Discover the Island vibe with a deep dive into history, shopping and more of the 10 best reasons to visit Galveston Island in 2021.
Although Galveston is a terrific escape for some breezy relaxation, it’s also much more than a beachy getaway. The Island is teeming with fun and exciting ways to discover its history, sample its local flavor, and enjoy the outdoor (and indoor) comforts of one of the region’s oldest towns.
No matter if you’re planning an afternoon, an overnight stay or an extended getaway, Galveston has many things to pack your plans and send you home with enduring memories.
Scroll down to check out just a few of the reasons your next adventure awaits in Galveston, and take a deeper dive into the 10 best reasons to head down island.
Step into History
Whether you’re a seasoned history buff or a budding enthusiast just setting out on a path through the past, Galveston contains many traces of its deeply rooted history, including a myriad of historically significant buildings and sites across the Island.
Here, you’ll find places once frequented by pirates, a far-reaching record of refugees that found relief on the Island’s shores, and the tragic and sometimes unbelievable stories that emerged from The Great Storm of 1900—a natural catastrophe that devastated the Gulf-side community.
Many of the Island’s most prominent residences to survive that storm, rich in their intricate detail and ornate architecture, remain standing and available for the public to tour thanks to the extensive conservation efforts of the Galveston Historical Society.
Shop & Support Like a Local
From the Historic Strand District in Downtown to the seawall and beyond, Galveston is loaded with shops, boutiques and small businesses that offer a distinct local flavor and unique experiences.
Take a stroll through The Strand and Postoffice Street to discover chic fashions at shops like The Style Co., stimulating puzzles and games for kids from Play on The Strand, and beautiful gifts for friends and family from the upscale Strand Brass to the unusual finds at Hendley Market Trading Company.
Click here to dive into a deep guide on shops, boutiques and local businesses in Galveston.
Outdoors, Tours & More
Stretching along the coast for more than thirty miles, Galveston is outlined by sandy beaches swept by the sea breeze of incoming waves, making for an enticing outdoor getaway. But the Island is much more than unwinding with the tide, and visitors can enlist the help of a local to better explore what else is on offer throughout the Galveston community.
Tours are a great way to see the sites across the Island, whether you’re leaning on a Segway through Downtown and along the seawall, putting paddle to water while exploring the bay with Artist Boat Kayak Adventures, or hopping aboard a vessel to reel in the day’s catch or catch glimpses of friendly neighborhood dolphins.
And when you’re ready to head indoors, Galveston’s array of extraordinary museums and exhibitions can help visitors feel the pulse of the Island, through the historic trains on view at Galveston Railroad Museum, the immersive wildlife of the Moody Gardens pyramids, the tales of the American West on display at The Bryan Museum, and aboard the decks of the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa, one of the oldest sailing ships in the world.
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