Discover some fun reasons to visit Galveston, TX this year.
If you step away from Galveston's 32 miles of sun-soaked shores, you’ll discover a place that balances the old and the new with captivating ease. With more than its fair share of surprises and plenty of things to see and do, the possibilities are endless.
pictured: Aerial View of Galveston Island's coast
For over 200 years, Galveston Island has had an extensive changing history of European settlement. Pirates placed their flags on the ground, waves of refugees from Germany, Italy and Greece made their way to the island, deep roots were planted by wealthy merchants, all of which have shaped this fascinating barrier island.
Before the 1900 storm, Galveston was the second richest city per capita in the United States and was even dubbed the “Wall Street of the South” due to its flourishing banking industry and the retail success of The Strand. Perhaps the island’s most profound historic claim is being the birthplace of the Juneteenth holiday.
Furthermore, Galveston was second to Ellis Island as an immigration port bringing a vast diversity of culture. All of this history continues to resonate on Galveston Island for you to experience!
Built for the Gresham family and a National Historic Landmark. One of Galveston Island’s most visited historic attractions.
'Ship to Shore' allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of the early immigrants, from the long sea voyage with its mix of hardships and wonders to the hustle and bustle arriving in the 1880s at Galveston, one of the busiest ports and booming cities in the United States.
Take this self-guided Freedom Walk to learn about 5 historic sites and their importance to Juneteenth.
To learn more about Galveston history, click here.
Galveston’s myriad of vintage boutique stores and unique local shops makes shopping just as exciting as playing on the 32-miles of beaches over the summer. Galveston is a fantastic place to find gifts for everyone or for just a little something for yourself.
There’s no shortage of opportunities for seafood satisfaction on the island. One of the favorites to enjoy is what we locally call a “Boat to Table” day. This day can take many forms - and you don’t need a boat or a fishing pole to indulge! Visit a local seafood market and cook a meal at home or dine at one of Galveston's MANY seafood restaurants - you can't go wrong when it comes to this island's fresh options.
If you can work anywhere, why not work at the beach? That doesn't just apply to the adults. In a world where some students have online classrooms, consider bringing the laptop to a vacation rental (or hotel) for some experiential education paired with a little after school fun in the sun at your fingertips.
Many families hit the road to experience the world around them, choosing “road schooling” over homeschooling. Continue reading one of the articles below for more inspiration:
Galveston's entire southern coastline offers you and your family ample space to spread out and enjoy a little fun in the sun. From East Beach and Stewart Beach to the 10+ miles of Seawall beachfront PLUS the miles of beachfront vacation rentals on the west end - there's a spot somewhere waiting for you!
If you’re inkling for a delicious meal overlooking the beach, several island restaurants are ready to help you put distancing worries aside and serve you and your families outside in an open-air setting.
Unlock the past that lies inside Galveston at your own pace. Explore the nooks and crannies of the island on foot, by car or by any other fun mode of transportation (bike, golf cart, etc.).
To help you explore, here are some visitor favorites:
On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike led to the demise of thousands of island’s trees, but artists have breathed a second life into something Mother Nature attempted to destroy completely.
Whimsical tree sculptures have replaced the majestic Oaks that once lined many neighborhood streets and shaded homes.
Visiting the Turtles About Town statues is a fun, free, and safe outdoor activity the entire family will enjoy. When you find a sea turtle, be sure and take a “shelfie” and share it on your social media profiles.
Artist Boat, with help from all of their artists and sponsors, has transformed 70 Seawall benches into educational works of art!
What better setting for a self-guided tour than along the beach?
The Galveston Experience Company offers a great way to learn about the Island, practice social distancing, and capture some of the many ghosts that haunt Galveston. See video of orbs, hear first-hand stories of hauntings, suited for Ghost Hunters of all ages!
Galveston has rich ties in African-American history as the birthplace of the Juneteenth holiday and as the site of many firsts in Texas for the African-American community.
Galveston Island is one of the top locations in the country for birding. It has a rich variety of habitats – beaches, wetlands, grasslands, woods, ponds, and bays – in a small area that are home to many common year-round species, as well as numerous others that visit briefly or for part of the year.
The tropical environment of Galveston encourages you to enjoy the magnificent outdoors all year long - we even tend to have comfortable weather in the winter months! This gives you more time to enjoy stunning beaches, golf, fishing, sailing, kayaking, cycling and so more.
Below are some of the island's visitors' favorite outdoor activities:
The great thing about fishing on the island is that it's easily accessible. You can fish from several rock jetties on the beachfront, public fishing piers, or book a public or private fishing charter.
SegCity Tours Galveston is an entertaining, educational, and adventurous place to start your vacation! With 10+ tour options from exploration to simple fun, SegCity is a unique way to get outdoors and see Galveston.
Pier 21 is home to several water adventures, all of which give you a good chance to spot a dolphin (or many!). Whether you choose Galveston Water Adventures, Baywatch Dolphin Tours (pictured) or Galveston Historical Foundation's Harbor Tours, you're almost guaranteed to see one of these friendly fish-like mammals.
If you’re looking to party East Beach is your ultimate destination! Located at the far eastern tip of the island, East Beach has tons of amenities including a bar with food and beverages.
Stewart Beach offers plenty of amenities for a day at the beach and is perfect for families.
Galveston Duck Tours is a unique way to see Galveston Island. On the Duck, you’ll travel on the Seawall then to Offats Bayou, where you’ll then enter the water for a cruise across the bayou! Yes, the tour "bus" goes IN the water!
Moody Gardens Golf Course is a first-class public course that will have you avoiding natural water hazards along with some spectacular wildlife.
Enjoy new turf grass, green complexes, elevations, irrigation, drainage, cart paths, greens, and a full clubhouse renovation.
Enjoy a guided and interpretive Eco-Art Kayak Adventure, paddling to places of natural significance on Galveston Bay with Artist Boat Kayak Adventures.
During your exploration of marshes, seagrass beds, and rookery islands, you'll stop to create your own plein-air watercolor painting of this special ecosystem.
SUP Gulf Coast wants to introduce you to the world’s fastest-growing sport, stand up paddleboarding. They currently offer stand-up paddleboard rentals and surfboard rentals in Galveston at two locations a well as mobile delivery!
Resiliency and a heart for preservation have helped make Galveston one of the most well-known historic towns on the Gulf Coast. The strength, ingenuity and progress of Galvestonians in the aftermath of The Great 1900 Storm are captured within the walls of numerous museums on the Island.
Galveston is a historic beach town offering a wealth of incredible history, including several of the best museums around.
Moody Gardens' 242-acre property is home to numerous family and educational attractions, including three glass pyramids that house an aquarium, a living rainforest with free-roaming sloths, birds and monkeys, and a discovery museum.
Other attractions you and your family can enjoy include 3D & 4D Theaters, an Audience Recognition Theater, a VR Experience, the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, Ropes Course & Zipline and additional seasonal attractions.
If you need to get away – It’s island time!
Facebook.com/VisitGalvestonIsland
With the Galveston Island Pass, you can select four or more participating attractions and save 40% off the retail price. Passes are valid 30 days after purchase.
If you haven’t been to Galveston lately, now is the perfect time to experience some of the island's unique attractions – at a price you can't refuse. The Galveston Island Pass is your key to adventure and savings while exploring the numerous attractions that make Galveston so special.
Where the Texas Coast begins.
Author
Visit Galveston
Visit Galveston is the official destination marketing organization for Galveston Island, Texas.
