Discover the most popular museums in Galveston, TX and experience the rich history of Texas artifacts, documents, memorabilia, artwork, and more.
Galveston's early days are peppered with characters such as explorer, Cabeza de Vaca and infamous pirate, Jean Lafitte along with a robust history of immigration (Galveston was once the second-largest immigration station in the country behind Ellis Island).
During the mid-nineteenth century, Galveston emerged as an international city, with migrants coming from around the world. Its port bustled, becoming one of the busiest in the nation and leading the world in cotton exports. Galveston Historic Seaport showcases that history.
What’s more, the museum is also home to the tall ship, ELISSA. The ELISSA is a Floating National Landmark and one of America’s Treasurers, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. When guests visit the museum, they can explore the decks of the floating landmark and imagine a time when such ships dominated the world’s oceans.
Taking guests back to a time when the world traveled by rail, the Galveston Railroad Museum is dedicated to preserving the past. In the permanent exhibits, visitors can explore steam engines, locomotives, passenger cars (including dining and sleeping cars), freight cars, and so much more. The museum also features a recreation of the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Depot with thirty-one plaster statues in early 1930s dress, each statue telling a story of Galveston railroading history.
Feeling artsy? The Galveston Arts Center, located on the Strand, supports contemporary visual art through exhibitions and a variety of educational events. The center offers a number of rotating exhibits throughout the year, plus educational opportunities such as printmaking workshops, art clubs for kids and teens, and access to its ceramics studio. The center also hosts regular Art Walks. Guests can explore downtown Galveston and enjoy one-of-a-kind art while visiting studio spaces, local businesses, and other non-profit art spaces.
