What’s the first thing that you think of when you hear about Mardi Gras?

Get your mind out of the gutter! I know, New Orleans gets all the press for Mardi Gras, but Galveston has been having a Mardi Gras celebration for 108 years and it is the third largest celebration in the United States! Balcony parties, parades, bands, and I haven’t even gotten to the Mardi Gras balls, all within the back drop of a historic downtown and the seawall.

Spread out over two weekends and Fat Tuesday, there are 23 parades, 22 balcony parties and 29 live concerts. Want to dress up? Check out one of the mysterious masked balls. Want to watch the parade from up high? Get yourself tickets to one or more of the balcony parties. Or just hang out on the street and collect beads until you can’t walk anymore.

Mardi Gras in Galveston Parades

Starting at 5:00 PM Friday Feb 22nd, and running all day Saturday, and Sunday for two weekends there are zany golf cart parades, art car parades, funky umbrella parades and Jeep parades. But the whole celebration would be disappointing if you missed the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux pet parade. That’s right there is a pet parade and you don’t want to miss it! No word on how the cat’s throw beads though. If you’re feeling nostalgic for the 70s, then do the hustle over to The Strand for the Krewe D’Art Party and Disco Bus.

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Mardi Gras in Galveston Masked Balls

So you want to avoid the rif raff in the street and would rather rub elbows with the black tie and masked crowd. Then you’re in luck because there are multiple black tie events featuring live entertainment, mouth watering buffets, dancing, and of course parade watching. Maybe if you’re infuential enough you can get invited to Tilman and Paige Fertitta’s San Luis Salute.

Mardi Gras in Galveston Balcony Parties

This is where you want to be! Cash bars, balconies, music, and a bird’s eye view of the parade! What else do you need? Dance the night away while you enjoy looking down on the little people fighting the crowds in the street.

Mardi Gras in Galveston Bands

Two stages on The Strand will host over 30 concerts. Headliners are going to be country stars Pat Green and Jason Cassidy. Want to dance the night away to electronic music? Yeah, me neither, but if you do, then there’s a whole stage set up for you with DJ’s, laser lights, and thumping music at 21st and Mechanic Street.

Mardi Gras in Galveston Tickets

You won’t need tickets for the parades on 25th and along the Seawall, but you will need tickets to get into The Strand area, the balcony parties, and of course the masked balls. Slip on over here for all your ticket needs.

All dressed up and no place to stay? Make yourself comfortable at one of these hotels.

Hungry? Great restaurants abound in Galveston.

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You might think of Galveston only as a sleepy little island with a bunch of old homes. That’s so far from the truth. There are many fun things to do in Galveston.

The Pleasure Pier

The Pleasure Pier juts out into the Gulf of Mexico over 1,100 feet, 340 meters for you people who haven’t put a man on the moon. After hurricane Ike destroyed the Flagship Hotel, which used to reside on the pier. It was announced that an amusement park would be built on the site, and it was to be called “The Pleasure Pier”. The first thought, Pleasure Pier, nudge nudge, wink wink, yeah right. Come to find out they were paying homage to the original Pleasure Pier that was on the original pier built in 1943. Those wacky mid-century people.

Anyway, the Pleasure Pier has roller coasters, thrill rides, ferris wheels, cotton candy, restaurants and probably the best view of the coast/gulf from their spinning tower thing, which after a check of their website they call it the “Texas Star Flier”. Whatever, it’s a fun time. Get your tickets at the entrance or click here and buy them.

Schlitterbahn Water Park

Home of the Worlds’s tallest water slide, Schlitterbahn, located right next to Moody Gardens is where you want to go to beat the heat. Float on the one mile long lazy river to get you to all the speed slides in a cool fashion, just remember the blue dye rumor. Don’t worry mom, they have a kids area for the youngens.

Going to be visiting the park for more than two days? Invest in a season pass. they take installment payments! Anyway, you can head over here to check out their ticket matrix which shows you the best way to purchase tickets.

Moody Gardens

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There’s so much to do here they have their own hotel! They have zip lines for zipping, and a ropes course for roping. Housed in three glass pyramids are the aquarium, rain forest, and interactive exhibits. They even have penguins! Penguins, in Texas, go figure. You could easily spend two days here and not do everything that they offer. Dad’s tip, drop the kids at the Palm Beach replica beach and hit 18 on the adjacent golf course. Tickets are from $60-$85 and you can purchase them here.

Check out our guide on to where to stay on Galveston Island. Now complete with clickable links!

