Spring Break Like No Other

South Padre Island is a happening place come spring break. It is filled with people from all over the world, and packed with entertainment. Every hotel is booked solid, some people just end up sleeping on the beach, and every club, restaurant, and inch of the beach is covered with people. During the day there are so many people on the beach and in the water, it is nearly impossible to get around. They have a big stage with music, activities, contests and many other things. There are several booths set up advertising products and giving away free stuff. Also out on the beach during spring break is a group called Beach Reachers.This is a missions group that is set up on the island at a local church and there are several groups that come from different schools to give van rides, a free pancake breakfast, sun block, and Internet cafe and a sand sculpture and baptism on the beach. Every year these people get together and offer what they can to those having a good time on vacation and just share with them the love of God. They have so much to offer and I enjoyed myself and the beach as well.The island has tons of shopping and lots of things to see and do. If you are not a party and drinking kind of person you can still find plenty to do and keep yourself busy. It is a fun place and an enjoyable place, but if you do not like crowds don't come during spring break because it is the busiest time of year.

Quick Tips:

Parking can be a pain, since it it an island it is a little scarce.Traffic at night can be terrible. The island has one street that runs through it and almost everything is off that one street. So at night it is hard to get around, but most people roll down their windows and talk to people and walk up and down the street.Bring lots of sunscreen and money. You are outside most of the day and there are so many shops you want to buy something from them all.Spring Breakers - be ready for lots of people. Use the free resourses. Free rides, and breakfast.Beach Reachers - expect everything and be shocked by nothing. Have a great time and get lots of sleep.

Best Way To Get Around:

I recommend by foot, the island is not that big and it is not hard to get from one place to the other by walking. Besides it is a great exercise. As a beach reacher you do lots of walking anyways but a night you are on a van giving rides to other people. So I recommend taking the vans if you are a spring breaker at night trying to get somewhere.

The beach in South Padre is a fun beach, there are so many things to do. During spring break, the beach is covered in people—everywhere you look there are people. The water is filled with people as well. I can only imagine what it looks like from a helicopter. People come from all over the world to spend there week in the hot Texas sun. Although the beach is not one of the best for beauty, it is one of the best for spring breakers. The water is kind of cool but warm enough for most people to get in, and the sand is soft and feels great if you have been in school or at work. I have traveled several places and to many beaches, and living in Texas I do not really find the beaches to be that special, but many people love the area here and they come for the warm weather. This is what makes Padre one of the few most popular destinations for spring break, along with Florida and Cancun. It's no wonder people go there as well.

During spring break, a man comes out and builds these great sand sculptures. They are huge and very good. This is always a great meeting place because everyone sees it and knows where it is. The guy makes a new one every day.

Also out on the beach is a stage set up for spring break activities. They have different contests, games, and music throughout the week. The stage is set up outside the Radisson Hotel. This is the central location for everything and the hot spot for the week and all the activities and product booths.

Other than the usual things that go on during the week at the beach there is a place further down the island that is a little more secluded and quite. There is a campground down there, and it is a great place to lay out, throw a football, or just enjoy the beach without all the commotion. You will see many families, older people, and even some beachgoers just enjoying time off and the quiet, with only the sounds of the waves rolling in.

The Prime outlets in San Marcos are one of the top tourist destinations in the state of Texas. The outlet has recently opened an additional 30 luxury brands including: Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance Center, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Restoration Hardware, Bebe O, Furla, L'Occitane en Provence, Tumi, Calvin Klein, Gymboree Outlet, Tommy Bahama, Zegna Outlet, and many more. They have even added a beautiful canal, complete with gondola rides.

Some of the stores that are my favorites are Pottery Barn, which to me has the best deals around. All their items start at about 50% off the regular price. They have so much stuff, from candles to furniture. You do have to pick up furniture and big stuff like that the day you buy it. Another one of my favorites is the Gap outlet, I can always find stuff there, and at great prices compared to in the store. Bath and Body Works, Nike, Fossil, Polo, Yankee Candle, Motherhood Maternity, and Aeropostale are a few other of my favorite stores there.
There are tons of food places as well, and a bathroom located in the center of the stores. It is a great place to shop and spend lots of money, but at a fraction of the cost of a normal store.

On the weekends and during the holiday, parking and traffic can be a pain so be patient and be prepared.

Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 9pm
Sunday, 10am - 7pm

The Tanger Outlet Center promises a profitable day trip for bargain-hunters throughout the San Antonio area. Located near San Marcos, roughly midway between San Antonio and Austin, the Tanger Outlet Center is home to more than 100 factory outlet stores. Shoppers at the Tanger factory outlet mall can expect to buy name-brand merchandise at a savings ranging from 20% to 40% off of regular retail prices... every day. With a host of accessories, apparel, footwear, housewares and specialty shops, the Tanger Outlet Center makes an inviting destination for holiday shopping, back-to-school shopping or a day-long getaway with friends and family. The bargains at the Tanger Outlet Center seem even more tempting during the annual Texas State sales tax holiday, held in August.

Shops at the Tanger (pronounced to rhyme with "hanger") Outlet Center include the Liz Claiborne Outlet, Samsonite, Bass, Banana Republic Factory, Old Navy Outlet, Reebok, Tommy Hilfiger, Disney, Hush Puppies, and Easy Spirit. Among the other factory outlet stores at the Tanger Outlet Mall are Revere, Farberware, Royal Doulton, the Bible Factory Outlet, and KB Toy Outlet. When it's time to take a break from shopping, visitors to the Tanger Outlet Center can enjoy a bite to eat at the Cracker Barrel, Bennigan's Grill & Tavern, or several other eateries.

Some of my favorite shops here are Rue 21, Old Navy, which I always leave spending lots of money there. They have so much stuff so cheap. Reebok, my husband loves the Banana Republic, and also the Tommy Hilfiger shops. These are all places we could never afford the prices in the stores, but the outlet makes it possible to own name brands at an affordable price.

Hours: Monday through Saturday 9am to 9 pm
Sunday 10am to 7pm
Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day

For about 25 years college BSM's (Baptist Student Ministries) have traveled from all over Texas to come to Padre Island for the week and share the gospel with other people. These students come and stay in the hotels or area churches (we always stayed on the main land with a church who allowed us to sleep in the class rooms at no cost)and meet at the local Island Baptist Church for worship, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, worship and fellowship.Some of the ministries Beach Reach has to offer are a free pancake breakfast every morning, free van rides to anywhere on the island starting at like 6 or 7 in the evening, free sunscreen on the beach, the sand sculpture, and a midnight breakfast. The ministries are a lot of fun and provide opportunities to meet people from all over. Many people are pretty accepting of listening to people talk to them about God, and some are not. Most just really appreciate what beach reachers do and are glad they are there.I enjoyed my experience of going because it taught me to love people and accept them for who they are and also taught me a lot about myself, and grew me with my friends and God.The ministries are fun, because you have crazy schedules and you get some good food. The pancakes are really good. You do not get much sleep during the week because some times you have to give van rides in the middle of the night and then you go to sleep in the morning. It is crazy but it is fun.I guess my point in sharing this is if any one is interested in doing beach reach you should be able to find info on the web about getting involved. If you are a spring breaker going to Padre for the week, then take advantage of the free stuff that is what it is there for, it can save you a little money.