Things to Do in Galveston and the Gulf Coast
A Victorian island city with a cruise port, and miles of quiet beaches farther south.
See top-rated activities »About the Gulf Coast
Galveston is an island city about an hour south of downtown Houston, and in the late 1800s it was the richest city in Texas and one of the busiest ports in the country. The hurricane of 1900, still the deadliest natural disaster in American history, ended that era, and the city responded by building a 17-foot seawall and raising the grade of the whole island. The seawall now carries a 10-mile boulevard along the beach, and the old commercial district, the Strand, is lined with restored iron-front buildings full of shops, candy stores and restaurants.
The East End and Silk Stocking historic districts hold some of the finest Victorian houses in the South, and three of the grandest are open to visitors: Bishop's Palace, Moody Mansion and Ashton Villa. On the harbor, the Texas Seaport Museum is home to the 1877 tall ship Elissa, which still sails. Galveston is also where, on June 19, 1865, Union troops announced the end of slavery in Texas, the event now remembered nationally as Juneteenth.
For families, Moody Gardens has three glass pyramids holding an aquarium, a rainforest and a science center, and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier extends over the Gulf with rides, games and a roller coaster. Galveston is also one of the busiest cruise ports in the United States, with year-round sailings to the Western Caribbean and Mexico; if you are boarding a ship, a night or two on the island before departure is an easy way to see it. Our sister site on Western Caribbean cruises covers the ports those ships visit.
Farther down the coast, Corpus Christi has a bayfront walk, the Texas State Aquarium and the aircraft carrier USS Lexington, now a museum. Across the causeway, Padre Island National Seashore protects about 70 miles of undeveloped beach and dunes, where volunteers release hatchling Kemp's ridley sea turtles in summer. At the southern tip of the state, South Padre Island is the coast's busiest resort town, known for spring break and for clear water good for fishing and windsurfing.
Don’t Miss
Restored 19th-century commercial buildings with shops, restaurants and the Mardi Gras museum.
Aquarium, rainforest and discovery pyramids, plus a paddlewheel boat and seasonal light shows.
Rides, games and a roller coaster on a pier over the Gulf.
A grand 1890s stone mansion and an 1877 tall ship, both run by the Galveston Historical Foundation.
Home port for year-round sailings to the Western Caribbean and Mexico.
A World War II aircraft carrier with restored aircraft on its flight deck.
Long, empty beaches, dunes and summer sea turtle hatchling releases.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in the Gulf Coast
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. See & Do Texas may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »the Gulf Coast — FAQ
Where do cruises leave from in Galveston?
From the cruise terminals at the Port of Galveston on the harbor side of the island, near the Strand. Parking is available at the port and at private lots nearby.
Is Galveston a good day trip from Houston?
Yes. It is about an hour by car, and you can combine the Strand, the seawall beaches and Moody Gardens in a day. Add Space Center Houston or Kemah on the way.
When can I see sea turtle releases on Padre Island?
Hatchling releases usually happen in June, July and August. The National Seashore posts release information on its website and hotline.
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