Spring break is right around the corner which means flocks of Texans and regional travelers will be saying goodbye to winter as they head to the beach. Galveston’s beach parks will open March 10, and that’s just the beginning of what visitors can experience on the island this season.
Galveston Beach Parks Open March 10
While Seawall beaches are open year-round, several of the island’s public beach parks – Stewart Beach, East Beach and Dellanera R.V. Park -- will open for beachgoers March 10 for the 2023 beach season, offering a variety of special amenities. Visitors to the beach parks can take advantage of restrooms, showers, beach chair rentals and other concessions. Be sure to check out the new mobile amenities at Stewart beach featuring ADA accessible decking, trailers, restrooms, showers and shade located closer to the beachfront. Visitors to East Beach and Stewart Beach will receive koozies on March 11 (first 300 visitors) and sunglasses on March 18 (first 100 visitors).
Free Sandcastle Lessons at East Beach
Budding architects can learn how to build sandcastles from the pros during free sandcastle lessons taking place March 11 and 18 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at East Beach. Some supplies are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring beach buckets and shovels.
New “And Still We Rise…” exhibit at Ashton Villa
And Still We Rise… Galveston’s Juneteenth Story located in the carriage house of the 1859 Ashton Villa and overseen by Galveston Historical Foundation’s African American Heritage Committee, introduces the context and consequences of General Order No. 3 from 1865 to the present day, in a long journey towards “absolute equality.” The exhibit is open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon – 5 p.m. More information can be found at www.galvestonhistory.org/sites/and-still-we-rise-galvestons-juneteenth-story
Popular Galveston Attractions Open Daily for Spring Break
Many of Galveston’s popular attractions will be open daily during spring break. Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark will be open daily beginning March 10. At Moody Gardens, visitors can explore the Aquarium, Rainforest and Discovery Pyramids and much more. The discovery museum will feature a new exhibit, Sharks In Depth. The exhibit explores shark facts versus fiction, anatomy, and behavior through a series of hands-on activities. The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park will also be open every day March 11-20. The island’s many historic mansions and museums such as Bishop’s Palace and the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum will be open daily throughout the season.
Cultural Experiences in Galveston’s Downtown Cultural Arts District
The Galveston Downtown Cultural Arts District, an official cultural district designated by the Texas Commission on the Arts, offers an intriguing selection of theaters, shops, restaurants, and museums that are well worth visiting. The Victorian architecture of Strand Street, widely known as The Strand, makes for a charming stroll as you shop for unique finds or grab sweets at LaKing’s Confectionery. Saengerfest Park at 23rd and Strand is a free family park home to a life-size chessboard and regular live entertainment. Be sure to also check out the district’s 20-plus art galleries, displaying fine art, sculpture and photography in beautifully restored historic buildings. Many can be found on Postoffice Street.
Save Big with the Galveston Island Pass
Galveston Island provides visitors with a special passport to adventure and savings with the Galveston Island Pass. The pass allows visitors to experience multiple Galveston attractions on one ticket and save 40 percent off regular admission prices. For more information and to purchase a pass, visit GalvestonIslandPass.com.
Where’s VICi?
Want to learn more about things to do and see on Galveston Island? Be on the lookout for the mobile visitor information center. VICi is a 1975 Dodge Travco motorhome, remodeled and retrofitted for the 21st century. The friendly visitor staff will be handing out free Visit Galveston goodies and have all the information to guide guests to all the best spots on the island. For more information on where you can find her this spring break, visit www.visitgalveston.com/blog/wheres-vici.
About Galveston Island
Galveston Island is a historic beach town located on the Gulf of Mexico just 50 miles from Houston. The island is best known as a vacation destination, offering 32 miles of beaches, a variety of family attractions, Texas’ premier cruise port and one of the largest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country, including several National Historic Landmarks. Galveston Island is the birthplace of Juneteenth and home to popular amusements such as Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, as well as a variety of museums and recreational activities from surfing to birding. For more information on Galveston Island go to www.visitgalveston.com or call 1-888-GAL-ISLE.
Media Resources: To download images and B-Roll, go to www.visitgalveston.com/media
