GULF COAST REGION: GALVESTON TEXAS

GALVESTON TEXAS

Galveston is a Texas Gulf Coast city located on Galveston Island. At last count Galveston had a population of 57,466. Galveston is the county seat of Galveston County.

Galveston is named after the Count of Galvez, Bernardo de Galvez y Madrid. In 1825 the Congress of Mexico established the Port of Galveston after the Mexican revolution against Spain. A few years later when Texas revolted against Mexico the Texas Navy used the Port of Galveston, which after the revolution served as the capital of the Republic of Texas.

As the 19th century progressed Galveston became a major commercial and financial center, known as the "Wall Street of the South." The Hurricane of 1900 devastated Galveston with the deadliest natural disaster ever to strike America.

Eventually Galveston recovered from the Hurricane of 1900 to develop an economy based on tourism, shipping, health care and financial services.

Galveston has one of America's biggest collection of historically significant 19th century buildings, with more that 60 listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

GALVESTON MUSEUMS

Galveston County Historical Museum is housed inside the built in 1921 City National Bank building. The museum contains more than a dozen exhibits covering the Galveston region's history.

The Bishop's Palace is the centerpiece of Galveston's historic Broadway Street. Built in 1886, the American Institute of Architects picked Bishop's Palace as one of the top 100 outstanding buildings in America.

Moody Mansion in Galveston Moody Mansion was the 32 room, 28,000 square foot opulent limestone and brick home of Galveston's renowned businessman, W. I. Moody, Jr.

Ashton Villa is another Galveston mansion that you can tour. Another wealthy Galveston businessman, James Moreau Brown built this Victorian house, filling it with artwork collected around the world..(Ashton Villa is currently closed)

The Railroad Museum is in Galveston's historic Strand District in the former Santa Fe Union Station where you will find more than 20,000 railroad related items, plu s several dozen vintage train cars.

The Elissa and Texas Seaport Museum is located at Pier 21. There you will find one of Galveston's most treasured attractions, the 1877 ship named Elissa, with it being the 2nd oldest operational sailing ship in the world. and one of the oldest merchant boats still floating. You can learn all about the Elissa at the Texas Seaport Museum with maritime exhibits and a movie "Ellis Island of the West," covering Galveston's history as a major entry point for immigrants entering the United States.

Moody Gardens is an education and entertainment museum complex, featuring 3 large pyramids. The Rainforest Pyramid has vegetation, birds, butterflies and fish from various rainforest habitats. The Aquarium Pyramid contains marine life from 4 of the world's oceans, including penguins and seals. The Discovery Pyramid covers space exploration, with 2 IMAX theater.

GALVESTON EVENTS

Dickens on the Strand is a Christmas season celebration recreating 19th century London with Charles Dickens' characters. Thousands participate wearing 19th Century style clothing, watching performers on 6 stages featuring a variety of acts.

Mardi Gras Galveston is the biggest Mardis Gras celebration in Texas, drawing over 200,000 visitors to the 12 day, 11 night event.

GALVESTON ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS

The Grand 1894 Opera House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Texas Legislature proclaimed The Grand as "The Official Opera House of Texas." The Grand hosts national touring shows and performing arts throughout the year.

Schlitterbahn Galveston Water Park features tube chutes, wave tanks and a large heated section which allows the park to be open thoughout the year. Schlitterbahn Galveston is located near Moody Gardens.

The Treasure Island Tour Train takes you on a 1 3/4 hour, 17 mile narrated tour covering both Old and New Galveston, including the Seawall, the remains of Fort Crockett, pirate Jean Lafitte's home, the Strand, Bishop's Palace, Moody Mansion, the shrimp fleet and dozens of other Galveston points of interest.

The Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry takes you on a 2.7 mile, 18 minute free of charge ferry boat ride crossing the waterway between Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula.

WHERE TO STAY IN GALVESTON

Harbor House is the only hotel of its kind in Galveston due to being built on a pier. Hotel Galvez is Galveston's historic grand hotel. Hotel Galvez is a Wyndam Hotel. You also stay in Galveston at Wyndam's Tremont House Hotel. The San Luis Resort is located on a 22 acre island with balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

Galveston has about a dozen B & B's, most of which are in Victorian Houses, many of which are closed in the Hurricane Ike aftermath, check with the Galveston B & B Association for current Galveston B & B information.

For those looking to stretch their vacation dollars Galveston has most of the "cheap" economical motel chains, including a well regarded La Quinta Inn, on Seawall Boulevard.

To really stretch your vacation dollars with a cheap place to stay, Galveston Island State Park suffered Hurricane Ike damage, but Beachside and Bayside camping is back open.

WHERE TO EAT IN GALVESTON

In Galveston it is likely seafood you will be looking for. You will find a variety of seafood purveyors of various sorts, including popular chains like Joe's Crab Shack (currently closed for remodel) and Landry's. Gaido's has been a Galveston seafood tradition for 4 generations of the Gaido family. At Saltwater Grill you will find some inventive seafood pasta dishes, along with red snapper and crab. Clary's is another good seafood restaurant, but with a Cajun touch. Go to Shrimp 'n' Stuff for good seafood at a good price. You will find non-seafood items on the menus at the predominately seafood restaurants, but if it is steak you must have, thought to be the best in Galveston, is to be had at The Steakhouse in the San Luis Resort.

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