Galveston, Texas, Is a Beach Destination Packed With Culture and History — How to Visit

For decades, Galveston has been attracting tourists with its beaches, historical treasures, and fresh coastal cuisine. About an hour's drive southeast of Houston, the island city is a tried-and-true Texas vacation destination with a great deal to discover beneath its surface.

Galveston has a rich history. It's the birthplace of Juneteenth, now a national holiday, and is filled with mystery, ghost stories, and pirate legends. The island was once a central port for immigration and the location of the Great Storm of 1900 — one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.

Nowadays, Galveston is a popular beach getaway and port city, with hundreds of cruise ships departing for destinations like the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Mexico every year.

Things to Do in Galveston

Learn about Galveston's role in the history of U.S. immigration.

Though Ellis Island and Angel Island are mainly credited as the primary U.S. immigration ports of the 19th and 20th centuries, Galveston played an important role, too. Referred to as the “forgotten gateway,” it predated the others and was the arrival point for an estimated 750,000 immigrants, including a significant number of Jewish people from Eastern Europe, between the 1830s and the 1920s.

You can learn more about this important chapter in Texas and American history by visiting an interactive exhibit at the Galveston Historic Seaport. “Ship to Shore” offers a glimpse into the journey immigrants took to America, with immersive experiences based on true stories.

Celebrate Juneteenth where it began.

Continue your historical journey by deepening your knowledge of Juneteenth in Galveston, the site of U.S. Major General Gordon Granger’s famous proclamation announcing the end of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865 (two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued).

Visit Galveston offers a self-guided Freedom Walk Tour on its website and app. It highlights various points of interest, including the spot where Granger read General Order No. 3. You can also visit an exhibit called “And Still We Rise … Galveston’s Juneteenth Story,” housed at the 1859 Ashton Villa, which showcases interactive stories, photos, and archival documents.

Enjoy a shrimp besito or a muffuletta for a taste of Gulf Coast flavors.

Galveston’s position on the Gulf of Mexico, about a two-hour drive from the Louisiana border, means that some of the cuisine here is “Tex-Cajun.” It’s fun to create your own food crawl on the island, stopping at the best restaurants to try seafood, barbecue, Vietnamese, Greek, and Japanese favorites.

An iconic Galveston dish called besos or besitos (Spanish for "kisses" or "little kisses") is made of Gulf shrimp-stuffed jalapeño peppers (or just shrimp) wrapped in bacon. You’ll find them around the island, including at Shrimp ’N Stuff and Taquilo’s. Another popular eatery is the family business Maceo Spice & Import Co., which serves up favorites — including phenomenal muffuletta — from a small bodega in Galveston’s West Market district.

Take a ghost tour.

Because of the 1900 storm, estimated to have claimed more than 8,000 lives, and the many other hurricanes that have passed through this area, those with a supernatural inclination might pick up on a few spooky vibes. A ghost-themed walking tour with local historian and author Kathleen Maca is one unique way to familiarize yourself with Galveston’s history and geography.

Tip: Look out for plaques on the buildings of Galveston’s Historic Strand District — they identify the structures that withstood the strongest storms. 

Hit the beach.

It’s tradition to spend some time soaking up the sun and playing in the waves when you’re in Galveston, and there are 32 miles of beach to choose from. Some tourists enjoy the liveliness of the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, with its carnival-style rides and games that light up the skyline after dark. Others seek a quieter experience at Galveston Island State Park, which offers a spacious beach with camping, hiking trails, and a boardwalk. Whether you're looking for a spot with ample parking, like Stewart and East beaches, or one of the more tucked away "Pocket Parks" on Galveston's laid-back West End, you're bound to find a stretch of sand that suits your style.

Visit the pyramids.

Three glass pyramids herald your arrival at the Moody Gardens, a complex with museums, botanical gardens, a beach, recreation facilities, and more. Each pyramid contains something different: One mimics the environment of a humid rain forest filled with animals and flora, one serves as an aquarium, and one is a discovery museum with interactive science exhibits. There’s even a small beach and paddleboat. The complex hosts various events throughout the year, including an indoor ice sculpture spectacular during the holiday season.

Hotels in Galveston

Grand Galvez

Located on Seawall Boulevard, the beachfront Grand Galvez, rebuilt in 1911, harks back to a time of sophistication and luxury. Fixtures and photographs highlighting the hotel's legacy decorate the walls, candy-striped cabanas line the pool, and the cocktail menu at the on-site Founders Bar includes a drink named after a ghost that purportedly still haunts the property. Book a ghost tour of the hotel to find out more.

The Tremont House

Closer to Galveston’s Historic Strand District, you’ll find The Tremont House, which has roots dating back to 1839, the year Galveston was founded. The intricately carved late-19th-century Toujouse Bar in the lobby sets the tone for a memorable stay. You can also get an overview of the city and bay from the rooftop bar, which offers telescopes and outdoor fire pits. Guest rooms have a stately feel with oversized windows and original crown moldings. If you want more space to spread out, reserve a suite at The Quarters across the street. These accommodations offer full kitchens, exposed brick walls, and ample closets for large families or groups.

Hotel Lucine

A renovated motel from the 1960s, Hotel Lucine hangs onto its midcentury charm. The rooms at this boutique beachfront property are infused with retro flair: think bold patterns, bright colors, and lots of tile. The pool, a stunning work of mosaic art itself, is the centerpiece, with variegated rooms resembling beach huts surrounding it. Hotel Lucine also has a rooftop bar overlooking the Gulf, as well as a "fine-ish dining" restaurant dubbed The Fancy.