Padre Island, Texas -

What do you think of when you hear the words Padre Island? For many people, college kids and parties come to mind. However, there is much more to this small city then just college kids and parties. In this article, I will discuss what you can see and do at Padre Island.

Padre Island is located in south Texas along the Gulf coast. Obviously, since this city is on an island, you have to cross a large bridge to access it. The bridge is known as the Queen Isabella Causeway, and it is almost two and a half miles in length.

What is there to do in this city? Well, quite a lot actually. For starters, you can visit Schlitterbahn for the day. Schlitterbahn is a fun waterpark that's for people of all ages. You could also go horseback riding along the beach, if you wish. Or you could just hang out and watch the ocean or collect seashells.

If flying kites is your thing, then you will be in good company. I always see a couple of kites flying around at the beach. Also, when you're crossing the bridge into Padre Island, you'll notice a sign that says Dolphin Watch. So if you enjoy watching dolphins, then that is something else you can do. If you're an avid fisherman, then you can do that as well.

And don't forget about surfing, dude(sorry, I couldn't help myself). There's also plenty of restaurants on Padre Island. My personal favorite thus far is called Blackbeards'. It's a great place for seafood, but the bathrooms could use an upgrade. They're albeit too small, I'm afraid. But the food is great and not too expensive.

I've noticed that there are two different sides to this islands' beaches. One side of the beach is where you can just sit back and relax. On the other side, however, you see people flying kites and riding horses. So just be sure you pick the beach that's right for you. Also, be aware that people are always driving up and down the beaches so keep an eye out for the occasional car.

Hotels abound on this island, and you should probably book ahead. Especially during the spring break period, when all of the college kids decide to start partying. In fact, you may just want to avoid Padre Island during spring break. I don't know about you, but I think it might be a little too much for me to deal with. Spring break generally takes place in March, for those of you who don't know.

The layout of Padre Island is pretty simple. There are two major roads that hold the majority of the restaurants, hotels; etc. These roads are in good condition, and are fairly easy to navigate. Just watch out for pedestrians and the occasional construction crew.

Do you want to live on Padre Island? I hope you have money. The average price for a home in this city is around five hundred thousand dollars. Though some houses do go for around three hundred thousand dollars. It's still a lot of money, though. At least, for most of us.

If you want to live on Padre Island, keep in mind that there could be some potential problems. One problem, like I mentioned earlier, is that housing is really expensive. Two, if a hurricane were to ever directly hit Padre Island; I suspect it would be severely damaged or obliterated.

Three, tsunamis. I've never heard of a strong tsunami ever hitting anywhere in the United States, but it could happen. And if it were to happen, Padre Island would likely be destroyed. Also, over the long term, global warming could cause the sea waters to rise, which could be devastating for this small island.

Finally, keep in mind that the bridge is your life line to the mainland. If the bridge were to be heavily damaged or destroyed, it would take you a while to get off the island. Ferries would obviously be there to help out but still.

In conclusion, there are many things you can do on Padre Island; it's not just a place for college kids to hang out. You and your family can have a great time on Padre Island, even if it's just for the day.