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The 28 best views in Galveston
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Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedSep 29, 2025
Updated • updatedSep 29, 2025
Are you looking for the best views in Galveston? You’re not alone! Many of us love traveling on the Wanderlog team, so naturally we’re always on the hunt to find the most popular spots anytime we travel somewhere new. We’ve looked through different sources to find the best options, including favorites like Historic Downtown Strand Seaport Partnership, Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, and Bishop’s Palace.
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Restaurants
Attractions
Cafes
Cheap eats
Breakfast and brunch
Bakeries
Romantic places
Family restaurants
Bars
Association / Organization
Recreation center
The Historic Downtown Strand Seaport Partnership is a vibrant area in Galveston, Texas, known for its well-preserved Victorian architecture and rich cultural heritage. It's home to a mix of shops, restaurants, galleries, and museums. The district is located just minutes from attractions like the Seawall, the beach, UTMB and Galveston's cruise port.
Finally! Visiting The Strand in Galveston and its downtown is very colorful and pleasant outing. I was pleasantly surprised how this old town resembles now. Whether you want to shop some trinkets, dine, or just roam about this place, everything works. And you can also jump on cruise ship, if you feel like so. (Although I can't get it why people are berserk for that!)
Kveto H — Google review
Nice stroll and fun things to buy and see 👀
Beautiful Galveston it is always nice to come back
Great food at Yaga’s and good coffee at Mod
Beautiful & Quaint! Unique shopping and lots if choices for eating!
I enjoyed walking around and taking in the beautiful historic scenery.
Wonderful experience! Cool stores for food prices! Went to the candy store and boy was it delicious. Saw cool sights and saw people performing. The candy store people were very friendly and even handed out free taffy!
Decent parking on a week day. Fun shops, some cheesy and some nice
A nice touristic strip. But the soroundings ...
502 20th St, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
Amusement park
The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is a classic waterfront amusement area that offers entertainment for visitors of all ages. Situated along the Galveston Seawall, this family-friendly attraction features a variety of rides, carnival games, shops, and eateries. From the bi-level horse carousel to the pirate-themed mini Lil' Captain Wheel and spinning Texas Teacups, there are plenty of options for little kids to enjoy.
Had so much fun here! Tickets to get in and have unlimited access to all the rides were $30/person and it was worth it (although there are cheaper options for just walking along the pier or for certain types of rides). I recommend going in the evening so you can see everything lit up and get a nice view of the sunset from the rides. We didn't get tickets in advance so we had to wait for a few minutes in line, but they do have that option to make it a bit quicker
Macie R — Google review
Cute experience, for a view and some nostalgia.
Could be better, especially considering the price.
We didn’t purchase anything or ride the rides, we just wanted to soak up a cute experience, so we purchased a walking pass… paying to simply walk the pier is pretty insane.
Nice to walk and experience especially on a nice day. Simply think paying to walk is crazy.
We reached the Pleasure Pier late at night, just as it was about to close, so we didn’t get a chance to go inside. The good part is that the beach is always open and there’s plenty of parking available. What really made the visit special was walking along the beachside and seeing the dazzling lights of the pier reflecting on the water. The sidewalks were glowing with colorful lights from nearby Mexican restaurants, which made the whole atmosphere lively and beautiful. Even without going inside, it was such a pleasing and memorable experience to take in that view. 🌊✨🎡
Such a beautiful getaway from Fort Worth! The weather turned out great, and watching surfers with the ocean breeze was amazing. We biked, walked along the beach, and stopped by local coffee shops — one of our favorite travel rituals. Galveston Island was the perfect spot to relax and recharge!
Prices may vary on weekends, weekday and on rides as well. They will give you bracelet and you can get for a 1 time or all day pass. They have different food place, drinks and rides for kids and adults. Parking can get challenging and have to walk a lot.
I would prefer to go in evening, you will feel nice cold breeze and at night it will feel really good. At the end of the pier it will be nice breeze and colder weather.
Not as expensive as you think. Very well maintained and clean. Great views and even if it is 100 degrees there is usually some wind.
Great rides for the entire family, the giant swing might be the most terrifying ride in Texas when it is windy.
We didn't eat here. I walked the pier while two teenagers rode some rides at night. Great atmosphere, a lot of families, food options, and rides. It did cost almost $80 total for 2 all-day ride bands and a band for walking. Very pretty from a distance during the day and at night from the beach. It was my first and won't be my last visit to Galveston!
Not usually a fan of small money grabbing carnivals, but since I’m still raising kids- they always seem to find a way to make me spend money at these places.
If you can spare $25/person for unlimited rides and $12/person just to get on the pier.
My 3 teens had fun for a couple hours.
All rides were working.
I usually purchase a cringy roller coaster photo but the quality of the image was poor and cheapest photo was $20. No thanks!
The facility was clean, I saw several workers wiping down tables and sweeping.
The bathrooms were clean! I always appreciate a clean carnival bathroom!
PS there is a wind-tunnel like breeze which was appreciated during a hot afternoon
2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
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Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Historic Sites
Bishop’s Palace, also known as Gresham's Castle, is a massive Victorian mansion in Galveston, Texas. Built between 1887 and 1893 for Colonel Walter Gresham by renowned architect Nicholas J. Clayton, it survived the devastating storm of 1900 and Hurricane Ike. Originally a residence for the Catholic bishop until 1963, this National Historic Landmark is now open to the public for tours.
The Bishop's Palace was an absolutely incredible stop for diving into Galveston's rich history!
Every detail of the architecture is amazing; the more you look, the more hidden gems you discover. The stunning stained-glass windows throughout the home and the intricate wood carvings with their amazing details are truly a sight to behold!
We were truly amazed by the sheer number of paintings and the rich history of the wealthy families who lived here back in the day, and it's incredible how well-preserved the home is!!
Plus, the staff was friendly, and the self-guided audio tour is fantastic. You can pause or rewind whenever you want to soak in all the stories of this beautiful home.
While we understand the palace is undergoing renovations, it would have been even better to have access to the third floor to finish the rest of the palace.
You can purchase tickets online or right at the palace in the basement, where you'll also find a cute gift shop!
Maria B — Google review
This should really be called the Gresham house because that is focus of the tour. Being called the Bishop’s Palace, we thought we would learn about this building’s use as the Bishop’s Palace. Instead we learn almost exclusively about the Gresham family and how the house was before the Bishop lived there. The stained glass of St Therese of Lisieux and the chapel room are beautiful, but you can see that on the self guided tour. You won’t hear much about them at all from the guided tour. They had no idea why the bishop chose this saint for the glass, and only explained that it was added after the previous glass blew out. When in the chapel, the discussion is about what it looked like before the bishop lived there. It seems that the beautiful decorations in the chapel and its use are important and likely more entertaining than knowing a daughter lived there and she had some stuff in the room.
Again, if you want to hear about the Gresham family, then this is a good tour for you. If you want to hear about what the Bishop’s time was like here (as I did), then you’ll be mostly out of luck. I guess they continue to use the name Bishop’s Palace as a bait and switch to attract attendance to the Gresham House.
Note: All of my pictures are from the stairwell and the beautiful chapel.
The exterior was under construction during our visit, but the interior was beautiful and very well maintained. Three floors of impressive architecture and decor. The small gift shop in the basement was a nice bonus.
Best place to visit while in Galveston TX for culture. The inside is huge and have a lot of amazing mural paintings. It's hard to describe in seeing pictures. Viewing with your own eyes vs seeing through a screen or photo is very different.
This place is really cool to see if you like history, or older houses! The tour is self guided through the basement level, first floor, and second! The gift shop has a ton of things and the sweet ladies who were working were so nice!! We booked tickets online but you can buy them there as well.
We went 4 days after Christmas and we're able to go in with no wait. We took a narrow staircase up from the basement gift shop to the 1st floor and were awed with the level of decor! The style is quite gaudy but the craftsmanship in the woodwork is something to be admired!! The palace seems to be a little unkempt due to refurbishing but what took away from the experience for me was that I did not find enough informational cards throughout. We had a handheld device for the audio tour but found it to be difficult to navigate while trying to share our thoughts so we ended up not using it after all.
Self guided audio tours for $15. Beautiful home with exquisite woodwork throughout. Also has a gift shop. Currently, the exterior is under repair, but it's still open for tours.
Me and my family went to Galveston this weekend for my birthday and I absolutely love anything historical. My dad really loved the architect part of the tour, my mom and sister loved the prayer room and bedrooms, and I enjoyed hearing the history around the house and looking at every room. It was an amazing experience and definitely worth doing if you go to Galveston.
1402 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
Museum
Boat tour agency
Historical landmark
History museum
Specialty Museums
The Galveston Historic Seaport is home to the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA, an iconic sailing vessel that offers visitors a glimpse into maritime history. Adjacent to the ship is a museum featuring exhibits on sea commerce and immigration. The seaport is located in the Strand Historical District, where visitors can also explore other attractions such as historical homes, the Railroad Museum, and the Seaport Museum.
This was such a beautifully restored ship! So much history and craftsmanship. The museum was so great too, I had family immigrate from Ireland and come in through Galveston. It was a glimpse into what their journey may have been like. I loved the fact that the ship was built in the Scotland ship yards too as other family members were Scottish as well.
Sarah M — Google review
Very informative and interactive. My 4 kids loved the boat We did the museum and the Elissa boat tour. Museum was interactive with videos of immigrants and Galveston esrly settlers.
The only issue was the prize on Galveston website said adults were $12 and kids $9 but upon arrival its now $18 adults and $12 kids. So instead of $48 that I budgeted for it came out to $66. I asked if online was cheaper and she said it was the same. Maybe it was a summer ticket increase ?? Just wish I was prepared for prize change.
It was great learning about the Elissa's past and it's significance to Galveston. While it wasn't available at the time you can go sail on the ship on certain days since it's still in service today. For an extra charge you can schedule a dolphin harbor tour which I would recommend which gives you admission to tour the Elissa before and/or after the tour.
We did the walk through of the old sail boat, which was cool. The best part was the dolphin tour which I’ll have to do a separate review for .
Was lucky enough to do one of the day sails they offer in the spring on the Elissa. A little spendy, but what an amazing experience!
There are very few operating historic tall ships in the world you can sail on, so if you get the chance, absolutely do this. The sail takes the better part of the day, and it's fascinating to see the dedicated volunteers crew heave on the ropes and scurry around the rigging. I went on a day they could set all 19 of the sails! Absolutely must for dad types and history needs (like me). Also everyone is incredibly nice.
This is our 2nd time here. Besides the food being good, the atmosphere is awesome. Sitting right by the water, the breeze, and an occasional dolphin 🐬 giving a little show. It's nice! We did get hair on a piece of fried food. I'm not one to make a big scene or overreact on something like that. We did let the nice waiter know, and he told the manager. He came right over and took care of the situation. They were very professional and nice about it. Will that deter us from going back? NEVER! Go have a great family outing. Try it for yourself and enjoy!
