ATTRACTIONS

Amusements

• IMAX Ridefilm
  1 Hope Boulevard • Galveston, TX 77554
  Enjoy an incredible experience on this 18 passenger ride that is surrounded by a seamless spherically-curved, wraparound screen that takes you at warp speed through a variety of wonders and high quality images.  map

• Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark
  2026 Lockheed Street • Galveston, TX 77554
  409-770-WAVE
  The Wasserfest is 70,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor convertible area offering more than a dozen heated waterpark attractions. This portion of the park operates year-round and includes tube slides, speed slides, children's activity areas, a secluded beach, hot tub, and the Torrent Tidal Wave River. The Surfenburg area offers 16 water attractions, including uphill water coasters, a wave lagoon, beaches, body slides, the Tiki Tikes kids’ area, Boogie Bahn surf ride, family raft rides, and three different rivers that all connect to form the park’s Transportainment™ system. more...  map

Historic Homes & Buildings

• Ashton Villa (circa 1859)
  2328 Broadway • Galveston, TX 77551
  409-762-3933
  This gracious Italiante mansion was built during Galveston's reign as the leading seaport of the Southwest. It was the first of Galveston's Broadway mansions and is filled with antiques, heirlooms, and original artwork. The home also contains a visitors center with informational brochures.  map

• Bishop's Palace (circa 1886)
  1402 Broadway • Galveston, TX 77550
  409-762-2475
  Beautiful example of the attention to detail that was the hallmark of old-time craftsmen abound in Galveston. The house is ranked among the top 100 homes for its architectural significance. Tours are offered every half hour.  map

• Michel B. Menard Home (circa 1838)
  1605 Thirty-Third Street • Galveston, TX 77551
  409-762-3933
  Guided tours are available at this charming Old South, Greek Revival home that was owned by the founders of both Galveston and Houston and features an outstanding collection of Federal and American Empire antiques.  map

• Moody Mansion and Museum (circa 1893)
  2618 Broadway • Galveston, TX 77551
  409-762-7668
  Designed by William H. Tyndall, this limestone and brick mansion is filled with Moody family heirlooms and features coffered ceilings, rare handcarved wood, stained glass, and period decorations in the ballroom that are the same as when Mary Moody made her social debut in 1911.  map

• Powhatan House (circa 1847)
  3427 Avenue O • Galveston, TX 77551
  409-763-0077
  One of the most beautiful Greek Revival homes in Texas, this magnificent house was built by John Seabrook Sydnor, a pioneer merchant and mayor of Galveston, and features numerous period furnishings, art work, and antiques.  map

• Samuel May Williams Home (circa 1839)
  3601 Avenue P • Galveston, TX 77550
  409-765-1839
  One of the oldest houses on the island, it is a prime example of a early 1800's prefabricated house. The home was built in Maine then carefully taken apart and shipped to Galveston where it was reassembled. The house is a mixture of a Creole plantation and New England home.   map

Libraries & Research Centers

• Rosenberg Library
  2310 Avenue I • Galveston, TX 77550
  409-763-8854
  The Rosenberg is the oldest Texas public library in continous operation and one of the oldest in the Southwest.  map

Museums & Galleries

• Galveston County Historical Museum
  2219 Market • Galveston, TX 77553
  409-766-2340
  Housed in a narrow old bank building, the exhibits in this compact museum tell the story of Galveston County, the Civil War Battle of Galveston, and the devastating 1900 hurricane.  map

• Mardi Gras Museum
  2309 Ship's Mechanic Row • Galveston, TX 77551
  409-765-5930
  Focusing on past and present Mardi Gras festivities held in Galveston, this museum features a large array of costumes and historical memorabilia, as well as models of the Street Arches that were created for Mardi Gras.  map

• Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, The
  Pier 19
  409-766-STAR
  Operated by the Offshore Energy Center, visitors to this state-of-the-art facility can step on board this drilling rig and learn how gas and oil are produced offshore. Exhibits on offshore drilling, construction, interactive displays, models, and production marine transportation are located on the three decks.  map