Shark Attack 5D Theater

Since we’re long past boring ol 3d and 4d, now you can get attacked by a shark in 5D! Located across from The Pleasure Pier it’s been thrilling some since 2016. Tickets available here.

On Shore Fishing

With a proper license you can surf fish from any beach. There are also jetties to fish from along the seawall. The two fishing piers on 61st Street and 91st Street offer license sales, tackle sales, and fishing advice for the newbies.

Off Shore Fishing

If you’ve never been offshore fishing, you’ve missed out. Galveston is a coastal city so there are plenty of fishing boats to go around. Anywhere from high people density party boats, to private charters, you decide how you want to fish. However you go, this is definitely a fun thing to do in Galveston.

Jet Ski Rental

Ah yes, who doesn’t love riding on the water at 70 mph and scaring swimmers? Get your water motorcycle fix with any of the jet ski rentals along the beach on the seawall.

SUP Lessons and Rental

SUP, or, for the unhip, stand up paddleboard, rentals can be found in most bike shops along Seawall Boulevard. They can also refer you to somebody to teach you how to SUP if necessary.

Hoverboard/Flyboard Rentals

Want to get thrown up in the air uncontrollably and slam back into the water to the delight of family and friends? Then Extreme Water Sports on Offats Bayou has you covered. They’ll give you lessons, strap you to a hoverboard or flyboard, (your choice!) and away you go. Bonus, they have kayak and paddleboard rental so you can be seen in all your glory from both on shore and off.

Boat Rental

Galveston Yacht Basin and Caribbean Breeze Boat Rental will rent you a boat. Tool along with the family in a pontoon or grab the fishing gear and rent a center console. Please bring it back with more water on the outside than on the inside.

Bike/Surfboard Rental

There are numerous bike shops throughout Galveston that will rent you bikes and surfboards. One seat not enough for you? There are also surreys available to rent.

Seagull II Harbor Tour

Get a tour of the Galveston Harbor and a different perspective of the city with knowledgeable tour guides. The highlight of this tour? Dolphins! That’s right, get up close personal with Dolphins. This is an enjoyable way to spend a sunny morning or afternoon. Tickets are $17 and available here. Cheap Bastard Alert: Want to see dolphins without paying a fee? Take the free ferry from Galveston to Bolivar Peninsula. It’s about a 15 minute ride each way, get on by car, or skip the line and bike or walk up.

Galveston Duck Tours

Get on this boat/bus in front of the Pleasure Pier, and it will take you on an informative tour around the island while the knowledgeable driver points out the various mansions and history. The highlight of the tour is when you drive from the road right into the water and you’re cruising around the backside of Moody Gardens. Purchase tickets on the east side of the Pleasure Pier, where the ducks load. Adults $30 and children $20.

“You missed the awesome Galveston beaches” you say! No I didn’t, they’re right here.

Galveston Island Pass

Want to save money on while you’re having fun? Of course you do! Head on over to the Galveston Island Pass headquarters and save up to 40% off attractions!

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Pretty much the whole coast line of Galveston is a beach and they all have public access! That means that if you like sunbathing and playing volleyball with a crowd or in isolated loneliness(keep your clothes handy though, there are still laws about that) there’s probably a beach for you. Let us show you where the best Galveston beaches are.

All Galveston beaches are pet friendly, as long as they’re on a leash, some are beer friendly, and some are keep it hidden in your red solo cup because there’s no alcohol allowed on this beach friendly. Some beaches allow you to drive on them which leads to hilarious situations of people getting too close to the water and not realizing that there’s a high tide.

No open fires are allowed on Galveston Beaches(boo). But you can bring a firepit, or some other form of container to contain your fire. What I’m saying is that fires are allowed as long as you have some way to contain them. And no, smart guy, a ring of rocks in the sand is not a container.

There is a cost to park on Seawall Blvd, either pony up the cash for a windshield sticker good for a year, or pay by the hour/day on your phone. Not sure how the pay by phone parking works? Then just stand there staring at the sign with a clueless look on your face and one of the friendly parking attendants will zoom over to you on their three wheel scooters and assist you. There are also public lots along the seawall where you can park if you don’t want to try your hand at parallel parking in the middle of rush hour. Finally, be careful if you’re going to try to game the system and park on the streets, some are resident sticker only, some are two hour max parking, and you will get a ticket if you disobey either one.

And do I really have to say this? Beaches are hot, beaches are sunny (hopefully), so be sure to wear hats, use sunscreen, and stay hydrated.

East Beach

Also known as R.A. Apffel Park is located on the far eastern side of Galveston, is a wide beach with plenty of parking(fee), restrooms and a bar/snackbar. Alcohol is allowed here and it will usually be crowded on weekends.

