Galveston Hotel?

[lisa e]

We will be cruising out of Galveston at the end of September. I am not sure we will rent a car. If not are there any hotels that are in close proximity to shops and restaurants. I would love to find a place that is in walking distance to the main part of town..We will be traveling with two 8 year olds (fall break)..Thanks so much

Lisa

[Galveston Cruiser]

As Galveston is an island, it depends if you want to be on the Gulf side or on the port side.

There are two hotels port side, Harbor House and The Tremont Hotel. Their sister hotel, The Galvez, is on the Gulf side and transportation is provided between the hotels.

Others are located on the Seawall facing the Gulf.

There are restaurants and shops all over the island.

[lisa e]

Thanks so much!!!

[ssb]

Thanks so much!!!

 

You need to decide if you want to stay on

1. Gulf of Mexico Beach Area (where most hotels and motels are)

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

3. Bayside Area (2) Moody Gardens Hotels

4. Motels on highway coming into Galveston

 

In my opinion

St Luis, Hilton, Moody Gardens, Tremont, Galvez and Harbor House

are the better hotels.

Many other nice ones also though!

 

Two brand new ones are Country Inn and Sheridan Four Points

Tremont and Harbor House are 2 blocks to terminal.

It is an easy walk unless you have lots of luggage.

No difference than a long walk in an airport!

Everything is close though!

Most hotel/motels are about two miles and others up to four miles

from terminal anyway.

Island is two miles wide (Port to Gulf)

 

 

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)

 

 

There are special events in Galveston

area almost every weekendSee:

www.galveston.com

(what to do)(calendar of events) your vacation calendar dates

Also

Sign up on Galveston.com for email of weekly events

see also:

www.galvestonhistory.org- Galveston Historical Foundation

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

www.thegrand.com – 1894 Grand Opera House

 

 

 

 

Clearlake

Nasa Space Center

Kemah board walk – www.kemahboardwalk.com

Galveston:

BBeaches Beaches Beaches

Old town Galveston *- Strand To Post Office Street

(lots of shopping, ice cream, old army surplus store, nautical shop, 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 seetour, and/or performances of many types)

Chess park

Artist festivals

Museums

Antique stores and 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 United States

Wooden Carved Trees Tour (wonderful)

Bishops Palace (wonderful)

Moody mansion(wonderful)

· Ashton villa (wonderful)

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

Schlitterbahn water park www.schlitterbahn.com/gal

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

1900 storm and pirate jean Laffite documentary films at port

Pirates Store and programs - Old town Strand www.piratesgulfcoast.com

Maritime museum- http://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

Skateboard 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

Music Festivals

Confederate Reenactment

Sanctioned Fun Runs(some large)

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 Fests

Greek Fest

Epicurean Evening of all restaurants

Crawfish Festival

Shrimp Fest

Yega’s Wild Game Cook Off large

County Fair - LARGE

Children’s Fest - Large[/I]

*Feather Fest - Large galvestonfeatherfest.com

Old Timey Bathing Beauty Fest

And many many more !!

 

Trauma 1 Emergency Hospital on Island – Univ. Texas Medical Branch/Sealy Hospital

[sross6019]

The problem with the higher end hotels (Harbor House and Tremont and others) is that they usually require a minimal of 2 night stay. Harbor House is wonderful espicially to watch the ships come in. It is close to resturuants and museums. We are staying at Moody Gardens mainly because they offer free shuttle to the pier and becasue of their exhibits. I did a search and found many hotels that offer free shuttle if this is something that you would be interested in.

[lisa e]

Thanks for all the great info! I need to do more research and decide exactly what we want to see. The Habor House sounds great. I do not care if we are on the beach we live in San Diego :). I would just love to walk around the town and not have to move a car. Living in a big city it seems like I spend my life in the car. Again thanks to everyone for your help. I am sure I will have more questions before we leave in September.

[ssb]

The problem with the higher end hotels (Harbor House and Tremont and others) is that they usually require a minimal of 2 night stay. Harbor House is wonderful espicially to watch the ships come in. It is close to resturuants and museums. We are staying at Moody Gardens mainly because they offer free shuttle to the pier and becasue of their exhibits. I did a search and found many hotels that offer free shuttle if this is something that you would be interested in.

 

Since they are cruising in Sept. after school starts,

a 2 nite minimum should not be required probably.

That is unless something special is happening at that time.

 

Moody Gardens Hotel is starting a major $20 million renovation soon.

