | | | There are a couple of casual sit-down restaurants |
| different vibe. It is a small, laid-back island | | | | on the island, and there are two beneath the |
| community that is not as developed as many of | | | | bridge between the island and the mainland that |
| the other parts of the gulf coast area. | | | | usually get much of the business. |
| Beaches | | | | The two restaurants under the bridge are |
| One of the main reasons to stay on the island is | | | | Snoopy's and Doc's. Snoopy's seems to be the |
| easy access to the nicer beaches found there. | | | | more highly regarded, but we do not understand |
| There is one hotel and a few condos right on the | | | | why. Snoopys is just a fried fish-shack. You order |
| beach, but for the most part the beaches are | | | | at the counter and pick up your own food served |
| undeveloped and drive-able down the entire strip | | | | on paper plates. It is cash only, and it has no bar; |
| of the north end. There are a park or two | | | | just beer. Doc's has waiters, real plates, and a full |
| located at various points with picnic tables, but it is | | | | bar. They both have great sunset views over the |
| common to see people enter the beach at one of | | | | lagoon, but neither appeared to have |
| the access points staggered about from the road | | | | air-conditioning. |
| and drive to their own private spot. Many of the | | | | Attractions |
| locals from Corpus Christi do this, and sometimes | | | | Other than standard beach activities, most of the |
| on weekends you may have to drive further to | | | | attractions are located nearby in Corpus Christi or |
| find your own space. | | | | Port Aransas. Port Aransas has deep-sea fishing, |
| Lodging | | | | and Corpus has pretty much everything else. |
| Most of the North Padre Island hotels and condo | | | | Corpus has various museums and tours, but the |
| complexes located near the beach, but only one | | | | main attractions are the Texas State Aquarium |
| hotel (Holiday Inn Sunspree) and only two or | | | | and the USS Lexington, a World War II era |
| three condominiums are located right on the | | | | air-craft carrier. |
| beach. There were around 10 or so condo | | | | The aquarium is generally pretty standard fare, |
| complexes within walking distance of the beach, | | | | but what really stands out is the dolphin room. We |
| and maybe two or three hotels. We did not see | | | | always spend an hour there, just hanging with the |
| any houses within walking distance of the beach, | | | | dolphins and seeing how they interact with us |
| but on the Laguna Madre side of the island (the | | | | behind the glass. It is hard to describe what is so |
| inner lagoon side opposed to the outer beach | | | | special about it, but it is. It is almost like being in |
| side) there were houses built right on the water, | | | | church. |
| usually with private boat docks, but not really a | | | | Conclusion |
| beach to speak of. We have always stayed in the | | | | We really like North Padre Island island; it has a lot |
| Sunspree because we want to be right on the | | | | of laid-back charm and some of the better |
| beach. | | | | beaches on the Texas Gulf Coast. It is one of the |
| Restaurants | | | | least developed areas that also have decent |
| There are several restaurant choices available | | | | beaches, but yet it till has some hotel and |
| right on the island. There are three to four | | | | restaurant options and even a CVS pharmacy. |