Stewart Beach

Drive to the end of Broadway and you’ll run into McDonald’s. Don’t do that, you’ll wreck your car. Stop at the light and turn left and into the parking lot and you’ll run into Stewart Beach. Just stop before you hit the water. There’s plenty of parking (fee alert) and it’s a wide beach with a concession area complete with a big inflatable slide, no wonder it’s always considered one of the best beaches of Galveston. No alcohol is allowed here so you know what that means…plenty o kids.

9th Street to 61st Beaches

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In 2017 The Army Corps of Engineers dredged up sand from offshore and widened these beaches. Now there’s plenty of room to stretch out. Bring your easy up tent, bring your volleyball net, bring your grill. Don’t feel like grilling? That’s okay because this section of the Seawall has plenty of restaurants that will allow your bathing suit clad, sandy self, in. No alcohol allowed on these beaches and there is no beach access fee. They have chairs and umbrellas available for rent (in season).

The kids are driving you mad because they’re tired of the beach? Well, say no more, check out Fun Things to do in Galveston here.

Babe’s Beach

Slow your roll middle-age-single-man, this beach is named for A.R. “Babe” Schwartz. Schwartz grew up in Galveston and was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1955 to 1980. Babe’s Beach starts at the 6400 block of Seawall and runs for 15 blocks. It’s a nice wide beach easily accessible if you ‘re staying at one of the condo/hotels across from it. No alcohol is allowed at this beach.

West End Beaches

The west end beaches start where the sea wall ends. As you drive south on Termini-San Luis Pass Road you will pass numerous beach access points, you’ll be able to identify them by the “Public Beach Access” signs along the roadway. There is no cost for these beaches, and parking will either be a lot or along the road in a neighborhood. Usually these beaches are less crowded than the east end beaches, that’s why these are considered some of the best beaches of Galveston. If you’re going to park in a neighborhood please don’t be “that guy” and block the driveways of the residents.

Galveston Island State Park

Camping at the beach! Yay! Bring your oversized, slide out, flip out, trailer and park it, there’s room and hook ups. Bring your two person pup tent, there’s even more room! While the campsites aren’t actually on the water, there’s a dune in between the campsites and the Gulf, you will still get a breeze and hear the waves. If this is your thing, check with the park as reservations are needed up to a year in advance.

The post The Best Galveston Beaches appeared first on Get Out and Adventure.

Ashton Villa

2328 Broadway

This spectacular Italianate villa was built in 1859. James Brown, his wife and his 5 children lived in it. During the 1900 storm Bettie Brown rescued people and let them into her house. Miss Bettie has been known to haunt this house, so if you do find yourself here for an event, don’t ever go through her drawers and lay on her bed! There have been regular ghost sightings throughout the house by guests, there’s even a piano playing ghost! All the reasons that this house is always labeled as on of the most popular of Galveston’s haunted houses.

The house has been renovated and is under the care of the Galveston Historical Society. They no longer do tours but you can rent the house for special events. While not the same as getting to see ghosts, the Galveston Visitor Center is located in the down stairs of the house.

Bishops Palace

1402 Broadway

Built in 1892, visitors here have seen ghosts on the back stairs and strange sounds and bells have been heard. There are tours available so you can see for yourself. Ask one of the people working there about their ghost story and be prepared to feel spooked.

Hotel Galvez

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2024 Seawall Boulevard

In true mariner ghost story fashion, Audra was waiting for her sailor fiance to arrive to port. She always stayed in room 501 and would take the elevator to the eighth floor and climb the ladder inside the turret and watch for her beau’s ship to come into port. After one stormy night word came in that his ship went down and he was lost, hoping that he survived she would climb the turret every night and watch for him, until one day she was found dead. She hung herself.

That’s not the end of the story, if you want to find out more you can book a room and take the ghost tour. Be sure to be on the look out for strange orbs!

Michel B Menard House

1605 33rd Street

The oldest surviving structure in Galveston has to be haunted, right ? Well, it is. The Menard house has a practical joker for a ghost. Turning on lights that have been turned off, resetting the house alarm. His favorite game seems to be pranking the staff by turning the lights on and off.

Owned by the Galveston Historical Foundation, this house is available for event rentals but it doesn’t have house tours which is too bad because this is the oldest of Galveston’s haunted houses.

Many Old Houses on the Island

Ask any resident of an old house on the island if their house is haunted and you’ll probably get an affirmative answer. There have been stories of old ship captains to just ornery ghosts haunting these houses.

