Galveston Island Links
Fun activities on Galveston Island:
Free Parking at Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn Waterpark
At any tourist destination, parking can be a pain. But Galveston is an exception! Adventure resort Moody Gardens and family fun paradise Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark both offer visitors free parking. For more information on these attractions, visit www.moodygardens.org and http://schlitterbahn.com/gal.
Galveston Tree Sculpture Tour
After Hurricane Ike, optimistic island residents worked with area sculptors to transform damaged oak trees into breathtaking tree sculptures that are now the focus of the Galveston Tree Sculptures Tour. The 30-plus sculptures are tucked into gardens and nestled in side yards throughout the island’s East End Historic District for the public to enjoy and find. Click here for an interactive tour and downloadable map.
Visit Galveston Museums
Galveston is home to many affordable museums that highlight science as well as Galveston’s unique history. A new pirate museum, Pirates! Legends of the Gulf Coast, recently opened on the Strand. Downtown is also home to the Galveston Railroad Museum, Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum, Pier 21 Theater, Texas Seaport Museum and the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA. These museums range in price from $2 to $8. The nearby Rosenberg Library Museum on Sealy Street is free!
Stroll the Strand
The downtown area offers an intriguing selection of shops, restaurants, galleries and museums within a perfect radius for self-guided tours. The Victorian architecture of Strand Street, widely known as The Strand, makes for a charming stroll. Saegnerfest Park at 23rd and Strand is a free family park home to a life-size chessboard and is often home to live entertainment. Be sure to also check out the art galleries and shops found on Postoffice Street. Check out current downtown events by clicking here.
Enjoy Seawall Beach
Galveston has the longest continuous sidewalk in America on its beachfront Seawall Boulevard, making room for a wide variety of free outdoor activities. Enjoy the beach by swimming or playing beach volleyball or hit the pavement for biking or running. Watching a breath-taking sunrise or sunset on the Seawall is priceless. Take a look at a few Galveston beach scenes provided by Galveston visitors in our Instagram section. Share your own beach Instagrams by tagging your photos with #GalvestonBeach.
Galveston Island State Park
The Galveston Island State Park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities that are free to participate in. While each person must pay a $5 parking charge to get into the park, families can enjoy kayak tours, beach and surf explorations, bird walks, nature field trips and fishing clinics at no cost. Many activities require advance sign-up. The park’s Nature Center is open on Saturdays and Sundays March through November showing nature displays and videos pertaining to the park’s plant and marine life. For more information, visit www.fogisp.org.
Birding 101
Galveston is one of the top locations for birding in the United States with more than 300 species of birds that migrate through the island during spring and fall migrations. This free birding brochure will guide you to the island’s nature hotspots. Moody Gardens and the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council host a series of free “Birding 101” classes to educate and excite people about the bird life on the island. For more information, visit www.moodygardens.org.
Fishing in Galveston
In Galveston, anyone with a Texas fishing license can fish for free! From beachfront fishing to offshore overnight fishing, you can enjoy a variety of fishing on this island. Don’t forget to bring your catch to local restaurants. Many will turn your fresh catch to an unforgettable dinner. For more information, please click here.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
The historic Pleasure Pier is roughly 14 blocks walking distance from the Hotel Galvez.