1. Where do I find info about the gambling ship?
2. Can you recommend a good place to stay on SPI that is on or near the beach?
3. Where are the best places to eat on SPI?
4. How about clubs?
5. We're staying in condos with full kitchens. are there grocery stores on the island? if not, where are the closest?
6. I heard that a bunch of people got attacked by sharks there. Is it safe to let my kids go in the water?
7. I need internet access during my visit to South Padre. What are my options?
8. What are the golfing options in the SPI area?
9 . I want to get married on SPI. Can you provide me with some info?
10. I want to live/work on SPI - can you give me any leads?
11. We are going to be staying on the bay side of the island and I am curious about the best place to get gulf beach access. Is any or most of the gulf beach restricted to those staying in the gulfside hotels?
12. What is the story on the line of umbrellas and chairs blocking access to the beach?
13. What is the best way to get around without a car?
14. Do you know of any childcare providers?
15. Why don't they rake the ugly seaweed off the beach?
1. There is currently no gambling ship sailing out of area waters
2. ALL the condos, hotels, motels, B&B's and beach houses on the island are on or near the beach (this is a very narrow island.) The very coolest place to stay on South Padre Island is the Sandbox Inn (not that I am biased or anything ;-) Just in case the place is already occupied, I have put a lot of time into my accommodations pages to help you find an alternative place to camp out during your stay here.
3. Personally? I like Blackbeards (casual dining, extensive menu), Palm St. Pier (on the bay, fun and funky) and Wanna Wanna (on the beach, fun and funky - are you seeing a pattern here?) But that is just me. Dirty Al's/Daddy's are very popular and the same family is about to work its magic on teh dearly departed Bigo's... should be interesting.
4. The Entertainment District - located in the middle of town on the bayside... lots of places within walking distance of each other: Louie's Backyard attracts a younger crowd - they will let you in if you are 18 and older. The upstairs sports bar attracts older folks as well. Tequila Sunset offers great live music/dancing. Wahoo Saloon for ceviche and fireworks. Palm St. Pier has great music sometimes and the spot formerly known as Club 202 is about to reopen as "Live Bait." Fun!
Elsewhere: Kelly's Irish Pub and Coral Reef attract an older crowd (locals too); the Radisson is good for live music and dancing. Boomerang Billy's at the Surf Motel is a popular palapa bar. Wanna Wanna at the Island Inn is another friendly palapa bar right on the beach with frequent live entertainment - we hear the wildly popular Bongodogs will be there every weekend this summer. Watch for a new Parrot Eyes in a new location opening up soon.
5. There is a grocery store on the Island - the Blue Marlin. I shop there for quick pickups but the best prices and selection are to be found at HEB and/or Walmart == both of which are across the bridge on the mainland in Port Isabel (right on the main road coming into town.) My suggestion would be to do the bulk of your shopping there (especially if you are feeding a big crew) on your way to the Island, then pick up the stuff you forgot at the Blue Marlin.
6. There was one "shark attack" on the other end of the Island (by Corpus) a few years ago. A surfer got nipped - the shark didn't like what it tasted and swam away. I don't know how far out the surfer was, but very likely a lot further out than you are willing to let your kids go.
Bottom line: If I were you I would not give this another thought.
7. Hi Speed wireless internet access is everywhere now. I hear lots of hotels (like the Sheraton) are offering it and even the local McDonalds is advertising that they have it. If you don't have a laptop with you, go to Internet Island (web-site is currently down but it is located on Padre Blvd. near Palmetto Inn) to surf the web or check your e-mail.
8. See my detailed list and links to area Golf Courses at http://spionline.com/golf.html
9. Take a look at my south padre island wedding page for lots of useful links and contact info.
10. Me and about 2000 other people think that living here full time is the greatest -- but it is not for everyone. First - take this simple test to see if you would really be happy here. Then, you can check out the classifieds here and find a relocater here. But the best plan is to come on down, look over the most recent want ads in the PI/SPI Press, and start making calls and knocking on doors.
11. If you don't mind walking across Padre Blvd. you should not have any problem getting to the beach (except for the stretch from the Radisson north to Sunchase.) If you are carrying lots of stuff and want the convenience of having your car nearby, it can be a bit trickier. There is a series of "pocket parks" along Gulf Blvd. that facilitate public beach access, but many do not offer any parking at all. Parking is not normally a problem except for Texas Week of Spring Break and peak summer weekends.
12. The umbrellas and chairs are set up for interested beach goers. They are not free - set your butt in a chair and the attendent will be all over you for money. (If you want to make a reservation, I recommend thebeachservice. But it is very important that beachusers who don't want to rent an umbrella but who do want to be close to the water understand their rights:
