Galveston...how many days pre cruise?

[CGBCruiser]

Nothing wrong with being an old hippie!!!:)

 

We're all showing our age! If you grew up in the 60's and a lot of the 70's we have that history! :D

[bobhsv]

We're all showing our age! If you grew up in the 60's and a lot of the 70's we have that history! :D

 

Yes, we changed the world didn't we:D. I laugh at my sons when they say 'listen to this new song', cos the best ones come from our era. Just wished to ask re NASA....seeing you are all so helpful on this thread, thanks....is this a full day or could we see it comfortably in a half day?

Jen

[ssb]

I have decided to just make the best of it. We already have the cruise partially paid so we are just staying with it. I am only sorry about not being about to rent a car and returning it on Sunday. We are coming in 2 days ahead so hopefully Friday and Sat, we will find things to do. We always rent a car and drive around and see everything. Any suggestions on what we can do. We are staying at San luis Resort which looks nice. We have 4 of us arriving from different areas. Still haven't worked on the shuttle. We need one from Bush and one from Hobby. Looked at different places but still haven't found any gluten free places yet.

 

Gluten Free

Call or see website for

Lunchbox Cafe (23rd St, downtown, small eatery that serves locally grown food)

 

www.thelunchboxcafegalveston.com

[tmbrea66]

 

We have great restaurants from white table cloth to very casual,

 

 

 

 

Galveston cruiser....could you please recommend several places the locals eat that have good food and reasonable prices. We cruise out of Galveston on 11/3 It will be me, DH, my mom and stepdad. I always like to find the local flavor so to speak of a place when I visit.

[PhotoKirk]

See that you are from Australia, you might want to travel up to Houston to see the USS Houston memorial.

 

USS Houston and HMAS Perth both fought a brutal, and ultimately fatal, battle against the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Battle of Sunda Strait. Both Allied ships were lost

 

The memorial is in Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. It's a quiet place to reflect on the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation.

[Galveston Cruiser]

Galveston cruiser....could you please recommend several places the locals eat that have good food and reasonable prices. We cruise out of Galveston on 11/3 It will be me, DH, my mom and stepdad. I always like to find the local flavor so to speak of a place when I visit.

 

Check out galveston.com and go to restaurants. Most have a menu attached as a download. They are so varied, so it depends on what you like.

 

We have patronized most of the restaurants with the exception of fast food:eek: I just don't do fast food:p and usually stay away from the chains.

 

SSB posts on here also and usually lists the restaurants we like.

 

We will miss you as we are bringing the Mariner of the Seas from Rome to Galveston:)

[ssb]

 

We have great restaurants from white table cloth to very casual,

 

 

 

 

Galveston cruiser....could you please recommend several places the locals eat that have good food and reasonable prices. We cruise out of Galveston on 11/3 It will be me, DH, my mom and stepdad. I always like to find the local flavor so to speak of a place when I visit.

 

 

Better restaurants in Galveston in my opinion are

Sunday Brunch at Galvez Hotel

Rudi and Pacos...*white table cloths... no shorts.....

central american seafood, and steaks.... 20st Post Office Downtown

reservations recommended

Gaidos ...... *legendary and wonderful ..Seawall

Gaidos-Pelican Club-separate kitchen- if you are members

of your local club, it is reciprocal

Olympia Grill *views are great-

wonderful Greek food, seafood, and steaks - on Port

Original Mexican .....14th….Great and Oldest

Mosquito Cafe and their new bakery across Street....14th - The Best

The Spot ------food and cervezas, BEST PEOPLE WATCHING

(Family hamburger area and The Spot’s different bars are next door and above

--new level decks and bars with new and better views of gulf)

Fishermans Wharf ....Port

Willie G's ..... on Port

SeaSide Bistro - Seawall

Shearns - Moody Gardens views great....white table cloths..sunsets

Saltwater Grill .....Seafood assortments, soups, bisques, gumbos

20th Post Office St Downtown

Sky Bar ..... Sushi and Steaks........ 21st Post Office Downtown

Steak Restaurant in San Luis Hotel ....Seawall

Luigi's ......Italian .....Strand downtown

DiBellas....... Italian …..31st and O..... locals haunt and in old house

Le Croys Cajun... Strand

Sunflower Bakery and Cafe.... 14th

Clarys Seafood - Offitts Bayou

New York Pizza – Seawall - thin crust

 

Others:

Benos... Seawall

Shrimp and Stuff.....39 and O

Strand Street Café -Strand

Millers ....Seawall

Fish Tales ....Seawall

Joe's Crab Shack ....Seawall

Brickhouse……..Seawall

Landrys Seafood ....Seawall

Saltgrass Steakhouse ....Seawall

Rainforest Cafe ....Seawall

Gumbos....Post Office

M&M .....24th

Mod Coffeehouse (Postoffice St, downtown)

Lunchbox Cafe (23rd St, downtown, small eatery that serves locally grown food)

Murphy's Pub (22nd St, downtown, TONS of beer on tap, including Texas favorites; )

LaKings Confectionary and Factory(The Strand, downtown)

 

top 10 restaurants list in Galveston in the Houston Press:

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating...n_galvesto.php

 

look on galveston.com/what to do/dining in galveston

__________________

[Cruising Young Senior]

I totally agree with Galveston Cruiser. I have been going to Galveston all my life. There is so much to do and see. Also do not forget the Ferry. It is free and you almost always see dolphins.

