Padre Island, Texas, USA: Padre Island National Seashore Tourism

Padre Island, Texas, USA. Padre Island National Seashore Tourism. Every March, like clockwork, students cram into cars and head to South Padre Island for spring break fun in the sun and 24-hour beach bashes. While the island is still home to spring breakers for just over a month, the area has seen a rebirth of sorts as a popular family vacation destination. That's because South Padre, or SPI, delivers with wide sandy beaches, sparkling blue water and a mixture of fun activities for kids of all ages. But there's more to SPI than beach revelry. Kiteboarding is a favorite pastime and several sports outfitters offer deep-sea fishing trips and dolphin-watching excursions. The consistently warm weather also seduces northern Texans seeking refuge from the cold. And it's understandable: Just a day's drive from major Texas cities like Houston and Dallas, this seaside paradise is right in the state's own backyard.