Peaceful Beach on Adventure-Filled South Padre Island

Sun, surf, and seemingly endless stretches of pristine beaches draw a motley mix of sojourners to South Padre Island: families and Texas residents escaping to weekend homes, thrill seekers, and for a couple of weeks every year, a flock of rowdy spring breakers. Located at the southernmost tip of Texas and adjacent to Laguna Madre Bay, La Copa Inn & Suites gives visitors unencumbered access to the Gulf's spa-like waters. Just beyond the hotel grounds, a plethora of activities—from kitesurfing to horseback riding—call for adventure, and the landscape itself seems to invite lazy, sun-soaked afternoons.

La Copa lodgers rise from Tempur-Pedic mattresses to the scent of belgian waffles and coffee wafting in from the hotel's daily continental breakfast. Those in beachfront rooms can rouse themselves with a cup of coffee on their private balconies, taking in the view and the salty sea air while recounting dreams about Texas reclaiming itself as the country's largest state. Outside, a turquoise pool hugs a circular jacuzzi, which overlooks a grassy expanse and beyond, the ocean.

South Padre Island, Texas: Family-Friendly Fun and Beachfront Leisure

Though La Copa is just off the Queen Isabella Causeway, allowing for easy day trips to inland Texas, an array of outdoor pursuits makes the case for staying put. A tandem parasailing adventure lets travelers experience the waves of the Gulf at 600 feet. As an expert captain and crew guide the boat, up to two people catch air and take in breathtaking views of the island from a parachuted perch. About a mile away from the inn, a beachfront water park beckons with undulating high-tech water coasters, tube chutes, and a five-story sand-castle-themed play area. A swim-up bar and adjacent beach dappled with palapas keep parents entertained, and the park's manmade surfing wave—one of the largest of its kind—tempts daring boogie boarders and inflatable alligators to carve through its towering barrels.