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Texas Beaches with Kids
Above: South Padre Island
Padre Island National Seashore
Kids and sand go hand in hand and, in Texas,
families have many beach choices. The biggest beach is Padre
Island National Seashore, a short drive from Corpus Christi.
This 110-mile-long barrier island is home to several developed beaches.
The most popular beaches are the Padre Balli Park, complete with
a fishing pier, and Malaquite Beach, with a snack bar and showers.
Although vehicles are allowed on most Padre beaches, on Malaquite
is one where vehicles are not permitted, making it attractive to
families.
Beyond Malaquite beach lies 66 miles of protected land
in Padre Island National Seashore accessible only by four-wheel
drive vehicles.
Port Aransas
North of Corpus Christi, the community of Port
Aransas is another beach favorite. Mustang Island State
Park is located southwest of the community of Port Aransas, known
as just "Port A" to most Texans. Here you can spend an
afternoon out in the Gulf aboard a deep sea fishing cruise. These
large group excursions take as many as 100 passengers and provide
bait and tackle. For a chance to see dolphins, stop by the Roberts
Point Park on Highway 361. Dolphins often chase the ferries as they
make their way across the ship channel. If you'd like to learn more
about marine life, stop by the small aquarium at the University
of Texas Marine Science Institute.
South Padre Island
At the southern end of Padre Island, divided by a waterway, lies South Padre Island.
This 34-mile-long island is home to the community of South Padre
Island. Here families enjoy horseback riding, windsurfing, and just
plain beach combing. One of South Padre's most unique attractions
is Sea Turtle, Inc.,
headquartered in the former home of the "Turtle Lady,"
Ila Loetscher. Twice weekly, educational shows features endangered
sea turtles twice weekly. Children can also learn more about local
marine life at the University of Texas-Pan American Coastal Studies
Laboratory, located in Isla Blanca Park.
Although South Padre is home to a great beach, it also boasts Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, part of the Schlitterbahn family of waterparks based in New Braunfels.
Galveston
Continuing northeast, Galveston
Island is also a beach favorite with many families. Along
with miles of beach, the community is also known for its rich history.
Today trolleys clang along the historic streets of The Strand, transporting
visitors along the district filled with specialty shops and restaurants.
Once thousands of immigrants made their way through this port, earning
it the name "little Ellis Island." In fact, Galveston
is and second only to Ellis Island as a U.S. immigration station. The island is also home to the indoor/outdoor Schlitterbahn Waterpark-Galveston.
Back to Texas for
Families
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