Haunted Mayfield Manor

2313 Harborside Drive

Now we’re talking, they even have haunted in their name! Actually, Mayfield Manor is a “scary attraction”(according to their website). Think Halloween haunted houses, but this one is open year round! If you’re the kind of person that loves to see fear on your friends/spouse/kids faces, this is where you need to be. Complete with monsters and chainsaw wielding madman you’re sure to get your fill of fear.

Dash Bearsdley’s Ghost Tours of Galveston

2425 Strand

I saved the best for last. With a name like Dash Beardsley, how can you not be a bad ass? This guy is cool, he drives a hearse! If this was the 80’s Hollywood would’ve snatched him up and he’d be a hearse driving, ghost hunting detective. The Travel channel won’t use him for a ghost hunting show because he would put shame on all the other ghost shows that they have. That’s how cool he is.

Luckily for us he’s doing tours around Galveston. Dash offers three different walking tours around town. The tours are part historical evidence and part personal accounts from local residents. When he’s done you’ll have chills down your spine.

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Galveston is home to a multitude of museums. There are museums located in residential areas, museums along the main drag and museums on the waterfront. Everything from ships to rail roads with a few mansions thrown in.

Texas Seaport Museum

Shiver me timbers! Where else can you see a completely restored tall ship from 1877? The pride of the museum is the tall ship Elissa, completely restored in 2013 and it looks like it’s ready to sail to pick up the next load. Bonus – you’ll be able to sail on the ship in April, 2019! See their website for details. No word on whether they’re going to make you swab the decks or walk the plank though.

Bryan Museum

Located in the Galveston’s Orphan’s Home(no, it’s not still active), it features exhibits on Texas and the American West with an emphasis on the Spanish influence in the region. With permanent exhibits and periodically different special exhibits it’s no wonder they have been voted the #1 Galveston Museum.

Moody Mansion

There’s a quaint little brick house that pops out at you as you drive along Broadway. That would be Moody Mansion, at a very compact 28,000! square feet, this mansion is jaw dropping. Restored to it’s 1900 glory, you will learn about the Moody family(spoiler alert, they were rich), how they lived, and how they accumulated their wealth. There is an audio tour that you can take on your own, but splurge for the guided tour and you can Instagram rooms that the regular Joe can’t.

The Bishops Palace

The Bishops Palace, also known as the Gresham house, towers over Broadway. It’s a Nicholas Clayton designed Victorian castle(yes, castle) wonder of intricate carvings and spires. The interior wood work is amazing and there’s a stained glass window that will amaze you! This is a must see Galveston museum.

, also known as the Gresham house, towers over Broadway. It’s a Nicholas Clayton designed Victorian castle(yes, castle) wonder of intricate carvings and spires. The interior wood work is amazing and there’s a stained glass window that will amaze you! This is a must see Galveston museum.

Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum

Sitting in the ship channel is an actual drilling rig that you can visit. Retired drilling rig Ocean Star offers a hands on experience so that you can see how what it’s like to be on an oil rig in the middle of the Gulf. The only thing that’s missing is the solitude of being at sea for a month at a time.

Galveston Naval Museum

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located on the appropriately named Pelican island, the Galveston Naval Museum is home to a submarine and a destroyer. Both saw action in WWII, the submarine USS Cavalla even sank an aircraft carrier. Tour both of these ships with the available audio tour and really feel like you’re in the action! When you’ve had your fill of the ships, there’s a picnic area where you can eat and watch the ferry and dolphins go by. Free admission for veterans and active military in March.

Galveston Railroad Museum

All Aboard! Complete with a mock up terminal, the Galveston Railroad Museum boasts restored trains from as early as 1892. Showcasing locomotives, dining cars, and mail cars you’re free to get on and see how people traveled before the airlines became the greyhound of the skies.

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Travel south on I-45 through Texas long enough, eventually you’ll get to the end and it will spit you out in Galveston. Galveston is an enjoyable island situated where the coast of Texas meets the waves of the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in 1839, Galveston has survived hurricanes, fires, pirates, and the mafia. With such close proximity to the water, being filled with museums, and boasting one of the largest, historically significant populations of 19th century buildings. Use this guide so that when you get here, you won’t have to ask “This is Galveston, Tx? What’s there to do”?

Galveston has a population of approximately 50,000 full time residents and on weekends and holidays it can balloon to 150,000, but don’t worry, it won’t run out of things to do, see, eat or stay. While we’re on that subject let’s move on to just what exactly there is to do while you’re in town.

