Plan to have a visit to an island with your family or friends? Then, Galveston is one such fabulous destination. This article gives you some marvelous places and the best things to do in Galveston.
We will learn first about Galveston, its location, the weather, and other information. So, are we excited about visiting Galveston and exploring tourist attractions? Let’s go.
1. Facts on Galveston
Galveston is an attractive island city on the Gulf Coast of Southeast Texas, USA. Indeed, it’s the mind-blowing home destination to the most beautiful beaches. The island is located near the Gulf of Mexico, an hour’s ride from Houston.
World Population Review estimates that Galveston, TX, has a population of 52,000. Thus, it ranks 71st sizeable city in Texas and 756th massive in the USA.
After all, the city deserves one of the best beach towns in Texas. Additionally, it also takes pride in culture and traditions. It provides significant attractions for children, couples and various historical attractions and adventures.
Tourists can enjoy soaking in the sun, seafood, and fishing trips. Galveston is a perfect getaway for an entire family.
1.1 Weather and Climate in Galveston, Texas
Galveston has a subtropical climate. Summers are humid, hot, and long. Winters are mild, cold, and short. December to February are winter months, with January being chilly.
June to September are summer months, with July being muggy. Summer is a popular time when tourists trip to beaches and unwind themselves.
It also receives ample rainfall throughout the year with thunderstorms. The temperature lies low at around 49°F to high at 90°F during the year.
2. Fun Things to Do in Galveston
This beach city offers visitors from day and night to enjoy nature’s beauty in the best ways. Let us dive in to learn about the major attractions and the exciting things to do in Galveston, TX.
2.1 Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens are the first-class interests on the list of things to do in Galveston. It is an educational tourist spot of 242 acres, established in 1986.
A distinctive feature of Moody Gardens is its three glass pyramids. Each pyramid depicts a different subject. It teaches kids about nature conservation and ecosystems. Pyramids Aquarium, Rainforest, and Discovery are the three glass pyramids.
The Aquarium Pyramid is an impressive aquarium that features beautiful marine life. Oceans from the Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean, Coral Sea, and the Great Barrier Reef support aquatic life.
It contains 1.5 million gallons of penguins, jellyfish, sharks, and seals. Other highlights are the underwater tunnel, river otters, ocean critters, and touch tanks. The Aquarium Pyramid is the most-visited tourist attraction.
The Rainforest Pyramid is home to plants, birds, and animals from tropical regions. There are over 1,700 exotic flora and fauna from rainforests over the world.
Rainforests are accessible through a boardwalk at the canopy level. It also includes free-roaming monkeys, birds, fishes, and sloths.
The Discovery Pyramid showcases technology and science. It features a range of displays on Arts, Science, and Nature. The NASA- science exhibit is the popular one focusing on sounds and music. It also has the name Discovery Museum.
The best part of Moody Gardens is its towering movie screens. They have the latest projection technology – a 3D Theater and 4D Special Effects.
2.2 Palm Beach
Palm Beach is a mini water park or a private beach at Moody Gardens. It’s a white-sand beach with freshwater lagoons, tower slides, splash pads, and a lazy river. Tourists enjoy zip-lining, freshwater lagoon swimming, and floating in a lazy river.
2.3 Moody Gardens Golf Course
A vacation without enjoying golf rounds is incomplete in Galveston. Playing golf is a pleasure for most tourists. Among Galveston’s public golf courses is Moody Gardens Golf Course.
It has 18 holes of challenging golf holes surrounded by palm trees. With a renovation worth $16 million, the course gives visitors a luxurious experience. Lastly, the golf course has a remodeled clubhouse and a pro shop.
2.4 Galveston Island State Park
Galveston Island State Park is a lovely park on the west Gulf Coast of Texas. It is one of the cool spots to stroll along the beach and experience a wave splash.
The activities are bird watching, fishing, paddling, picnic tables, hiking trails, and campgrounds. Additionally, the park has beach chairs, umbrellas, paddleboards, and kayaks for rent. Lodges and beach campsites are also available for families.
This state park is 2000 acres and is well-known for its bird species that count over 300. Too, tourists can do photography of wildlife.
2.5 Galveston Railroad Museum
Galveston Railroad Museum is an attractive museum to watch railroads and their history. It had its former location at Santa Fe Railroad Station in 1983.
