Make plans to head to Galveston Island this Memorial Day Weekend!
Of course, beachgoers will enjoy the island’s 32 miles of sand and surf, but there’s plenty to do and see both on and off the beach during the holiday and throughout the summer season.
Galveston is home to several beach parks along its coastline – East Beach, Stewart Beach, Seawall Urban Park and Dellanera R.V. Park. These parks offer guests amenities that include restrooms, showers, beach chair rentals, volleyball courts, snack bars and concessions.
At Dellanera R.V. Park on Galveston’s west end, beachgoers can take advantage of a remodeled pavilion and decks with expansive Gulf views.
The Galveston Naval Museum will be hosting a Memorial Day Ceremony on May 30th at 11AM. Captain Jason E. Smith, Sector Commander, United States Coast Guard, Sector Houston-Galveston will serve as keynote speaker. Free parking and admission to the museum from 9AM to 11AM at 100 Seawolf Parkway located of Pelican Island.
Galveston’s Historic Seaport recently received a $2.5 million upgrade that includes a new interactive attraction. Ship To Shore chronicles Galveston’s history as the second-largest immigration port in the United States and the story of seaborne commerce in Texas. The new attraction provides an interactive experience based on authentic and documented personal stories of immigrants landing in Galveston in the 1880s and personalizes the journey for each visitor.
Exciting changes inside Moody Gardens’ Rainforest Pyramid will allow guests to experience life in a whole new way. Existing plants, free-roaming birds and animals and enclosed exhibits will be enhanced with the addition of a new European Bee Colony, Decomposers Gallery, and Leafcutter Ant exhibit in the Sunrise Gallery. Visitors will be fully immersed as they trek through the upper canopy and conservation huts on through the rainforests of Asia, Africa and the Americas to the Nightfall Gallery for new perspectives and insight. A tribute to the plants, animals and all life within Rainforests of the World, this new $1.7 million enhancement will be complete in May.
Guests at Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark will notice many changes throughout the park. The children’s water playgrounds and many of the park’s slides have undergone makeovers and others have received equipment upgrades like new wave generators. Additionally, the park has invested more than $100,000 in landscaping. Thrill-seekers will notice improvements prior to entering the park with a new Fast Lane product and a front gate expansion that includes four additional entry points. Inside the park, guests will be more comfortable with new furniture throughout the park and remodeled restrooms. Lastly, although coolers are still welcome, guests will notice an overhaul in the park’s restaurants with remodels and expansions, new menus and a new food truck featuring delicious street tacos.
The 2,000-acre Galveston Island State Park on the island’s west end spans the beach and the bay. For the last three years, the beachside portion has been closed and has undergone a $10 million renovation project. This summer, visitors to the park can expect to see new multi-use campsites with water and electrical hookups, a new hiking trail, a beach-accessible boardwalk, shelters for group activities, gear rentals, a new headquarters, plus a remodeled Nature Center on the bay. The park offers opportunities for guests to fish, camp, hike and birdwatch.
Returning to East Beach this season is the Galveston Family Beach Challenge. The Challenge is an obstacle course allowing families to compete at 14 stations including limbo, giant Jenga, beach soccer, sack races and more. Winners stand to receive valuable gift certificates. The competitions will take place June 12 and July 10 and will begin at 11 a.m. Pre-register here.
Budding beach architects can take sandcastle lessons from professionals on Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend at East Beach. Some materials are provided, but students are encouraged to bring their own equipment. Lessons take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. along the water near the pavilion. No registration is required.
Pull up a chair or a blanket to enjoy movies on the beach! New this season, Visit Galveston will screen films at its beach parks. The movies are free for those who park (and pay a parking fee) or walk onto the beaches.
The movies are slated to start at dusk and will rotate among East Beach, Stewart Beach, Dellanera Park and Seawolf Park.
Where the Texas Coast begins.
Author
Visit Galveston
Visit Galveston is the official destination marketing organization for Galveston Island, Texas.