 

Unfortunately most people do just come in the day before their cruise (like most cruise ports in the US) and do not get to see all that is offered.

 

Also I see you are thinking about cruising the Hawaiian Islands. I have done this and also been on land vacations of Hawaii. I would suggest a cruise to see more of Hawaii and maybe to stay in Ohau for two or three days.

 

So come to Galveston a few days early - you will not be disappointed. It is full of history.

 

I've been to all of the Hawaiian Islands, I really recommend staying in Oahu at least 3 days and then doing the 7 day cruise. I did NCL.

You see more of Hawaii that way. Mahalo

[ssb]

IMHO, There is more to see in South East Texas than Galvenston. You can see alot of it in one day, its a old run down town and the streets are dirty. Im sorry I just have to put it out there just go one block off the SeaWall and its rough and run down. Even the far end of the Island just has empty lots were nothing was built. Moody Gardens was nice in 1995, it hasnt been updated since then. Go see the Houston Zoo its better. There is better shopping in Houston and nicer hotels. But one night there is ok to be close to the ship but the prices they ask for on the Island, for example the Hilton on the island you can get the Four Seasons in Downtown Houston for the same price.

 

 

http://www.moodygardens.com/attractions/

 

Among the many attractions at Moody Gardens is the

Rainforest Pyramid which is now open after a $25 million enhancement project that takes you closer than ever to the over 1,000 species of exotic plants and animals from the rainforests of Africa, Asia and the Americas that populate the multi-level 10-story glass pyramid.

 

 

Also

If you are cruising in February and March 2012

consider the following two large events in Houston/Galveston Area

 

1. mardigrasgalveston.com

 

FREE events and more

 

ON SEAWALL

Saturday February 11, 2012

12:00 Parade - Mystic Krewe of Aquarious - Big - free

6:00 Parade - Krewe of Gambrinus – Big and Fireworks over Gulf - free

 

In Downtown Entertainment District –

SundayFebruary 12, 2012

Family Gras Day free

Free Entry into Entertainment District –

Old Town – On Strand St. – Next to Harborside and Terminals

Parades and Live Music and Events

Gates Open at 11:00

Two parades:

- 1:00 Sunshine Kids Parade free

- 4:00 Shriners for Childrens Parades free

 

On SEAWALL

Saturday February 18, 2012

11:00 Parade of Krewe of Espirit Rosiare free

on SEAWALL and up 31st

6:30 till Parade Krewe of Momus (LARGEST)

Free - on SEAWALL and on 25th street up to downtown

and entry fee in Downtown Entertainment District –

 

ON SEAWALL

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2012

12:15 Barkus and Meoux Parade free

www.galvestonhumane.org/article.php?eID=61

2:00 Firefighters Children’s Parade free

www.childrensparade.org

 

Downtown

Tuesday February 21, 2012

6:30 till - Fat Tuesday Parade - Big free

 

You can attend viewing parties and throw beads

for a fee

in Downtown Entertainment District –

http://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/uptown/Parties.asp

 

You can ride in some floats and throw beads in parades for a fee

on Seawall and Downtown Entertainment District

http://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/krewes/events.asp

http://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/krewes

 

2. Cruising between February 23 and March 18 2012

 

rodeohouston.com - a non profit

 

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo totaly

was named the Top Fair in the North American Continent for 2009.

 

Since 1932 the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has provided

approximately $283 million for scholarships, research, endowments, calf scramble participants, junior show exhibitors, School Art participants, and other educational and youth programs.

 

In 2011 - $17,175,831 was provided for these same programs.

Currently, more than 2,000 students are on show scholarships,

attending more than 100 different Texas colleges and universities.

The value of these scholarships is approximately $30 million.

 

The 2011 attendance of the show alone was 2,262,834. (million)

 

Consider:

All events:

http://www.rodeohouston.com/2012DailySchedule

Worlds Championship Cookoff:

http://www.rodeohouston.com/events/bbq/index.aspx

20 Rodeo performances in Reliant Stadium with many more other

20 Entertaiment performances with stars in Reliant Stadium:

http://www.rodeohouston.com/concerts/index.aspx

Music Venues for up and coming stars

Livestock Show:

http://www.rodeohouston.com/livestock-show/index.aspx

Large Carnival

Family and childrens Events in Convention Center

Trail Rides

Horse Shows

Auctions for fund raising event for the chrildrens

 

 

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Other Galveston AREA things to do:

 

see INTERNET maps for visual

of Greater Houston Metro

and to get bearings of island

galveston.com ....interact and discover.... maps

 

Houston Map PDF

Download Houston-area map in PDF Format:

Houston Metro

 

Galveston Island Map PDF

Download Galveston-area map in PDF Format (note: this is a large, 11' wide, print-quality map, so please be patient):

Galveston (B&W)

Galveston (Color Hi-Resolution)

 

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With a couple of days only

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

 

There are special events in Galveston

area almost every weekend

See

galveston.com (what to do)(calendar of events) your vacation calendar dates

Sign up on Galveston.com for email of weekly events

see also:

galvestonhistory.org ---------Galveston Historical Foundation !!!!!!

moodygardens.com ------ just look at site !!!!!!

www.thegrand.com/calendar – 1894 Grand Opera House !!!!!!