The museum exhibits a vast collection of more than 40 train cars. It includes steam and diesel engines, locomotives, and passenger and freight cars.
Further, the museum features a 1-mile open-air Caboose Ride and transportation artifacts.
The Galveston Railroad Museum also highlights the People’s Gallery of Era 1930s. It hosts a collection of plaster statues, fancy hats, suits, caps, and dresses.
2.6 Bryan Museum
Bryan Museum is a historical museum located in Galveston’s Orphans Home. Established in 2015 by J.P Bryan, it features Texas history and the American West from 12,000 years ago.
The museum showcases over 70,000 pieces of historical artwork and artifacts. It also features a collection of Texas Independence and the Spanish Colonial Era.
The Bryan Museum artifacts include books, western outfits, saddles, historical documents, and portraits. A collection of over 6,000 titles provides insights into the state’s history.
One of the most fascinating history museums to learn about Texas history is the Bryan Museum.
2.7 Moody Mansion
Moody Mansion, also called Willis-Moody Mansion, is a historic building built in 1895. This mansion is 28,000 square feet, a 4-story home with 20 rooms and 31 bathrooms.
It depicts the life of a robust Texas family. Each room details the Moody Family and their history who survived the 1900s hurricane.
The mansion’s interior highlights carved woodwork, stained glass, plasterwork, and decorative tiles. Its unique architecture features red brick and arches with antiques, artworks, and photos. Guided tours, special programs, and events also happen in Moody Mansion.
2.8 Galveston Island Pleasure Pier
Galveston Island Pleasure Pier is a fun-filled amusement park established in 2012. This Pleasure Pier is 1,130 feet long and underwent destruction in 1961 due to a hurricane.
The Pleasure Pier features a roller coaster, rides, games, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The Galveston Island Pleasure Pier is one of the amazing places to visit with family and kids.
2.9 Historic Downtown Galveston
Galveston’s Historic Downtown is a must-see when visiting the city. Downtown Galveston is recognized as a National Historic Landmark for its remarkable history and scenery.
The Historic Downtown Galveston has 70+ blocks of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. It was named “Wall Street of the Southwest” for its magnificent historic architecture.
Downtown Galveston has four areas – Pier 21, The Strand, Post Office Street, and West Market (WEMA).
2.10 Strand Historic District – The Strand
Downtown Galveston’s prime shopping street is the Strand Historic District. Victorian architecture is the basis for the Strand’s National Historic Landmark status. It attracts visitors with waterfront restaurants, shopping, cafes, dining, galleries, and antique stores.
The Grand 1894 Opera House is one great historic site to witness. Besides, the Strand also offers traditional stores like LA King’s Confectionary.
In summer, people enjoy the Mardi Gras festival. It includes parades, live music entertainment, and street food vendors.
2.11 Texas Seaport Museum
Texas Seaport Museum is home to one of the oldest tall ships, Elissa, launched in 1877. A National Historic Landmark, it welcomes thousands of tourists each year.
It now attracts visitors as the museum ship at Galveston Historic Seaport. The ship also holds fame as a treasure of the USA by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Further, the museum also showcases the history of the Galveston port with names of over 1,33,000 migrants.
2.12 Bishop’s Palace
Bishop’s Palace is a 19th Century National Historic landmark called Gresham’s Castle. It is a Victorian-style mansion built in 1892 in the East End Historic District.
This mansion is 19,000 square feet with a beautiful exterior and interior design. The exterior architecture comprises sculpted limestone, granite, and sandstone. The interior design includes high ceilings, bronze statues, fireplaces, and stained-glass windows.
It also provides a self-guided tour that explains the pieces inside it. Bishop’s Palace is one of the most valuable things to do in Galveston for history lovers.
2.13 Schlitterbahn Water Park
Schlitterbahn Water Park is a thrilling amusement park in Galveston, Texas. It comprises 26-acre providing adventurous 33+ water rides and attractions.
The attractions are water coasters, slides, rivers, wave pools, playgrounds, and lazy rivers. Furthermore, the water park features eateries, restaurants, and snack bars. The Massiv Monster Blaster is the largest water ride.
