What to do in Galveston pre Cruise??

[tickles]

we will be there April 10th for our cruise on the Ecstasy. This is our first time in Galveston and would like any advice what to do for the day? We really don't want to spend too much there but info on shopping places, restaurants would be great. We are staying at the Best Western and were told they have free cruise parking. How much is a cab from the Hotel to the pier?

[Rancher Dave]

Can't tell you cab fare...but I'd go look around the Strand, check out the oil rig museum Ocean Star, the Rail road museum is there...beaches, ship watching from the East End,...lots to do in Galveston, no reason to just sit in the hotel room.

[panoramaofthepast]

we will be there April 10th for our cruise on the Ecstasy. This is our first time in Galveston and would like any advice what to do for the day? We really don't want to spend too much there but info on shopping places, restaurants would be great. We are staying at the Best Western and were told they have free cruise parking. How much is a cab from the Hotel to the pier?

 

The hotels with free parking usually have a shuttle to the pier for a minimal cost. Just check with them.

The Strand has small boutiques and a variety of restaurants. Moody Gardens has an aquarium and other attractions. www.galveston.com will take you to the official site for the island.

Enjoy your cruise.

[CGBCruiser]

we will be there April 10th for our cruise on the Ecstasy. This is our first time in Galveston and would like any advice what to do for the day? We really don't want to spend too much there but info on shopping places, restaurants would be great. We are staying at the Best Western and were told they have free cruise parking. How much is a cab from the Hotel to the pier?

 

Check out www.galveston.com. They have a plethora of information on Galveston Island with lots of restaurants, events, and sightseeing info!

[hillbillycruisers]

We stayed at the Bestwestern Beachfront Inn a couple of years ago...then the cab fare to the cruise terminal was about $14. They didnt have a shuttle. They did have a very good breakfast there at that time..the best free hotel breakfast I've had. There are lots of good places to eat in galveston...we like Caseys and the Spot...both are on Seawall blvd. If you find yourselves down at the Strand, a good place for lunch is the Star Drugstore. There are several other good restraunts too. Galveston has lots to see and do, so much so that we have been staying 2 0r 3 extra days pre-cruise just to hang out. You can check it out online and learn a lot.

[tickles]

Thanks for all the information, what are the best beaches to go to there? I know we will check out the Strand too. Is there a lot of parking available around the strand or is it expensive to park?

[helicopter]

Checkout Kemah Boardwalk on line. Everytime we go to Galveston we go there for an evening, lots of places to eat. Not far from Galveston.

[Galveston Cruiser]

With a couple of days only

There is plenty to do in Galveston/Kemah/Nasa area

 

Special events just about every weekend in Galveston :

Dickens on Strand (1st weekend in Dec)

Lone Star Biker Rally (early weekend in fall)

Art Walks

Loft Tour

Oktoberfest

Greek Festival

Food Fests

Artists Festivals

Wild Game BBQ Cook-off

Running and Triathlon Events (many)

Two Convention Centers

Many Others (see galveston.com for your dates)

 

 

 

 

and less than half an hour away:

nasa space center

kemah board walk

 

galveston proper:1894 grand opera house (a must see tour or event)

http://www.thegrand.com

live music and theater events first class broad way etc.

ghost tours

old town galveston - on strand and post office streets

(lots of shops, bars, ice cream parlors, old army surplus store, fine restaurants)

winerys

many live theater venues music, ballet, broadway

museums

antiques and art Galleries

horse drawn carriage rides

fishing fishing fishing (piers, charters, and beach)

galveston historical foundation properties

victorian homes(lots)

moody gardens – a special family place - (lots and lots to do)

with Imax Theater, aquarium, rain forest, lots of traveling special events, music concerts, etc.

schlitterbahn water park

airplane museum (a treasure)

restored tall ship schooner Elisa (wonderful)

1900 storm and pirate jean laffite documentary films at port

walks and shelling on the beach

shopping

bars and live music

dolphin watch and port tour

turtle rescue farm behind San Luis Resort

tour pf carved damaged trees from IKE storm

kite flying on beach

free ferry ride

maritime museum

sea wolf park – wwII submarine and destroyer

many historical and Victorian homes

bishops palace (wonderful)

moody mansion (wonderful)

ashton villa (wonderful)

oil drilling rig museum

large souvenir shop over gulf water

duck tour (amphibious boat)

 

see galveston.com

see galveston.com/ interact and discover / cams (for profit)

see galvestonhistory.org (nonprofit)

seee moodygardens.com (nonprofit)

see thegrand.com (non profit)

 

You need to decide if you want to stay on

1. Gulf of Mexico Beach Area (many hotels)

2. Historic Old Town Strand – Terminal Port Area (Tremont and Harbor House)

3. Bayside Area (2) Moody Gardens Hotels

Tremont and Harbor House are 2-3 blocks to terminal.

Everything is close though!

All hotel/motels are just two or so miles from terminal anyway.

 

 

To get bearings of island

Look at FREE internet map

 

See Galveston.com

Interact and Discover

Maps:

Galveston (B&W)

Galveston (Color Hi-Resolution)

Click on

 

We live in Galveston!

Feel free to ask more questions!

 

__________________

[MicksMom]

We took the Duck Boat tour in October. They depart from the seawall & drive you all around town. Then into the water :eek: Tour lasts about an hour, we had a great time.

[DaNana]

Holiday Inn Express recommended this really nice cabbie. His number is: 409-877-2870, David Williams is an independent w/Yellow Cab. Clean cab and quick to respond. We used him a couple of times.