Things to Do and See in Galveston, Texas

Rumor has it that this oceanfront hotel is haunted by a ghost bride. Like much of Galveston, there’s more to Hotel Galvez than meets the eye. Legend has it that a seaman’s fiancé was staying in room 501 when she heard his ship had sunk and took her own life. Now she haunts the halls, especially during the October Ghost Tours. Take the tour if you dare, or, alternatively, relax and have a cocktail.

The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier features family-oriented attractions including rides, midway games, a wide selection of food venues and retail shops. As one of the few spots in the world that boasts many rides suspended over the water, the Pleasure Pier is a truly unforgettable experience and certainly not to be missed. It offers bundle rates that fit your budget, with bundles of guilt-free fun guaranteed.

The Strand is located in Galveston’s historical downtown district. With an array of intriguing shops, galleries and museums, this is where you can get some of the most eccentric souvenirs. The old-fashioned candy parlor is a great place to visit if you have a sweet tooth. Take some time to enjoy the variety of shops in the district’s beautiful buildings, many of which survived the 1900 Galveston hurricane, regarded as the deadliest natural disaster in US history.

This unique and fun minigolf park will get you active and having fun. Right on the Seawall, you can enjoy 36 holes over two courses of minigolf with a colorful setting and a cool ocean breeze. The imaginative and original course provides guaranteed fun for friends and family. A giant snake, a mushroom, a piece of Swiss cheese and a cannon shooting into a castle are just a few of the holes. Be sure to bring cash as they don’t take credit cards.

If you’re hungry, stop by Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar for an authentic bowl of dark gumbo and fried pickles. Little Daddy’s is a unique dining concept created by the Galveston Restaurant Group, bringing expertise in steam kettle cooking with offerings such as traditional gumbo and seafood stews. Galveston has plenty of New Orleans flare to it, so take advantage of the Gulf Coast Cajun cuisine.