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City in Texas, United States
Photo: TheAustinMan, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Galveston is a city on Galveston Island, off the Texas Gulf Coast, approximately 45 minutes southeast of Houston. Galveston is a port of entry and a destination for almost all the cruise ships with ports of call in Texas. Many Houstonians have beach houses in Galveston or elsewhere in Galveston County where they sometimes relocate during the summer, or simply drive to Galveston to enjoy the local beach. This article also covers Port Bolivar, which is just to the northeast, an 18-minute ferry ride away.
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Gresham House
A Romanesque-style estate that is a Galveston landmark, once home to cotton financier and Galveston magnate William Lewis Moody, Jr.
Texas Seaport Museum
All sorts of railway things to see. It's in the old Galveston Railway Station, and the lobby is a huge period display. A large model train layout is also located in the museum.
Botanical garden, indoor rainforest, aquarium, 3D movie theater, 4D special FX theater, water park, hotel, and golf course in one complex. The complex is made up of several large pyramids. Great place to take the kids for a whole day. Additionally, they have the Colonel Paddleboat for those wishing to take tours on the channel.
Housed in a retired oil platform. Interesting exhibit for someone unfamiliar with the drilling process.
This concrete ship, built in 1919, is the only permanent, and prominent, wreck along the Houston Ship Channel.
The historic Downtown features all sorts of old buildings and historical markers.
Also home to several historic ships, including the 1877 tall ship Elissa.
Free ferry for automobiles and pedestrians between Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula. The ferry ride is about 25 minutes, but waiting times for the ferry can be considerably longer, especially on busy weekends. If the vehicle line is long, a good option is to stay in the right lane on Ferry Road, park your car, and walk on the ferry to ride it across and back. Good views of the bay, ship traffic, and sometimes wildlife. Children will have much fun feeding anything edible to sea gulls at the stern of the ferry.
Carnival and Princess cruise lines (perhaps others) have regular cruises which depart from Galveston.
Rides, games, gift shops, ice cream and other treats available on this nostalgic pier, rebuilt after Hurricane Ike which not only trounced the pier but the famous Flagship Hotel too.
Just a short drive west of Galveston's business district. While the Gulf shore campground and visitors center were destroyed by Ike, the park has reopened on a limited basis for day visitors.
Galveston County's only winery.
San Luis Pass County Park
Offers beaches, fishing, bird watching, and boating. Amenities are offered at the San Luis Pass County Park across the toll bridge, on the Brazoria County side. Beach driving is unofficially tolerated on the Galveston County side. Tide levels here are more prominent and can vary by almost 2 feet (60 cm) in height. Wading and swimming is strictly forbidden near the bridge and within the pass itself due to dangerous under-currents.
Galveston Island Waterpark
Next to Moody Garden and Scholes International Airport, this extension of the Schlitterbahn brand is an indoor/outdoor water park for year-round entertainment. The indoor Wasserfest section is open year-round, while 2 outdoor sections are open during the summer. Most rides start from a river that runs from the highest point in the park to the lowest, with a conveyer belt to take tubers back to the top.
Home of USS Cavalla and USS Stewart are berthed on Pelican Island.
Nick's shares the same kitchen with Gaido's and offers the same dishes more inexpensively in a more casual atmosphere.
Arguably one of the best Mexican restaurants in town, serves breakfast and lunch only.
Great seafood restaurant located right next to the 1877 tall ship Elissa. Try the shrimp kisses.
Fresh Homemade American Fusion.
Awesome Greek food.
Quality Italian food.
American food.
Italian cuisine and wine. Happy hours and sidewalk seating.
Fresh, original seafood dishes.
Sushi bar & grill.
Come try Galveston's own Star Bock beer.
Outdoor pool and breakfast.
A motel along the beach consisting mostly of private rooms. A couple of rooms have been converted into dorm rooms under the Hostelling International brand. Private rooms can be booked online, but call the motel directly to book a hostel bed.
Outdoor pool.
Avenue O offers uniquely themed rooms with double jacuzzis, private decks, TV/DVD players, refrigerators and microwaves. A full breakfast is served daily.
24-hour security desk. All condos feature a balcony with a "million dollar" view of the Gulf of Mexico.
A historic Galveston hotel with modern amenities and rooms with marble baths, towel warmers, and elegant furnishings.
A renowned AAA 4 diamond historical hotel featuring a brand new full service spa.
Huge hotel on the gulf, very popular for weddings.
A great selection of vacation rental accommodations on beautiful West Galveston Island.
Unbelievably reasonable accommodations with an ocean view!
With much of the same gorgeous woodwork as the Bishop's palace, this historic masterpiece offers private accommodation for a group of up to four families, along with a beautiful modern kitchen, huge dining room, and a location convenient to the restaurants and nightlife of the Strand, and entertainment of Pleasure Pier and the beach.
With a lazy river and hot tub. Pet friendly.
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Across the San Luis Pass Bridge from Galveston Island, in Brazoria County.
Stella Mare RV Resort is the premiere Galveston RV park!
Occupies about a block of the Strand with olde candy shoppes and other type tourist draws.
By car
By boat
By train
The national railroad operator Amtrak provides a Thruway bus service from Longview, connecting with its Texas Eagle.
By shuttle
Several connections from IAH and HOU airports, through Galveston Express, Galveston Shuttle and Galveston Limousine.
Galveston is walkable in areas like The Strand and Seawall Boulevard, but some neighborhoods require transportation.
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Houston · International · HOU
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