South Padre Island Kids
- Overview
- Attractions
- Events
- Facts
- Kids
Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
is Texas' newest waterpark on the beautiful beaches of South Padre Island.
Splash into more than a dozen family water attractions, including the world's
largest surfing ride and a five story Sand Castle.
South Padre Island
Convention Centre Sand Castle
7355 Padre Blvd. on the
north end of the Island.
The sand castle may be
viewed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
The South Padre
Island Convention Centre is the location for the largest year-round sand castle
in the State of Texas. Sons of the Beach Sand Castle Wizards, who complete in
sand castle building contests throughout the world, built the sand castle and
restore it regularly. They use 45 tons of sand mixed with an estimated 50 pounds
of clay and 200 gallons of water to build the 10 feet tall statue. Built on a
10' X 16' base, it is topped off with an 80% water/20% Elmer's glue solution. In
all, about half a gallon of Elmer's glue is used to coat the castle.
The sand castle has become a
year-round treat for Island guests, and at times, the foreground is changed to
welcome large groups and conferences, or to mark a special event.
Laguna Atascosa National
Wildlife Refuge
(956) 748-3607.
The Visitor's Center is open
October 1 through April 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. The Center is
open only on weekends during the month of May from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and
is closed June 1 through September 30. The Center is also closed on Thanksgiving
Day and Christmas Day.
Entrance fee charged per car.
A short 20-minute drive from
South Padre Island is Located east of Rio Hondo and bordering the Laguna Madre
bay, this 45,000-acre federal preserve is one of the jewels of the refuge system
and has a record number of 411 birds documented. It is also home to endangered
species such as the ocelot and jaguarundi. Other animals found at the refuge are
javelinas, deer, Texas tortoises, indigo snakes, bobcats, coyotes and
occasionally, mountain lions.
Andy Bowie Park
761-3704
Located on the northern end of South Padre Island, this park provides
beachfront picnic pavilions, concessions, children's playground, shower
facilities, Group rental facilities are also available with prior arrangement
for beach parties.
Edwin K. Atwood Park
761-3704
Located 1.5 miles
north of Andy Bowie Park on Park Road 100, this park offers a beachfront picnic
pavilion, a concession, and a beach access road, which provides twenty miles of
beach driving.
Isla Blanca Park
(956) 761-5493.
On the southernmost tip of
South Padre Island, this park is the crown jewel of the Cameron County Park
System. Over one mile of clean, white beach along the Gulf of Mexico offers
abundant beachfront recreational facilities. Enjoy picnic and playground areas,
the south fishing jetty, restaurants, clubs, University of Texas Pan American
exhibits, and the Chapel By The Sea non-denominational church. There is also a
full-marina with daily charters, a water park, retail shops and a boat ramp.
Laguna Madre Nature Trail
Cutting through the
tall marsh grass are two boardwalks made of recycled material. Each boardwalk
ends in a blind that allows people to become an unobtrusive observer of a host
of birds, fish, turtles, dragonflies, lizards,and an alligator or two. Located
just off to the side of the South Padre Island Convention Centre, the trail
starts at the Warbler Rest Area, a plot of ground seeded with flowers designed
to attract the winged creatures on a year-round basis. Located 4 miles north of
the Queen Isabella Causeway. For more information call 800-SO-PADRE.
The Point Isabel Lighthouse
Complex
421 Queen Isabella Blvd.
(956) 943-2262.
Daily, 9:00 - 5:00
Home to the newly renovated
Point Isabel Lighthouse and the Keeper's Cottage. In 1852, Congress approved the
construction of a beacon in the Laguna Madre to support the growing ship
industry of the South Texas Coast. The Point Isabel Lighthouse was built to
protect and guide ships through Brazos Santiago and the barrier islands. During
the Civil War, the light was closed and the tower was used as a lookout for both
the Confederate and Union armies. The lighthouse was lit again after the war. In
1880, the lighthouse was renovated to accommodate a new light system. The
lighthouse was officially closed in 1905. In 1952, the lighthouse was opened as
a state park and is the only lighthouse on the Texas coast to be opened to the
public. A replica of the Keeper's Cottage houses the Port Isabel Chamber of
Commerce, historic displays, and tourist information.
