Places to visit in Galveston, TX.
This is a Galveston bucket list from museums to festivals, shopping districts to arts and culture. You’ll find lots of things to do in Galveston, TX – from the East End Historic District to the Strand Historic Landmark District and much more!
Overall, this town is filled with great places to eat, drink and relax — along with activities to stress you out. Galveston is the perfect getaway spot for those looking to enjoy some time off of the mainland or if you are looking to have a relaxing vacation while getting away from it all.
Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens is one of Texas’s most popular tourist attractions on the beautiful Galveston Island. This family-friendly destination includes a golf course, a film theatre, and an outdoor water park. It also hosts numerous holiday events, such as the Festival of Lights.
Moody Gardens is part aquarium, rainforest zoo, and science museum. It also offers a golf course and hotel.
The ice carving event at Moody Gardens is a popular attraction. Visitors can climb to the top of a massive ice slide, watch ice tunnels, and watch ice sculptures of all sizes.
Moody Gardens also offers an interactive museum housed in three pyramids. The Rainforest Pyramid contains hundreds of animal habitats. This includes a large variety of penguins, seals, and exotic plants.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is a waterfront entertainment pier on the Gulf Coast. It stretches 1,130 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico. It offers family-friendly attractions, live entertainment, and restaurants.
The Pleasure Pier is located on 25th Street at Seawall Boulevard. It is a classic boardwalk amusement park. It opened in 1943. It features 16 rides and attractions for the whole family. The rides provide stunning views of the Gulf. They include family-friendly thrill rides that fly over the water, providing guests with an unmatched perspective of the Gulf.
The Pleasure Pier offers many dining options, including Texas’ first Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant and market. There are plenty of places to sit along the boardwalk, making the Pleasure Pier a great place to people-watch. You can buy individual ride tickets or a ticket with entrance to the pier. There are also parking options nearby. You can purchase an all-day parking pass for $25.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston
Located on Galveston Island, the Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston is a 26-acre oasis of thrilling waterpark adventures. This park features 33 attractions, including water slides and pools. It is perfect for families or thrill seekers.
Guests can enjoy the indoor and outdoor areas of the water park. The indoor space includes a large, heated pool. It also features a wave pool and a surf simulator. You can find a variety of food options here. There is also a Funnel Cake Factory, which has a wide variety of sweet treats. You can also find a range of healthy salad options. You can even bring your picnic.
The Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston offers plenty of attractions for families, thrill seekers, and those who want to relax. The park has plenty of slides and wave pools to suit everyone. There are also raft rides, boogie board rides, and pools for kids.
Bishop’s Palace
Among Galveston’s most historic buildings is Bishop’s Palace. This palatial Victorian-era mansion was built in the late nineteenth century by the prominent lawyer, railroad magnate, and entrepreneur Walter Gresham. He was also a lawyer, politician, and Confederate soldier during the Civil War. He was also a founder of the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad.
Gresham was born in Virginia in 1841. He moved to Texas after the Civil War. He graduated from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He was a lawyer and lawyer-entrepreneur and served in the Texas Legislature. He and his wife, Josephine, had seven children. When he died in 1920, his wife moved to Washington, D.C., and sold the house to the Catholic Diocese for $40,500.
Galveston Island State Park
Whether you are looking for a place to get away or just a spot to soak up the sun, Galveston Island State Park offers a range of activities. It’s an oasis for nature lovers and history buffs. You can go swimming, surfing, fishing and more. It’s also a great place to find a variety of bird species.
Galveston Island State Park has over 2,000 acres of land and water. It includes beaches, wetlands, prairies, and salt marshes. The park is divided into four areas for beach activities and camping. In addition, you can find a beach, a boating area, a paddling trail, and a fish-cleaning station.
If you like to walk, there are four miles of trails. The Oak Bayou Trail is 4.2 miles long and takes hikers through secluded bayous and seagrass beds. You can also take a nature trail called Heron’s Walk, which winds through the marshes.
Best Things to Do in Galveston, Texas
Places to visit in Galveston, TX:
- Moody Gardens
- Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston
- Bishop’s Palace
- Galveston Island State Park