There’s “good” times and then there’s “great” times, and the latter is what you’ll find in Galveston, Texas. So great in fact, that Glen Campbell sang a hit song about it, back in the days before Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Pleasure Pier even existed! Found on the shores of the Texas Gulf Coast, this city has some great attractions to bring family or friends to, and plenty of history. Being as big as it is now doesn’t preclude it from having its share of hurricane issues coming off the Gulf of Mexico. On the contrary, today you’ll find a good handful of historical buildings and homes (mansions really) that survived the tragic Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, which made landfall on September 8. They’re quite proud of their history by the sea, and you would be amazed with the architecture and design elements that can withstand the test of time.
Things to Do
Most Effective Ways to Enjoy the Heck Out of Galveston
Photo: Flickr/Katie Haugland Bowen
Speaking of being by the sea, fishing in Galveston is leaps and bounds ahead of many other vacation places in the US. If you’re packing gear, the city is situated approximately an hour’s drive southeast from Houston. If you’re not however, then you can come from anywhere and local outfitters can set you up. Fishing from a pier, offshore, or deep sea: this city has it all. If you’re not looking to catch anything but maybe some glances while you tan your gleaming white Texas body (from that awesome winter we’ve been having), then the beach is a great place to visit. Anticipate some crowds as younger people like to play hooky during weekdays to hit the shores, and if you’re there in summertime, well dang. You have to know it’s going to be a hotspot for sure!
Photo: Pixabay
If you’re looking for family entertainment, Moody Gardens is one place you shouldn’t miss. An educational tourist destination, with its own golf course and hotel, it has 3 main pyramid attractions: the Rainforest Pyramid, containing tropical plants, animals, birds, and so forth, as well as some free-roaming monkeys and 2-toed sloths; the Aquarium Pyramid, (one of the largest in the area) containing various fish and other marine species; and the Discovery Pyramid, containing science-oriented activities and exhibits.
Photo: Facebook/Galveston Island Tourism
The Strand Historic District in Galveston is a beautifully restored area through which visitors can stroll and shop or pick up tours of some of the city’s historical mansions. And if you like marine history, there’s always the Tall Ship Elissa – an 1877 sea-faring vessel on which you can tour, located at Texas Seaport Museum on Pier 21. If you like the arts, there’s also the 1894 Grand (one of the historic buildings which survived the hurricane of 1900), an opera house that holds regular concerts, musicals, and performances. Last but not least, and in the great vein of performances itself, Mardi Gras Galveston is actually takes place in February each year, featuring parades, masquerade balls and balcony parties galore! It’s a ton of fun you won’t want to miss. Whether you are traveling with your friends, family, or that special someone, it appears Galveston has got you covered.
