Experience Galveston Island in unique ways this summer
No trip to Galveston is exactly the same. And why should it be? With 32 miles of sparkling beaches as your starting point, you have the chance to enjoy the cool breezes of the Texas coast and create a vacation experience that is completely your own — whether you are a family vacationer, history buff, nature lover or something in between.
For the family vacationer
If you’re traveling with kids, a good place to start is the magnificent pyramids of Moody Gardens. Here you’ll find one of the largest aquariums in the state, a living rainforest with free-roaming sloths and monkeys, a discovery museum, a kids splash park, and the Moody Gardens Hotel, among other attractions. Across the road, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark offers water rides and thrills on a grander level, including a new eight-story Infinity Racers water slide opening in June. For a day on the sand, Stewart Beach offers free sandcastle-building lessons and Family Beach Challenge events throughout the summer. For family friendly eats, stop at The Spot to chow down on juicy burgers, gigantic seafood po-boys, fresh fish tacos and a plethora of other options. Don’t leave the island without visiting the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier for classic thrill rides and boardwalk amusements over the Gulf of Mexico.
For the nature lover
For those looking for a quiet escape from the excitement of the busy seawall, head west and just keep going. Galveston’s West End offers miles and miles of beautiful coastal scenery wedged narrowly between the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay. The Galveston Island State Park covers a 2,000-acre area that provides access to both bodies of water as well as nature trails, picnic areas and campsites. On select dates this summer, the park will offer exploration hikes and turtle patrols led by a state park naturalist. While at the park, go on an Artist Boat Kayak Adventure (which you can also do on the East End of the island at the scenic East End Lagoon that recently added a new nature trail). Rest up at any of the island’s stunning beach house rentals, where you can take in a relaxing view or grill some fresh seafood from Galveston’s iconic Katie’s Seafood Market. For vacation rentals, Sand ‘N Sea Properties is one of the top picks, as it manages about 150 homes on the island.
For the cultural enthusiast
There aren’t many places in Texas — or the United States for that matter — that provide as much historical and cultural richness as Galveston where, you can explore one of the largest collections of Victorian architecture in the country through the island’s four nationally recognized historic neighborhoods. To get the best view of Galveston’s historic homes, take a bicycle tour through the East End Historical District, where colorful houses line the streets in Victorian, Greek Revival, Queen Anne and other architectural styles. For a real treat, visit the must-see 1892 Bishop’s Palace (and stop by the nearby Patty Cakes Bakery for good measure). Make your way downtown for shopping on The Strand, licks of hand-made ice cream at the old-fashioned La King’s Confectionery, and a live show at The Grand 1894 Opera House. You can also spot some of the island’s colorfully painted sea turtle statues, part of a new Turtles About Town public art and conservation awareness project, while art gallery perusing on Postoffice Street. And, do not dare leave town without visiting The Bryan Museum with its 70,000-piece rare collection of historical artifacts, documents and artwork relating to the American West.