Weekend: South Padre Island, Texas

Southern Living, Sep 2001 by Mckenzie, Jennifer L

Get ready to relax at the most popular beach in Texas.

Three days in South Padre Island just aren't enough. Quaint restaurants, laidback shopping, breathtaking sunsets, and quiet beaches-they'll make you want to pack your things and relocate to the island. But if a weekend is all you have, it's a start.

For years South Padre has been the crown jewel of spring break destinations. It ranks among the top choices for teens, but it's also great for parents who need to recover from a long summer. When school starts again, what you need is a vacation after summer vacation.

Friday

Getting to South Padre Island is a snap. Hop on Southwest Airlines (they usually have the best rates) to Harlingen, and you're only a short drive from the island. A warning: Make sure to follow the speed limit when you get in the car. Tickets are serious business and are given out freely here.

Check into the Radisson Resort South Padre Island (rates start at $165; [956] 761-6511) or Sheraton Fiesta South Padre Island Beach Hotel (rates start at $135; [956] 761-6551). Both hotels offer balcony views of the ocean, though these rooms have a higher price tag.

Unload your suitcases and head to Scampi's to catch the sunset. Many vow this is the best place in town to watch the sun go down. You can dine there or simply have a drink, and then eat at Kohnami, a Japanese restaurant favored by locals. For those who are novices with sushi, this is a great place to experiment. For the squeamish, Kohnami serves heaping bowls of noodles and tempura (lightly battered and fried vegetables and shrimp).

Saturday

At 10 a.m., start the day at Sea Turtle, Inc., for a glimpse of these ancient creatures. This corporation was founded by the famous "Turtle Lady," Ila Loetscher, who dedicated her life to saving and rehabilitating sea turtles. For a $2 donation, you can pet one and learn why they cry salt tears.

Have brunch at Rovans, which serves breakfast all day. An icon of South Padre, the place prepares fresh bread and pies daily. Its bakery window is filled with some of the best doughnuts in the South.

Keeping in mind this vacation is about relaxation, scurry over to the beach and spend the afternoon reading under an umbrella, soaking up rays, or collecting seashells. Most hotels offer chair and umbrella rentals for a minimal fee. And by all means, don't hit the sand around noon without flip-flops.

For those who enjoy shopping, Isla y Rica's island wear is too cool, and Barbara's designer labels are pricey but a sound investment. One consideration is that some of the shops and boutiques could be closed on Sunday, so hit these on Saturday, then relax with a book the rest of the weekend.

After you wash the sand from your toes, head to The Lantern Grill, one of the island's newest (and definitely one of its top) restaurants. By eating brunch at Rovans, you have saved some cash for this delicious fine dining. Start with the fresh crabmeat appetizer stacked with avocado, black beans, roasted corn, and tomatoes ($9.95). As a main course, consider the apple bacon-wrapped shrimp with poblano cheese potato cannoli and lobster cream ($18.95), or the crusted beef tenderloin with potato flauta and mushroomancho chile sauce ($27.50). The fresh fish specials are also worth a try.

Sunday

Locals convene at Ted's Restaurant to read the morning paper and swap island gossip. The breakfast fajitas are a favorite, but the biscuits are good as well.

After breakfast, it's time to ride horseback through the waves. Rides from Island Equestrian Center lope along the water and are offered usually four times a day. Rides last 1 to 11/2 hours and range in price from $30 to $40.

As a final hurrah, eat a traditional seafood lunch at Blackbeards' Restaurant. The heaping fried or blackened shrimp platters will satisfy your seafood cravings until your next trip to South Padre. For those who would rather feast on land animals, the chicken-- fried steak is the talk of the town.

Jennifer L. Mckenzie

For more information: Contact the South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, 600 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, TX 78597; (956) 761-6433, 1-800-767-2373, or www.sopadre.com.