Fall fun awaits SPI visitors

By: By KRISTIN FINAN Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle

It may be everyone's favorite spring break destination, but there's good reason to visit South Padre Island in the fall.

Birding and Nature Center

Part of the World Birding Center, this 50-acre site will open in late September and offer interpretive exhibits, migration workshops, boardwalk nature trails, bird blinds and a five-story birding tower with 360-degree views. The brown pelican and peregrine falcon have been sighted here. 6801 Padre Blvd.; 956-761-3005; www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/spi/

Seafood and Music Festival

The island will host the LandShark Seafood and Music Festival Sept. 18-19 at the South Padre Island Convention Center outdoor stages. The event will include seafood from favorite coastal restaurants and chefs, celebrity chef exhibitions, arts and crafts, a family fishing tournament and music from Kevin Fowler, Ryan Bingham, Cory Morrow, Honeybrowne, Bob Schneider and Bowling for Soup. 7355 Padre Blvd.; www.southpadreseafoodandmusicfest.com

Dive Week

This annual event will be held Sept. 19-27. It will include a photo contest, sponsored events throughout the week and dive trips to the Texas Clipper, which sunk off of the island's coast in 2007. Trips will be followed with free burgers and beer at the Sea Ranch Marina. 956-761-2030; www.spidiveweek.com

Sand Castle Days

Amateur and professional sand castle sculptors will gather at Isla Blanca Park Oct. 15-18 for the 22nd annual Sand Castle Days, which will include castle-building contests, free sculpting lessons and a Pirate Beach Bazaar. Event is free. www.sandcastledays.com

Isla Grand Beach Resort

After wrapping up a multimillion dollar renovation, this hotel (formerly the Radisson Resort) is open . The 10-acre property near the beach features swimming pools, hot tubs, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, restaurants, a bar and a coffee shop. 500 Padre Blvd.; 800-292-7704; www.islagrand.com

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