Galveston, TX Road Trips

Named after Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Count of Gálvez and taken over by privateer Jean Lafitte for a while as his personal-like fiefdom around 1820, Galveston was controlled by the Confederacy but then in a twist of fate became a sort of freedman's refuge after the Civil War, as it prospered in becoming Texas' great cotton port. Then the great hurricane of 1900 hit, obliterating the barrier island and taking much of the city and some 6000 lives with it. A seawall was built along the extent of the city and the city became a epicenter for hedonistic activities like gambling, but it never regained its premier port status, in part because of the development of the Houston Ship Channel further inland. However it holds its place among Gulf tourist destinations today and is a major cruise embarkation point. With 32 miles of coastline, Galveston offers a variety of beach experiences. The island is also home to several museums and historic landmarks. The Bryan Museum showcases artifacts from Texas and the American West, while the Galveston Railroad Museum highlights the city’s role in transportation history. The 1892 Bishop’s Palace and Moody Mansion provide a glimpse into Galveston’s Victorian-era past. Galveston has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and warm, humid summers. Winter temperatures average 57°F (14°C), while summer highs reach 81°F (27°C). The Gulf of Mexico provides cooling breezes but also makes it susceptible to hurricanes, particularly between June and November.

1 African-American Museum, 3427 Sealy Ave. (updated Aug 2021) 2 Bishop's Palace (Gresham House), 1402 Broadway St. (updated Nov 2021) 3 The Bryan Museum, 1315 21st St, ☏ +1 409-632-7685. W-Su 10AM-5PM, except Th 10AM-7PM. Adults $14, Seniors (65+) & Military $12, Students $10, Children (6-12) $5, Children under 5 free. (updated Nov 2021) 4 Moody Mansion, 2618 Broadway Avenue J, ☏ +1 409 762-7668. Daily 10AM-5PM. A Romanesque-style estate that is a Galveston landmark, once home to cotton financier and Galveston magnate William Lewis Moody, Jr. $15 adults, $7 (ages 6-17). (updated Jan 2022) 5 Elissa Barque Sailing Ship (Texas Seaport Museum), 2200 Harborside Dr. (updated Nov 2021) 6 Galveston Railroad Museum, 2602 Santa Fe Plaza (near the Strand at 25th St.), ☏ +1 409-765-5700, fax: +1 409-765-5744. 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. $6. (updated Aug 2019) 7 Moody Gardens, One Hope Blvd (off 81st St.), toll-free: +1-800-582-4673. 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. $39.95 day pass. 8 Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum, ☏ +1 409-766-7827. 10:00 - 17:00 (varies by season). Housed in a retired oil platform.

Annual events include Mardi Gras Galveston, one of the largest celebrations in Texas, and Dickens on The Strand, a Victorian-themed holiday festival. Seasonal markets, art fairs, and live music events are also common throughout the year. Bolivar Ferry. 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. Cruise line travel. Carnival and Princess cruise lines (perhaps others) have regular cruises which depart from Galveston. 1 Fort Travis Seashore Park, 800 Anderson Avenue, Port Bolivar, Texas. 2 Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, 2501 Seawall Boulevard, ☏ +1 409-766-4950, toll-free: +1 855 789-7437. 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. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Galveston Island State Park, 14901 FM 3005, ☏ +1 409 737-1222. 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.

1 Nick's Kitchen & Beach Bar, 3802 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409-761-5502. Nick's shares the same kitchen with Gaido's and offers the same dishes more inexpensively in a more casual atmosphere. (updated Feb 2025) 2 La Estacion, 2428 Avenue H, ☏ +1 409-762-4262. Arguably one of the best Mexican restaurants in town, serves breakfast and lunch only. 3 Fisherman's Wharf, 2200 Harborside Dr (NE Corner of Ave A and 22nd St.), ☏ +1 409 765-5708. Great seafood restaurant located right next to the 1877 tall ship Elissa. Try the shrimp kisses. 4 Fishtales, 2502 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409-762-8545. 5 Mosquito Cafe, 628 14th St, ☏ +1 409-763-1010. Fresh Homemade American Fusion. 6 Original Mexican Cafe, 1401 Market St, ☏ +1 409-762-6001. 7 KritiKos Olympia Grill, 4908 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409-539-5915. Awesome Greek food. 8 Rudy & PACO Restaurant, 2028 Post Office St, ☏ +1 409-762-3696. Quality Italian food. 9 Salsas Mexican & Seafood Restaurant, 4604 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409-621-2630. 10 Yaga's Tropical Cafe Club, 2314 Strand St, ☏ +1 409-762-6676. American food. 11 Gaido's Seafood Restaurant, 3802 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409-761-5500. (updated Feb 2025) 12 Riondo's Ristorante, 2328 The Strand, ☏ +1 409-621-9595. Italian cuisine and wine. Happy hours and sidewalk seating. 13 Saltwater Grill, 2017 Post Office St, ☏ +1 409-762-3474. Fresh, original seafood dishes. 14 Sky Bar Steak & Sushi, 2105 Post Office St, ☏ +1 409-621-4759. Sushi bar & grill.

