‘100 THINGS TO DO’
Authors reveal the attractions that make Galveston special
Christine Hopkins and Heidi Kutz are obsessed with Galveston, and they want the world to know it.
The women put all the things they love about the quaint Texas beach town into a new book, “100 Things to Do in Galveston Before You Die” (Reedy Press, $16). The book came out as Texas businesses were reopening and vacationers were returning to the island after shutting down because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hopkins is a Galveston native who has worked in travel public relations; Lutz is a former reporter and editor at the Galveston Daily News who moved to the island from Baytown 15 years ago.
The women, who are longtime friends and worked together professionally, began collaborating on the book last year. They each compiled their own lists of favorite places in Galveston, including restaurants, music, sports and entertainment venues, cultural and history options and shopping
spots. Then they met on weekends to edit down their list. Lutz said editing down the list to 100 things was a challenge.
“There’s a feeling I haven’t gotten in other places I’ve traveled to,” she said. “It’s a slower pace of life. You talk to everyone, so there’s so much here that I love.”
Among their favorite places, the women agree that The Grand 1894 Opera House tops the list. The theater is on the national register of historic places and is the premier locations for theater, musical and arts performances. The Bishop’s Palace also tops their list for its Victorian-style architecture. It was built in the late 1800s and was owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galveston.
Galveston’s tourist attractions and restaurants, like many throughout the nation, had been closed because of the coronavirus. Hopkins said she was encouraged after seeing dozens of out-of-state license plates on cars parked along the Seawall during the Memorial Day weekend. The island was at near 100 percent capacity for vacation rentals, she noted.
“All of the attractions are doing a good job with sanitization. Many of the locally owned restaurants have even opened separate entrance and exit doors to keep people from congregating. Of course, people need to use their common sense,” Hopkins said.
Some restaurants have even opened outdoor patios to address the issue of social distancing, Lutz said.
Hopkins spent most of her teen years working on the beach and has seen the island grow to a national vacation treasure.
“There’s so much more now than when I was growing up. Gaido’s was it if you wanted to go out to eat. It’s been fun to see the island evolve from a dirty beach town to a tourist destination,” she said.
Lutz admitted that her seafood allergy hasn’t stopped her from indulging in the island’s seafood fare.
“When you frequent restaurants here, they know me and know what I like and what I can’t eat. Our small businesses take time to get to know their customers. That’s what I love so much,” she said.
The women had planned on a book tour but are now opting to do virtual interviews during the pandemic.
“I hope everyone gives Galveston a chance. The more people who vacation here, the more memories they’ll take away. It’s a special place.”