If you like history and sightseeing, you'll like Brownsville. There are a lot of museums and a lot of historical buildings, both in Brownsville and in the small towns along the way to South Padre Island. The beach at Padre is nice, but is more of a party place than I would like. This was nice trip, planned in part because we have relatives in South Texas. It was very laidback and relaxing, a nice respite for my husband and I. We sometimes bring nephews, nieces, and grandchildren with us. This would probably be a boring place for children, as there are not a lot of activities, but would be enjoyable if you're looking for something relaxing.