Historic East End Surf Shack
Food scene
Walk to get freshly roasted coffee. Just a few blocks from our home.
10 locals recommend
Galveston Coffee Roasters
532 23rd StWalk to get freshly roasted coffee. Just a few blocks from our home.
Really good food and an easy walk. Fast & casual American eats with an eclectic touch served in an 1870s building with a sunny patio.
213 locals recommend
Mosquito Cafe
628 14th StReally good food and an easy walk. Fast & casual American eats with an eclectic touch served in an 1870s building with a sunny patio.
We love walking down to this place and eating on the patio. There are usually people walking by or an art festival to peer at. Colorful & relaxed Tex-Mex eatery offering classic dishes & margaritas in festive environs.
46 locals recommend
Taquilo's Tex-Mex Cantina
2101 Postoffice StWe love walking down to this place and eating on the patio. There are usually people walking by or an art festival to peer at. Colorful & relaxed Tex-Mex eatery offering classic dishes & margaritas in festive environs.
Fresh baked goods plus an all-day menu of down-home American meals in a homey setting with a patio.
271 locals recommend
The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe
512 14th StFresh baked goods plus an all-day menu of down-home American meals in a homey setting with a patio.
Deli fare & soda fountain classics are served at a U-shaped counter in a vintage setting.
48 locals recommend
Star Drug Store
510 23rd StDeli fare & soda fountain classics are served at a U-shaped counter in a vintage setting.
Sightseeing
Just a fun place to explore. Exposed brick walls surround this metaphysical shop carrying statues, herbs & books galore.
11 locals recommend
The Witchery
2116 Postoffice StJust a fun place to explore. Exposed brick walls surround this metaphysical shop carrying statues, herbs & books galore.
Built as a private residence, the Bishop's Palace, also referred to as Gresham's Castle, is often described as one of the most significant Victorian mansions in America.
228 locals recommend
Bishops Palace
1402 Broadway Avenue JBuilt as a private residence, the Bishop's Palace, also referred to as Gresham's Castle, is often described as one of the most significant Victorian mansions in America.
Based on an actual oil rig — the massive Ocean Star, built in 1969 — the museum showcases many excellent exhibits. Highlights include a visit to the pipe deck, where some of the larger equipment needed to drill the rig's more than 200 wells is stored, along with interactive displays showing the process from exploration to extraction.
73 locals recommend
Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum
2002 Wharf RdBased on an actual oil rig — the massive Ocean Star, built in 1969 — the museum showcases many excellent exhibits. Highlights include a visit to the pipe deck, where some of the larger equipment needed to drill the rig's more than 200 wells is stored, along with interactive displays showing the process from exploration to extraction.
There are also some restaurants here and we have fun watching the dolphins while we eat on the patio. If you like visiting ships peek at a WWII-era US Navy submarine and the USS Stewart, a destroyer from the same period.
121 locals recommend
Galveston Historic Seaport - Home of the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA
8There are also some restaurants here and we have fun watching the dolphins while we eat on the patio. If you like visiting ships peek at a WWII-era US Navy submarine and the USS Stewart, a destroyer from the same period.
Housed in a fabulous historic building, which was once the Galveston Orphans Home, this museum showcases a diverse collection of art and artifacts from the American West, spanning more than 12,000 years. The permanent collection deals with everything from Native American history to the Spanish Colonial Era, and Texas Independence.
116 locals recommend
The Bryan Museum
1315 21st StHoused in a fabulous historic building, which was once the Galveston Orphans Home, this museum showcases a diverse collection of art and artifacts from the American West, spanning more than 12,000 years. The permanent collection deals with everything from Native American history to the Spanish Colonial Era, and Texas Independence.
Built in 1895, this 28,000-square-foot home is one of the finest of its kind in the state of Texas and is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. The interior of the Victorian Moody Mansion features stained glass, custom carved woodwork, decorative tiles, and plasterwork, along with fine stencil work throughout. The home also impresses with its red brick, unique architecture, and numerous arches, along with its many fine antiques, photos, and artwork.
180 locals recommend
Moody Mansion
2618 Broadway Avenue JBuilt in 1895, this 28,000-square-foot home is one of the finest of its kind in the state of Texas and is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. The interior of the Victorian Moody Mansion features stained glass, custom carved woodwork, decorative tiles, and plasterwork, along with fine stencil work throughout. The home also impresses with its red brick, unique architecture, and numerous arches, along with its many fine antiques, photos, and artwork.
Another of Galveston's fine old structures is the Grand 1894 Opera House, a splendidly restored Victorian theater that has withstood multiple hurricanes. It still hosts a full lineup of musical and theatrical performances, along with a selection of fun shows for kids of all ages. The Grand 1894 Opera House has been the official opera house for the state of Texas since 1993.
99 locals recommend
Grand 1894 Opera House
2020 Postoffice StAnother of Galveston's fine old structures is the Grand 1894 Opera House, a splendidly restored Victorian theater that has withstood multiple hurricanes. It still hosts a full lineup of musical and theatrical performances, along with a selection of fun shows for kids of all ages. The Grand 1894 Opera House has been the official opera house for the state of Texas since 1993.
For bird-watching, kayaking, SUPing, fishing, or simply enjoying a natural beach environment, head to Galveston Island State Park, near the west end of the island. Galveston is situated along the Central Flyway, making it a popular spot for birding, with opportunities to see migrating and resident birds.
