Historic Galveston has numerous places to see and things to do. If you’re from out of town, folks usually fly into Houston. From there they take a bus (cheaper) or rent a car (more expensive). Galveston is a vet walkable city, so you might want to look into a Galveston Island charter bus service.
History of Galveston, TExas
Long before there was a city of Houston, there was the port city of Galveston. It is an island city, separated from the Texas mainland by a series of bays. The city was chartered in 1839. Galveston was the gateway to the southwest in the 19th century. Its run as a boom-time city ended abruptly, in the Great Hurricane of 1900 when 6,000 people lost their lives and an additional 8,000 were left with no place to live. Because of this disaster, a seawall was constructed to protect the city from further tropical mayhem. Still a viable port city, its economy at present is supported by commerce, tourism, and medical facilities.
Things To Do in Galveston
One of the main attractions of Galveston is the beach. Because of the year-round warm climate, going to the beach is always popular and fashionable. Walking or biking along the 10-mile-long Galveston Seawall provides a perfect view of the beach and the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to the water, there are numerous other nifty places to check out:
- Moody Gardens.A beautiful destination with glass pyramids, animals, birds, fish, and other natural wonders.
- Galveston Island State Park. Full of trails, beach and bay access, kayak launching, and fishing spots.
- Bird Watching.Especially in winter-time, Galveston is home to many species.
- The Strand District.This is the old commercial part of the city, with wonderful architecture.
- Texas Seaport Museum. Home to the Elissa, an antique sailing vessel.
- Bishops Palace.Built in 1892, this incredible piece of architecture was home to the Catholic bishop.
Have a great time exploring!