 

Keep asking questions

we live in Galveston!

[lisa e]

Since they are cruising in Sept. after school starts,

a 2 nite minimum should not be required probably.

That is unless something special is happening at that time.

 

Moody Gardens Hotel is starting a major $20 million renovation soon.

 

Keep asking questions

we live in Galveston!

Good to know! I looked online and they do require a 2 night stay at the harbor house. I will check some other properties.. Do you think it would be worth coming in for 2 days? I have not purchased plane tickets yet so I have time to decide. Again thanks so much..

Lisa

[dfmeeks]

Lisa,

If you're interested in Harbor House, try booking it through priceline, etc. I booked through priceline & was able to get 1 night during spring break & a good price! Actually, we're staying at HH tomorrow night & cruising on the Triumph on Saturday!!

[lisa e]

Lisa,

 

If you're interested in Harbor House, try booking it through priceline, etc. I booked through priceline & was able to get 1 night during spring break & a good price! Actually, we're staying at HH tomorrow night & cruising on the Triumph on Saturday!!

I will check..Thanks and safe travels!!!!!

[munchkin4]

Good to know! I looked online and they do require a 2 night stay at the harbor house. I will check some other properties.. Do you think it would be worth coming in for 2 days? I have not purchased plane tickets yet so I have time to decide. Again thanks so much..

Lisa

 

 

I definitely think it is worth coming in for 2 days if you can. There is so much to do and see in Galveston. We love it. Been there several times on cruises and several times on land vacations. It is so rich in history. And it is fun!!!

[lisa e]

The more I read I agree..I think we will plan on staying 2 days..Thanks again for all the great info!

[golfpccc]

Good to know! I looked online and they do require a 2 night stay at the harbor house. I will check some other properties.. Do you think it would be worth coming in for 2 days? I have not purchased plane tickets yet so I have time to decide. Again thanks so much..

Lisa

We were told by one of the hotels with a 2 night min that we could break it up, 1 night before the cruise & 1 night after cruise. You might check & see if Harbor House would allow you to break up your stay. If you stay at HH it is close enough to walk & pull your luggage to the pier.

[munchkin4]

If you are going to come in early and spend some extra time, I'd recommend staying somewhere on Seawall Blvd. Your can literally walk across the street to the beach. There are all levels of hotels (we stay at Best Western Seawall) and all kind of restaurants. It is kind of the center of things in my opinion. I love visiting the Strand area and all its little shops. Also with 8 year olds, you need to check out Moody Gardens. Have a great time. We love it there.

[lisa e]

Thanks again for all the wonderful information. I have been doing some research and with all the feedback I think we will go in Friday before our Sunday cruise. Moody Gardens is on my list as well as a few other sights. Safe travels to all!

Lisa

[Chmie]

We booked 2 nites at the Galvez prior to our cruise.

Excited about not only the cruise but also seeing some of Galveston and it's rich history. :)

[ssb]

We booked 2 nites at the Galvez prior to our cruise.

Excited about not only the cruise but also seeing some of Galveston and it's rich history. :)

 

Galvez is wonderful!

[oct696]

We're taking Amtrak from San Diego to Houston. Need round trip transport for me, 80yo mom and a TON of luggage, to Galveston. Staying at the Springhill Suites on Broadway from Friday until we depart on Sunday April 8th. Referred to a limo/van transport company - $200 RT for two sounds really good but then we need a rental car to get around Galveston for 2 days. Any thoughts???? :p

[kiraryker]

Whats the best way to get from Hobby to one of these hotels?? Do any offer shuttles as I've heard it's quite a drive? We will need to transport 11 from Hobby to a hotel closest to the port

[Mommy2landonmason]

When do you sail and which ship? We are on Triumph on the 29th of Sept. with a DS8, DS6, DD2 and DD1. We were worried about not many other kids on the ship at that time of the year...

[golfpccc]

Whats the best way to get from Hobby to one of these hotels?? Do any offer shuttles as I've heard it's quite a drive? We will need to transport 11 from Hobby to a hotel closest to the port

The Country Inn & Suites on the Seawall has a shuttle service from the airport & a shuttle to the port. Give them a call (409-763-5000) to find out the price of shuttles.

[kiraryker]

The Country Inn & Suites on the Seawall has a shuttle service from the airport & a shuttle to the port. Give them a call (409-763-5000) to find out the price of shuttles.

 

 

Thanks!:)