104 locals recommend
Galveston Island State Park
14901 FM3005For bird-watching, kayaking, SUPing, fishing, or simply enjoying a natural beach environment, head to Galveston Island State Park, near the west end of the island. Galveston is situated along the Central Flyway, making it a popular spot for birding, with opportunities to see migrating and resident birds.
Pocket Park 2 is a simple and peaceful beach mostly away from the party crowd in Galveston. Even so, the soft sands and seashell hunting makes it a great beach for kids to enjoy a day under the Texas sun. The beach is on the west end of the island which is oriented toward the locals, and the Southern hospitality is easily recognized when sparking conversation with fellow beachgoers.
6 locals recommend
Beach Pocket Park Number 2
Pocket Park 2 is a simple and peaceful beach mostly away from the party crowd in Galveston. Even so, the soft sands and seashell hunting makes it a great beach for kids to enjoy a day under the Texas sun. The beach is on the west end of the island which is oriented toward the locals, and the Southern hospitality is easily recognized when sparking conversation with fellow beachgoers.
East Beach is well known as the go-to beach for the party crowd in Galveston. It’s the only beach on the island that alcohol is openly allowed and sold. There are multiple volleyball courts and horseshoe pits.
66 locals recommend
East Beach
Seawall BlvdEast Beach is well known as the go-to beach for the party crowd in Galveston. It’s the only beach on the island that alcohol is openly allowed and sold. There are multiple volleyball courts and horseshoe pits.
A fun attraction for young and old, the Galveston Railroad Museum features six permanent exhibits showcasing a large collection of steam and diesel engines, passenger and freight cars, cabooses, and related artifacts. A highlight is the famous streamlined Texas Limited passenger train and the impressive Santa Fe diesel, along with a large HO model train layout.
140 locals recommend
Galveston Railroad Museum
2602 Santa Fe PlA fun attraction for young and old, the Galveston Railroad Museum features six permanent exhibits showcasing a large collection of steam and diesel engines, passenger and freight cars, cabooses, and related artifacts. A highlight is the famous streamlined Texas Limited passenger train and the impressive Santa Fe diesel, along with a large HO model train layout.
Surfside Jetty County Park is a great spot for surfers who want to hit the waves and spend a few hours relaxing by the water. Pack a lunch and take a seat at one of the many picnic tables on the sand. Watch the oil tankers and other ships cruise in and out of the port or grab your board and catch the surf on the windy side of the jetty.
47 locals recommend
Jetty Park
101 Parkview RdSurfside Jetty County Park is a great spot for surfers who want to hit the waves and spend a few hours relaxing by the water. Pack a lunch and take a seat at one of the many picnic tables on the sand. Watch the oil tankers and other ships cruise in and out of the port or grab your board and catch the surf on the windy side of the jetty.
The kiddos will love this!
Enjoy the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids, MG3D Theater and 4D Theaters, Discovery Museum, 20,000 Leagues Interactive Adventure and the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat.
620 locals recommend
Moody Gardens
1 Hope BlvdEnjoy the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids, MG3D Theater and 4D Theaters, Discovery Museum, 20,000 Leagues Interactive Adventure and the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat.
I personally like the Schilitterbahn more than the big one. This one has double tubes and one side has a bottom for a child. I haven't encountered any long lines, so you are playing all day.
Water amusement park with outdoor attractions including slides, pools & rides, open seasonally.
481 locals recommend
Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark
2109 Gene Lucas BlvdI personally like the Schilitterbahn more than the big one. This one has double tubes and one side has a bottom for a child. I haven't encountered any long lines, so you are playing all day.
Water amusement park with outdoor attractions including slides, pools & rides, open seasonally.
Water amusement park with outdoor attractions including slides, pools & rides, open seasonally.
113 locals recommend
Stewart Beach
401 Seawall BlvdWater amusement park with outdoor attractions including slides, pools & rides, open seasonally.
Featuring waterfront fun and entertainment like no other Gulf Coast destination,
the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier features family-oriented attractions including rides,
midway games, a wide selection of food venues and retail shops.
662 locals recommend
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
2501 Seawall BlvdFeaturing waterfront fun and entertainment like no other Gulf Coast destination,
the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier features family-oriented attractions including rides,
midway games, a wide selection of food venues and retail shops.
My kids can't come to Galveston without coming here, so proceed with caution.
La King’s features a working 1920’s soda fountain serving malts, shakes, ice cream sodas, sundaes, splits, floats, and your favorite fountain treats. We proudly make and serve “Purity” ice cream which is Texas’ first ice cream manufacturer, founded in 1889 on Galveston Island. Don't forget you can buy a variety of candy by the pound.
163 locals recommend
La King's Confectionery
2323 Strand StMy kids can't come to Galveston without coming here, so proceed with caution.
La King’s features a working 1920’s soda fountain serving malts, shakes, ice cream sodas, sundaes, splits, floats, and your favorite fountain treats. We proudly make and serve “Purity” ice cream which is Texas’ first ice cream manufacturer, founded in 1889 on Galveston Island. Don't forget you can buy a variety of candy by the pound.
City advice
Book before you go
Galveston Island Guide Calendar
https://galvestonislandguide.com/calendar/
https://www.visitgalveston.com/events/