Hi! We live in Austin so about a 3-4 hour drive to Corpus from here. I have a 2 1/2 year old and a preteen. We want to try and plan to stay a couple of days by the coast but have no idea where the best beaches would be or where to stay for a reasonable price. I know the closer to the water the more expensive hotels will be. We don't mind having to drive to the beach a few blocks. We're not really looking to do any other activities besides relaxing and playing on the beach. I've been to Galveston, and don't really consider that much of a beach, I've heard Padre is nice as well as some of the places around Corpus. Thanks for your advice!
Hey! I'm offended. There are parts of Galveston where you have to dig at least a foot before you see trash! lol Having lived overseas and on both coasts, Galveston is just SAD.
There is a fantastic Holiday Inn on North Padre Island that we've stayed in a couple of times. It is on the gulf side (rather than the bay, which is what you will find with the hotels in town), so the waves will be a bit bigger, but the beach is well-maintained (our kids call the big machines "sand-bonis"), so the seaweed isn't really a problem, if you don't go in the off season. It's an older hotel, but kid friendly, and though it is out of town a bit, it's not so far that you can't take a day and head to the Aquarium or whatnot, and it's pretty close to a couple of decent restaurants (definately check out Snoopy's Pier, and next door, Scoopy's Ice Cream parlor!), some fun and inexpensive souvenir shops, and a great mini-golf course.
There is a Holiday Inn in town, too, but we have stayed in both, and prefer the North Padre location.
Sorry I cannot remember how we rented it, but we once got a house right on the beach and it was awesome. It was no more expensive than a hotel and was so convenient! So you might look into that option.
Last year we got a condo right on the beach in Surfside. It was also great, but I like the beach in Corpus better. And there were lots more restaurants and activities close by.
This place is not fancy by any means, but we've stayed at the Laughing Horse "odge on Port A. Its one and two bedroom cottages, but more "funky chic" - although somewhat rundown. We didn't really care about a fancy place, so it worked great for us. It is 3-4 blocks from the beach, but you can also drive down to a separate part. Its also dog friendly - although you can't necessarily tell any bad things from allowing dogs - but that is one reason why we stayed there. It has a small kitchen so you can make sandwiches or bring other snacks. But there are a ton of individually owned hotels a few blocks from the beach that you can find in Port A.
I grew up going to Port A - and while not fancy as other Florida or other beaches - kids don't know the difference.