Great ride and a fun day! Make sure to go early for a cooler time if it is in the summer. They have restrooms and a gift shop with affordable drinks.
Second time we've been to see the Elissa. First time to visit the shore museum associated with it. Both an outstanding experience. Worth the entrance fee. Naturally, the ship is an experience in itself, but the museum is noteworthy in explaining the history of Galveston as an immigrant port of entry. As a history professor, I can say they did a great job with displays and audio narration. We did not buy tickets in advance and had no wait. There is paid parking out front in a separate lot and paid street parking on the Strand.
Pier 22 Suite, 8, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
affordable
Restaurant
Italian restaurant
Pasta shop
Pizza restaurant
Grotto Ristorante is a delightful gem nestled along the Galveston seawall, offering an exquisite dining experience that beautifully marries Neapolitan-style Italian cuisine with a touch of old-world charm. As you step into this upscale eatery, you'll be greeted by contemporary decor that sets the stage for a memorable meal. The menu features beloved classics like Spaghetti Carbonara and Lobster Ravioli, but don’t miss their signature Veal Osso Bucco—it's truly a standout dish!
Absolutely fantastic!! Special thank you to Isabel (server) Jerid (Manager) and the bartender (didn't get her name but she made the most delicious Cosmopolitan for me, my 1st time having!!)
The food?! DELISH! Everything from the bread at start to dessert!
The service? Incredible! Isabel was knowledgeable and attentive in the most pleasant way!
Jerid as well.
Would definitely recommend and return!
M B — Google review
Exceptional service and flavors!!!
We recently dined at Grotto in Galveston as a party of six, and the standout of the evening was our wonderful waitress, Chloe. She managed to meet the diverse needs of our group with ease and warmth. From my own gluten sensitivity, to my children’s pizza cravings, to my elderly in laws who needed a little extra attention, she took care of everyone without missing a beat. Her attentiveness set the tone for a smooth and enjoyable evening.
I was initially concerned when I learned the online gluten sensitive menu no longer applies, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the updated menu at the restaurant actually offered more flexibility than expected. Chloe helped me navigate the choices and the kitchen was able to adapt several dishes. I ordered the red snapper topped with jumbo lump crab meat, which was fresh, flavorful, and thoroughly satisfying.
For my children, the spicy multi meat pizza was a hit. While it carried a bit of heat, it was still approachable for younger palates. Dessert was another highlight, though I didn’t indulge myself, the tray looked both impressive and tempting. My in laws chose the chocolate cake, which they raved about for its rich taste and generous portion, easily large enough to share.
If there’s one note to keep in mind, it’s that the atmosphere can be loud. This makes it a lively, family friendly spot, but expect to raise your voice a little if you want to chat across the table.
The ocean view was absolutely beautiful — such a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere. We had Caesar salad, chicken pasta, steak, lasagna, calamari, and spaghetti, and everything was delicious. The staff was kind and attentive. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy a nice meal with a great view in Galveston!
Nice restaurant but the food and the service were 3-4 star level.
Our server needed more training or help, one of the two, maybe both but her attitude was good.
Overall the experience was good I just would have liked fewer issues. Issues like waitress taking a long time to return to take order, appetizer not coming until I asked… etc.
The meatball appetizer was pretty good once we got it. The Crabcake entree was fresh but could have had a bit more flavor. The pasta dishes the family had were well received and seemed good.
Hands down the best restaurant in which I've ever had the pleasure of dining.
My lovely Wife and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary at the San Luis Resort, and after standing in The Steakhouse for 10 minutes waiting to be acknowledged, we decided to try Grotto Ristorante.
We were immediately greeted with the upmost respect, and treated with honor the entire duration. The food was divine, and our waitress was the best we've ever had. They even gave us a free desert for our anniversary, which really put the icing on the cake.
Thank you, and we can't wait to come back!
We had an excellent time. Chloe, our server, was very attentive, thoughtful, professional, and conversational. Good atmosphere; heat food. The elegant dessert presentation was a nice touch!
I stopped in here just to get a pizza to go and I must not have looked wealthy enough, because a gentleman who waltzed in 5 minutes before closing time was served his meal of: a drink, complimentary bread, an appetizer, and a pasta dish right away.
Whereas I had been there for 30 minutes already and still didn't have my pizza. I never got any complimentary bread either; I felt like my business was unwanted and I was completely ignored. Maybe if I had ogled the pretty, young bartender like the loud mouth Texan did, I would’ve been served faster.
And then to top it off the pizza was awful; it was flavorless, greasy, and yet somehow as dry as cardboard. I also ordered a sangria but I wasn't impressed with that either; it also tasted very bland and like it was hastily made and had not steeped in the fruit at all. It looked pretty but that was it. All together, I was not impressed.
I enjoyed my birthday there nice stuff and the crab cake was awesome 👌
5222 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77551, USA•
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expensive
Seafood restaurant
American restaurant
Gaido's is a historic seafood restaurant with a charming nautical theme, offering stunning Gulf views. Since its establishment in 1911 by San Giacinto Gaido, it has been a favorite dining spot for locals and renowned figures including presidents and celebrities like Alfred Hitchcock. The menu features an array of delectable seafood dishes such as Oysters Maria and pecan-encrusted catfish. Guests can also indulge in Italian specialties and award-winning desserts like pecan pie.
Loved the history of the restaurant. It was very easy to make a last minute online reservation and the food was incredible.
I had the Seafood Pasta and my husband had the Bacon Shrimp. The appetizers 🫶 amazing! We tried the Baked Oysters and the crab artichoke dip. The complimentary bread and dip was so delicious 😋. I also tried a few of the mixed drinks and they were good, not too weak and not too strong. At first glance it didn't look like there was enough parking but they have an entire parking lot exclusively for the restaurant around the side. We enjoyed the beach front view, very romantic.
Staff was always attentive even though they were busy, they made it a point to go around every table multiple times. I am very observant so I appreciated that, nothing worse than having to wave down a waiter.
We spent roughly $180.00 which included 2 appetizers, 2 entrees and 4 adult beverages.
Overall exceptional experience. Thank you we will definitely be back.
Sely G — Google review
Gaido's was very interesting to me. I was blown away truly. It was a visual treasure from the ceiling fans too the photos on the walls the bar the furniture it was stepping back in time it was fascinating to me.
The food was very good personally the seasoning was diffrent for me. It was my first time but definitely not my last whenever I go to Galveston Gaido's will be on the itinerary for sure. The service was excellent atmosphere i liken it to stepping back in time if you've ever wanted to know what an establishment looked like and what the food was like I say this is the place for you I was very comfortable there and the staff very diversified. I highly recommend this establishment..
Gaido’s in Galveston is truly a timeless Texas gem. My family dinner there was nothing short of exceptional. The staff was warm, attentive, and clearly proud of the restaurant’s deep history. Their service struck the perfect balance between professionalism and personal on checking on our comfort with food, taste, needs etc - making the entire evening feel effortlessly special.
The food lived up to every bit of the restaurant’s reputation. Each dish came out beautifully plated, and it was evident that quality ingredients and classic technique are at the heart of Gaido’s.
Overall, Gaido’s offers an experience that blends history, flavor, and top-notch service in a way few restaurants still can. Whether it’s a special occasion or just a night out by the sea during your vacation - it’s a Galveston institution that never disappoints.
Impeccable service (thank you, Kam), high-end, classy atmosphere, amazing food. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious and SO hot and fresh. I don’t think I’ve ever been served a piece of fish as hot as mine was tonight. Technical perfection in every dish: cook, temperature, plating/presentation absolutely nailed. Menu descriptions are highly accurate and make the choice nearly impossible between dishes. A wonderful experience that I look forward to coming back to.
Great spot in Galveston, TX! Our waitress was Chelsea, and she was fantastic. She knew the menu and was very well informed with various food allergies and what was safe to eat for those, especially with Gluten allergy. She was also just a very friendly person. The peach tea cocktail 🍸 was so good and the stuff shrimp with crab was dynamite! Great experience over all!
We had planned to eat elsewhere for dinner but glad we came across the recommendation to eat at Gaido's on reddit because we would've missed out on the BEST dinner and BEST service with Dwayne. We were sat early for our reservation which is always fantastic. Dwayne was very quick to great our table and let me tell you, this man is knowledgeable about every entree they serve, their operations, what is and isn't available due to what's in season, etc. They bring out bread that is baked in house and it is UNREAL! I ordered the shrimp and grits and it was the best shrimp and grits I believe I've ever had, so amazing! My husband ordered the crab stuffed shrimp and asparagus and we nearly passed out because it was that good. We also got a side order of the shrimp stuffing balls—think hushpuppies stuffed with shrimp. They were fantastic! Creme Brulee for dessert was also great. Portions were perfect, we didn't finish anything. Price was honestly under what we expected and spent less than $90 for 2 entrees, side order of stuffing balls, and dessert. Environment was fantastic and I so much to look at in there! We can't wait to come back and hopefully get Dwayne!
Management, if you see this, please let Dwayne know he provided top tier experience and really made our dining experience exceptional.
A must visit! We shared the crab spinach dip which was our favorite part of our meal SO GOOD! And we split the wedge salad which was also so tasty. We liked the blue cheese vinegarette. We split the salmon entree and added 5 shrimp. The shrimp were alright and not really that fresh but I don't think it's season for them. The rice & veggies were great! And the salmon was cooked perfectly and was flaky. Not pictured is the pecan pie dessert a la mode which was also really good. We can't wait to come back and try different entrees. I feel like this is the type of place that has multiple great menu items that you should rotate and try! Will be back! I gave service 4 stars because it did take a good bit of time for each of our courses to come out and my water glass would get low. I think our waitress maybe had too many tables. But luckily we had time. Just hope next time to make it less than 2 hour meal.
Food was great and pleasant. Service was awesome. I went here to have a nice dinner and celebrate my late daughter. We would go here and make great memories. My waiter Darrell was so nice to light a candle in her memory. My evening was joyful.
3828 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
Amusement park
Nature & Parks
Aquarium
Botanical garden
Moody Gardens is a 242-acre amusement park in Galveston, Texas, offering a hotel and various attractions such as an aquarium, zip line, and paddlewheel boat. The site also features the Rainforest Pyramid with over 2,000 exotic plants and animals, including saki monkeys and sloths. Visitors can explore marine species from around the world at the Aquarium pyramid or enjoy outdoor water activities at Palm Beach.
We enjoyed a day at Moody Gardens exploring their pyramids, shows and time at Palm Beach. We were not disappointed at all. All of the staff were helpful and friendly. Our daughter loved seeing all the animals and was especially excited for the kissing monkeys. Palm Beach was a great way to cool off and end our afternoon at the park. We had a lot of fun in the wave pool and lazy river. We will be back at Christmas time for the festival of lights and ice sculptures.
Allyson S — Google review
Moody Gardens aquarium is a must see while in Galveston. The price is a bit of a shock, but I thought it was worth it. Free parking, lots of exhibits.
