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So - you've got some spring break time on your hands and want to do a little something more besides lie around on the beach and drink mind erasers at the palapa bar?
Well - at least some of you do.
There's plenty to do in the Padre Island region in addition to wild parties and nightlife, with great attractions in both Corpus Christi and in the Rio Grande Valley to keep you entertained and satisfied.
At The Bend in the Beach
Beginning in the Coastal Bend, you might enjoy a step back in time as you survey replicas of the Chris Columbus Ships at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. Adjacent museums include the Art Museum of Corpus Christi and the Texas State Aquarium. Take a walk at the city watergardens while in the museum grounds and find something you didn't expect to find at spring break - a moment of solitude and peace.
 In addition to the normally deserted beaches of North Padre Island, Corpus Christi also sports a healthy theater and music community, several state parks and recreation areas, and the U.S.S. Lexington, a retired U.S. Navy aircraft carrier permanently harbored in Corpus Christi Bay and available for touring.
Just up the road in Rockport you'll find the Texas Maritime Museum, and a little further north on Texas Hwy 35 is the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, a perfect spot for taking in a little wildlife of a different kind. Bring your camera. Goose Island State Park (near Rockport) offers great primitive camping right on the water. Bring along a fishing rod & reel or a sea kayak, and you're good to go for a day or a week.
Also check out the RV parks and resorts in the area. If you're not driving or renting your own RV, many parks offer 'park models' that are rentable for the short or long haul - a great way to beat the pricey Beach hotel scene just down the road.
The Rio Grande Valley
 Just down the Texas coast from Corpus Christi is the famed Rio Grande Valley of Texas, noted for its citrus fruit, it's spicy culture, it's great weather, and for spring breaker's favorite destination on the Gulf Coast, South Padre Island. As the crow flies, Mustang Island, which begins in Port Aransas, is separated from North Padre Island (National Seashore) by a 'fish pass', a man made channel to allow fish to freely pass into the bays. At the beginning of North Padre Island, just southwest of Corpus Christi, the national seashore runs for some 50 miles to another man made cut at Port Mansfield. Just across this channel begins South Padre Island, which runs some 33 miles down the coastline and terminates at Isla Blanca County Park, on the Town of South Padre Island's south end.
In addition to all this nearly-unspoiled beach area, the Rio Grande Valley offers many great attractions - from comprehensive museum systems in McAllen, Brownsville and Harlingen, the famed Glady's Porter Zoo in Brownsville, and the famous Reforma Theater in Matamoros, you'll discover plenty of things to do and see. A visit to the San Juan Shrine is always in order, and a trip across the border to Matamoros, Reynosa or Progreso can provide just the right buying opportunities for bargain shoppers.
McAllen sports an IMAX Theater, and the Dodge Arena offers numerous concerts and events throughout the month of March. Check our forthcoming Spring Break Calendar for the latest updates.
 If you're into boating or fishing, Port Isabel offers plenty of bay fishing opportunities, including boat rentals from Chente Gonzales, a local fishing guide. You can find out more about Captain's Chente's operation at http://www.gofishspi.com.
If wildlife and nature appeal to your sense of spring break adventure, there are several state and federal wildlife sanctuaries to explore in the area. There are a number of great state parks and historic landmarks, including the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park.
Stay tuned for updates to this page as more attractions are added and specifics about visiting each one.
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