Tourists flock to Wave Lagoon as one of their favorite attractions. Other attractions are Soaring Eagle ZipLine, Screaming Serpents, Rohr, and Infinity Racers. This water park is open year-round and is one of the most exciting activities to perform with your family.
2.14 Seawolf Park
Seawolf Park on Pelican Island offers one of the most popular fishing piers. It also includes picnic sites, a playground, and other tourist attractions.
Moreover, Seawolf Park acts as a memorial for the USS Seawolf. It is a USA Navy submarine that sank in World War II in 1944.
2.15 R.A. Apffel Beach Park
R.A. Apffel Beach Park is a park in East Beach. East Beach is a perfect destination for festivals and live concerts in summer.
The beach park also offers boardwalks, pavilions, and entertainment stages. Additionally, it features showers, restrooms, playgrounds, and umbrella and chair rentals.
Unlike most other beaches, East Beach permits alcohol consumption. Next, the park also has a bird sanctuary and a selective nature conservation area.
2.16 Ocean Star Oil Drilling Rig Museum
Ocean Star Oil Drilling Rig and Museum is an interactive museum to study oil rigs. This old drilling rig drilled 200 wells in the Gulf of Mexico between 1969 to 1984.
This museum explains the workings of the offshore gas and oil industry. It also showcases exhibits and hands-on learning with self-guided videos at their pace.
2.17 Galveston Naval Museum
Galveston Naval Museum is located at Seawolf Park on Pelican Island. It’s Galveston’s spectacular museum to witness the World War II submarine and warship.
The submarine is the USS Cavalla, and the warship is the USS Stewart. In Pearl Harbor’s 1941 attack, the USA Cavalla participated. USS Stewart was a training ship for officers.
The museum also features the shipwreck ruins of the S.S Selma. It is a concrete tanker ship built during World War I.
2.18 East End Lagoon Nature Park and Preserve
One of the alluring nature preserves is the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve. This natural area covers 700 acres and offers wildlife and plants of great beauty.
It is a spot for kayaking, hiking, fishing, bird watching, crabbing, and photography. A perfect location for relaxation is the East Lagoon Nature Park and Preserve.
2.19 Stewart Beach
Stewart Beach is a family-friendly beach at the east end of Galveston Island. Family Vacation Critic acknowledged it in 2013 under the “Ten Top Family Beaches.”
The amenities are children’s playgrounds, volleyball courts, showers, restrooms, chair rentals, and umbrellas. With its attraction to shallow waters, this beach is one of the best things to do in Galveston with children.
2.20 Galveston Children’s Museum
Galveston Children’s Museum is an interactive museum designed for kids. It showcases various exhibits for children to explore, learn, and play. It is one of the worthy things to do in Galveston, TX, to nurture several skills in children.
The museum provides an engaging experience for all ages with artworks and sculptures. It is a worthwhile destination to check their workshops and events.
2.21 Old City Cemetery
Old City Cemetery is the oldest burial ground, established in 1839. It is located in the Broadway Cemetary District, which is three graves deep. Besides, the cemetery features 19th-century 1200 tombs and mausoleums.
One of the corpses consists of victims (4 children) with the murderer (their mother of them). Her name is Elize Roemer Alberti. Murdering her children in 1894, she got the name “The Demented Mother.” Plunging onto ghost tours reveals haunted spots and spirits to learn thrilling history.
2.22 The 1894 Grand Opera House
The 1894 Grand Opera House is a performing arts theater and Texas-authorized Opera House. It hosts theatrical and musical performances with fun events for kids of all ages.
The phenomenal Galveston Orchestra Symphony every Sunday afternoon captivates the audience. Prominent singers and musicians globally give incredible performances.
This majestic gem is one of the best cultural hubs that has survived hurricanes. It is a worth visit for Opera lovers.
2.23 Galveston County Museum
Galveston County Museum is a historical museum established in 1976. It showcases more than 25,000 artifacts and archives. It also features a hall that describes the history of Galveston County’s past.
The initial location of this museum was in the old City National Bank Building, Market Street. In 2008, a hurricane damaged the building’s HVAC and other electrical systems.
Currently, with unharmed artifacts, the museum is located at Galveston County Courthouse Building.
2.24 Galveston Arts Center
Galveston Arts Center is an Arts museum that displays contemporary visual art. It features art exhibitions of Galveston and surrounding counties and other educational programs.
