Galveston Historic Seaport & 1877 Tall Ship Elissa

Galveston Historic Seaport & the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA

At the Galveston Historic Seaport, history isn’t just preserved—it sails. The harbor’s crown jewel is the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA, a rare square-rigged iron barque rescued from a Greek scrapyard and meticulously restored by the Galveston Historical Foundation in the late 1970s. By 1982, she was sailing once again—this time as a floating museum and living piece of maritime history.

Today, ELISSA is one of only three ships of her kind in the world that still sails, earning her title as the Official Tall Ship of Texas and designation as a National Historic Landmark.

Alongside self-guided tours and the immersive Ship to Shore experience—where visitors trace the footsteps of 19th-century immigrants arriving in Galveston—ELISSA also sets sail each spring for a limited series of unforgettable day sails. These special excursions let you experience the ship as she was meant to be: wind in her sails, history beneath your feet, and the Gulf Coast horizon stretching wide.

Day sail availability is limited. Visit the Galveston Historic website for details and tickets.

Located at the Galveston Historic Seaports.

Open daily | Tours, exhibits & seasonal sailing events available.