Galveston Offers Beaches and Much More!

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Galveston | A Getaway for Two | London's Calling | Archive

Galveston Offers Beaches and Much, Much More!

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Ferry Boat

By: Chip May

Galveston is not just a few sandy beaches on the Texas coast. It has transformed into a major vacation spot that offers something for everyone.

Galveston is an island, 32 miles long and two and a half miles wide, about 40 miles south of Houston that was once Texas’ fourth largest city at the end of the 1800s. Following a hurricane in 1900 that killed 6,000 residents - which is considered the worst natural disaster in U.S. history - the city built a seawall and raised the level of the island. As much of Galveston’s seaport business went to Houston, it became a top resort city from the 1920s to the 1950s. The resorts attracted the rich and famous, top entertainment and colorful characters through illegal gambling including roulette, craps tables, blackjack and slot machines. The era ended in 1957 when the Texas Rangers raided and closed the gambling spots.

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Dolphins Seen from Ferry

Through the 1960s and 1970s, the city seemed to lose some of its charm as it sought to find a new identity. Since that time, the city’s emphasis on historical sites has attracted art galleries, antiques shops and top restaurants to the downtown strand district. Many of the dilapidated buildings along the seawall have given way to new shopping, resorts and condominiums.

The dining options are incredible with fresh-caught Gulf Coast seafood prevalent at many top restaurants. Shrimp, scallops and crab dishes are delicious. Many other restaurants offering hamburgers, Tex-Mex and Italian also are readily available.

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Galveston Beach

Nature plays a big role in Galveston tourism, The Moody Gardens, a complex of pyramid buildings, includes an aquarium pyramid with penguins, sharks and thousands of tropical fish. The rainforest pyramid features exotic plants and animals. On the outside, the Palm Beach area at Moody Gardens features white sand beaches and blue lagoons. Other Moody attractions include IMAX 3D and 4D theaters.

For a free nature exhibit, get up close to sea turtles at the NOAA Fisheries Service Galveston Laboratory. Since the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle was listed on the Endangered Species Act, the Galveston Lab has played an important role in the conservation and recovery of this species through research, experiments and support of international conservation efforts. At the lab, you can take a tour and view young sea turtles in individual tanks.

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Shrimp Pasta Dish

Another free nature exhibit is the Bolivar Ferry from Galveston, which is an easy way to view bottlenose dolphins, brown pelicans and numerous sea gulls. The ride lasts 15 minutes, and some riders take bread along to feed birds from the stern of the ship. The ferry also offers great ocean views as it crosses between the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay.

Birdwatching is easy throughout the island area with more than 500 species living, migrating or staying during the warm winter months. Fishing is popular on spots along the shore and on boats in the Gulf.

In addition to sea water, you can enjoy a major fresh water attraction the Schlitterbahn Galveston Island water park, located next to Moody Gardens. The water park features 32 attractions including water coasters, slides, playgrounds, rapids, wave pool and hot tubs. The Wasserfest area at Schlitterbahn is the first convertible park with a roof that can be opened or closed year round. During the winter months, the Wasserfest area is converted into an indoor heated water park with a dozen attractions.

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Shrimp Boat in Galveston Bay

Galveston offers 19th century architecture and numerous museums with incredible history. Some of the top historical houses greet visitors as they enter the city along Broadway Boulevard including the 1859 Ashton Villa, 1886 Bishop’s Palace and 1895 Moody Mansion. The Grand 1894 Opera House is ranked among the nation’s finest historical theaters. The Texas Seaport Museum & historic sailing ship Elissa highlight the history of the Port of Galveston. Other top historic sites include the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, the Railroad Museum in the restored Union Depot, and the Lone Star Flight Museum & Texas Aviation Hall of Fame housing one of the finest collections of restored aircraft and aviation exhibits in the nation.

Some visitors explore Galveston Island as part of a cruise vacation. Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise lines serve Galveston with many types of cruises that take visitors to the Caribbean and the Mexican Gulf Coast. The ships dock in Galveston Harbor cruise ship terminal in the downtown Strand area. Views of the giant cruise ships among the historic Strand buildings are amazing.

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Splashing in the Waves

Of course, the sandy beaches are Galveston’s primary attractions. The island offers 32 miles of relaxing beaches. The free public beaches are lined along the seawall. On the east part of the island, some beaches requiring a fee allow visitors to park their cars on the beach.

Packing for a trip to Galveston is easy. Just bring t-shirts, shorts and a swimming suit. Drive south down Interstate 45 until the freeway gives way to the beach. The elixir of the sound of rushing waves, colorful sunsets and the smell of seawater will instantly relieve stress.