1 O'Malley's Stage Door Pub, 2022 Postoffice St, ☏ +1 409-763-1731. 2 The Press Box, 2401 Postoffice St, ☏ +1 409-765-5958. 3 Yaga's Cafe and Bar, 2314 The Strand, ☏ +1 409-762-6676. 4 Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe, 413 20th St, ☏ +1 409-762-9199, [email protected]. All shows start at 21:00, closed Sunday - Tuesday. Come try Galveston's own Star Bock beer.

1 Quality Inn & Suites Beachfront, 5924 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409-740-1088. Outdoor pool and breakfast. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Mariner Inn, 1602 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409-632-2500. 3 Gaido's Seaside Inn, 3700 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409 761-5504, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. 4 Clarion Pointe Galveston, 2300 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409 356-9853. 5 Sandpiper Motel, 201 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409-765-9431. 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. 6 Red Roof PLUS+ Galveston - Beachfront, 3924 Avenue U, ☏ +1 409-750-9400. Outdoor pool. (updated Feb 2025) 7 Avenue O Bed and Breakfast, 2323 Ave O, ☏ +1 409-789-3070, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM-7PM, check-out: 11AM. Avenue O offers uniquely themed rooms with double jacuzzis, private decks, TV/DVD players, refrigerators and microwaves. A full breakfast is served daily. $99 - $169. Best Western (2 locations). 8 Best Western Plus Seawall Inn & Suites By The Beach, 102 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409 766-7070. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: Noon. (updated Mar 2024) 9 Best Western Plus Galveston Suites, 8502 Seawall Blvd, ☏ +1 409 740-4300. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Mar 2024) 10 Seascape, 10811 Termini San Luis Pass Rd, ☏ +1 409-740-1245, toll-free: +1 866-940-1245, [email protected]. $90-$220.

1 Scholes International Airport (GLS IATA). This is the only airport in Galveston, but only serves private and chartered flights. 2 William P. Hobby Airport (HOU IATA). One of two airports in Houston providing scheduled commercial flights into the metro area, and the closest commercial airport to Galveston. It is directly connected to Galveston by Interstate 45; the drive takes about 45 minutes. Hobby Airport is dominated by Southwest Airlines. (updated Mar 2024) George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH IATA) Also in Houston, and dominated by United Airlines. Take US Route 59 south into downtown Houston and exit into Interstate 45 south; you will pass by Hobby Airport en route. Allow at least 90 minutes to drive from IAH to Galveston, probably more during rush hour. IAH asks returning passengers to arrive 2 hours before check-in. I-45 South is the easiest route from Houston to Galveston Island. The freeway becomes Broadway St. on the island. The San Luis Pass-Vacek Toll Bridge offers access to Galveston Island from Surfside Beach along State Highway 87. State Highway 288 connects the Greater Houston area to this route. The Bolivar Peninsula - Galveston Island Ferry is a free vehicle ferry that regularly runs between Port Bolivar - located on mainland east of Galveston - and the island. For travel between New Orleans and Galveston, the ferry can save 30-40 minutes by avoiding Houston. The ferry is run on a first-come first-served basis, and there are often moderate waits during rush hour, and very long waits (on the order of 2-3 hours) on major holidays.

Galveston is walkable in areas like The Strand and Seawall Boulevard, but some neighborhoods require transportation. Driving & Parking – Street parking is metered in busy areas, with mobile payment options. Biking & Pedal Cars – Rentals available along The Strand and Seawall Boulevard. Island Transit – Provides limited bus routes. Trolley Service – Replica streetcars run through the Historic Downtown District and parts of the Seawall. Taxis & Rideshares – Uber, Lyft, and local taxi services are available.

Stay Safe Galveston is generally a safe destination, but like any tourist city, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings. Petty crime, such as vehicle break-ins, can occur, so always lock your car and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight. Panhandlers may be present in some areas, particularly around busy intersections. Water Safety Ocean currents can be unpredictable, so it's best to swim near lifeguard stations and follow posted safety signs. The waters around San Luis Pass are especially dangerous due to strong currents and poor visibility, contributing to a higher number of drownings in this area. Swimming is not permitted in many of these high-risk zones, particularly near unprotected straits. Always check local advisories before entering the water.