Escape to island time with our 3-day itinerary for a blissful getaway in Galveston, Texas, filled with leisurely activities and unforgettable experiences.
Walk along Galveston’s sun-kissed beaches, catch beads at a seasonal Mardi Gras parade, visit museums and cultural attractions, and relish the coastal magnificence. With so much to do, don’t limit the fun!
Kick off your three-day adventure in Galveston with a morning at Moody Gardens, a must-see attraction known for its iconic pyramids. Start with the Aquarium Pyramid, one of the premier aquariums in the country, featuring aquatic wildlife from around the globe. Next, explore the Rainforest Pyramid, where an elevated boardwalk places you in the middle of a lush, nature-filled tree canopy. The Discovery Museum rounds out the trio with changing exhibits of the natural world.
For even more fun within Moody Gardens, enjoy a cruise on “The Colonel,” stimulate your senses in an action-packed 4D theater show, or enjoy the resort’s golf course, spa, and restaurants.
Spend the afternoon soaking up the sun on Galveston’s famous beaches. Keep it old school with a book and a beach umbrella, or embrace something new, like sandcastle-building lessons or a guided beach horseback ride. With 32 miles of beaches to choose from, there’s a sandy spot to suit your style. Stewart Beach and East Beach are Galveston’s top beach parks to visit, offering amenities you won’t find anywhere else.
Of course, don’t miss the beaches along the historic Galveston Seawall, built after the infamous 1900 hurricane and home to the longest continuous sidewalk in the US. Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from a friendly beach merchant or charter a fishing trip for an afternoon of reeling in catches. In Galveston, life really is a beach.
Sun and sand are sure to make you hungry, so satisfy your appetite at Pier 21, a waterfront entertainment and dining area in the Historic Galveston Seaport area. Waterfront restaurants like Katie’s Seafood House, Fisherman’s Wharf and Willie G’s make it possible to watch the sunset and enjoy a fantastic, fresh seafood dinner outdoors overlooking the Galveston Harbor.
Galveston is known for fabulous beaches and unique island culture, but it’s also home to a second-to-none historic downtown district filled with eclectic shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. Vibrant energy spills out from various establishments as you stroll along the brick-lined sidewalks of The Strand: downtown Galveston’s main shopping district. A bounty of boutiques, cafes, eateries, and historical sites will keep you busy.
Discover downtown Galveston, TX, and its historic architecture, family attractions, local restaurants, art galleries, performance venues, and more.
While in Downtown Galveston, learn more about one of the city’s place in history as the birthplace of Juneteenth. In 1865, two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, federal troops arrived in Galveston to announce that enslaved people had been freed. Find out more about this momentous event on the self-guided Freedom Walk Tour, complete with a downloadable audio tour. The walk features five powerful stops, including a waterfront location where slaves arrived from the Middle Passage, the Absolute Equality mural, and more.
Absolute Equality Mural
Grab lunch at one of the many downtown restaurants, then plan to spend your afternoon at the Bryan Museum, one of several Galveston cultural sites.
The Bryan Museum captures the mystery and lore of the Lone Star State with one of the largest collections of documents, artifacts, and artwork related to old Texas and the American West. Visitors of all ages get a kick out of exhibits that go back 12,000 years and include Native American artifacts and arrowheads, as well as saddles, spurs, firearms, and more.
A trip to Galveston isn’t complete without catching a show at luminous The Grand 1894 Opera House, a Romanesque structure in downtown Galveston that features a wide variety of live music and theater performances. Enjoy fabulous acoustics, intricate interior design and amazing views.
The beach at sunrise offers a private slice of paradise, so start your day watching the sun rise over the Gulf of Mexico while waves gently lap the shore. Then, head for breakfast at popular spots like the Mosquito Café, known for its eclectic international menu, or the Gumbo Diner, a tasty source of belly-warming chicken and waffles and Southern breakfast staples.
Spend the afternoon getting familiar with Galveston’s fascinating military history at the Galveston Naval Museum at Seawolf Park, where you can tour the World War II era USS Cavalla submarine, which sank a Japanese aircraft carrier responsible for attacking Pearl Harbor, and the USS Stewart, the only Edsall-class destroyer escort preserved in the U.S.
For your final evening, get to know Galveston’s supernatural side with a ghost tour at the Grand Galvez. The city of Galveston is considered one of America’s most popular cities for haunted tours, with all sorts of experiences to satisfy your need for thrills and chills. The hotel’s ghost tours take place year-round and have been known to include sightings of apparitions along the way, especially in the hotel’s particularly haunted Room 501.
Packed with adventures, great food, entertainment, and natural beauty, Galveston is the perfect place to enjoy an action-packed three-day trip. Visit Galveston
today and relax on island time.
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Where the Texas Coast begins.
Author
Visit Galveston
Visit Galveston is the official destination marketing organization for Galveston Island, Texas.
