Nancy and Anda's Guidebook
Food scene
These are restaurants/bars that are Mimi and Anda's favorites. They are also Galveston favorites, which makes sense. Time tested but there are many, many more!
A sure fire Galveston legend because of its chic menu and quirkiness. Apple walnut salad never leaves the menu!
213 locals recommend
Mosquito Cafe
628 14th StA sure fire Galveston legend because of its chic menu and quirkiness. Apple walnut salad never leaves the menu!
Local folks know the Black Pearl is the best value on the island for seafood. Their oysters are superb and you better have your game face on when you order one of their giant Po Boys. You can eat lunch on one menu and come back in the evening for the expanded dinner menu. Inside seating only. Local favorite
71 locals recommend
Black Pearl Oyster Bar
327 23rd StLocal folks know the Black Pearl is the best value on the island for seafood. Their oysters are superb and you better have your game face on when you order one of their giant Po Boys. You can eat lunch on one menu and come back in the evening for the expanded dinner menu. Inside seating only. Local favorite
A great place to watch the sun go down across the water. You can also watch the fishermen catch fish. Food is local and fresh
130 locals recommend
Jimmy's on the Pier
9001 Seawall BlvdA great place to watch the sun go down across the water. You can also watch the fishermen catch fish. Food is local and fresh
Trattoria La Vigna
412 20th StAnything on the menu is memorable!
Penny's is a take out restaurant that features wonderful BBQ and Mexican specialties. Tamales are to die for, and their BBQ ribs and brisket is some of the best Anda and Mimi have ever tasted. Their Banana Pudding is world famous, and rightly so. This is a place where they close when they run out of food, so plan ahead with a call in order early to make sure you get your order filled. Open Thursday through Sunday.
27 locals recommend
Pennies Tex Mex Take Out
1713 37th StPenny's is a take out restaurant that features wonderful BBQ and Mexican specialties. Tamales are to die for, and their BBQ ribs and brisket is some of the best Anda and Mimi have ever tasted. Their Banana Pudding is world famous, and rightly so. This is a place where they close when they run out of food, so plan ahead with a call in order early to make sure you get your order filled. Open Thursday through Sunday.
A great bakery that also serves great food, especially breakfast. Ample seating both inside and out. One of our favorites. Right down the street from Mosquito Cafe.
271 locals recommend
The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe
512 14th StA great bakery that also serves great food, especially breakfast. Ample seating both inside and out. One of our favorites. Right down the street from Mosquito Cafe.
You must make Katies a stop while you are on the Island. Fresh caught fish from shrimp to red fish and so many more.
174 locals recommend
Katie's Seafood Market
1902 Wharf RdYou must make Katies a stop while you are on the Island. Fresh caught fish from shrimp to red fish and so many more.
A local favorite. Two locations, both just a few blocks from Mimi's House. All kinds of great fried seafood.
162 locals recommend
Shrimp N Stuff
3901 Avenue OA local favorite. Two locations, both just a few blocks from Mimi's House. All kinds of great fried seafood.
Attractions - Family
Suitable for all ages
When you can walk to the Pier in five minutes from Mimi's Home, how can you not go?
39 locals recommend
Pleasure Pier 5D Theater Ride
2424 Seawall BlvdWhen you can walk to the Pier in five minutes from Mimi's Home, how can you not go?
This has a great tour of one of Galveston's founding fathers. They also have a wonderful kids program that you sign up for in the basement. Our Grands loved it. It is interactive and last a full morning.
180 locals recommend
Moody Mansion
2618 Broadway Avenue JThis has a great tour of one of Galveston's founding fathers. They also have a wonderful kids program that you sign up for in the basement. Our Grands loved it. It is interactive and last a full morning.
Just three blocks from Mimi's. Walk on the east sidewalks to the Pier.
662 locals recommend
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
2501 Seawall BlvdJust three blocks from Mimi's. Walk on the east sidewalks to the Pier.
All day fun for the whole family. Prepare for the day, and check up on the rules for bringing stuff in. You must have footwear to protect your feet. You can burn them from the sun easily!
481 locals recommend
Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark
2109 Gene Lucas BlvdAll day fun for the whole family. Prepare for the day, and check up on the rules for bringing stuff in. You must have footwear to protect your feet. You can burn them from the sun easily!
Three great pyramids of fun plus a waterpark! Best to make a day of it for sure!
620 locals recommend
Moody Gardens
1 Hope BlvdThree great pyramids of fun plus a waterpark! Best to make a day of it for sure!
City advice
Getting around
Island wide trolley system is just three blocks away
The trolley has two routes, east-west on the beaches, and north south to downtown and to the Strand. Both originate by Chick Fil A, three blocks from Mimi's House. There are stops all over town. A neat and cheap way to get around town.
Getting around
Golf
Moody Gardens Golf Course is open to the public and is a fun course to play. Reasonable green fees too.
Getting around
Trip Advisor for Galveston
Top 15 things to do https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g55879-Activities-Galveston_Galveston_Island_Texas.html
Don't miss
Beach tips
We are just three blocks from the Pleasure Pier and the beaches surrounding it. The beach immediately west of the Pleasure Pier is privately owned. The beach service there is great, and you can rent umbrellas and chairs for a morning, afternoon, several days or a week ($30 for two chairs and an umbrella. You can come and go which means your umbrella and chairs will be there and an attendant will be watching them. So you can hit the beach for a few hours, go back to Mimi's House for lunch and return for the rest of the day until they take the umbrellas down for the day around 5pm.
Don't miss
More Beach tips
If you have a big family and want to have ALL of your stuff with you, try the public beaches on the west side of the island. Just look for Public Access Beaches and follow the signs. Many of them allow you to pull your car right on the beach, back up to the ocean and set up your tent right on the back of your car. Very good for families with toddlers, young kids or older family members. Jamaica Beach is a good one for this, but there are many. A new Galveston rule is NOTHING LEFT OVERNIGHT. They will come and throw it in the trash. We recommend a tent from Academy and tie downs
Don't miss
Galveston Island State Park
Lots of things to do for a small fee. Free fishing, no license needed. Bird watching, great beaches.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/galveston-island