Dallas to Galveston

I agree with all of the wonderful tips you've gotten. We met a couple from Australia & their 2 children at Grand Canyon 5 or 6 years ago. We had so much fun together and 3 years ago, they flew into Dallas, rented a car and drove to San Antonio and from here to Houston finally ending up in DC. Well, anyway, I just had to laugh because I also told them "you've got to stop at Buc-ees, exit 632 between San Antonio and Houston on Int. 10. Unfortunately, there are no rental car agencies in Galveston so you'll have to park for a week at your hotel or at one of the cruise port lots. The EZ Cruise parking lot is much more convenient for Royal Caribbean cruises. A few weeks ago we used Park N Cruise which is across from the Carnival pier, not RCI. And, yes, in January/February we do have ice storms. A number of years ago, we had to cancel our Oasis Feb. 5th cruise because the airports in San Antonio & Houston were closed due to ice as were the roads. The suggestion to stick to light fail all of the way was a good one.

Thanks again for the tips and suggestions. As always, too much to fit in to the time available but this is what I've worked out based on the suggestions (and reading about railfan hotspots):

Wed-Sat in Dallas (including Christmas Day). Still haven't found a Christmas Day venue but my daughter (who'll be flying in from San Francisco to meet me) is working on that!

Sun: pick up rental car from DFW. Saginaw, TX, has been recommended as a place to get my fix for watching trains. (Same with Dayton, TX, later in the trip - after the cruise).

Mon-Tue: drive to New Bauenfels where I've booked three nights so would be in the area Wed-Thur (NYE and New Year's Day). Is New Year's Day a public holiday in Texas?

Fri: drive to Galveston then two nights (Fri-Sat) in Galveston before embarking on cruise. Have booked a hotel that offers free parking while you are on the boat.

I think I'll have to be pretty selective - doing a selected number of things with sufficient time rather than rushing around trying to do too many things?

On the return we get off the ship on Sunday morning and have to return the car at DFW on the Tuesday evening.

Houston is the one place that won't get too much attention but I do hope to ride the light rail (I've mentioned above I'm a bit of a transit buff) so that might give me brief overview of the area?

Thanks for previous tips and any further suggestions in the context of what I've outlined above would be most appreciated.

Regards from Paul in Australia.

Houston is the one place that won't get too much attention but I do hope to ride the light rail (I've mentioned above I'm a bit of a transit buff) so that might give me brief overview of the area?

I would recommend that you park at the southernmost stop and take the train as far as downtown then turn around and head back. After downtown there really isn't much to see. Also, if you wanted to get off and walk around once you reach downtown, that area is in the Theater District. The Downtown Aquarium and Hard Rock Cafe are located there.

Alternatively, you could just go as far as Hermann park. Plenty to do there including the Houston Zoo and the Museum of Natural Science.

http://www.ridemetro.org/SchedulesMaps/RailSched.aspx

There are two more lines opening, but not sure when. They were supposed to be opening in December, but have been pushed back to an unspecified date.

Yes, New Year's Day is a holiday. It's devoted to recovering from the night before and watching football (US style :D) on television!

New Braunfels is more of a summer destination but it's nice. Downtown is fun to walk around with all the shops and there are a couple of great German restaurants. If you are staying at the Faust Hotel they have a great brew pub on site.

Gruene Hall isn't too far away if you like live music. They'll definitely have a New Years party. It's a true Texas Honky Tonk! Or if you head to San Marcos Cheatham St Warehouse is a good visit, it's where George Strait got his start. I mean it's not nice inside at all but it's very historic and they have great beer.

Yes, New Year's Day is a holiday. It's devoted to recovering from the night before and watching football (US style :D) on television!

Howdy from another Texan!

And don't forget the traditional eating of black-eyed peas and cabbage for good luck and money to come your way in the new year!

Kat

I just found this myself the other day...if you are interested in trains.

http://www.museumoftheamericanrailroad.org

It is in Frisco TX (in the Dallas area) and it is a train museum. I'm trying to figure out when I can slide up to Dallas for a few days and check it out myself. (Might tie it in with a hockey game.)

If this was already mentioned, sorry. I didn't feel like digging through old posts.

Railroad Museum in Galveston

Galveston Railroad Museum i

boasts one of the largest restored railroad collections in the southwest,

and one of the five largest in the country, with numerous railroad memorabilia and exhibits, including more than 40 pieces of locomotives and rolling stock. South East Texas' most popular railroad museum, there is something here for everyone!

Throughout the year, experience lavishly restored trains, engaging exhibits, and unique special events. Most Saturdays, the Museum offers rides aboard the "Harborside Express" train between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. boarding every 20 minutes.

Galveston

http://www.cavalla.org

Seawolf Park is home to the

.WWII submarine the USS Cavalla,

and one of only three destroyer escorts in the world, the USS Stewart.

The remains of the WWI tanker S.S. Selma, the largest concrete ship constructed, can be seen northwest of the park's fishing pier.

galvestonhistory.org

Texas Seaport Museum

Elissa - Official Tall Ship of Texas www.tsm-elissa.org

Dolphin Watching and Port Water Tour

Historical Short Films:

. Pirate Jean Lafitte

. Galveston Immigration "The Ellis Island of the West."

. 1900 Storm

Bishops Palace

www.galvestonislandtours.com- Historical Island Tour of Galveston Historical Foundation

www.lsfm.org- Airplane museum (Lone Star Flight Museum)

http://www.galvestonrrmuseum.com - Railroad museum

www.oceanstaroec.com - Oil drilling rig museum

San Antonio

Missions in San Antonio (especially the Alamo)

River Walk

Gruene Texas

Houston to Galveston

Museum District Houston

The San Jacinto Monument and Battlefield,

Battleship at San Jacinto

Johnson Space Center

Boardwalk Kemah

Galveston

Pleasure Pier

Moody Gardens

1894 Grand Opera House tour ...... and theater performances

32 miles of beach

Old Town - Strand District

Galveston Historical Foundation Properties

Nature Tourism

galveston.com

There is also a railroad museum in New Braunfels. Well it's really just a caboose and a dining car and then a few models but it is technically a museum.

While in the Dallas area there is a steam train that runs from Grapevine to the FW stockyards regularly.

http://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/grapevine-vintage-railroad/