South Padre Island, Texas

Our first trip in 2022 was the second week of January to South Padre Island, Texas. We planned it mid-December. Over the years we’ve learned that about three weeks out can be a great sweet-spot for airfare. If the flights are within budget and decent accommodations are available, we go. Round trip tickets on American Airlines from DFW to HRL (Harlingen, Texas) were $140 each round trip. Tom’s status with American Airlines after years of business travel allowed both segments for the two of us to be upgraded. Harlingen is further from South Padre Island than Brownsville, but still an easy drive.

Upgrades certainly make air travel more fun. In fact, we’ve been known to choose a flight and sometimes even a location based on the odds for an upgrade. We make seat choices a little differently than most couples, though, when booking the original tickets. We both choose aisle seats in the same row, because that’s where we both prefer to fly. If the flight is upgraded, we usually arrange to sit next to each other. My rolling suitcase for cameras and electronics fits better under the window seat in front of me, so that’s where I end up. Although the goal of this website is to share destinations and travel tips and not obsess about credit cards or points, you’ll find that we’re well versed in snagging a comfy flight. It really adds to the fun, as does a stop in the airport lounge at DFW, but that’s another post.

I found this two-bedroom condo in a fourplex not far from the beach. Those pictures are appealing, and we found the condo comfortable, but not exactly that vibrant. It’s my policy to let an owner know because sometimes they aren’t even aware. Many owners manage their vacation rentals remotely, and honest reviews are important. (Also, I always ask before I link anything here, and that answer was yes.) What the place lacked in pizazz it made up for in cleanliness (my sticking point) and location. It was a block and a half to the beach and a block and a half to the island brewery.

Padre Island Brewing Company has the best happy hour on the island. From 2pm to 7pm every day that they are open, pints are $3. We did our best to kick a keg of Porter in order to sample the Winter Ale that would be following, but alas: We failed. There were a good variety of brews and a couple of taps from a neighboring brewery. They also offered a happy hour appetizer menu that was a heck of a deal and could easily serve as dinner.

We enjoyed happy hour at The Painted Marlin Grille, too. Their Gulf Shrimp Chimichurri salad is excellent. And even though the skies were cloudy for our stay until the last day, the sunset from the open-air seating at the grill was lovely.

Another happy hour found us at Wanna Wanna Beach Bar & Grill where the pina colada was excellent. Dinner our last night was at Pier 19, an old-school seafood restaurant at the bottom of the island. Some seats give you the excellent sunset that is the first photo, above, while others give you a great view of the SpaceX launch site. Pier 19 also runs boat tours and fishing charters.

What we loved most about South Padre Island were the very friendly snowbirds just like ourselves. This isn’t the open-shirt and flip flop crowd of some Caribbean getaways, but hardworking midwesterners who are happy to spend the winter months in a warmer climate. These are genuinely interesting people who were happy to share the evening with you. Many come back year after year to the same rental.

Island pricing does apply for groceries at the local store. Head to Dollar General when you first get in for breakfast and sandwich items. And, if you forget to pack extra layers because it you expected it to be warmer (uhem), there’s a Walmart not too far over the bridge. Also in Port Isabel is Joe’s Oyster Bar which was our first stop after landing in Harlingen. The very basic restaurant has absolutely amazing seafood meals and fresh fish for purchase.

State Parks at either end can seem pricey per car per day, but there are options to park and walk in instead of drive. Both parks are also RV camping locations with full hook ups.

You go to South Padre Island to walk the beaches three or four times a day. The people are great. The beer is good. The seafood is delicious. But, the beaches will bring you back. Consider South Padre Island, Texas, for your next warm week away. You won’t be disappointed.