My 3 year old and 8 year old loved the penguins and seals. I loved the jelly fish room with the neon lights. There are a couple rooms and tunnels perfect for pictures with sharks and larger fish. They have a stingray touch tank, but good luck with that. I think the stingrays are done with people. If you actually take time to look around, you'll need about 90 minutes.
We did a quick vacation over Labor day weekend. It was packed. Still had a good time!!!!
Moody Gardens is such a great experience for the kids, really informative and an overall learning adventure that stuck with them long after we left.
The whole place is loaded with cool animals, but they absolutely loved the Rain Forest Pyramid; seeing the monkeys and sloths moving around right near the pathway was a definite highlight. It's more than just looking at exhibits, too—they're really focused on conservation and education, which makes the whole visit feel worthwhile.
We also spent time in the Aquarium Pyramid, checking out the sharks and the penguins, which are always a huge hit with the kids. You can easily spend a full day exploring the different pyramids and attractions.
Plus, it's so convenient that there are great local restaurants always very close by, making it easy to grab dinner after all the excitement.
What a beautiful and educational experience. Every time I go, the staff are so friendly, inviting, and informative. The rainforest and aquarium periods are well maintained, and the animals all look happy and healthy.
I got the pleasure of speaking to a member of the staff, named Linda, in the rainforest pyramid and she went above and beyond to tell me facts about the animals and make sure I saw so many amazing things. She was kind and encouraged any questions I had. The other staff I saw throughout the park were friendly as well and had a good repertoire with the animals and other staff members.
The exhibits are self paced and well thought out; many of them have informational cards posted about the animals, ecosystem, and other fun facts. I also learned, from staff and the exhibit placards, that a few of the species they host are part of repopulation efforts for endangered species in the wild.
Great aquarium with amazing tanks, you could hang out all day if you wanted to do so, otherwise it will take about 1.5 to 2 hrs to walk though. Try to go early on a weekday before the animals get tired. The sea lions exhibit was great they were so active, barking, and playing around at 11 am. When we got to the jellyfish room it was closed for feeding but we waited about 10 minutes and it was open again, so just hang around if a room or exhibit is closed. The penguins were so cute as well.
Me and the wife have never been. Took the kids (6 and 2). Overall it was 180 for the tickets (military) and another 100 was spend on food and souvenirs. It was pretty nice. The staff was very very friendly and nice, they all seemed to love their jobs and were great with the kids.
I am giving this place 3 stars because mosquitoes were EVERYWHERE. It was so bad that families were running inside while the husbands stood in line to buy tickets. They were so bad they would hide in my daughter’s hair and still come out when we were inside and bite us. Made the trip not worth it. I would suggest putting mosquito air blasts at the entrances of the pyramids and maybe mosquito zappers all over the place. My kids are covered in bites now on the way home. They arnt even talking about how they had fun just how much they itch and hurt from the bites.
Also keep in mind the weather is not even humid as it hasn’t rained in weeks it’s like 85 and dry outside so I can only imagine if it was hot and humid.
Love it love it love it!!!!
It was beautiful, time flys!!!
Took baby & family, everyone enjoyed it.
Going back soon. Great to take young kids.
Restroom were extra clean.
Came to visit from out of state and had a great time with my family. We visited the aquarium and the rainforest exhibits. Both are wonderful places for all ages, but especially taking the kids.
Definitely recommend eating before you come and be sure to bring snacks because everything is ridiculously expensive.
1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554, USA•
Museums
Local history museum
Historic Sites
History Museums
Moody Mansion, a 28,000-square-foot estate dating back to 1895, is a restored historical gem filled with original furnishings and artifacts. Once home to the prominent Moody family, known for their diverse business ventures, the mansion boasts 31 rooms and offers hour-long guided tours through 20 of them. Visitors can explore the family's rich history and marvel at the beautifully decorated rooms that showcase their collection of furniture and curios accumulated over 86 years.
Audio and tour was very well organized and detailed. Beautiful home. The special touch with ringing the doorbell to start your tour was a great touch! Loved it!
Diana W — Google review
Pop-Up Ghost Tour at Moody Mansion with Spooky Gin. The tour was amazing with knowledge shared on the Moodys' and their contributions and interactions with Galveston. The additional Galveston history and ghost stories just added to the ambience. Add in the fact that you are getting a guided tour of this beautiful home and seeing original items used by the Moodys makes you feel like you are stepping back in time.
I would definitely reach out to see when Moody Mansion will be doing another one of these pop-up tours, because this is an event everyone needs to experience.
Beautiful mansion but unfortunately I don't think it was worth the money. We paid online but the guy that was in the ticket booth area was very polite! Also the older lady who opened the door to let us in was very nice as well! We went on a Tuesday so it wasn't busy at all! Parking lot is a pain because the spots are so close together.
Beautiful mansion, worth the trip, knowledgeable hosts. Also you must ring the doorbell before entering. Lots to see inside, enchanting and beautiful vintage pieces
The closet I came to time traveling on this trip! Moody Mansion is takes you back to a time of grandeur, debutants, and life before technology. A must for any history buff and architect lover.
Very interesting self guide tour. Friendly personnel. A very beautiful house. I recommend seeing this house
I had the honor to visit this historical place. The people were nice. I was there to photograph a Quinceañera. Its a bit narrow for the dress but we lived it. A bit hot but thats normal.
Love the tour on the Mansion it was huge and beautiful also the history of the mansion .
2618 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
Rail museum
Museums
Specialty Museums
The Galveston Railroad Museum is a historic site featuring locomotives, indoor displays of artifacts, and model trains. Visitors can also enjoy Saturday train rides at the museum. Nearby attractions in Galveston include Moody Gardens, historical homes, the Strand Historical District with the Tall Ship Elissa, Seaport Museum, and Galveston County Museum. Additionally, Space Center Houston and San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site are within proximity.
What a lovely Railroad Museum. For a Saturday it was not busy...but it's well layed out and the range of exhibitions is great. Lady at the entrance desk was welcoming and polite and told us everything we needed to know. We managed to even ride an open caboose on a long stretch along the cruise terminals. Loved everything about this place. Ate from the concession on site. Cheap and cheerful and delicious..again super friendly staff and decent prices.
After we spent a considerable time here, it was close to the historic street cars that go around Galveston.
If you love trains, go for it...
Andrew T — Google review
The largest train/railroad museum we have came across. Tons of train cars and cars to walk through and explore. Lots of displays showing how life was on the cars and what was commonly used on them. Staff was very nice, no wait to see anything, and there’s free parking.
The only thing that did surprise me, maybe because the Rosenberg museum spoiled us, was there’s only two small rooms of model trains. There are shelf’s with tons of model trains but they are on display, unlike Rosenberg who has built huge working city like displays to show them off.
Overall though, the kid loved it and would come back again. We didn’t get to enjoy it but if we would have came the next day they do offer some sort of train rides.
The Galveston Railroad Museum makes you feel like you’re truly taking a step back into our past, walking around and inside these beautiful railroad cars was a special experience. If you love Railroad & Galveston history I highly encourage you to come tour the museum, we truly enjoyed it!
It was super fun. We went on Weekday and literally we had the entire museum for us. Loved it. The ladies in the front office so kinds.
Staff is very friendly and extremely intelligent about all on the yard. An extensive stock of rolling stock on hand. It could be made better if more was accessible. I understand safety issues vs limited staff. It does not take away from a very positive experience here. Highly recommend to rail fans.
I was so excited to go here on our vacation from Ft. Worth but it wasn't that fun. My younger kids had fun but my 13yo and my husband thought it was pretty lame. Got some great photos though! I really planned on coming here because I thought there was a train ride but unfortunately I was mistaken. Probably wouldn't spend the money to go back again.
Great displays of dishes used on dining sars of the past. Plenty of engines and variety of cars to explore. Staff was very polite and helpful. We were a little disappointed in the gift shop but bought some souvenirs.
The Galveston Railroad Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into a significant piece of American history. With its impressive collection of trains and locomotives, it's a must-visit for anyone interested in transportation and the evolution of rail travel.
Walking through the museum is like stepping back in time, allowing you to appreciate the sheer scale and ingenuity of these historical machines. The train simulator, while perhaps not the most technologically advanced, is made enjoyable by the enthusiastic operator, who adds a personal touch to the experience.
It's worth noting that the museum's environment can be a bit challenging for those with respiratory issues or allergies to dust and humidity. However, the historical significance of the exhibits more than compensates for this minor drawback.
One of the museum's hidden gems is "Scooter," an elderly orange cat who often graces visitors with his presence. If you're fortunate, you might find him napping peacefully in one of the train cars. And if you're truly blessed, he might even allow you the rare privilege of petting his belly! This unexpected encounter adds a delightful and memorable element to the museum experience.
Overall, the Galveston Railroad Museum offers a captivating and educational journey through railroad history. Despite the potential environmental challenges, the sheer volume of historical artifacts and the chance to meet "Scooter" make it a worthwhile visit.
2602 Santa Fe Pl, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
State park
Nature & Parks
Nestled on the west end of Galveston Island, Galveston Island State Park spans an impressive 2,000 acres of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. This park is a haven for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike, offering a variety of activities such as hiking trails, birdwatching spots, and unsupervised swimming areas. Campers can choose from beachfront or bayside sites equipped with picnic tables, water pumps, fire rings, and convenient restroom facilities.
☀️Galveston Island State Park – A Natural Gem on the Gulf
Galveston Island State Park is a beautifully preserved slice of Texas Gulf Coast, celebrating over 50 years of natural beauty and outdoor exploration. Just a short drive from the city of Galveston and near Jamaica Beach, the park offers a peaceful escape with striking coastal views, vibrant plant life, and a welcoming environment for families, campers, and nature lovers alike.
The beaches are clean and expansive, perfect for a stroll or a day by the water. The marshlands and walking trails provide excellent birdwatching and a glimpse of native coastal ecosystems, with interesting flora like the delicate pink puffball flower seen along the trail. Facilities are modern and well-maintained, including a visitor center and educational programs like the “Adventure Learning” setup we spotted during our visit.
With its mix of beach access, wildlife viewing, and educational programs, this park is a fantastic stop whether you’re staying on the island or just passing through. Peaceful, scenic, and thoughtfully preserved—Galveston Island State Park is a must-visit for anyone exploring the Texas Gulf Coast.
Ramin H — Google review
We really enjoyed this campground. We stayed on the beach side, site 23. The sites were very large, had cement pads, and a really nice shelter with a room including a picnic table and a clothes line. The proximity to the beach was great and there were garbage cans everywhere to help with clean up.
The beach had a lot of dried up seaweed in the sand area, but once you got in the water it was great. We wore our shoes until we were at the shore. There were hermit crabs everywhere, so you might want to wear shoes in the water as we all stepped on at least one when swimming!
Beautiful sunrises over the water and you can see sunsets on the bay side. This is one of the nicest state parks we've ever stayed at and they had a ton of super cute marine stuffed animals at decent prices at the camp store.