• Railroad Museum
  123 Rosenberg • Galveston, TX 77550
  765-5700
  Located in the old art deco Santa Fe railroad station, two of the museum's prize exhibits are the waiting room, set up with more than 30 life-sized sculptures of travelers frozen in time in the 1930s. The largest collection of vintage railroad locomotives and cars in the Southwest is displayed on the station's tracks.  map

• Texas Aviation Hall of Fame
  2002 Terminal Drive • Galveston, TX 77554
  409-740-7722
  Home to some of the finest restored aircraft and aviation exhibits in the world. There are more than 40 aircrafts on display.  map

• Texas Seaport Museum and Elissa
  Pier 21 at Harborside Drive
  409-763-1877
  This museum is home of the celebrated 1877 tall ship Elissa. Visitors can explore the ship and find out what is was like to be onboard. There is a theatre adjacent that shows a very informative film about the career of the Elissa.  map

Parks, Gardens & Zoos

• East Beach/R.A. Apffel Park
  Seawall & Boddeker Drive
  409-762-3278
  Bird watchers will enjoy catching glimpses of their favorite birds at this park that features an outdoor pavilion, game room, volleyball courts, an outdoor bar, a snack bar, and a gift shop. Live music and concerts are held here on most weekends during the summer.

• Seawolf Park
  Pelican Island via Seawolf Parkway
  409-744-5738
  Built on an immigration station site, this park features a three story pavilion, picnic sites, a playground area, a lighted fishing pier, the USS Cavalla, a World War II Submarine, and the USS Stewart, one of only three destroyer escorts in the world.  map

• Stewart Beach Park & Recreation Area
  Sixth & Seawall
  409-765-5023
  One of the premier family beach parks in Galveston, Stewart Beach features a children's playground, outdoor pavilion, volleyball courts, a live size human maze, miniature golf course, and a souvenir shop. Umbrella and chair rentals are available.  map

Tours & Cruises

• Galveston Island Tours and Destination Services
  2021 Historic Strand, Suite 2 • Galveston, TX 77550
  Located on the Historic Downtown Strand
  409-765-8687
  The premier Destination Management Services Company on Galveston Island. They handle group accommodations, transportation, activities, meals, and unique venues for cruise ship visitors, corporations, conventions, church, school and family events.  more...  map

• Christmas Traditions
  2618 Broadway • Galveston, TX 76102
  Moody Mansion
  409-762-7668
  This holiday tour and exhibit focuses on the holiday traditions of the Moody family--- but, it is certain that the spirits will be good and the mood pleasant! Decorated Thanksgiving weekend through January 7th. more...  map

• Colonel Paddlewheeler
  Docked at Moody Gardens
  888-740-7797
  Actually a floating period museum built in Mississippi for the non-profit Moody Foundation as a cost of $3 milion, this authentic reproduction of an 1860's stern wheeler is named in honor of Colones W. L. Moody, a Virginian who came to Texas in 1854 to practice law. more...  map

• Galveston Duck Tours
  21st Street & Seawall Boulevard
  409-621-4771
  This 90 minute family fun tour features humorous yet informative information by experienced captains and takes you through The Strand, Offats Bayou, and the Historical District in a special vehicle that travels on both land and water.

• Galveston Historical Foundation Tour Service
  2016 Strand • Galveston, TX 77553
  409-765-7834
  Now that the members of the foundation have helped save much of historic Galveston, they welcome the opportunity to show visitors around. more...  map

• Island Carriages
  2140 Broadway • Galveston, TX 77551
  409-765-6951
  Enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride that will guide along Galveston's East End Historical District, as well as The Strand, Galveston's Historic Landmark District. Carriage services are also available for weddings, anniversaries, and other special occasions.  map

• Treasure Island Tour Train
  Departs from Moody Civic Center, Sewall & 21st St • Galveston, TX 77550
  A pink-awninged, open-air rain carries up to 64 passengers on a leisurely 17-mile narrated trip that takes about an hour-and--half to cover the high-lights of both old and new Galveston.  map