There are gallery shows, art classes, and festivities to engage the visitors.
Collaborating with art studios, galleries, businesses, and nonprofits, they also conduct art walks.
2.25 Galveston Seawall
A historic landmark built to protect from storms is the Galveston Seawall. Galveston experienced a hurricane in 1900 that intruded many lives.
It’s 10 miles long and features beaches, restaurants, biking trails, lodging, and more. Restaurants like Gaidos Seafood Restaurant and BLVD Seafood are the best dining options.
2.26 Galveston Island Trolley
Galveston Island Trolley is a street car to watch the city’s neighborhoods. It’s a fun and cheap ride on two distinct routes. The trolley covers a distance of 6.8 miles with 22 halts. The two routes are the Seawall Route and the Downtown Route.
The Seawall Route runs along a 10-mile walk. It starts at Moody Gardens and ends in Stewart Beach alongside Seawall.
The Downtown Route runs between the Seawall and the Strand. Visitors can view the Strand Historic District and the Grand 1894 Opera House on this route.
2.27 Galveston Bolivar Ferry
The Galveston Bolivar Ferry connects Galveston Island with the Bolivar Peninsula. It is a free ride for 24 hours, and the trip covers 2.7 miles in 18 minutes.
The upper area of the ferry provides a beautiful open outside view. The inner sitting area has A/C surrounded by windows. Both of these provide excellent views.
Tourists can view Fort Travis, Bolivar Lighthouse, and anchored ships at the port. Towards Galveston, there are views of Seawolf Park. This ferry ride is the best way to experience fresh air and take photographs.
2.28 Galveston’s Own Farmers Market
Galveston’s Own Farmers Market relishes locally-grown staples, foods, and farm products. Baked goods, tea blends, and roasted coffee are the best products to taste.
Furthermore, fresh bread, jellies, jams, herbs, honey, salsas, and cheese are available. Young Gardener’s Program educates teenagers and kids in Galveston on vegetation growth. Cooking classes take place at this market on weekends for all ages.
2.29 O’Malley’s Stage Door
O’Malley’s Stage Door is one of the best Irish-style bars in Galveston, TX. The bar serves sandwiches and brews as a part of its popular menu.
The impressive feature of this bar is that it provides over 100 varieties of bottled beer. Along with this, it also showcases a unique collection of pub foods. Games on wide TV screens, dartboards, and friendly staff welcome visitors to the club.
2.29 Galveston Tree Sculpture Tour
Galveston Tree Sculpture Tour is a self-guided tour to watch tree sculptures. Hurricane Ike hit Galveston Island in 2008 and devastated many of the city’s trees. These dead trees are now artworks.
On the Galveston streets, destroyed oak trees carved into artistic sculptures are noticeable. An extensive part of this sculpture is discoverable in the East End Historic District. Tourists can enjoy this tour by walking, riding, biking, or other methods.
2.30 Katie’s Seafood Market
Katie’s Seafood Market is Galveston’s best long-running seafood market. The market sells fresh seafood and shellfish from local waters. Tourists can experience the taste of red snapper, fish fillets, blue crabs, and shrimp.
2.31 Laffite’s Cove Nature Society
Laffite’s Cove Nature Society (LCNS) is a beautiful nature preserve in Galveston. It’s one of the finest sites for watching birds. It is one of the most prosperous preserves to witness nature’s beauty.
2.32 Galveston Bay
Galveston Bay is an estuary in the western Gulf of Mexico. Texas Gulf Coast is home to the Bay. Watching dolphins is the best pastime that travelers can rejoice in here.
Dolphin tours allow tourists to watch dolphins in their natural habitat. It is one of the economical and effortless things to do in Galveston.
Summer tours help watch dolphins, shipwrecks, and other beautiful birds at the Bay. The lucky ones also could watch stingrays, whales, and sea turtles.
Final Note
Galveston, Texas, is a remarkable destination for coastal lovers. It is a worthy visit place as it stays a hot tourist spot.
To conclude, we have listed the choicest things you can do in Galveston. A trip to Galveston will leave a person with everlasting memories. The memories are of culture, history, or beaches.
Choose accordingly and plan your journey!! So, why the wait? Head on to the coast.
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani
