Ok, Galveston or Corpus Christi this time

[buffettbride]

On the short list with Seattle is Galveston or Corpus Christi. It would be in mid-September, so I am fearful of hurricanes, but otherwise, how is the weather that time of year. Is it beachy enough?

[conched]

On the short list with Seattle is Galveston or Corpus Christi. It would be in mid-September, so I am fearful of hurricanes, but otherwise, how is the weather that time of year. Is it beachy enough?

Lots of stuff for the kids to do in both places. I have always preferred Galveston, but I go to Port Aransas more, because it is closer to home. There is the question. Do you want to stay on the Gulf? If you do, Corpus is not on the Gulf. Galveston is. Corpus is just a short drive over the causeway or by ferry to Port A.

Corpus has a great aquarium and the old battleship.

Galveston has the Grand Strand with lots of shopping and food, etc. and Moody Gardens, which has butterflies and dolphins and other educational things to do...IMAX.

I like the restaurants around Galveston better. It is also a short drive to Keemah area, which is on the bay and has a fun area for kids with an aquarium.

If you wanna stay where the kids can run out on the beach close to your hotel, I'd stay at Galveston or Port A.

[txaggirl91]

Port A hands down.

[txaggirl91]

Fly into San Antonio. Get a car and see SA. Its a couple hours drive down to Port A.

SA's airport is bigger than Corpus. Probably get better deals

[piratenurse]

Fly into Corpus and drive another 2 hours down to South Padre (5 hours from San Antonio). Galveston has it's charm, but the water is usually brown. Port A is a great little beach town, but the beach is loaded with seaweed. South Padre has sugar sand, clear blue water, great beach horseback riding and a kickin' little beachfront bar. And if you have a 4-wheel drive, you can head north on the beach and disappear. Too bad you're going after Labor Day. In the summer, on Friday nights, you can take a boat into the Laguna Madre bay and watch the fireworks up close and personal.

[conched]

Fly into Corpus and drive another 2 hours down to South Padre (5 hours from San Antonio). Galveston has it's charm, but the water is usually brown. Port A is a great little beach town, but the beach is loaded with seaweed. South Padre has sugar sand, clear blue water, great beach horseback riding and a kickin' little beachfront bar. And if you have a 4-wheel drive, you can head north on the beach and disappear. Too bad you're going after Labor Day. In the summer, on Friday nights, you can take a boat into the Laguna Madre bay and watch the fireworks up close and personal.

Yes, So Padre is my MUST GO TO at least once a year...so far away.

Mallory they have a Schlitterbahn which is really popular with the young uns.

The beaches, bars, boats are the best. Fishing is great. There is a wonderful lighthouse. Lots of PIRATE things.

They have an area for those who are NOT Fraidy Cats with bungee jumping and screamers
http://www.exploresouthpadreisland.com/bungee.htm
Bungee jumping is the biggest thrill ride on the Island! Gravity Park is located across from Louie's Backyard. Just look for the tallest bungee jump towers in Texas. You can't miss it. If you don't like dropping hundreds of feet in seconds they offer the world's tallest reverse bungee! Up to two people can sit in a secured cage as the bungee cords stretch upward...3….2.....1, in seconds you are hundreds of feet up looking at all of the Island's lights. Gravity Park also has a miniature bungee jump for the kids as well as a rock climbing wall, go carts and arcades. This is a great place to drop off the kids while the adults walk across the street to the entertainment district for some needed cocktails.

[buffettbride]

It will be just hubby and me. Leaving the kids at home. It will just be for a long weekend. No need for uberkidfriendly activities. Shoulda clarified.

Kinda ruled out Galveston tonight. FIL also mentioned the water was brown.

[txaggirl91]

South Padre is also a good choice too. You can fly into Brownsville.

Port A is still my all time favorite beach in Texas.

There is a great little biker bar under the causeway near the battleship in Corpus. I have no clue the name.

[srkmrd]

I just returned from a weekend at Surfside just about 40 miles down from Galveston and I was impressed over how much nicer the beacher are than last time I visited Galveston.....between Surfside and Galveston all the beached just looked so much nicer than before.......looks to be lots of rejuvination since Ike. We were in South Padre twice last year and it is really nice but the water is not blue......maybe not quite as mucky as Galveston though. I have never been to Port A but definately want to go. To me Corpus does not feel so much like a beach town like the others.

I see where Jerry Diaz and also Kelly Mcguire play around Galveston a lot.........I think my next Texas Beach trip will be based on that.

[conched]

South Padre is also a good choice too. You can fly into Brownsville.

Port A is still my all time favorite beach in Texas.

There is a great little biker bar under the causeway near the battleship in Corpus. I have no clue the name.

You're probably talking about Snoopy's. We've been there a bit. Fried food is always good...served on paper stuff, but great views of the sunset and just great to be "under a bridge."

Doc's has good good and is also under the bridge ...JFK Causeway. It's the entry to the barrier island that does not require a ferry ride.

ABOUT PORT A:
Mallory, one of the best times we ever had was staying at the Old Tarpon Inn. It's a historic place and each room has different decor and pricing and ammenities from old fashioned tubs, to jacuzzies...to old fashioned sleigh beds. It has a nice front port to sit on and is walking distance to the harbor. There are so many good seafood places to eat, including our favorite, Virginia's at the Bay. We usually just each snacky food there...gumbo, crab dip, burgers, beer, or bloody mary's.

There is an old bar called The Flats. We also go to a place called Shorty's. Larry Joe Taylor sings about them. The Back Porch is there too and these are all within walking distance of the Tarpon Inn.

There is a Best Western that is ok. Another favorite nice place to stay is Seashell Village. It's a music recording studio for Third Coast Music and is right next to the Best Western.

We always like walking the jetties. You'll see lots of fishing from the shore and lots of birds...a few surfers and kayakers. This is truly the REDNECK RIVIERA with lots of good stuff to do. You can go out on fishing charters or charters to the Lydia Ann Lighthouse. It is private, so you can climb it. Those charters are The Wharf Cat and Scat Cat. Higher end charters out of Woody's Sports Center.

There is also a golf course there...it's a links type designed by Arnold Palmer, if y'all do that sort of thing. Windy windy wind...hot hot hot. I've never had the chance to play there yet.

Port Aransas is great for a nice weekend. South Padre is a bit more of a trip and although you'll have to travel you can see lots of good stuff on the way to Port A.

Corpus is nice for the weekend also. They have what they call T-heads and L-heads built out on the bay for driving and they are lined with boat storage and have restaurants on them. You could easily drive out under the causeway for a bite to eat and return to Corpus.

Water Street in Corpus is a popular street for seafood. They also have a club called the Executive Surf Club for music. There is a place for blues and an Irish bar. A biker bar for BBQ called Knuckleheads.

[conched]

Oh, and I didn't read Janice's post right...Blackbeard's is probably the place under the BIG BRIDGE near the battleship

[buffettbride]

We're closing in on Port A.

Any suggestions on where to stay?

Also, hubby is gluten-free so any restaurant suggestions or grocery stores would be helpful. We'll have to get a room w/ a kitchen or at least a microwave and fridge.

Thanks!

[txaggirl91]

Mal - I will email the professor I worked with down there and see if he can recommend a place for you.

Do you want a cottage kind of place or more of a hotel/condo?

[txaggirl91]

Blackbeards! That's it!

[buffettbride]

We are open to any accommodations really. Price will be the ultimate factor.