A Galveston Beach Vacation is filled with beaches, gorgeous sunsets and great food. Perfect for weekend trips or long family vacations.
Salty air and sandy beaches is always a good idea! Galveston even has plenty of free things to do.
What I enjoy about Texas is that the travel destinations are endless!
I haven’t been to Galveston since I was a teenager and thought what better time to book a beach vacation than now! The beach certainly made social distancing more manageable.
This was my sons first time to a Texas beach and he enjoyed every minute of it! Being only a 5 hour drive from Dallas/Fort Worth, makes it an easy weekend destination.
Top Things To Do And See In Galveston
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Where to stay in Galveston
We stayed at Moody Gardens which is only a few blocks from the Seawall. They have oversized rooms, several restaurants and a huge pool.
Don’t feel like leaving the hotel? No worries because the hotel grounds offer an array of activities. Everything from an aquarium, Rainforest, discovery museum, zip line, waterpark and paddlewheel boat.
You can purchase individual tickets to each attraction. Or you can buy an all day pass that gives you admission to everything.
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Where to eat in Galveston
Fish Tales
Located on the Seawall and is directly across from Pleasure Pier. This seafood restaurant has everything from fried crab appetizers, fish & chips and burgers. It’s a laid back atmosphere and a great place to dine after a day at the beach.
Be sure to sit on the upstairs patio for gorgeous ocean views.
Willie G’s
Located next to the cruise port. This is a nicer restaurant that has oyster Rockefeller, lobster bisque and a large selection of fish entrees.
*I highly recommend making reservations to avoid a long wait.
What to do in Galveston
Spend time at Galveston’s Beaches
Galveston has over 30 miles of shoreline and can find parking along the Seawall. Or hit up Stewart beach, a family friend spot that has showers, bathrooms & dining. My favorite is East beach. It’s less crowded and you can park your vehicle right on the beach.
Spend an afternoon at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
grab your tickets and hop on the Ferris Wheel for a birds eye view of the island. You do have to purchase entrance tickets to be allowed to walk on the pier.
Ride The Galveston Island Ferry
The Port Bolivar Ferry ride is free and an absolute must do! The 20 minute ride takes you from Galveston to Bolivar. Be sure to look for dolphins! We road the ferry 2 days in a row because my son enjoyed it so much. We rode it early in the morning and saw about 20 dolphins each day.
Walk Along The Galveston Seawall
The Galveston Seawall is a 10-mile protective barrier that was built after the 1900 hurricane. Today, it’s a popular place to walk along the ocean and enjoy the scenery. It stretches from 6th to 89th Street with amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Along the stretch, visitors can enjoy the shops, eateries and historic monuments.
Hike Galveston Island State Park
Located on the west end of island is the perfect place for the outdoor enthusiast to explore.
Visitors can hike the four miles of trails that wind though sand dunes, wetlands and coastal prairies. The park also offers paddle rentals, fishing spots an bird watching.
Explore The Strand Historic District
Located in the heart of Galveston, this is the center of all the action. It was once known as the “Wall Street of the South,” and many of the Victorian-era building still stand.
Explore the Galveston Railroad Museum
Established in 1983, the museum gives visitors a history lessons about the abandoned train car and other relics from Galveston Island.
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A Cowboy’s Life is all about finding Joy in the Everyday! I enjoy sharing fun dinner recipes, family travel ideas and outdoor adventures to explore with your family.