We bought a Texas State park annual pass ($70) because without it you had to pay a daily fee of $5 per person 13+.
Very reasonable prices ($5 per person); it is well worth it! The place is really nice, with lots of grills and covered picnic areas. Each picnic area has a grill, and some even have electric outlets. It also has very nice pathways to the beach. Showers are available outside and inside the restrooms, which are really clean—honestly, the best beach restrooms I've ever seen. The beach has a lot of seaweed, but if you can look past that, it is perfect. The staff is super friendly. Pro tip: It is a state park, so you can fish here without a fishing license! They also sell ice there, just in case you forgot it or need to refill your cooler. I really hope that my review helps with your trip. If it does, please give me a like. Thanks; have fun at the beach!
I just visited here over the weekend while looking for new and unique inshore fly fishing spots. I have to say, the park staff were all super friendly. They clearly loved working there. You have to pay to gain access to the park or camp, but I found out that Disabled Veterans get a lifetime access card if they meet certain requirements. They talked me into stepping inside and getting a free card good for life. The facilities were all clean and good looking, clearly marked and well kept signs, the trails were in good shape for a park. I wouldnt advise bringing a wheelchair or bike on the northern park's trails as they can be muddy. The terrain is flat and meanders through the marsh. There's a lot of birds to look at, neat fishing spots, kayak launch points, observation tower, beach access on the south side of the park, showers, restrooms, campsites with electricity and water, primitive camp sites, saltwater and freshwater lakes, BBQ pits... all sorts of neat things about this park. Be warned, the park is known to have alligators and venomous snakes, so stay on the trails and be alert during the warm weather months.
This park has great facilities! Bathrooms and showers are clean. They also have great rinse of showers at the end of the boardwalk. In addition to the beach the park has a bay side which has some camping and great water trails for kayaking!
We've been coming here for 50 years. Hurricane Ike destroyed and they built it back better. I do miss the old layout but the new has it good points as well. The showers/restrooms are way better and air conditioned. They are letting the seaweed stay for environmental reasons to build back the dunes. We love the beach and come here because we like having a ranger on duty because it's a crazy world we live in. We feel more secure having security on site.
Stayed at the Bayside spot 100. Had a wonderful experience. The Rangers were knowledgeable and friendly. The park staff were all very friendly and accommodating. The kayak launch was great. ( Although a light at the ramp would be excellent.)
Very quiet beach for a day trip! Would come back.
Biggest drawback is that there was a lot of debris and trash on the sand, and therefore a lot of sand gnats.
Biggest plus, the have a wash off station and changing rooms are right off the beach. Bathrooms are a further walk from the beach but very clean and spacious. Great option if want the least amount of sand in your car and don’t mind walking.
Advice: BRING A WAGON!
14901 FM3005, Galveston, TX 77554, USA•
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Performing arts theater
Historical landmark
The Grand 1894 Opera House is a stunning and historic theater in Galveston, Texas. It hosts a variety of live performances throughout the year, including Broadway musicals, concerts, dance shows, and comedy acts. This ornate theater has survived storms and hurricanes and has been meticulously restored. With its plush navy cushioned chairs, intricate wall details, and grand ruby red curtain on stage, it offers an elegant setting for entertainment.
What a beautiful theater. The self guided tour was $5 each. We were the only people there and were allowed to walk wherever we wanted except on stage. Interesting history with many famous performers.
Pat C — Google review
This beautiful, historical theater is so comfortable and elegant, I could sit just admiring it for hours! The acoustics are excellent and the stage is visible from all angles. It's worth a trip there, even if you don't see a show.
A beautiful historical Opera House. Young woman at ticket booth was very polite and friendly. I enjoyed the color which brought the viewing area to life. I can imagine watching a performance. Just beautiful.
Came here for a musical- The Addams family and it was a great show and great venue. Loved the souvenir cups to use for our drinks so to be sure we didnt spill anything. The only negative was a tale as old as time fighting for the women's restroom during intermission.
What can I say about this charming venue. Stepping through the doors is like boarding a time machine. Upon entering you are immediately transported to the 1800's. Reminiscent of Downton Abbey days. High, beautifully decorated ceilings. Yet despite the touch of opulence it's a very intimate setting. I've purchased high end seats to obstructed view seating and I have never had a bad experience. The ushers are very nice and helpful. The Grand is centrally located so there are tons of eateries in walking distance. If you haven't been, please make an effort to come. You won't be disappointed.
Such a beautiful interior with nice sound.
I highly recommend visiting and watching the orchestra.
The seats are small with not much leg room especially towards the front but it is a little better towards the back due to the slope.
Beautiful and historic Opera House. Seats are VERY narrow, tight and uncomfortable. Entire row must exit before anyone can come and go. Not handicap accessible that I could see. Fun experience to see The Nutcracker in such a beautiful venue. We enjoyed the ballet immensely.
Audio was really good. Temperature was a bit cold. Seats were kind of narrow and there was a guy that was 6 ft 7 sitting in front of me so my view was obscured but overall I thought it was good. Saw the Fred Hammond emancipation show.
2020 Postoffice St, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
Museum
Art museum
History museum
Embark on a captivating journey through Texas history at The Bryan Museum, nestled in the charming Galveston Orphans Home. This remarkable museum boasts one of the largest collections dedicated to Texas and the American West, featuring over 70,000 artifacts that span an impressive 12,000 years. As you wander through its halls, you'll encounter everything from Native American relics to modern-day treasures that tell the stories of cowboys, pioneers, and those who forged the frontier.
Fantastic museum for kids and grown-ups. It has a variety of exhibits that focus on Texas history. It was great to visit after my social studies exam.
I liked the tablets that can be used to get more information on certain topics. It allows to get as much or as little as you want while there.
I was impressed by the story of the orphanage that was there. It's definitely worth checking out in full.
I picked up some silk scarves as souvenirs and they were very good.
Tudor T — Google review
The entire property is stunning! The grounds, beautifully restored orphanage now museum & the conservatory are exquisite! The attention is obvious & the collections are amazing.
A board meeting was hosted in the conservatory which was spectacular! Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece of Galveston Island history!
Front desk volunteer, Phyllis Hodges, was so welcoming & informative! True testament to Texas hospitality!
This historical building used to be an orphanage. We came here for the Juneteenth celebration. We enjoyed the music and the museum. A lot of art and history on Galveston and Texas. Beautiful property and grounds. A must see if you're ever in Galveston.
The Bryan Museum is a world-class destination offering profound insights into the complexities of Texas and Western history. Its masterful curation within a historically resonant setting creates an unforgettable educational experience. Beyond regional significance, it stands as a vital repository of American frontier heritage.
Neat museum of Texas history with amazing artifacts from the Revolution and Republic eras. Also some nice western art. Current display of Texan artist for Hermes who made a scarf I bought my mom in 1985.
Awesome exhibit on Kermit Oliver, Texas artist! The staff - from the curator, Eric, to security, Phyllis, to Stephanie in the gift shop were A-List! It was well worth the drive to Galveston.
I've been many times,my Mother is the Horticulturalis at the museum, the grounds are beautiful the staff is excellent and the exhibits are top notch
Very unique, interesting, beautuful museum. Full of great history.
Beautiful grounds, interesting history of the building. Gorgeous interior, & well decorated
Very friendly, nice employees.
A friend told my hubby & I about the museum.
We highly recommend, it's definitely worth seeing!
We give The Bryan Museum a five star rating!
1315 21st St, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
Museum
The Texas Seaport Museum, located in Galveston Island on the Texas Gulf Coast, is a must-visit for maritime enthusiasts and history buffs. The museum is home to the iconic 1877 tall ship ELISSA, a floating National Historic Landmark that offers visitors the chance to experience high-seas adventure.
The tall ship Elissa is a must-see on our trips to Galveston. Tickets can be purchased at the adjacent Seaport Museum. Tickets are for both the museum and the Elissa. There is a cute little gift shop with gift ideas for most anyone. The Seaport Museum has been changed up since our last visit several years ago. The self guided tour guides you through the path of an immigrant coming to America. The exhibits reflect many of Galvestons landmarks. But the best part is boarding the Sailing Ship Elissa and exploring how people traveled back in the day. The crew berths and cabins seem ridiculously tiny to modern eyes. BONUS: the USS Texas is clearly visible across the harbor in dry dock being repaired and prepared for it new berth hopefully near the museum!
Jeff W — Google review
"The Ellis Island of the Southwest" exhibit is immersive, imaginative, and informative.
Love, love, loved learning about the history of the island! There were mannequins, screens, luggage, bunks, and signs, as well as audio throughout.
Definitely stop by.
We took the immigration tour today and thought it was really well done. I enjoyed their stories quite a bit and the interactive details. I'm glad there was a mention of Juneteenth as it was pretty well centered on European immigration. Unfortunately we couldn't get on the sailing ship as it was it was sailing the harbor but it's cool that it is still seaworthy and this service is offered.
We did the Harbor Tour with Captain Lauren and Jason!
It was absolutely amazing! We got to see so many dolphins while learning about Galveston's history and port in a fun and inviting manner!
Family Friendly!
Captain Lauren was very personable and friendly and Jason was very knowledgeable.
10/10 recommend!
We got the whole package with the museum and harbor tour $28 per adult, definitely worth the price ☺️
Sad to see how the Elissa is being neglected these days.
(Translated by Google) I liked it a lot
(Original)
Me gusto mucho
Totally worth it 👌.
Great place to learn about our history and Galveston! Boat tour was super fun and informative. Also saw lots of dolphins!
2200 Wharf Rd, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
affordable
Seafood restaurant
American restaurant
Breakfast restaurant
Miller's Seawall Grill is a no-frills eatery that offers giant breakfasts, lunch, and dinner with views of the water. Voted top breakfast in Galveston for three consecutive years, this spot provides comfort food at reasonable prices. The portions are generous and delicious, featuring options like lump crab Benedict and the sunrise special. Seafood lovers can indulge in fresh delicacies from the Gulf of Mexico while enjoying the beachfront setting and warm ambiance.
Great location wonderful service. The food was perfect. I would like to try breakfast here next time. The location has been there since the 70s. We had a great chicken salad. I had grilled red snapper. Bread was great. Augraten potatoes are very good.
Robert B — Google review
With the number of times I have been to Galveston, we would drive by this place and not realize it was a restaurant. Did a quick Google review and realize I'm missing out of some great food.
Arrive early Saturday evening for dinner, was seated quickly. Got our drink order and app fairly quickly also. With help of the waiter, ended up getting the seawall platter and shrimp po boy. I ended up going with blackened shrimp and fish with Mac. It was delicious, along with the large soft roll. Wife only down side was that the po boy didn't have a remoulade sauce to go with the sandwich.
Couldn't eat dinner without dessert, their award winning ganache pecan brownie with ice cream. For us there was to much ganache and chocolate sauce, but once we scrap it away and are the brownie it was pretty good.
