Road Trips : Texas : Galveston, TX
318mi ~ 5hr 24min
Galveston Island is located on the coastline of Texas just 50 miles south of Houston. More than 30 miles of beaches plus a wealth of cultural and historic institutions make this island a Gulf of Mexico vacation hot spot. Explore the treasures it has to offer – relaxed atmosphere, abundant leisure activities, excellent medical facilities, first-rate restaurants, educational opportunities, numerous attractions and a vibrant historic downtown that offers cruising, shopping, arts and entertainment. Hurricane season is June to the end of November, so keep that in mind.
Galveston Island is located on the coastline of Texas just 50 miles south of Houston. More than 30 miles of beaches plus a wealth of cultural and historic institutions make this island a Gulf of Mexico vacation hot spot. Explore the treasures it has to offer – relaxed atmosphere, abundant leisure activities, excellent medical facilities, first-rate restaurants, educational opportunities, numerous attractions and a vibrant historic downtown that offers cruising, shopping, arts and entertainment. Hurricane season is June to the end of November, so keep that in mind.
Attractions
Moody Gardens
Looking for island fun? Work or play, this tropical destination is ideal for families and groups alike. At Moody Gardens, you can experience life at the Rainforest Pyramid featuring an assortment of exotic and endangered plants and animals from the rainforests of the world. Explore the Aquarium Pyramid where you can meet a real penguin in our Penguin Encounter. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Last ticket sold at 5:00 p.m. Last entry is at 5:15 p.m.
One Hope Boulevard
Galveston, Texas 77554
Admission $20-$50 depending on activity.
Activities
AIA Sandcastle Competition
For over two decades on the first Saturday of June, teams of architects, designers, and engineers have taken their tools to East Beach in Galveston for what is considered one of the world’s largest sandcastle competitions. The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has been organizing this competition every year since 1986.
Galveston Island Birding Tours
GINTC has organized a team of naturalist volunteers to escort media groups, teachers and other similar groups on tours of Island birding hot spots. This is a community service project for the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau and helps spread the word that birding in the area is among the best in the USA.
Galveston Island Ferry
Ferry service has been a part of the Texas transportation system since the 19th century when the skiff, The Tarpon, began operating from Galveston Island. The 2.7 mile trip takes approximately 18 minutes to cross one of the busiest waterways in the world. Even if you just ride over and back, it's a fun thing to do and there are dolphins that will swim alongside the ferries. The Ferry runs 24 hours from the Galveston Ferry Landing and is a free service.
Galveston Island State Park
Great for camping on the beach (day use and camping sites are separated by dunes). Used to have full bath house facilities, but they were destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2009. Stick with the beach side for camping. Generally pretty sparsely populated, plenty of room for everyone.
NOAA Fisheries Service Galveston Laboratory
The NOAA Fisheries Service Galveston Laboratory provides scientific information on the management of commercial and recreational shellfish and finfish, conservation of coastal habitats, and protection of threatened and endangered marine species of the Gulf of Mexico.
Sea Turtle Facility: Sea turtle tours are by appointment only, scheduled in advance, and dependent upon staff availability.
Hosts an annual Ocean Discovery Day/Open House
Sea Wall
Great, well maintained beach (2011). It's free, the parking next to it is free, there's swimming, sand to build castles with, lots of birds, and there are vendors on the beach if you want to rent a bicycle - or a covered 2-person pedal cart.
There are many close-by restaurants if you want to eat something.. or a nice picnic. Grilling is allowed in a portable barbecue pit.. No open fires.. BUT NO ALCOHOL is permitted along the Seawall beach or Stewart Beach.
Strand Historic District
Galveston has a fascinating history--unique 19th century architecture, survivor of hurricanes, evolving economies... and the Strand provided the opportunity to learn about much of these hostories.
Lots of souvenier shops. The intersting part of the walk is reading the building history signs on the sidewalk in fron of each building.
