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So much for the Mayan calendar, huh? Well, you may question if yours is right too.
As many of us feel forced to sip pumpkin concoctions, throw on a dusty flannel from the back of the closet, and hit the back roads for incredible vibrant scenery this time of year, some places simply didn’t get the memo that the seasons have changed.
September 22nd may have marked 2024’s official start to fall, but summer vibes galore away from the endless amounts of autumn ‘leaf peepers’.
According to MySA, a local news publication in San Antonio, the marvelous beach town of South Padre Island is the place to be where summer has yet to end.
With perfect afternoon temps around hovering 80 degrees, the Gulf feels like bath water.
All the fall splendor can await back home; you’ll be mesmerized by your newfound island life of palm trees, white sand, and affordable beachfront resorts in this slice of Texas paradise.
34 Miles Of White Sand Beaches
There’s no shame in South Padre’s game; their tourism board proudly boasts their claim to fame front and center as a 34-mile-long barrier island with ‘white sand and clear emerald water’.
Now, even the colorblind can tell you Padre white is not Maldives white, so let’s temper expectations here.
And before carrying on, a little message for Crayola – Padre White is my original idea so I better not see my niece coloring with a new shade of crayon!
As a born-and-raised Texan, I can attest that anything, and I mean anything, is an upgrade from Galveston, another coastal town locals escape to for sun, sand, and definitely not white sand and emerald waters.
To sum up Galveston for you – last time I was there I stepped on a soiled diaper. ‘Nuff said?
South Padre may share the Gulf with Galveston, but they are apples and oranges in comparison.
Padre is a tried and true paradisal beach town hugging Mexico in a part of Texas that far too often flies under the radar, especially for the deals you can score in the off-season!
You may want to avoid the crowds of Spring Breakers here, but fall is pure bliss and ultimate savings for a nice vacation.
Tip: Isla Blanca is rated #1 on TripAdvisor out of South Padre’s beaches
Book A Beach Resort Under $100 Per Night This Fall
You can’t get much closer to Mexico than South Padre Island.
Many vacationers overlook this Texas escape for a sexier Mexican vacation with the likes of Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta across the border.
In doing so, travelers typically fork over their whole paycheck to stay there. If only they had known about Padre…
Beach resorts here are very affordable right now. In fact, if you were to book a last-minute vacation for September, you would be shocked!
For example, the Margaritaville Beach Resort is only $88 on select dates beginning September 30th, and even as low as $75 mid-October.
Better yet, there are many others to choose from in case the Parrothead vibes are a little too much to handle.
Here are 3 more outstanding resort deals this fall: (in order of lowest rate found on Google Travel)
- Sand Rose Beach Resort – $60
- Holiday Inn Resort at South Padre Island – $84
- Peninsula Island Resort & Spa – $93
What To Do And How To Get Here
Despite MySA rejecting my job application for a Reporter role, they did pick the right Texas beach to showcase as a tourist destination since it’s so well-suited for all ages and interests.
MySA mentions wildlife is plentiful where Laguna Madre Nature Trail and Sea Turtle Inc. are excellent options for tourists to see the region’s vast array of animals, the ladder being an up-close-and-personal
Beyond lounging in the sun with the tide at your feet, there are many fun water activities to consider.
For the more adventurous, parasailing and jet skiing are always top choices, while those looking to relax can choose from snorkeling on their own or the numerous fishing or dolphin-spotting excursions like top-rated Captain Murphy’s Deep Sea Fishing.
Remember, this is a popular Spring Break getaway for a reason, so there are still lively bars to choose from in fall too, like Clayton’s, the ‘Biggest Beach Bar in Texas‘ or more casual digs, such as Tequila Sunset Bar & Grill.
I don’t know about you, but they had me at ‘Tequila’ and ‘Sunset’.
Reaching South Padre is easy peasy since they share an airport (BRO) with nearby Brownsville where United and American offer flights year-round.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.