Texas Family Travel with Privacy, Fun, & Sun
 

O.K. ... we really want to go to the Caribbean but we're not so sure our finances are going to be conducive to a good 7-day trip so we're considering saving up for that one. In the mean time, we want to explore some options in our own Home State. Any suggestions for a family trip in Late May for 5-7 days for a family of 4 (2 adults, 8 yr. old, 1 yr. old). We really would like some major R & R & have considered S.Padre Island, Crystal Beach, or Galveston area but would like suggestions of rental homes, condos, villas with maybe a private pool in an area somewhat private (not a lot of tourist traffic & body-to-body beach traffic). We really wouldn't like to spend more than $800 for a week's rental property.

Open for any & every idea for these areas or other suggestions close to Dallas or Houston or Galveston!

If you want a nice beach in Texas, you're going to have to go to South Padre Island. Galveston is not nearly as pretty, especially when compared with the Caribbean, and you would likely be disappointed with it!

Fly into Harlingen on Southwest, rent a car and drive over to SPI. It's about a 45-minute drive. The beaches there are usually not very crowded, and there are LOTS of condos and small homes for rent on the island. www.spionline.com will give you some rental companies to check.

Thanks ChristieP ... you've been a big help!

Also check out Padre Island at Port Aransas/Corpus Christi. The beach will not be crowded, and there is plenty to do in Corpus & surrounding area besides sit on the beach (tour the Aircraft Carrier, visit the aquarium, etc.). I haven't been to South Padre, so I can't compare the two beaches, but I feel like the beach at Port Aransas is pretty nice. (No carribean, but nice, wide, sandy beach).

Thank you 'travelisfun'!

I don't know about the $800 for a week limit on accommodations in late May. Are you talking about Memorial day weekend included? Many raise their prices the Friday before Memorial Day.

HI:

If you have decided on SPI, may I suggest condos at
Sunchase beachfront, i really enjoy staying there!
http://www.sunchasebeachfront.com/FAQSunchase.html

Our summer vacations to S. Padre Island when our kids were young were definitely some of our most relaxing and inexpensive.
We love renting beach houses, but I don't know about the $800 limit. We always rent from Furcron Realtors there on the island. If you let them know your dates and how many are in your party, they can help you. Make sure you get something on the gulf side if you want to be on the beach, not the bay.
www.furcron.com

I've never been to Padre, but I know it's very popular among college students...that might not be a good idea for the family, though. Crystal Beach is extremely dirty and trashy. There's nothing to do for an hour-radius, and there's usually just drunk, scantilly-clad high schools students tearing up the beach. I wouldn't recommend it.

Galveston doesn't have very pretty beaches, but it does have a wonderful family atmosphere, including the Strand and Moody Gardens - a great family vacation spot. Good luck!

Thanks guys for your help!

Yes Austin ... I was talking about Memorial Day weekend included! Maybe realistically speaking we need to lean more toward $1000 huh? Anyway, maybe Jayne1973's suggestion with Furcron Realtors might give some good rates.

TexasLonghorn ... sounds like Crystal Beach is NOT the place for us. Will consider all these ideas & suggestions!

hello, ssharris: let us know where you end up staying and send a trip report on how it met your expectations and desires for privacy, etc. when you get back, for the benfit of others on fodors. My family has been to alot of beaches in TX as well as mid-atlantic states and Florida and franky we'd never go back to Galveston, as the beach and water just isn't very nice. We found South Padre to be lovely. Not sure about the amt. of privacy you'll get, but let us know how it goes if you decide on that area.