Would def recommend trying this place out if you haven't. I will come back to try other dishes the next time we're in Galveston.
Another nice feature was the upstairs outdoor patio where they serve cold drinks with a great view. No need to purchase anything to check out the patio and seating.
This is definitely a top tourist spot! Breakfast is good but prices are HIGH!!! $23.00 for a basic breakfast is wild! So as a local we only go maybe twice a year and that’s for the view and French Toast. Grits are DRY and sticky. IHOP is down the street and better priced and has the same breakfast choices.
We may try having dinner here soon but there are too many better options on the island. We will leave room for the vacationers.
I had a wonderful time at Miller’s Seawall Grill! ♥️
The service was warm and attentive, and the relaxed atmosphere by the ocean made the experience even more enjoyable.
There can be a bit of a wait, but it’s absolutely worth it. It's a cozy spot with great food, friendly service, and beautiful seaside views.
I tried the shrimp & grits with gouda cheese, and it was very good. And for the dessert, the chocolate ganache pecan brownie was rich, gooey and delicious!
The fried shrimp and grilled Basa was delicious! My girlfriend had The 16 fried/grilled shrimp and mac &cheese which she really enjoyed. For dessert we had the Peach Cobbler which was fantastic 😋.The service was outstanding and the view of the beach fantastic!
Definitely going back on our next trip to Galveston ♥️
This place is a real gem in Galveston! I had the amazing corn and crab chowder and a patty melt and onion rings which were soooo good! They have been there a long time and do so much to give back to the community I'm happy to go there and have the delicious food they serve. They serve breakfast all day and next time I just have to try the biscuits and gravy!
We’ve been dreaming about Millers crab stuffing for 7 years since we last had it. It unfortunately did not live up to our expectations and was a bit of a let down. The restaurant is pricey and the food was not anything out of this world. However, the service was beyond amazing. Our server was polite, helpful, and just a delight! My purse was left behind and everyone was honest and helpful when I learned I left it behind. I appreciate that more than anything.
Food was outstanding. There is a separate gluten free menu with several options. My husband said the gf french toast and the gf regular toast were delicious. Biscuits and gravy had so much sausage on it and was absolutely delicious. Be ready for a hardy homemade meal.
1824 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
affordable
Restaurant
Bar
Ice cream shop
Seafood restaurant
Fish Tales is a popular beachfront restaurant located on the Seawall, offering a relaxed atmosphere and balcony seating with views of the Gulf of Mexico. Since 1994, this Landry's-owned establishment has been serving up a variety of delicious seafood dishes, including oysters on the half shell, bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with jalapeno-jack cheese known as "shrimp kisses," and blackened catfish etouffee.
We came here today on Juneteenth, and I’m so happy we chose this restaurant. We were immediately greeted upon entering and sat inside with a nice view of Pleasure Pier. Our waitress was Miranda and she delivered exceptional service! She was very personable, friendly, attentive, readily available and provided us with great recommendations for drinks. The drinks were SO GOOD! We got the Caribbean Swirl and Sunset Punch. The food was amazing, no complaints at all. Thank you Miranda for being awesome and for being our waitress! If the manager is reading this, please give Miranda a raise - she deserves it!
Porschea — Google review
Great atmosphere, cocktail drinks were like juice 🥴 informed the waiter and placed another order but was the same. (Margarita, Cadillac)
Ouster were yummy but was served without crackers so had to ask for it.
I was craving for pasta. But was served no bread. So it was like something missing. Garlic bread would be great to add on the pasta. Also had soda, was hoping for a refill but after the main course was served, the waiter never came back until we called for the bill. The white uniforms were looking worn out so the waiters were looking more presentable in darker color. This are just honest observation. Im sure not all servers are the same. A room for improvement.
Do not be discourage to dine here. It is still worth the view and food. Will still be my go to place so far in the area.
Food and service were great! Kendra was amazing! She was super quick with everything and came to check on us frequently. I would reccomend this location and ask for Kendra! Fried pickles and onions are great! Try the Fish tacos was not disappointed!..
We had our wedding dinner reception at Fishtails in their private cove room and it was such a special night! Ms Stirling made
Booking the room, planning, decor, and room setup super easy and fun! The whole experience exceeded our expectations beautifully! Stirling and the team helped make our dream reception come true! We highly recommend FishTales and the lovely Ms Stirling for your next special event! They have everything you need to create an event to forever remember with the delicious food, amazing staff and service, a spacious room and an elegant style tailored to your vision! And it’s all
Within an affordable price! Thank you FishTales! We look forward to having future celebrations with yall!
Having drinks at the bar while waiting for my table, and chatting with the Honduran bartender was the best part of the experience. We were shown from the bar to our table and waited about 5 minutes before the server came to introduce herself. I asked for water for the table then placed an appetizer order. I noticed there was no silverware after we ordered, so I got up and got silverware for my party. When the appetizer arrived the server also walked up and asked if we needed anything. We were missing the sauce, oyster toppings, and lemons for our oysters. I asked again for water, which we never got.
We placed the food order and didn’t see the server until after the food arrived because a kitchen runner dropped off the food. At this point, we had no drinks so I got up and ordered drinks at the bar for my party. The server came after we had started to eat our food to check how everything was. Overall, the service was not great. The server was not attentive at all.
The fish tacos were good. The sauce, slaw, and aioli are a tasty combination to top off the grilled fish. The oysters were decent. I would have drinks here and eat somewhere else.
We had an excellent experience at Fish Tales in Galveston. The drinks were perfectly made, the appetizers were delicious, and the food was cooked to perfection. Everything had great flavor and was served fresh. We sat on the balcony with a beautiful view of the beach, which made the meal even more enjoyable. What stood out the most was our amazing waiter—friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the evening. His service truly made our visit extra special. We’ll definitely be coming back and highly recommend this place if you’re visiting Galveston.
Go for the atmosphere, views, and location but don't go for the food or drinks or prices. It's a low quality tourist trap through-and-through.
The service was attentive and it was nice sitting outside watching the pier and seawall. But the food - all of it - was mediocre at best and very overpriced. The calamari was bland and chewy, the 'blackened' fish barely seasoned and totally overcooked to the point it was barely edible. The drinks are weak and sickeningly sweet - and we tried 3 separate kinds between us so it wasn't just a fluke.
For how bad the food was, you'd think it would be inexpensive...but no. Not even close. 2 stars bc the wait staff were and atmosphere made it tolerable...but barely. I wonder if the owners ever actually eat from the kitchen.
Parking is confusing I was taken to a small table that was next to another table with a big party and I had no room to sit... There was other tables with plenty of room and no people but the host thought I should be crammed in that table and walked of like good luck so I had to sit on the end in the walkway it was very awkward prices seemed high but I did enjoy my food and I was hoping to sit upstairs with a view of pleasure pier or the ocean but I was put in the bk on the 1st floor so make sure u say what you want at the host stand cuz they don't care and will put u in the worst spot
2502 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
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Museum
Science Museums
Specialty Museums
The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, located on Galveston's Pier 19, offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of offshore drilling. This retired jack-up drilling rig has been transformed into a museum with three floors of interactive displays and models. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through the rig to see drilling equipment, fascinating exhibits, and videos about the history and process of oil drilling.
Great museum! Worth seeing. The kids really enjoyed getting to see the ins and outs of the rig. Very informative, reasonably priced. There is a gift shop in the entrance building with items for all ages. The rig is multiple stories with an open concept to explore the permitted areas at your own speed and leisure. Very cool! Highly recommend. The staff was very nice.
Melissa D — Google review
This museum was a welcome surprise. It has 3 floors, and 2 outdoor decks. Much larger than I thought it would be. It took me about 2 hours to read everything, etc.. It really brightened my day and has great views. This is a hidden gem in Galveston. They have a cute gift shop with a variety of items for adults and children. Including Christmas ornaments!
I went back last week again with some family. I'm not sure what happened to this place. Nobody to greet us on the rig when we arrived at the top of the ramp, nobody to give directions, movie just plays in a loop without a scheduled time. This place wasn't as fun and felt very disorganized. The brown haired girl selling tickets was the most professional and most informative. Everyone else ignored us. Please improve and be like you were before.
A great experience for anyone that wants to learn now about how petroleum is extracted out at sea.
My son read almost every single exhibit which is something he doesn't normally do in museums.
There is a scavenger hunt if you want a challenge. Be sure to ask for the paper when you first ever the rig. 👍
They request that you keep an eye on your children because there are some areas especially the catwalk on the third floor that young children should not be left alone on. It's not unsafe, but it is high up.
Check out the locker on the third floor for an experience of being a rig worker and grab some gear for dress up!
Last week I was actually thinking about how I know nothing of the offshore drilling process, and then we randomly came across this museum when getting off the cruise ship! Large enough to explain it all, displays are done right, very informational and exactly what I was looking for. Not boring. Good videos. Fascinating process.
A fascinating museum on the history of oil drilling. You can see first hand what life on a rig is like. See how the oil industry has progressed since the beginning. Weather permitting you can even walk out on to the oil rig itself! Fun for all ages and very interesting place to visit. Right in the wharf, so beautiful views are a bonus.
Really enjoyed this retired deep sea rig. My husband is a pipe welder and fabricator. He's worked on jobs for Exxon and 3M that eventually landed at ocean rigs. He had a great time. It was a nice way to end our anniversary weekend.
This is a must see museum! Make sure you pay $5 extra for the audio device. There aren't many people inside to ask questions.
Very detailed and thoughtful laid out exhibit to explain how we get oil out of the ground.
You get to see all the parts of the process. The scale models inside of all the platforms were amazing!
It's 3 levels with steep stairs but they have added an elevator
You get to go outside on top and feel what it's like to work on a rig.
We enjoyed the learning experience, and it was a little bonus that dolphins enjoy travelling right through the area. The staff was friendly.
Don't waste your money parking right by the building. They do not own the lot there. If you can walk from a block over, you can do metered street parking for much much cheaper.
2002 Wharf Rd, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
affordable
Seafood restaurant
Taco restaurant
Jimmy's on the Pier is a unique restaurant and bar located on the Galveston Fishing Pier, offering stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. It's not just for fishermen; anyone can enjoy the picturesque scenery while dining on delicious American cuisine, especially seafood. The restaurant also features a souvenir shop and coffee shop, making it a one-of-a-kind experience on the island. After your meal, take a leisurely stroll along the pier to fully appreciate its beauty.
The total highlight of our Galveston trip! Seriously, we can't recommend Jimmy's more. The food was phenomenal and very well priced for Galveston! The kids meals are all 10 bucks and each entree was between 15 and 20 that we looked at ordering. The flounder was tender and juicy, and we all left extremely satisfied! I definitely recommend the fish tacos. They are doubled cased in tortillas to preserve the sauce and flavorful. The Texas Fish and Chips was also delicious (a lot of fried on top of fried, but that is what I ordered so that's on me). They were out of waffle fries which was very disappointing, but the onion rings were honestly a great substitute! Double the onion in each ring and very well battered.