1877 Tall Ship ELISSA
A great way to spend a beautiful morning in the Galveston Harbor is to explore the Tall Ship Elyssa, and the Texas Seaport Museum.
The tall ship Elissa is a 3 masted, iron hulled, sailing vessel built in 1877 in Scotland. Throughout it's lifetime the vessel has carried cargo to various ports around the world. At certain times of the year, it gets underway for a trip around Galveston harbor. The price of admission not only allows you to tour around the ship but also see the museum which is located on the pier adjacent to where the Elissa is docked. Imagine walking around the decks of a vessel from the 19th century that is over a century and a quarter old! The vessel is in very good shape for its age and volunteers from the area help to keep it that way. The museum on the pier has photos and items from a bygone era which depicts how life was on board a sailing vessel of that period. It's a great piece of history worth seeing.
For over two decades on the first Saturday of June, teams of architects, designers, and engineers have taken their tools to East Beach in Galveston for what is considered one of the world’s largest sandcastle competitions. The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has been organizing this competition every year since 1986.
Galveston Island Birding Tours
GINTC has organized a team of naturalist volunteers to escort media groups, teachers and other similar groups on tours of Island birding hot spots. This is a community service project for the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau and helps spread the word that birding in the area is among the best in the USA.
Galveston Island Ferry
Ferry service has been a part of the Texas transportation system since the 19th century when the skiff, The Tarpon, began operating from Galveston Island. The 2.7 mile trip takes approximately 18 minutes to cross one of the busiest waterways in the world. Even if you just ride over and back, it's a fun thing to do and there are dolphins that will swim alongside the ferries. The Ferry runs 24 hours from the Galveston Ferry Landing and is a free service.
Galveston Island State Park
Great for camping on the beach (day use and camping sites are separated by dunes). Used to have full bath house facilities, but they were destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2009. Stick with the beach side for camping. Generally pretty sparsely populated, plenty of room for everyone.
NOAA Fisheries Service Galveston Laboratory
The NOAA Fisheries Service Galveston Laboratory provides scientific information on the management of commercial and recreational shellfish and finfish, conservation of coastal habitats, and protection of threatened and endangered marine species of the Gulf of Mexico.
Sea Turtle Facility: Sea turtle tours are by appointment only, scheduled in advance, and dependent upon staff availability.
Hosts an annual Ocean Discovery Day/Open House
Sea Wall
Great, well maintained beach (2011). It's free, the parking next to it is free, there's swimming, sand to build castles with, lots of birds, and there are vendors on the beach if you want to rent a bicycle - or a covered 2-person pedal cart.
There are many close-by restaurants if you want to eat something.. or a nice picnic. Grilling is allowed in a portable barbecue pit.. No open fires.. BUT NO ALCOHOL is permitted along the Seawall beach or Stewart Beach.
Strand Historic District
Galveston has a fascinating history--unique 19th century architecture, survivor of hurricanes, evolving economies... and the Strand provided the opportunity to learn about much of these hostories.
Lots of souvenier shops. The intersting part of the walk is reading the building history signs on the sidewalk in fron of each building.
1877 Tall Ship ELISSA
A great way to spend a beautiful morning in the Galveston Harbor is to explore the Tall Ship Elyssa, and the Texas Seaport Museum.
The tall ship Elissa is a 3 masted, iron hulled, sailing vessel built in 1877 in Scotland. Throughout it's lifetime the vessel has carried cargo to various ports around the world. At certain times of the year, it gets underway for a trip around Galveston harbor. The price of admission not only allows you to tour around the ship but also see the museum which is located on the pier adjacent to where the Elissa is docked. Imagine walking around the decks of a vessel from the 19th century that is over a century and a quarter old! The vessel is in very good shape for its age and volunteers from the area help to keep it that way. The museum on the pier has photos and items from a bygone era which depicts how life was on board a sailing vessel of that period. It's a great piece of history worth seeing.
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