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Article story details       In the early 1980s, South Padre Island was relatively unknown. The town?s population was around 300 people and, on most maps, it was not listed. However, thanks to the recent population increase and a number of high profile awards, South Padre Island is becoming one of the most sought after coastal regions in the country, not only because of its friendly people and laid back atmosphere, but because SPI is perhaps the last affordable beach front community in the country that we?ll see for some time. The Texas Economic Development and Tourism Committee, an organization that promotes and markets the state of Texas, recently held a study to determine the most popular tourist attractions in the state. While the results appear to be the same for the past five to ten years, one thing is very surprising: South Padre Island has been climbing up the rankings for the past five years?about one higher spot per year, with this year being ranked fourth among most visited tourist spots in the state. Just ahead is The Alamo (ranked 1), San Marcos Outlet Malls (ranked 3) and the River Walk (ranked 2). South Padre Island has received other awards in the past couple of years. Here?s a list: MSN has labeled SPI as a ?Top 10? beach in the country Field & Stream Magazine calls SPI the best fishing destination in the country Vacationhomes.com ranks SPI the #2 best place to own a vacation home in the nation The Travel Channel?s well-traveled editors claim SPI as the third best beach in the country   A Short History of SPI According to some documents from Spanish Archives, Westerners first walked the shores of Padre Island around 1519 when Spanish Explorer Alonso Alvarez de Pineda surveyed the area as he charted the Gulf of Mexico for Spain.   Four Wheelin' on South Padre! They say heaps of treasure lay beneath the sand at Padre Island. I say, the treasure is the sand itself! Get tips, tricks and advice on how to drive on the sand and more. Also, check out some points of interests to see along the way. Don't forget the bugspray!   Packing Tips for South Padre Island Honeymoon Packing Tips for an Island Honeymoon Honeymoons are common finales to weddings all around the globe. A honeymoon is a time when the bride and groom get to enjoy their first days as husband and wife while on a fun and luxurious vacation.   SPI Getting Noticed South Padre Island has been racking up tourism and traveler awards. Find out what the latest visitor polls have said about this beachfront community that has become a national favorite!   The Hotel Texian A young Lieutenant and his and his new bride made a perilous journey by sea aboard a schooner that departed New York City in 1840. Their destination was a small isolated army depot at the southernmost point of Padre Island. What they saw was perhaps the first Padre Island hotel.

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