Are you the type of person that reads the end of the book first? If so, then go ahead and click the links below. If you’re a normal person who likes a little anticipation, keep on scrolling baby!

What to do in Galveston, TX

• Museums! Boy do we have museums.
• Fancy a walk and see historically significant buildings.
• Did you know that we have over 30 miles of beaches!
• Spooky haunted places.
• People who like spills and thrills.
• Places to stay (zzz).
• Places to eat (burp).

As long as you’re coming down here don’t forget to pick up you Galveston Island Pass and save 40% on attractions!

What to do in Galveston, TX How to Get Here

Galveston is 50 miles south of Houston and is easily accessible from the two international airports in town.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Get your luggage, go out the door, get on your rental car shuttle, and get your car. Set your GPS to your hotel on Galveston and leave the Airport. If your GPS is worth anything it’ll tell you to go south on I-45 towards Houston. Intercontinental is about 20 miles north of Houston so you’ll get to see plenty of construction on your way down. Stay on I-45 for about an hour and when you get to the first stop light (a stop light on the interstate?), breathe in that wonderful Gulf air, you’re here.

William P Hobby Airport

Hobby Airport is about 10 miles south of Houston and is also on I-45, so see above.

Driving

Load the kids, beach supplies, bikes, and kayaks into your Yukon/Expedition/Sequoia/Armada and head to I-45 south in Houston, once you get there, see above above.

What to do Galveston, TX Museums

Historic homes, trains, tall ships, oil wells, and even history museum, they’re all here. Spend the morning at the historic Moody Mansion, and then hop on over to Bishops Palace for the afternoon. The Elissa is a Tall ship from the 1800s that you can explore and pretend you’re Jean Lafitte (actual Galveston resident), just don’t throw the staff overboard. Want to know more? Check out our Museums post.

What to do Galveston, TX Historic Homes

Galveston was founded in 1839, but Michel Menard must’ve know something because he built his house in 1838! Actually that’s a trick, he’s the one who founded Galveston. But his house is still standing, and it’s the oldest house in Galveston, you can rent it for weddings, or other special events. Other homes, from the 1800s to funky cool mid century homes line the streets. Bonus, if you want to see as many as you can but don’t want to walk miles? Well, you’re in luck my friend because you can check out one of the many Segway tours around town. Feeling even lazier than that? Then look! Pictures in our historic homes gallery.

What to do in Galveston, TX Beaches

Bring your pop up tent, kids, dogs and grills, they’re all allowed on Galveston Beaches, I think kids need to be on a leash though… no wait, that’s dogs. With miles and miles of beaches, you can do anything that you’ve ever wanted to do on a beach, except for that, keep your clothes on. You’re asking “with all that beach front how do I know which one to go to?” Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our beach guide.

What to do in Galveston, TX Haunted Houses

Haunted hotels, homes, and grave yards, we’ve got them. What about a hearse driving ghost hunter, you ask? We’ve got that too. However you want your spookiness served up you can find it in Galveston. You can even get the sheet scared out of you when you do the haunted stay and scare at The Hotel Galvez. Want to know more? Right here.

What to do in Galveston, TX Excitement

From chartering an offshore fishing trip to the worlds tallest water slide there’s plenty of excitement to be had in Galveston. Bike rental shops line the seawall, drop in and rent a bike, surrey, stand up paddle board, or hang five and get a surf board. Rent a helicopter ride by Stewart beach, or unleash your back-to-the-future-self and rent a hoverboard. That’s not enough you say? Well we’ve got a guide right here. Click.

What to do in Galveston, TX Where to Stay

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Want to get pampered? Stay at a luxury hotel like The San Luis or The Tremont House. Feeling a little earthy? Want to get back to nature, make a reservation at the Galveston Island State Park. What I’m trying to say is that whatever your budget or style is, you can find a place to stay on the Island. Get on over to your favorite hotel booking site and start searching. Want to know a little more before you book? Look!

What to do Galveston, TX Where to Eat

We are a coastal island, in Texas, you’re going to be eating plenty of Sea Food, Tex Mex, and Tex Mex Seafood. But don’t worry, I hear that there are other things to eat than above (I’m not sure why you need more than that, but whatever). Italian, American, Steakhouses, and even burger joints are all around the island. What else you ask? Well, Guess what, we’ve got a guide for that.

What to do Galveston, TX How to get Around

Yellow cabs, brown shuttles, pink vans, and white taxis, whatever color of cab that you want is available and they all are pretty prompt. Want to be a little hipper and Uber, they’re here too. Rental cars are available. Jump a ride on the $1 trolley to get between the seawall and the Strand.

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