South Padre Island

Every March, students cram into cars and drive to South Padre Island for spring break sun and 24-hour beach bashes. While the island is still a popular spring break destination for a little more than a month, the area has seen a sort of rebirth as a popular family vacation destination. That's because South Padre Island, or SPI, has wide sandy beaches, clear blue water, and a variety of fun activities for kids of all ages.

But SPI is more than just beach fun. Kiteboarding is a popular activity, and several sports outfitters provide deep-sea fishing trips and dolphin-watching excursions. The consistently warm weather also entices northern Texans looking for a place to get away from the cold. And it's easy to see why: this seaside paradise is just a day's drive from major Texas cities like Houston and Dallas, and it's right in the state's backyard.