Tropic5115 Posted February 7, 2013 #1 Share Posted February 7, 2013 We are sailing out of Galveston in two weeks and our flights have us arriving pretty early. Since we can't check into our hotel until 4pm (hopefully earlier) and I am guessing it will be to cold to hit the beach or pool any ideas on some fun things to do or see? Is there a nice shopping area or any must see attractions. Thanks for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjackieb Posted February 8, 2013 #2 Share Posted February 8, 2013 We were just in Galveston on January 26 & 27, and there were people using the hotel pool and on the beach. It just depends on the weather, but you might be able to do some swimming. There are lots of things to see on the island. If you have a car, just going for a drive and exploring is fun. Even in our first trips there we found it nearly impossible to get lost. This is a good site for information on things to do around the island, and there are webcams that your friends and family back home can use to watch you sail. http://www.galveston.com/default.asp Have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudyard Posted February 8, 2013 #3 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I recommend The Strand. It's the historical district right across from the cruise terminal. Lots to see and do there with plenty of shopping and food options. http://thestrand.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Cruiser Posted February 8, 2013 #4 Share Posted February 8, 2013 A must see is the Bishop's Palace at 14th and Broadway and the Tall Ship Elissa at the port -Harborside and 22nd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillycruisers Posted February 8, 2013 #5 Share Posted February 8, 2013 If you do go to The Strand, a great place for lunch is the Star Drug Store. Great sandwhiches...and good desserts too. Lots of shops close within walking distance of each other.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted February 8, 2013 #6 Share Posted February 8, 2013 There are special events in Galveston area almost every weekend www.galveston.com (what to do)(calendar of events) your vacation calendar dates Sign up on Galveston.com for email of weekly events www.galvestonhistory.org---Galveston Historical Foundation !!!!!! www.moodygardens.com -- just look at site !!!!!! LOTS www.thegrand.com – 1894 Grand Opera House !!!!!! Clearlake Nasa Space Center Kemah board walk – www.kemahboardwalk.com Galveston: Beaches Beaches Beaches Old Town Strand Galveston *- Strand To Post Office Street (lots of shopping, ice cream, old army surplus store, nautical shop, Clothing Stores 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 Tuesdays 24th & Sealy 1894 grand opera house * (a must seetour, and/or performances Chess park Artist festivals Oleander City of the South and Gardens Art Walk if on time schedule 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 program - Old town Strand Pleasure Pier 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 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 Texas AM Univ - 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 Thursday's tour 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 Large Confederate Reenactment Sanctioned and 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 Shrimp Fest Yega’s Wild Game Cook Off large County Fair - LARGE Children’s Fest Feather Fest - Large Old Timey Bathing Beauty Fest And many many more !! Trauma 1 Emergency Hospital on Island – Univ. Texas Medical Branch/Sealy Hospital Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2009cruise Posted February 15, 2013 #7 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Just got back from RC Western Caribbean cruise and thought I would post my review of Galveston, etc... Shuttle from IAH to/from Galveston - Vista Shuttles LLC – we chose this one because of the great round trip price and payment is to driver at end of each trip. We paid $47/pp ROUND TRIP with TIP included (RC charges $47/pp/one way). Mario offers excellent service. All emails were promptly/clearly replied to. Shuttle always on time. Van looks new and very clean. It can seat 6 people with luggage comfortably. Galveston - there are two areas of interest (seawall and strand) on opposite sides of the island. The Seawall – We stayed at Four Points Sheraton which was great value as it is newly renovated and staff was very nice. We took the Cool Tours bus tour with Shirley who pointed out lots of neat things about many historic homes and gave overview of Galveston Island history. There is a Liquor Store on 23rd st just behind our hotel that has great wine selection and the owner is very knowledgeable about his wines. He recommended an excellent merlot that we thoroughly enjoyed. The strand – lots of shopping/dining options but only 2 hotels(Harbor House or Tremont). We stayed at Harbor House post cruise and found it to have huge rooms and a great location as we were able to walk from cruise terminal2 to the hotel(no waiting for taxis).We had a delicious dinner at Willie G’s one night. We also tried Gumbo Bar but was really disappointed– gumbo was more like a soup and it was way too salty. We had fun at Mardis Gras and collected tons of beads. We did a Ghost walking Tour of the Strand which was really a historical/architectural tour – not really worth the $20/pp. The Oceanstar Drilling Rig museum was very interesting especially the overview film at the start of the self-guided tour. One of the best thing is downtown Galveston has free WiFi. Hope it helps somebody... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shorepal Posted February 16, 2013 #8 Share Posted February 16, 2013 The Strand or Bishops Palace is pretty good to check out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pocomum Posted March 7, 2013 #9 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Just got back from RC Western Caribbean cruise and thought I would post my review of Galveston, etc... Shuttle from IAH to/from Galveston - Vista Shuttles LLC – we chose this one because of the great round trip price and payment is to driver at end of each trip. We paid $47/pp ROUND TRIP with TIP included (RC charges $47/pp/one way). Mario offers excellent service. All emails were promptly/clearly replied to. Shuttle always on time. Van looks new and very clean. It can seat 6 people with luggage comfortably. Galveston - there are two areas of interest (seawall and strand) on opposite sides of the island. The Seawall – We stayed at Four Points Sheraton which was great value as it is newly renovated and staff was very nice. We took the Cool Tours bus tour with Shirley who pointed out lots of neat things about many historic homes and gave overview of Galveston Island history. There is a Liquor Store on 23rd st just behind our hotel that has great wine selection and the owner is very knowledgeable about his wines. He recommended an excellent merlot that we thoroughly enjoyed. The strand – lots of shopping/dining options but only 2 hotels(Harbor House or Tremont). We stayed at Harbor House post cruise and found it to have huge rooms and a great location as we were able to walk from cruise terminal2 to the hotel(no waiting for taxis).We had a delicious dinner at Willie G’s one night. We also tried Gumbo Bar but was really disappointed– gumbo was more like a soup and it was way too salty. We had fun at Mardis Gras and collected tons of beads. We did a Ghost walking Tour of the Strand which was really a historical/architectural tour – not really worth the $20/pp. The Oceanstar Drilling Rig museum was very interesting especially the overview film at the start of the self-guided tour. One of the best thing is downtown Galveston has free WiFi. Hope it helps somebody... We are sailing April 28 on Carnival Magic. Will definitely look into the shuttle company. Thanks:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvpends Posted March 8, 2013 #10 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Thanks, everyone, for all this information! We will be in Galveston for a couple of days in July and look forward to making good use of your information :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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