First Time out of Galveston

[Ready 2 Go]

I'm thinking about the Galveston Duck Tours....does anyone have any feedback on this one??

[ssb]

If you end up renting a car one to galveston make sure you take the kids on the ferry. they will think it is neat driving your car out on a boat. you will need to stop by a store and get them a cheap box of crackers though. they can go to the back of the ferry and feed the sea gulls. they will eat right out of your hand. our kids loved it.

 

Yes the best free ferry cruise out of Galveston!

A fun family event!

[ssb]

I'm thinking about the Galveston Duck Tours....does anyone have any feedback on this one??

 

I personally have never riden on it!

But it is a busy attraction

that seems to stay busy and includes a long tour of Galveston

and the water amphibious ride for a street vehicle!

We live here and have never heard anthing bad about it.

 

 

Houston Map PDF

Download Houston-area map in PDF Format:

Houston Metro

 

Galveston Island Map PDF

Download Galveston-area map in PDF Format (note: this is a large, 11' wide, print-quality map, so please be patient):

Galveston (B&W)

Galveston (Color Hi-Resolution)

 

 

There are special events in Galveston area

almost every weekend

See:

www.galveston.com (what to do)(calendar of events)

.......... put in your vacation calendar dates

Also Sign up on galveston.com for email of weekly events

see also:

www.galvestonhistory.org---------Galveston Historical Foundation !!!!!!

www.moodygardens.com ------ just look at site !!!!!!

www.thegrand.com – 1894 Grand Opera House !!!!!!

 

Clearlake:

Nasa Space Center

Kemah board walk – www.kemahboardwalk.com

Galveston:

Beaches Beaches Beaches

Old town Galveston *- Strand To Post Office Street

...lots of womens clothing shopping, ice cream shops,

....old army surplus store, nautical shop, restaurants ,

....Antiques, Shops, Bakery and Coffee shop

Wineries and wine festivals

Restaurants overlooking gulf and on port

Old Ice Cream Parlor - LaKings Confectionary (The Strand) Must

Two first class convention centers

Many live theater venues

Many live music venues

Free concert nights - old town Galveston - on strand

Free film nights -old town Galveston *- on strand

Free band nights-“family/kids”

...... oriented-summer outdoor Tuesdays 24th & Sealy

1894 Grand Opera House *

.....a must see tour, and/or performances of many types

Chess park

Artist festivals

Museums

Antique stores and art Galleries

Horse drawn carriage rides

Swimming in Gulf

Fine restaurants

Night scene

Pleasure Pier

Free ferry ride and short cruise to Bolivar

Duck tour (amphibious boat)

Dolphin watching and port water tours

Turtle rescue farm behind San Luis Resort and at Texas A&M

Galveston Historical Foundation properties*

Many Historical and Victorian homes

....Galveston has second largest preservation membership in United States

Wooden Carved Trees Tour (wonderful)

Bishops Palace (wonderful) Must See

Moody mansion(wonderful) Must See

Ashton villa (wonderful) Must See

Moody gardens *

.....(lots lots lots to do) massive, fun and family oriented

Schlitterbahn water park www.schlitterbahn.com/gal Fun fun fun

Restored tall ship schooner Elisa www.tsm-elissa.org (wonderful)

1900 storm and Pirate Jean Laffite documentary films at port

Pirates Store and programs - Old town Strand (Neat for the Kids)

Maritime museum- www.tsm-elissa.org

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

Railroad museum - rrmuseum.com

Oil drilling rig museum - www.oceanstaroec.com

Sea wolf park – WWII submarine and destroyer - www.cavalla.org

Large souvenir shop over gulf water - Murdochs

Walks and shelling on the beach

Cruise ships (RCCL, Carnival, Princess, Disney)

Fishing (piers, wadefishing and charters-offshore & inshore)

Golfing

Skateboard park - large

Kayaking trails

Surfing and children surf camps

Kite flying on beach

Marine life and children marine care educational camps at Moody Gardens

Marine life and children marine camps at Texas AM University - Sea Camp Programs

Various Running events with major Triathlon event

Sand castle building event

Shopping shopping shopping

Galveston.com/ interact and discover/cams

 