 

Clearlake area:

Nasa Space Center

Kemah board walk - kemahboardwalk.com

 

Galveston area:

Beaches Beaches Beaches

Old town Galveston *- Strand To Post Office Street

lots of shopping, ice cream, old army surplus store, nautical shops, fine restaurants, restaurants, antiques, shops, bakery and coffee shop

Wineries and wine festivals

Restaurants overlooking gulf and on port

Two first class convention centers

Many live theater venues

Many live music venues

Free concert nights - old town Galveston *- on strand

Free film nights -old town Galveston *- on strand

Free band nights-“family/kids” oriented-summer outdoor Tuesdays 24th & Sealy

1894 grand opera house * (a must see tour, and/or performances of many types)

Pirate Store and Program

Chess park

Artist Colony

Artist Festivals

Museums

Antique stores

Art Galleries

Horse drawn carriage rides

Swimming in Gulf

Fine restaurants

Night scene

Galveston Historical Foundation properties*

Many Historical and Victorian homes*

Galveston has second largest preservation membership in US

Wooden Carved Trees Tour (wonderful)

Bishops palace (wonderful)

Moody mansion(wonderful) moodymansion.com

Ashton villa (wonderful)

Moody gardens*(lots and lots to do)(massive, fun and family oriented)

Schlitterbahn water park LARGE AND FUN

Restored tall ship schooner Elissa www.tsm-elissa.org (wonderful)

1900 storm and pirate jean lafite documentary films at port

Maritime museum- www.tsm-elissa.org

Airplane museum (Lone Star Flight Museum)- www.lsfm.org/

Railroad museum - www.galvestonrrmuseum.com

Oil drilling rig museum - www.oceanstaroec.com

Sea wolf park – WWII submarine and destroyer - www.cavalla.org

Large souvenir shop over gulf water - Murdochs

Walks and shelling on the beach

Cruise ships (RCCL, Carnival, Princess, Disney)

Fishing (piers, wadefishing and charters-offshore & inshore))

Golfing

Skate board park large

Kayaking trails

Surfing and children surf camps

Kite flying on beach

Marine life and children marine care educational camps at Moody Gardens

Marine life and children marine camps at Texas AM University - Sea Camp Programs

Various Running events with major Triathlon event

Sand castle building event

Shopping shopping shopping

Dolphin watching and port water tours

Turtle rescue farm behind San Luis Resort

Carved damaged trees tour from storm

Free ferry ride and a short cruise to Bolivar

Duck tour (amphibious boat)

Galveston.com/ interact and discover/cams

 

Many major weekly events and festivals not mentioned

as example :

Spring Break Events

Confederate Reenactment

Sanctioned Runs and Fun Runs

Triathlon Events

Art Walk (every 5 or so weeks year around)

Dickens on Strand (Dec) ----LARGE - www.dickensonthestrand.com

Lone Star Motorcycle Rally (Nov) ---LARGE - www.lonestarrally.com

Mardi Gras Galveston (Feb) ----LARGE - www.mardigrasgalveston.com

October Fest

Beer Fests

Wine Events and Fest

Greek Fest

Epicurean Evening of all restaurants

Shrimp Fest

Yega’s Wild Game Cook Off,

County Fair - LARGE

Children’s Fest - Fun

Feather Fest - LARGE bird watching

Old Timey Bathing Beauty Fest

And many many more !!

 

Trauma 1 Emergency Hospital on Island –

Univ. of Texas Medical Branch/Sealy Hospital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Carl Nival]

First of all, these boards are a great resource for finding out more about Galveston, but I would check out http://www.galveston.com/default.asp for lots of good info.

 

Realistically, you can spend one very full day in New Orleans pre-cruise. It's definitely worth it.

 

Places I like:

 

Gumbo Bar

2105 Postoffice St.

Galveston, TX 77550

(409)74-GUMBO

 

Shrimp N' Stuff Restaurant

3901 Avenue O

Galveston, TX 77550

(409)763-2805

 

Mosquito Cafe

628 14th St.

Galveston, TX 77550

(409)763-1010

 

Benno's on the Beach

1200 Seawall Blvd.

Galveston, TX 77550

(409)762-4621

 

Saltwater Grill

2017 Post Office St.

Galveston, TX 77550

Phone: (409)762-3474