Seawall — Photo courtesy of Galveston.com Facebook page
Offering 32 miles of relaxing beaches, top resorts, great downtown shopping, delicious restaurants, and much more, Galveston really is a great beach town. Here are the Top 10 reasons you should plan a trip there:
1. Beaches
Galveston features a wide variety of soft sandy beaches perfect to fit any traveler's itinerary. If you're traveling with kids, take them to Stewart Beach, which features sandcastle tournaments and organized volleyball tournaments, or Castle Beach, which has an educational wetlands preserve. If you're more in the mood for a party, go to East Beach, the largest one in town that's famous for parties, outdoor concerts and bikini contests. And, of course, Galveston State Park is a great place for everyone.
Beach — Photo courtesy of Galveston.com Facebook page
2. Moody Gardens
This huge complex features gardens, a zoo, a beach, waterslides, cinemas and a hotel. The beach, Palm Beach, is a white sand beach that has a lazy river, splash pad play area, tower slides and freshwater lagoons. It also has one of the best aquariums in the Southwest, and it's located inside a pyramid!
Moody Gardens — Photo courtesy of Galveston.com Facebook page
3. Fishing
Anglers love Galveston because it has beachfront, pier, bay, offshore, and bluewater fishing options. And sure, you can catch and release if you're not into cleaning fish. But those of you who prefer fresh catch for dinner will be amply rewarded for your efforts.
4. Boating
Whether you want to be the captain yourself, or prefer to be a passenger, Galveston has it all. Ride the historic ferry or paddleboat. Or rent a jet ski, sailboat or kayak. Seeing this Gulf coast island from the water gives you a whole other perspective and you'll likely to love it even more.
5. Location
Location is everything, and Galveston's got it! This small beach town is conveniently located just 40 miles south of the fourth largest city in the U.S., Houston, Texas. It's a quick and easy drive to get there, with lots to see along the way.
6. Restaurants
Visitors can enjoy the freshest and largest selection of seafood straight from the Gulf of Mexico. Some of 10Best's top picks include Fisherman's Wharf, which features fresh red snapper and its famous shrimp kisses, and Gaido's Famous Seafood Restaurant, which has some of the best fried shrimp in town. Galveston also has a wide variety of delicious Cajun restaurants as well.
7. Cruises
If you like cruises, you'll love Galveston. This small city is actually a large port for a wide variety of cruise lines that take travelers to Mexico and the Caribbean. It's also easy to reach with loads of flights into Houston's IAH and Houston Hobby airports.
Cruises — Photo courtesy of Galveston.com
8. Shopping
Shoppers love Galveston because it has so many great shops and galleries. From the picturesque Strand district in downtown Galveston to the tourist-friendly shops along the Seawall, Galveston has everything from unique antiques to cost-efficient souvenirs.
The Strand — Photo courtesy of Galveston.com Facebook page
9. History
History buffs have fun in Galveston because there's so much to see and do! There are ton's of historic Victorian buildings and homes to tour, as well as a number of museums, such as Seawolf Park and the
Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum.
10. Festivals
Galveston hosts a wide variety of annual festivals and events, such as Oktoberfest and Mardi Gras.
This small South Texas beach town really does have it all! Whether you're planning to stay there or simply go for the day while visiting Houston, you're sure to have a wonderful time.