The seating is perfect - covered from the sun, but with tons of windows and doors to let the cool ocean breeze blow in as you enjoy your meal. Amazing!
Plus, the opportunity to walk the pier for free after made it even better! We got our Christmas Card photo on the pier!
Seriously, make this place a PRIORITY when visiting Galveston! We will be back next family vacation!!
Dax R — Google review
The atmosphere here is amazing, especially if you catch a nice ocean breeze while sitting out on the patio. The staff was very friendly and professional, and the food and drinks were solid.
Be prepared for a wait during peak hours (sometimes 45 minutes to an hour), but they make it worth it by giving guests free access to the fishing pier while waiting. It was a perfect way to pass the time, and they’ll text you as soon as your table is ready.
The beach views were gorgeous, and the food and drinks were just as good! Our server was super sweet and made the whole experience even better. We even got to walk the pier for free, which was such a nice surprise. Definitely one of our favorite stops , highly recommend if you’re in the area!📷🫶🏽
I'm from out of town, and always visit Jimmy's when I am in Galveston. I can't find any fault with this place at all. There are a few things to consider before choosing it though. If you are mobility challenged, the restaurant is on the second story, and it's a pretty challenging set of stairs. However, once you get up there, you are over the water, with an amazing sea breeze, and it's just an instant stress reliever. I would say there are about 20 tables under the roof (but with no doors or windows, you still feel that amazing breeze) so that you are out of the sun, or you can sit on the deck with no cover overhead, but it can be hot with the sun beating down on you. I have eaten on the deck at night and it was just magical. If you have long hair, I would bring something to tie it back with, or you will be struggling to eat on windy days. The food is pretty amazing - a good selection of seafood AND non seafood - it's all quality ingredients, with thought put into the recipes. AND I have never found an unhappy member of staff there - they are all very friendly and helpful. Love this place!
We ate at Jimmy's on the Pier last night for dinner and it was delicious! Gulf shrimp, grilled chicken sandwich and a hamburger with all the toppings were on our table. Everything was cooked to perfection! The view was spectacular and the breeze hit just right. I would highly recommend Jimmy's on the Pier.
Food was really good, the ceviche was great, nice selection of fish, and the pesto grilled chicken was very good. The gumbo had a unique smokey flavor that probably came from the sausage, but it was very good considering. The long island ice tea was okay, but the top shelf Margarita was bland at best, it tasted watered down hardly any flavor from tequila or the other ingredients. I kept having to get the wait staff's attention which isn't normal for JOTP, and considering they weren't very busy. The atmosphere was great though since we were celebrating a special occasion, and you can't beat the location.
Oh, we just loved their happy hour specials! Good margaritas, even better on the rocks and I think I could eat their tuna tartar just about everyday! Very delicious and a great value, and our favorite restaurant in Galveston, what a great find and reccomendation to us by the Galveston beach hotel! The fish and chips were also a hit!
The crab stuffed bacon wrapped jalapeños...damn!! Like no other! The clam chowder is so rich and buttery! Beyond scrumptious! We had the Texas fish and Chips and the chef special of the Cajun Reddrum over rice😍❤️😍
9001 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554, USA•
Historical place museum
Museums
Memorial park
Military Museums
The Galveston Naval Museum offers an immersive experience in national heritage, featuring guided tours of historic World War II vessels such as the USS Stewart and the USS Cavalla. Visitors can explore torpedo rooms and weather-worn decks while learning about the sacrifices and history of the crews. The museum provides a unique opportunity to walk the decks of a destroyer and descend into a submarine from that era.
Interesting place to come and visit. $14 entry per person plus an additional $10 to get into Seawolf park. You can walk around, on and inside both the submarine and ship. Certainly worth visiting if you haven’t been before. About 1.5 hours is another to visit. The park has a fishing peer and various places to picnic and even some grills to use. Was quiet at the weekend but bear in mind it was a hot June day.
Russel H — Google review
I wish I could rate this higher. This is a beautiful site, with incredibly well preserved and well taken care of artifacts. Being able to go below decks on a submarine is nothing less than incredible. And it’s authentic, there’s no jazz, just steel and rivets.
I arrived later in the day, and they were gracious enough to accommodate me. Had an absolutely tremendous time walking along the lengths of both the ship and the sub. This is a childhood dream of mine come true, and I truly appreciate the efforts that go on to keep this place operational.
Great piece of history! The staff was amazing. They were all passionate about their jobs and very willing to answer questions and share their experiences. Bill was especially amazing! Definitely would recommend.
I gave it 5-stars bc I enjoy naval museums. It costs to get into the state park and you have to pay an entry fee at the gate of the museum. It would have been nice to see more of the innerds of the ship but they had most of the ship blocked off. You could see more of the sub. My wife finally understands some of what I was telling her about the ship I was on during Desert Storm.
This is a good stop if you’re into naval history—one ship and one submarine to explore. Our teen liked being able to sit on the AAA guns, and another enjoyed walking through the sub. We didn’t visit the gift shop and only had minimal interaction with staff, who weren’t particularly helpful, but overall it was a fun and interesting way to fill the afternoon
I really enjoyed the chance to visit such a historical sub in the Cavalla.. I've been out of the Navy for many years but lately I've developed a strong love of history, especially military history. The layout on the self guided tour was nice on the sub but the escort ship has many sections closed for restoration or just not to be toured. Besides the ship & sub are several different guns and a landing craft. I really enjoyed the museum and hats off to the people behind it.
Great place to visit. I would go early in the morning before it gets hot as you are inside the vessels for the tours. Great pieces of WW2 history. It will take you about 2 hours to walk through both the s submarine and destroyer. If you are very claustrophobic, the submarine may not be one to tour.
Super cute and fun to learn about the ships. Also had a cute little shop. Kids loved it but not as much as their dad did.
100 Seawolf Park Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554, USA•
19IHOP
cheap
Breakfast restaurant
American restaurant
Family restaurant
IHOP is a well-established chain known for its diverse selection of pancakes and classic American breakfast and diner dishes. While famous for their award-winning pancakes and omelets, the IHOP in Galveston offers stunning views and serves lunch, dinner, and snack options as well. Additionally, the restaurant provides an alcohol menu featuring various beer options. Although some customers have noted occasional service issues, many have praised the food quality at this location.
We went on family trip to Galveston and had breakfast on a Sunday morning. We went at 9:30 and still there was lot of crowd. But the wait line moved fast. We had amazing breakfast. I love their veggie options for preparing omelettes. Their omelettes with sides are very filling!
Rafiq K — Google review
My lady wanted breakfast late, so we hit the old trusty IHOP. This location had their stuff down, textbook style. Absolutely amazing service, my country fried steak was excellent (some of the best garlic butter broccoli ever), as was my lady's t-bone and eggs. Our server (sorry I didn't catch the young lady's name) went out of her way to make sure we were happy and had all we needed. Everyone working there had a great attitude and smiles. A real pleasure. Highly recommend.
Should've known not to order french toast at a place known for pancakes. French toast was soft but could've been sweeter. Fresh strawberries preferred rather than glazed. Food could've been hotter. Good customer service. Restroom clean. It was cold in restaurant so I ordered hot chocolate. DELICIOUS!
Visiting with Familia:):)!!! Plus Staff was wonderful!!😏 We meet people when washing our hands. If was Cool. "We spontaneously started singing !!!🙃😏 Meet nice people too. Even a Voice actor from Anime . Hiw cool is that 🙂🤩 I was in the moment. Didn't get phone on time to say we can follow each other. In a Healthier boundaries way😏 Awareness pls pls. Take cares. People peace 🙏✌🏻😏
Came in late night & needed ADA seating away from the booths. They readily accommodated & miss Brenda was an exceptional waitress to us. The food was delicious & we enjoyed our island IHOP tradition.
From Lubbock Texas, on vacation in Galveston Texas. The food was delicious, coffee ☕ perfect. The server was an amazing young man. Nice, quiet atmosphere. I believe the manager was seated at a table not too far from ours, had his laptop out, a cup of coffee ☕ probably doing work on his laptop but very vigilant, very nice to the employees. Our only complaint is the angry, bitter spanish woman working at the door. We walked up to pay and she immediately and RUDELY told us to go sit down, waving us away. Thankfully the server walked up and took our card and came back with our card and receipt. I wanted to walk over to the manager and report her but didn't. Maybe he will see this rating. Maybe she needs more customer service training or perhaps another job where she doesn't have to work with the public.
Came here to eat last weekend for my bday. Great food expensive but nice view at our table. I didn't want to spend $89 bucks on breakfast for 4 people.
They have outdoor seating. There's no table service here. Order food to go then seat yourself nice view though.
Very nice experience. Enjoyed our visit. Food was delicious and service was good.
5224 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77551, USA•
Children's museum
Museums
Specialty Museums
The Galveston Children's Museum, located on the ground floor of the 1895 Moody Mansion, offers interactive themed rooms and a variety of hands-on exhibits designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young children. From a kiddie town with a fishing boat to a building zone featuring a Lego wall, kids can explore and play while learning about science and arts. The museum also hosts entertaining and educational programs throughout the year, making it an ideal destination for families with children aged 2-10.
I absolutely loved it here! First time really checking it out I went along on a class trip for my daughter's class & we adored the adventure! They have it obviously in Moody Mansion first off which is so very very very cool to have the kids museum in such a historic, beautiful & historically rich building! The aesthetics alone for the kiddos is really really unique & special bc there's so many things about the property & building right away to them that's gonna be different or new or surprising just simply because of progress & living in such different looking homes now with such different capabilities & materials & such than the time period of it being built. Such a wonderful way to not only preserve history in that building, but to teach with it & use it & repurpose it to encourage the learning of history itself. The charming use of this old mansion made the atmosphere right away feel conducive to the kids being able to be curious & inquisitive & interested... It's like a tour of the building & of history but at the same time encountering different learning activities & concepts & tasks during it for them to explore & enjoy & solve. The stations were all very hands on, creative & educational as well as fun, cute & often crafty. The kids had a blast & as an adult I still found a lot of information, facts & pieces of history along the way to keep my attention & interest as well. There's plenty of space here too being a mansion & all lol... So there's plenty of room for kids to play & kinda run around & explore on their own a little within the marked off areas like... The outside area is massive for the little ones & they really can get a feel for exploring the grounds a bit on the outside area of the place. The whole thing overall wasn't too long for a kid but wasn't too short to not be worth the time or money to attend & experience the place. It was an overall very positive experience & quite memorable to her even at that young of an age... She can still recall the event fairly well to this day & she is 11 years old now. For being a school trip I feel like the management or whatever handled it well, I didn't feel like it was just chaotic or aimless or a free for all or anything... Which happens when going to any establishment with a large group of kids all too easily I'm sure, lololol. I think the walk & tour kinda thing through the activities & building seemed to be fairly well set up & executed. I would like to go back now with her a little older & us going on our own & separate from an entity this time to check it out a little differently & more in depth, so I've only gone with an organized group but this far all I've experienced & read & known of the place has been overwhelmingly positive. Def recommend a trip if you have smaller children or if you're an adult I know the Moody Mansion tour side is a great place to learn some history about the island & that building itself as it's got quite a history of it's own. The preserved older buildings & architecture here are very prideful points of interest & history here for Galveston & it's locals... We love the rich history preserved in these locations & keeping it alive through education & experiences is important... It's lovely to see Galveston & the community here make such an effort to preserve, remember & share it's history! Highly recommend checking the place out, great experience! Great way to learn about the actual island a little bit too, as an adult or a child! Five stars!
