South Padre Island Off-season (Trip Update)

[TornJock]

Have to be in the Rio Grande Valley on business & was thinking about flying the wife down, staying over and hanging out on the island for the weekend. Other than the usual Louie's Backyard, Palm Street Pier Bar & Grill, & the Padre Island Brewing Co., any suggestions for places to see & things to do?

Thanks in advance..

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*Update*

*Just back from the trip; had a great time & appreciate the suggestions from all.

Went to Palm Street Pier Bar & Grill at SPI Friday night; saw a neat sunset, enjoyed tasty food and drink, and listened to some really good music from J. Micheal Laferty. He plays a regular gig there & is very entertaining (as were the many displaced Northerners, er, "Winter Texans" hooting it up there..).

Saturday, we ate breakfast at Ted's (I'd been there once before & once again, it did not disappoint...), and then headed to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. Parked at a lot right by the bridge, walked over, and had a blast shopping and enjoying the many tequila-based frozen/rocks concoctions all over the main drag.

We finally walked off enough of Ted's breakfast to warrant a snack & found our way to the Arizona restaurant on the fourth floor of a building in about the second block of shops from the bridge. Enjoyed the view of the hustle and bustle below and really liked our mid-afternoon light meal of fresh mashed avocado, salsa fresca, corn tortillas, chips, and a ranchero-style salsa. The grub, combined with two margaritas, a great Bloody Mary, and a michelada with Tecate ran us a grand total of $12.95 USD... Nice, clean place with very attentive service.

We returned to the Island in time to watch the annual Christmas lighted boat parade from Palm Street Pier again (Louie's Backyard was way too smoky for us). Went back to our room, sat on our balcony about 50 yards from the water, drank a few beers, and watched the moon come up over the waves. Very relaxing...

Ate lunch at Amberjack's before reluctantly heading back home, and the food was excellent, as usual. Had to stop at some fruit stands on US77 and load up on Ruby Reds, Valley oranges, and big ol' avocados to bring home.

We really took advantage of the fact that the Island was just about deserted the whole weekend, save for the aforementioned snowbirds. We met a few that were Kansas and Missouri fans.

They all agreed that ou sucks...

Can't wait to head back down there again before the spring breakers take over!

 

[austintexas]

Dinner at Amberjack's. Really a good restaurant, by far the overall best dining on the island.

Bonefish's is a new bar on the bayside south of the bridge (in the RV park). Neat place.

Given the temp will be in the 60s?, I'd throw on a jacket and go horseback riding.

If you feel like driving an hour, go to Progresso, Mexico. Since you're just there for a weekend, though, probably don't want to do that.

Breakfast at Ted's. Can't beat it.

Hang out and stare at the ocean.

 

[TornJock]

Thanks! We might actually check out Nuevo Progreso on Saturday. I'd heard that it was one of the safer spots along the border. Any helpful hints there?

 

[pulque]

Wanna Wanna bar....

 

[TheFied]

Sounds like a good idea. The wife wants to do a trip around Jan./Feb. and was suggesting Napa. We went there 2 years ago and honestly I woudn't mind saving some cash instead and doing a SPI trip. We stayed at a bed & breakfast in SPI a couple of summers ago.

 

[TornJock]

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