T-Shirt shops, gift shops, clothing stores, and boutiques are just some of the shopping adventures that await you on South Padre Island. Strolling down our main street (appropriately named Padre Blvd.), you will find an array of shopping possibilities for every knick-knack or souvenir you could possibly want to remind you of your Island excursion. Our friendly store sales teams, made up of mostly Island locals, are ready to help you find anything you are looking for (as locals they can also make great suggestions). There are also three major shopping malls are only a short distance drive from our tropical paradis

e. So come to South Padre Island for an "Island"-style shopping spree!

-Schlitterbahn Provides a full day of family fun in a tropical resort setting. Cruise the endless Rio Aventura and let it carry you from ride to ride without having to get out of the water! Blast uphill and down on four water coasters! Explore a giant sand castle! Stroll down our boardwalk and onto the white sandy beaches. Surf the largest man-made wave in the USA.

-Andy Bowie Park 4 miles north of the Island. Picnic Pavilions, children's play ground. 956-761-2639 Island Cinema 4 Early shows on rainy days. 4700 Padre Blvd, 956-761-7828 Open daily

-Island Equestrian Center - Horse and Pony Rides on the beach. Guides and instruction available. Andy Bowie County Park, 956-761-4677 1-800-761-4677 Open daily 8 a.m. to dark.

-Laguna Madre Nature Walk The Laguna Madre Nature Walk is a 1500-ft. boardwalk that overlooks four acres of wetlands near the South Padre Island Convention Centre. Visitors can observe many species of birds and wildlife in their natural habitat.

-Laguna Station Located on South Padre Island. Laguna Station offers a variety of exciting aquatics adventures to Boy Scout Troops and Co-ed Explorer Posts. Fishing, sailing, SCUBA and adventures round out the opportunities. Laguna Station also offers off-season camping and programs to church youth groups and other groups.

-University of Texas Pan American Coastal Studies Laboratory Aquarium and extensive shell collection. Isla Blanca Park.956-761-2644.

-Sea Turtle Inc Home of the "Turtle Lady," Ila Loetscher. Shows featuring endangered sea turtles. 5805 Gulf Blvd. Tuesdays and Saturdays . Donation required.

-Port Isabel Historic Museum Opening in the famous "Champion Building" in the Spring of 1997, museum exhibits include visitor-friendly, push-button displays; audiovisual film interactive; and professionally crafted and lighted cases containing original artifacts, rare documents, and vintage photographs featuring all facets of the area's rich history.

-Port Isabel Light House 1853 era lighthouse with panoramic views of the Laguna Madre Bay. Open daily 10-11:30 a.m., 1-5 p.m.

-Laguna Atascosa Refuge A 45,000 acre federal preserve for wildlife and bird watching on mainland. 956-748-3608 Open daily: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

-Confederate Air Force/Rio Grande Wing Historic aircraft and aviation memorabilia located at Brownsville/South Padre Island Airport. 955 Minnesota, Brownsville, 956-541-8585 Open daily: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

-Matamoros Mexico Bargain shopping for silver, leather goods, and handicrafts at vibrant Mexican markets. Traditional dining, museums. Thirty minutes southwest of the Island. Escorted tours available.

-Gladys Porter Zoo One of the top 10 zoos in the nation. The zoo is a 31 acre preserve with more than 1,800 mammals, birds, and reptiles. Ringgold and Sixth Streets, Brownsville, 956-546-7187 Open daily: from 9 a.m. to sundown.