Mercedes J — Google review
We brought our 4 year old and we were here for 5 hours no joke ! So many fun things for kids and adults. Not crowded and everyone who was there was very nice. Helpful workers and all engaging activities . We were allowed all day access and were able to get lunch and return
We had a birthday party for my daughters here last weekend and it was a hit. The space was perfect, and the young lady who helped was amazing. I wish I could remember her name. She helped me with decorations, gathering everyone for cake, and clean up. Everyone who came loved the whole experience. It’s also priced incredibly fairly compared to other places I looked at. The museum itself is not too big, not too small- lots of kiddos to engage with without it feeling overwhelming. Would totally recommend!
Good for kiddos, younger Kiddos.. just confused on why they are targeting such a thing to toddlers ? Let them be kids.
regular rainbows are just as pretty.
Doesn’t seem age appropriate.
Came to a party for my nephew and this was absolutely awesome sauce! Not only for the kids but the adults as well! The staff Abbey & One-ya were delightful, sweet and amazing! They were so great at making sure everybody was having a good time, safe and also helped serve the food as well!!! This is a great place to visit w your kiddos & have their birthday party as well!!!! Highly recommend!!!
AWESOME place to take little ones and even big kids. Way less intimidating than the children’s museum downtown. And it’s so affordable
My children love a trip to a museum, and Children’s Museum, Galveston did not disappoint! Very hands-on and interactive, the perfect combination of learning and playing.
We have been visiting Moody Mansion for 3 years now, from ages 2 to 9 everyone always has a blast so many activities and the employees are super kind and always helpful. Such a beautiful mansion to visit and play in the outdoor areas also.
2618 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
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Seafood market
Boat tour agency
Fishing charter
Grocery store
Katie's Seafood Market is a long-standing establishment that offers a wide selection of fresh seafood and shellfish, primarily sourced from local waters. Situated on the North side of Galveston Island, this market is renowned for its fresh seasonal seafood, supplied to customers and local restaurants. In 2019, Katie Guidon and her husband opened the market after years of providing fresh Gulf seafood to island restaurants.
Katie’s Seafood Market is a gem! The staff is super friendly and helpful, and the seafood is incredibly fresh. You can even find some wild-caught options that come straight off the boat — doesn’t get better than that. Great place to pick up quality seafood if you’re in Galveston. Highly recommend!
Camilo B — Google review
We went on Easter Sunday. Had a reservation for 3:30pm. When we arrived, there were plenty of tables available. We ordered the fried green tomatoes, two c9cktails, and my husband ordered the special which was prime rib and shrimp, I got a boil my son a shrimp basket. We waited a long long time for our meal, and when it finally arrived my husband was served a plate of rib eye, no shrimp and prime rib...and raw. What a disappointing experience. Then trying to find our server again to tell him about their mistake.... no luck. We got our bill, and omg, the rib eye was even more expensive. Not going back. It was so chaotic, we couldn't find our server and we were hungry so my husband ate trough his fatty piece of meat. 🤦♀️
I used to love this place, however, these past two times I have visited, an issue had occurred. The first issue of over charging, they made right so I thought I would go come back to give them another chance. Well, I drove about an hour total (round trip) out of my way to come pick up fresh seafood. The shrimp I thought I got were the big ones like in the bottom right of cluster group. Unfortunately, he was the only one. The other 4 plus pounds were teeny or salad size with approx a pound of those oozing like solo guy in front. I bought 5 lbs and only less than a half pound is what I ordered. It's so upsetting when this placed used to be so amazing. 2 stars because its become a reoccurring issue.
The chefs special and the salad were both very good. Fresh seafood seasoned well. There was a very short wait as well. The wait staff were friendly and very helpful. I think our guys name was Ephram. He knew the menu well and was just an all around good server.
One of best shrimp Po-Boys sandwich in Galveston. The food is fresh, Service was excellent, ambience nice is loud. Is a very busy place Reservation recommended
Purchased fish here all of my adult life and I have never been dissatisfied. Sure it smells fishy, its a fresh seafood warehouse. Bought shrimp and some small red( colored fish I would ressume were red vermillion, absolutely delicious.
Fresh shrimp and fish every day. Helpful staff, reasonable prices. Really looking forward to some fresh grouper!
Amazing seafood fresh from the gulf. I highly recommend eating here and come early because it fills up very quickly with customers.
1902 Wharf Rd, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
Arts organization
Museums
Art gallery
Non-profit organization
Art Museums
The Galveston Arts Center is a must-visit for art enthusiasts seeking the latest contemporary works from Galveston and neighboring areas like Houston, Corpus Christi, and Beaumont. The center hosts regular events and exhibitions in collaboration with local art studios, galleries, nonprofits, and businesses. Visitors can enjoy free public art walks showcasing local talent every 6 to 8 weeks. The diverse collections feature American paintings, European masterpieces, contemporary installations, and interactive exhibits.
I like the mission of the Galveston Arts Center and its exhibits feature local artists from around the Texas Gulf Coast region. They host the Galveston Art Walk from March to October annually and organize a lot of educational events for kids and adults at the arts center as well as in the community. Whenever a new exhibit launches, the artist would present a talk about their work and art pieces. There is a main exhibition hall on the first floor and a wine vendor, Florino, in the left corner. There are stairs on the left or in the back of the building that will take you to the second floor where there are two smaller exhibition spaces and a classroom. Admission is free and donations are welcome. I volunteer at the arts center from time to time and I love it! This building also has an interesting history, so it's a plus for anyone who might be interested in Galveston's history.
Cherie D — Google review
Very friendly staff and the art collections were very beautiful & showcased very well. A nice place to take a break from the heat and see cool art.
Never knew this art museum was here until
I stumbled in one day! All exhibitions are free, including a downstairs and upstairs exhibit! Art rotates out periodically. Will be back in the future!
This is the place to go for quality contemporary art exhibitions in Galveston. I try to stop by whenever I’m on the island. The front desk person is friendly and helpful for info on the exhibits.
So friendly and welcoming of my children. Shared wonderful info with us.
Beautiful experience to explore art and in the heart of downtown Galveston!
We stopped by to cool off and saw some amazing are. Where we visited there were a few exhibits involving mixed media that were stunning and really kept the interest of the whole family. The staff are very nice and welcoming. At the time there was also a wine tasting going on. The gallery is very clean, multi story and has bathrooms available. Highly recommend stopping by and checking out the latest exhibits.
This is a top notch art gallery with world class exhibitions.
2127 The Strand, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
History museum
Museums
The Galveston County Museum is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and anyone eager to delve into the rich past of Galveston. The museum showcases a wide array of artifacts and exhibits that span from prehistoric times to the midcentury era, offering an immersive experience in the region's history. Visitors can explore Native American artifacts, learn about coastal ecology, understand the impact of the 1900 Storm, and trace the evolution of military history in the area.
This is a great museum in the courthouse. Start outside looking at the places in the circle area in front of the building. The head inside to the museum in the back. Lots of interesting Galveston photos information. And it is free. (Donation only). We are not from the area and enjoyed learning the Galveston history.
Check hours. Not open every day.
Cindy P — Google review
Lots of history, very well laid out spent about 2 hours seeing 👀 and reading the history even has a small lunch room with vending machines that are not over priced, highly recommend 👍
Great place to visit when you are in Galveston.
I highly recommend going to see this museum.
Not to mention all the employees there were very nice
Nice museum to learn about Galvanston covering a diverse range of cultural history. Made Galvanston even more charming to learn its rich history. Plus the museum was feee and helped us pass time productively!
Really neat and loads of history about Galveston. Totally free and worth going(:
Great attention to detail. Knowledgeable docent. Soup to nuts: prehistoric fossils through heyday of Galveston! Go see.
Free and nice exhibits.
Great free museum ( donations accepted). Lots of local history and amazing fossils and everything from the normal to the odd. The coverage 1900 storm is impressive.
722 Moody, 21st St, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
24Big Reef
Island
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Parks
Big Reef Nature Park is a hidden gem in Galveston, offering a tranquil and spacious beach experience away from the crowds. Visitors can enjoy bird watching from the comfort of their car or take a leisurely stroll along the serene coastline. The park provides free parking and is perfect for those seeking a quieter beach destination. Additionally, it offers unique opportunities to observe wildlife, including gorillas, making it an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts.
This is a more quiet corner of the beach in Galveston. It is a big spacious beach and has free parking. Great place if you want a more quiet beach location.
Shahram T — Google review
NO SWIMMING ALLOWED! The other review was misleading. While it is a nice beach with a great view of passing ships, there is no swimming allowed. This wide, sandy beach is right on the ship channel. This area has extremely dangerous currents. There are no swimming signs posted every 50 feet.
Very smelly reef. We saw many gorillas there!
No reef :(
Nature preserve
Park
The East End Lagoon Nature Preserve is a family-friendly attraction with beautiful natural scenery. It covers 700 acres of land and showcases the diversity of Galveston's rich ecosystems, including birds, flowers, and butterflies. Sunrise is particularly stunning here, so make sure to visit if you're an early riser!
There were many ponds along the beach and Boddeker Road, we enjoyed crabbing there 🦀🦀🦀🦀
Quyen N — Google review
This nature preserve is at the far north end of Galveston Beach. I was surprised that there was almost no one there. It was a bit strange and deserted. At the time, the wind was blowing fairly intensely, which may have been part of the issue. Lots of seabirds. The water was too rough for swimming and there were many signs indicating that no swimming should be done. I could see quite a few folks fishing. There were marshy grasslands and wetlands In the vicinity. I think it is worth a visit if you are in Galveston. It is one of the few natural places that I could see on the island.
Stunning place to watch the sunset and hunt for beach creatures. A quiet beach with only a few people throughout.
We went for the Sandcastle building contest. Parking was a mess and we had to walk about a 1/4 of a mile to get there. We've been to this many years ago and it was so much easier to enjoy. Take mosquito spray!!! When it starts to get dark your get attacked!!!
We enjoyed it better when you didn't have to by tickets and you could just park closer.
Great Sandcastles!!!
About 700 acres with most of that being wetlands. Not much hiking, there is a half mile ada trail which leads through some palm trees and a coastal brush area near the lagoon. Nice interpretative signage along the trail. It's a good area if your looking to fish, kayak, or birdwatch. The access road needs improvement.
