Guides for your island trip
Written by our team for guests planning a trip. Evergreen guides are reviewed regularly. Event guides describe annual events in general terms, so always check the official calendar for this year's dates.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Galveston
Pyramids, a pier full of rides, ten miles of sidewalk and plenty of sand. Our list for keeping kids busy.
Fishing on Galveston Island
Piers, rock groins, surf and bay. A simple guide for anglers visiting the island.
Galveston for Birders
Galveston sits on a major migration route. Where to go with binoculars, and when.
Galveston's Big Event Weekends
Mardi Gras, Lone Star Rally and Dickens on The Strand fill the island fast. How to plan around them.
Where to Stay Before a Galveston Cruise
Skip the 4 a.m. drive from Houston. Here is how to plan a night on the island before you sail.
Best Areas to Stay in Galveston
Seawall high-rise, near the Pier, or a quiet neighborhood? A local's take on where to base your trip.
How to Choose a Galveston Condo
Ocean view or partial view? Full kitchen or kitchenette? What to check before you book.
A Galveston Weekend, Our Way
Friday night to Sunday checkout. A relaxed plan from people who spend their weeks on the island.
Places to know
Galveston's beaches
The Seawall beaches run for miles and are free to walk onto. Babe's Beach is a wide stretch on the west end of the Seawall. Stewart Beach and East Beach on the east end have more amenities and paid parking.
Seawall Boulevard
More than ten miles of continuous sidewalk along the Gulf. Walk it, bike it, or rent a surrey. Restaurants and beach shops line the inland side.
Historic Pleasure Pier
Rides, midway games and food on a pier over the Gulf at 25th Street.
Moody Gardens
Three glass pyramids with an aquarium, a rainforest and a science museum, plus seasonal attractions.
Schlitterbahn Galveston
The island's big waterpark, near Moody Gardens. Hours are seasonal, so check the park calendar before you go.
The Strand
Galveston's Victorian-era downtown: shops, candy counters, museums and restaurants near the harbor.
Port of Galveston cruise terminals
The cruise terminals sit along the harbor downtown. Many guests stay a night or two before or after sailing.
Food and evenings
Gulf seafood is the thing to order. You will find it along the Seawall, on the harbor side near Pier 21, and downtown around The Strand and Postoffice Street.
More guides are on the way: restaurants, family attractions, weekend itineraries and seasonal events.