North Padre Island's white sand dunes, protected wetlands and national seashore draw visitors to this Texas vacation spot on the Gulf of Mexico. Lodging on the barrier island off Corpus Christi ranges from rentals to big-chain hotels to more outdoorsy choices.
Stay at the familiar on North Padre Island. Its lodging includes well-known franchises, from the Best Western on the Island, with its boat parking, to The Comfort Suites North Padre Island, with one-room and one-bedroom suites. The Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham has fully equipped kitchenettes for extended stays. The Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort bills itself as the island's only full-service resort on the Gulf, offering restaurants and weekend entertainment.
Rent a condo or vacation home by the day or week on North Padre Island. Some are on water canals, with easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. Others are built right on the seawall and overlook the Gulf, which is easily accessible on foot. Vacation rentals vary greatly in size and cost, and are usually rented by the owner or by a management company.
Camp right on the sand at the Padre Island National Seashore. Camping at the National Seashore is primitive, with few to no facilities; camping in some areas is free. Padre Balli Park and Magee Beach Park offer RV sites with water and shower facilities. Magee Beach Park rents RV sites by the month.
