Texas' Unique Island Amusement Park Full Of Rides Is Just Steps From Sandy Gulf Coast Beaches And Nearby Foods

For some, Texas is synonymous with traditional Western pastimes such as rodeos, BBQ cook-offs, and line dancing. While the Lone Star State is abundant in these diversions, it is also home to dozens of amusement parks. In fact, Texas has more amusement parks than either California or Florida. Gravity Park is one of them, sitting closer to the southern end of South Padre Island, a 34-mile-long peninsula along the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. 

A variety of thrilling rides feature at the park, including a Ferris wheel, a multilevel go-kart track, and the world's tallest reverse bungee. Stunning views of the island can be seen from the taller rides, including the Gulf Coast beaches that stretch out in both directions from the park. The white sand and gentle waves are a beautiful attraction all on their own, and also provide a gorgeous backdrop for the array of beachside restaurants, cafes, and bistros that line the shore.

Gravity Park is open from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. daily and reachable in well under an hour from the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO). Alternatively, it's about an hour from the Valley International Airport (HRL). A car isn't strictly necessary once you arrive at the park, as the Island Metro, a free shuttle service, zips visitors up and down the island, stopping at various attractions. 

One of the top 10 things to do on South Padre Island, Gravity Park is full of innovative ways to get the adrenaline pumping. Gleeful screams and shouts can be heard from the rides, especially those that use the force of gravity to deliver their thrills. The Trampoline Thing is one such endeavor, a family-friendly ride that attaches you to bungee cords, allowing you to flip, jump, and bounce up and down at your leisure.

Things intensify with the Skycoaster, which is essentially a giant swing. It suspends you 110 feet in the air before releasing you in a free fall and then (thankfully) swinging you back and forth. A previous rider on Google Reviews admitted that he went back for seconds, even though he "died and was resurrected" during the ride. Another visitor expressed similar sentiments about The Reverse Bungee on Tripadvisor, describing it as "terrifying, exhilarating, and well worth it." The Reverse Bungee is the tallest of its kind at 150 feet and takes the opposite approach to gravity, catapulting you into the air via a giant slingshot, at dizzying speeds of up to 70 mph.

Rides are priced a la carte at Gravity Park, so if you're on a budget, you may want to choose your thrills carefully. The more daring rides, such as the Skycoaster and the Reverse Bungee, are $25 per person, while the go-karts are $16 for a single car and $22 for a double. Prices are significantly lower for kid-friendly attractions such as the Ferris wheel, the climbing wall, and mini-golf. The go-kart track loops around on a wooden track and has separate tracks for adults and children. As for the mini-golf course, past visitors say it's "challenging and enjoyable" on Google Reviews.

The Island Metro runs roughly every 30 minutes on South Padre Island and stops at multiple beach access points. Isla Blanca Park Beach, for example, is one of America's best white-sand beaches outside Florida. The beach lies on the southern tip of the island, about a 10-minute drive from Gravity Park. The mile-long beach boasts sparkling white sand and is popular with beachgoers who want to enjoy watersports such as snorkeling, diving, jet skiing, and parasailing.

Neptune Circle (Beach Access #16) is just 5 minutes from Gravity Park. It is wheelchair-accessible and equipped with restrooms, showers, and a boardwalk that brings visitors all the way from the parking lot to the shore. Public Beach Access #1 to #18 are also wheelchair-accessible beaches. For a more rustic experience, check out Sapphire Beach, a wide stretch of sand to the north of the park. It has little else in the way of amenities, except for the sand and the sea.

Fortunately, there are also plenty of food establishments near Gravity Park. Beach bars, bars and grills, and cafes dot the shore, offering everything from American and Mexican to Italian cuisine. Josephine's Kitchen serves all-day breakfast and lunch. You'll find tasty-sounding items there, such as pecan-infused pancakes, strawberry cream cheese French toast, and three-egg omelets with shrimp. Another standout is Mariscos Playa Azul Cafe, located in the Ramada Inn. Tex-Mex goodies such as crispy corn tacos feature on the menu, along with fried seafood dishes and extras such as guacamole and chips.