Most individuals come to Galveston, the little Texas city on the Gulf of Mexico, as a result of they’re getting on a cruise within the Gulf of Mexico the following day. A one-night keep is typical for guests right here.
However hubby and I drove the hour and a half from Houston only for a go searching, with Glen Campbell’s “Galveston” changing into an ear worm for the following 24 hours.
Play the music video for a stroll down reminiscence lane!
We like Houston for a stopover from New Zealand, however this time popped down for an evening in Galveston and located it to be a cute city and nicely price arriving a few days earlier if you’re cruising from right here.
It’s a good suggestion to get out of city in the event you arrive in Houston on a Monday, as a result of until you’re a fan of baseball – and it’s baseball season – you’ll be questioning what to do!
There are many nice locations to eat serving domestically caught shrimp and seafood, and I discovered the sweetest little resort too.
There are two distinct elements to Galveston in terms of the place you need to keep: historic downtown and the seawall.
The bordering the Strand Historic District, is the wharf the place the shrimp boats are available in and the place the eating places lining the water utilise their catch on the plate. (Prawn po-boy and shrimp cerviche for us!)
This can be a couple of blocks and straightforward stroll from historic Galveston, which has actually one foremost avenue price purchasing alongside.
Then there’s the seawall, on the Gulf coast. I assumed this was walkable, nevertheless it’s probably not. For those who’re staying a few days you’ll need a automotive right here.
If not, keep within the historic half and Uber to the Seawall for a number of the points of interest I’ve listed under, and eating places.
The place to eat in Galveston
I’m actually all in regards to the meals once I journey. I don’t wish to waste an evening on a nasty burger, so I picked the brains of some locals and got here up with this record so that you can look over.
Due to Ellie from Strand Bass, a cute store stuffed with Christmas decorations and knick knacks, and speaking to different locals, plus our personal experiences, I’ve put this record under collectively of nice locations to eat in Galveston. As a result of in the event you’re solely right here for an evening or two, you don’t need to waste a meal!
On the Seawall
Miller’s Seawall Grill – at nineteenth and Seawall. A fantastic household restaurant serving good ol consolation meals. The gumbo is extremely rated. Open from breakfast until dinner.
Quantity 13 – a steak home and seafood restaurant open for brunch, lunch and dinner. This place is fancy and costs replicate that. Begin with Alaskan king crab dip, or one thing from the uncooked bar, then a steak. Be ready to drop from $59 to $130 for a steak!
Blvd, twenty seventh & Seawall – a seafood restaurant open for brunch, lunch and dinner.
The Spot – that is the place we ended as much as watch the baseball in a sports activities bar on the Seawall for burgers and a Caesar salad. An off-the-cuff eating expertise with open air and indoor seating. That is truly 5 eating places in a single, so take your choose of whichever “spot” you want finest. We selected the Tiki Bar.
Nick’s Kitchen and Seashore Bar – for burgers and po-boys on the Seawall. They serve seafood and have a pool bar with reside music. Seize a shrimp taco with sea views or benefit from the busy vibe of the pool bar.
We had a drink at Pelican and Shark, which is a cool little seashore hut on the top of the jetty reaching into the Gulf with locals surf casting and fishing under.
In downtown
Katie’s is the place we had lunch, sitting outdoors watching pelicans paddle across the fishing boats. It was good meals. We had a shrimp po-boy and a shrimp ceviche washed down with a neighborhood beer.
Willie G’s can also be down on the waterside, and I appreciated their menu. If I’d had one other day I might have come right here for lobster bisque.
Fisherman’s Wharf is the seafood restaurant down right here and also you gained’t be disillusioned both.
Yaga’s Cafe on the Strand – for burgers and pizzas and reside music on the weekends when the crowds are pumping! There’s a good outside patio for eating beneath umbrellas if the climate’s good.
If it’s Italian you’ve a hankering for, strive Tratorria la Vigna. The homeowners are from Sicily and make their very own pastas and sauces.
For breakfast we discovered Sugar and Rye, which had solely been open a number of months, simply down the highway from our cute-as-a-button lodging. I needed to strive the fried inexperienced tomatoes and corn bread!
Issues to do in Galveston
When you have time to do greater than eat and drink (we didn’t!), you may like these enjoyable issues to do in Galveston.
Shark Assault 5D Theater is a bit a lot for me, however in the event you’re into thrill rides and love the thought of being underwater (not actually) watching a Megalodon shark assault – and it gained’t have an effect on your sleep – then do it! It’s situated reverse Pleasure Pier, which is a boardwalk on a pier with rides and memento shops.
Go to Moody Gardens – that is an establishment! Assume theme park with an aquarium, and discovery pyramids. The rainforest pyramid is a recreation of the rain forests of the world in a 10-story construction with 2000 unique crops and animals together with monkeys, birds and sloths.
The aquarium pyramid incorporates a 12-story excessive aquarium depicting the oceans of the world, plus a lazy river and water slides, a wave pool and sandy seashores. Get a day move, or if plan to come back greater than as soon as, the annual move is cheaper.
Go deep sea fishing – if you wish to get out on the water with a rod and reel, you’ll find a bunch of fishing charters in Galveston to select from.
Hit the seashore – Galveston Island is on the stretch of Texas shoreline working alongside the Gulf of Mexico. If the climate’s proper, you may wish to take a seashore chair and your snacks to East Seashore (which has a boardwalk and leisure and alcohol is permitted), Stewart Seashore (which has umbrella leases and life guards).
Dolphin watching – take a ship tour and spot dolphins within the Gulf of Mexico.
The place to remain in Galveston
We appreciated the downtown space for its retailers and historic buildings, which might be all actually walkable to the wharf for eating too.
I discovered The Oleander, which is a small family-owned resort with simply eight rooms, every embellished in a different way. There isn’t any reception, you’ll be emailed the door code on the day of your arrival. It’s so cute and never removed from downtown. We had a automotive, and with loads of parking, simply adopted our noses for a go searching Galveston.
The room under is Room 8, and also you e-book them individually on Reserving.com or by reaching the resort direct.
The Oleander, owned by the identical household who opened Sugar and Rye. They’ve 4 resort properties in Galveston. I requested them in the event that they have been the Chip and Joanna Gaines of Galveston, however no. Apparently there’s a TV present on fixing up Galveston although!
Subsequent cease: Magnolia Market, Waco TX
Easy methods to get to Galveston from Houston
For those who’re not renting a automotive since you’re off on a cruise, you will get a non-public switch from IAH (Houston Airport), however that’s costly! Or take an Uber