Great trails, great bird watching. Best time to visit is early morning, or late afternoon, otherwise pretty warm. Some benches along the trails, otherwise no place to sit, and no shady areas. Don't forget drinking water. And be a decent human and leave no trace behind.
Great place, not super crowded, even though it’s “busier than usual.” I would say even off peak times are awesome! Empty beaches are the best.
Great place to see the ships coming and going to and from Houston. Or the ferry boat over to Port Bolivar. The people on the road are polite and make way because there is water over the road in places. It isn’t deep so any car can make it just fine.
But nice place in Galveston to escape the crowds.
It looked like a well preserved part of the island focused on nature. It features some short nature paths with plenty of benches interspersed to just sit and enjoy the view. Across the way is a deep channel where many large boats enter and leave the bay. There were still some wildflowers in December and I can imagine the fields were amazing during the spring and summer.
Boddeker Rd, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
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Boat tour agency
Sightseeing tour agency
Baywatch Dolphin Tours is a family-owned business located near Galveston's Historic Strand District, departing from Pier 21. Their dolphin-safe boat offers informative and up-close experiences with the bay's resident dolphins. The 45-minute tour operates daily from 10 am to 5 pm, providing guests with the opportunity to observe these playful mammals in their natural habitat. The covered interior of the 34-foot boat ensures a comfortable experience for visitors as they enjoy this unique adventure.
Visiting from NW Ohio… Great tour! Captain Ben was entertaining and very informative. We saw lots of dolphins and some jellyfish as well! Seeing all the old boats and hearing the history behind them was an added bonus! Would definitely do it again.
Justin F — Google review
We had a great time with Capt Adam & Wilson! We saw dolphins as soon as we left the dock (captured on video). They are dog friendly, which was a great experience as well. There are moments that you will get hit with ocean spray, but nothing extreme. Capt Adam was informative and great entertainment. I would do the tour again.
We took the sunset harbor tour with Captain Adam. He was entertaining and knowledgeable. It was a beautiful sunset despite a few clouds, and the dolphins were active. Overall a great time and we will definitely do it again in the future.
What a wonderful experience! Captain Ben was the highlight. He was so funny with his jokes and banter and had a great playlist, too. Moreover, he made me feel very welcome, as I was the only one riding solo, just me and my dog. He talked to me for sometime, shared about his doggo while lovin on my Velma, it was very kind of him to spend that extra time with me. We saw lots dolphins jumping and swimming together. We saw a mom and her baby. Capt. Ben told us all about dolphins and I learned alot about them and the history of Galveston Harbor. I want to share dolphin photos and videos, but I'm going to refrain. I don't want to spoil it for you. A definite must do when visiting Galveston. Thank you Captain Ben!
Kasy & Velma
My friend and I had a great time looking for dolphins and learning information about the Galveston area and the waterways. Captain Ben was entertaining, and we did see dolphins as promised. We just could not get capture proof with our phones because they were too fast for us. I consider the trip very enjoyable.
Went with family for the tour. So much fun!! It was so cool to see the dolphins jumping from the water and near the ships. Captain Adam was amazing! Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area!!
Capt Adam was awesome! Our family had a blast on the Dolphin Tour. My 9yr old daughter loved “petting” a jellyfish with Capt Adam before the boat took off. And he even let her drive the boat for a few minutes. Great family experience!! Lots of fun!
One of the coolest things you can do in Galveston Texas is go on the Baywatch Dolphin tour. This is a family friendly fun tour and you will definitely see dolphins. You will also hear some good music and learn some cool history about the area and get a little bit of humor thrown in from Captain Adam. A very nice and funny guy who before the tour caught a moon jellyfish by hand and let my granddaughters have a look at it and they loved it. He also let both of them have a turn driving the boat. Something they will always remember.
2100 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
Public golf course
Golf club
Golf course
Golf driving range
Located on Galveston Island, Moody Gardens Golf Course is an exquisite 18-hole public course that offers a unique tropical ambiance with stunning views of the sea, native areas, wetlands, and palm trees. Designed by renowned architect Peter Jacobsen, this challenging yet picturesque course is a favorite among both locals and visitors. Golf enthusiasts can book tee times to enjoy the breathtaking seaside setting and then relax at the Pelican Grille restaurant or browse the pro shop for golf gear.
We played this course twice while on vacation. Beautiful golf course! Very well maintained. Coastal links style. Fun track! Highly recommend playing here!
Brad G — Google review
BEAUTIFUL golf course! I'd recommend it again and again. The lady in the pro shop was the sweetest person ever. The course is very well taken care with lots and lots of surroundings water. Everyone is helpful and nice around the course. If you get a chance to go I wouldn't hesitate to book a tee time.
Clubhouse staff was very nice. Cart lady was wonderful. Starters/rangers were some of the biggest jerks I have ever interacted with on a golf course. We were treated like children and monitored like prisoners on house arrest for 18 holes.
We had two tee times back to back and we wanted to play with the 6 golfers in our group to keep our group together because there weren't any tee times after us for 20 minutes and we didn't see anyone ahead of us for at least 4 holes. We were playing a best ball scramble so we figured it would help speed things up, and we promised to keep pace of play and even offered to leave after 4 hours if we didn't finish our round. The starter's response to that was to yell at us, park his cart right behind us, and refuse to let 2 of us play our tee shots until the rest of our group was off the green- on a +500 yard par 5, mind you. His exact words were "There isn't a golf course in the country that will let you play 6 people!" And "You'd better not go play that tee shot!" Ridiculous and, frankly, embarrassing behavior from a man who appeared to be at least in his 70s.
This course itself is fine, but it is nothing special and nowhere near nice enough (multiple unplayable tee boxes and over-aerated greens to the point where sand clouds kicked up on all of our approach shots) to have workers on this much of a power trip. We listened to what the workers said on the first tee and despite our best efforts to follow their rules, keep our groups separate, keep pace of play, fix our divots, respect the course, and tip the cart lady well, we STILL had rangers pull up to us multiple times while we were playing to tell us that "the clubhouse is watching you guys like hawks." That is not a fun way to be treated, nor was it enjoyable to see rangers and starters trying to hide behind trees/bushes in their carts clearly watching us on dang near every other hole. We were also stopped on 18 after teeing off to be told, "You'd better not have 6 guys on the 18th green!" What a nauseating way to end a round of golf. The behavior of these workers made what would have been an enjoyable round with friends legitimately unpleasant.
One of our players was also forced to buy a collared shirt in the pro shop, which was fine, but then we saw multiple players on the course wearing t shirts and sleeveless shirts. Maybe locals? Whatever the case, this was a laughable and blatant double standard.
There was no answer when we tried call call ahead to order our food at the turn and when we got there, the worker straight up refused to make a burger for one of our players. The hot dogs, however, were delicious. Credit where credit is due, but when the hot dogs at the turn are the highlight of the whole day, that's not a good sign for a golf course.
the course is absolutely beautifull!! i am posting this on oct 16 2025 for reference to the time of year.
i dont think you can find a finer public course in the houston/ galveston area. they really do a great job of being consistant on the green speeds and all the greens look and feel great. i have been a member at bay oaks country club of houston and can honestly say that moody’s greens compete with them. AGAIN moody is public and not private so i want to emphasize that. All of the tee boxes, fairways, and bunkers were all very well maintained as well. the nice lady working at the pro shop was so proffesional and very nice. the range was mats only for long clubs but very clean. the chipping and putting green are bar none. they have a full size bunker and wedge green ( i shot it in at 50 yds from divot to green) very long for a wedge area, well maintainted just like the course! my only complaint has nothing to do with the course or staff but it is with the mosquitos. its not just a bite every now and then but constantly and in large groups. there are also these little black knats that bite you as well. all i can say is BRING INSECT REPELLENT!! the course is on the island so this is to be expected but just a heads up for first timers.
This has always been my favorite course, even though it gets windy I feel like that makes it more exciting. I drove down from Houston to practice before my round here tomorrow, thinking I’d just practice and head to the hotel room. Found out the range was closed which was no big deal but the guy at front said I could chip and putt. He asked if I need a few golf balls and I said heck yea. I thought he was going to give me a few range balls, instead he pulled out 3 titleist and handed them to me. I think he got them out of his own bag. Told me to keep them not to worry about it.
I will forever love this place but this added the cherry on top. To the young man I appreciate you for the kind gesture.
I’ll probably end up leaving them on the course tomorrow 😆
Played twice this weekend on Fr/Sa. The cart guys and bartender and staff inside the clubhouse were very courteous and helpful. The tee boxes were pretty beat up and the greens were dry, but overall the course was decent and fairways played well. Landscaping and overall attention to detail was lacking, for the price point of this public course. There are par 3’s near my home I play weekly that have neater and more thoughtful landscaping for 2/3rds the price including cart, with just as challenging of layouts and greens.
The real kicker was the petty shit the course rangers and starter tried to pull, and how condescending they were. We were a group of 6 with no groups after us or ahead of us, on track for 4:10 pace for 18 holes, and overall were playing very quick, neat golf. The rangers were literally harassing us, nit-picking cart distances and made one of our guys buy a shirt when at least 2-3 other guys on the course on holes 3-8 had no collared shirts on. Maybe they were locals.
Lots of bugs, no shade, but water coolers around the course were cold and full. Like I said, great staff at the clubhouse and snacks and drinks were reasonable for public course pricing.
Will look for a better-maintained and managed course next trip to Galveston. Crabby old men who want their egos stroked have no place on courses where the goal is to educate, aid, and encourage capable, paying golfers who are being playing on-pace, respectful rounds and coming back multiple times in the same week to your course on our trip to your market.
Definitely a recommend in Houston area.
Fairways, greens and even the bunkers are very well maintained and pace of play was nice. Staff were all very friendly and helpful. The only down side I can think of was the mosquitos so you need that bug repellent with you - though did not help that much in my case. The greens could be faster but given the heat I guess this is somewhat inevitable. Not saying its slow but just saying.
I am new to the area and am visiting courses in random order, this course is on top of the list so far.
Its about an hours drive from the Heights area but definitely worth the drive.
Course is nice, but there is no discount after they've aerated the greens. Sand all over them so basically unplayable. Disappointing for $100
1700 Sydnor Ln, Galveston, TX 77554, USA•
Art gallery
Located in historic Downtown Galveston, Mock & More Gallery is a new addition to the island's art scene. Showcasing local artists, this gallery offers visitors the opportunity to browse and shop during gallery hours or as part of the Galveston ArtWalk. It's described as a hidden gem worth exploring. Additionally, there are numerous family-owned restaurants and popular chains in the area, ensuring that visitors won't go hungry while enjoying the artistic offerings of Galveston.
She is an amazing designer! I’ve had her do a few custom pieces!
Alana E — Google review
Great little gem of a gallery off the beaten path....check it out you won't be disappointed!
Love your shop, Karla.😎😎😎
2215-B Postoffice St, Galveston, TX 77550, USA•
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