Many major weekly events and festivals not mentioned

as example :

Spring Break Events

Confederate Reenactment

Sanctioned and Fun Runs(some large)

Triathlon Events -Large

Art Walk (every 5 or so weeks year around) a must

Dickens on Strand (Dec) ----LARGE - www.dickensonthestrand.com

Lone Star Motorcycle Rally (Nov) ---LARGE - www.lonestarrally.com

Mardi Gras Galveston (Feb) ----LARGE- www.mardigrasgalveston.com

October Fest

Beer Fests

Wine Events and Fests

Greek Fest

Epicurean Evening of all restaurants

Shrimp Fest

Yega’s Wild Game Cook Off large

County Fair - LARGE

Children’s Fest - Large

Feather Fest and Seminars- Large

Old Timey Bathing Beauty Fest

And many many more !!

 

Remember just in case!!!!!

Trauma 1 - Emergency Hospital on Island

University Texas Medical Branch/Sealy Hospital

[Chmie]

I love these informative posts about Galveston.

We are driving into Galveston to spend a few nites at the Hotel Galvez prior to our cruise and are looking for things to see and do. The area looks very interesting and these threads provide info on places of interest.

Keep em coming. :)

[nonna5]

The ferry ride is a great way to take a free ride but I would not drive across. I would park my car in the ferry parking lot and walk across. The ferry line can be very long - especially in the summer. My daughter has a place on the Bolivar side and it is not uncommon to have an hour long wait in the ferry line. Make sure when you do ride the ferry to look for the dolphins. You almost always see them when crossing. The ride takes about 15-20 minutes each way. It is one of the best free things to do.

[ooulio]

We loved Z Limo. You will have no problems. San Luis resort still has a free shuttle. It will come from next door at the Hilton. It is free. You just tip them. It is a really nice shuttle. Driver was good. Rainforest Cafe is 2 minutes next door. They also have a ride . Great hamburgers too. IHOP is also next door and another one in front. Steak place inside the hotel too. Pool is beautiful. If you walk past IHOP about 4 minutes, there is a food store for snacks. We loved the area. We caught plenty of beads too from the parade in Feb. Magic is the best ship we have been on. Water slide is cool. Make sure you try the Italian Specialty one too. Free for lunch. Steak house on ship was really good. they also have a big candy store too.

[live2cruise2011]

Hi yes welcome to Galveston. it is a nice little island.. most of the hotels if not walking distance have shuttles to the cruise port. Hotel Galvez is a nice choice as is right on the beach.. another option is Inn at the waterpark. we got it for May and was a lot cheaper.. booking through them was able to get the room for 57 plus tax. free mini golf and other activities. not sure what else is around there but schlitterbahn.. we cruise may 13 so i will take pics and e mail them if you would like.. but this way would be more feasible if wanted 2 rooms one for you guys and one for kids.. was my thinking.. cause when we stayed at Galvez we paid 249 a night.. ouch.. just my thinking.. some think that is cheap.. lol hope you enjoy your cruise..

 

cheryl

[midmeadow]

I'm sailing out of Galveston next February. I'm wondering what time I should book my return flight home. I can do self assist debarkation and plan to fly out of IAH. Any thoughts?

[ssb]

Hi yes welcome to Galveston. it is a nice little island.. most of the hotels if not walking distance have shuttles to the cruise port. Hotel Galvez is a nice choice as is right on the beach.. another option is Inn at the waterpark. we got it for May and was a lot cheaper.. booking through them was able to get the room for 57 plus tax. free mini golf and other activities. not sure what else is around there but schlitterbahn.. we cruise may 13 so i will take pics and e mail them if you would like.. but this way would be more feasible if wanted 2 rooms one for you guys and one for kids.. was my thinking.. cause when we stayed at Galvez we paid 249 a night.. ouch.. just my thinking.. some think that is cheap.. lol hope you enjoy your cruise..

 

cheryl

 

Moody gardens and Moody gardens hotel is also right next door,

And Lone star flight museum in addition to schlitterbahn!

Lots to do there, you would need at least two or more days right there.