• Understand
• Get around
• See
• Do
• Learn
• Work
• Buy
• Stay safe
• Cope
• Get out

Galveston [1] is a city in Galveston county, on an island on the Texas Gulf Coast. It has largely been overshadowed by the nearby megacity of Houston, but remains a port of entry and a destination for almost all the cruise ships with ports of call in Texas. Many Houstonians have beach houses in Galveston or elsewhere in Galveston County where they sometimes relocate during the summer, or simply drive to Galveston to enjoy the local beach.

[edit] Understand

• Climate - Semi-tropical; averaging 57° F in the winter months and 81° F in the summer months.

• Population - 57,247

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

• Scholes International Airport (Template:IATA) - This is the only airport in Galveston, but only serves private and chartered flights.

• William P. Hobby Airport (Template:IATA) - One of two airports in Houston providing scheduled commercial flights into the metro area, and the closest commercial airport to Galveston. It is dominated by Southwest Airlines.

• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Template:IATA) - Also in Houston (named after the elder President Bush). Dominated by Continental Airlines. Allow at least 90 minutes to drive from IAH to Galveston, more during rush hour. IAH asks passengers to arrive 2 hours before check-in.

[edit] By car

• I-45 South is the easiest route from Houston to Galveston Island. The freeway becomes Broadway St. on the island.

[edit] By bus

• Coach USA (affiliated with Greyhound Bus Lines) buses run regularly to Galveston through Houston.

[edit] By boat

• Bolivar Peninsula - Galveston Island Ferry is a free service that regularly runs between the island and Port Bolivar - located on mainland east of Galveston. For travel between Galveston and New Orleans, the ferry can save 30-40 minutes by avoiding Houston. The ferry is run on a first-come first-served basis, and there are often moderate waits during rush hour, and very long waits (on the order of 2-3 hours) on major holidays. Weekend evening waits also tend to be long.

[edit] By train

• Amtrak provides a bus from Galveston to Longview, also the Sunset Limited has a major stop in Houston.

[edit] Get around

The island is small enough that walking can take you most places, although it is not recommended in all neighborhoods, particularly outside the historic district, the Strand, and the Harborside district.

Metered street parking is available throughout the city, so bring change. The city operates a replica streetcar service, which operates in the historic district and parts of Seawall Blvd. Pedal cars are also available to rent from various vendors for use along the Seawall and the Strand. Island Transit offers limited bus service for the city.

Get taxi information or order a cab online [2] or call Yellow Cab company of Galveston 409-763-3333

[edit] See

• <see name="Moody Gardens" address="One Hope Boulevard" directions="off 81st St." phone="800-582-4673" fax="" email="" url="http://www.moodygardens.com" hours="" price="$39.95 day pass"></see>
• <see name="Galveston Island Railroad Museum" address="123 Rosenberg" directions="near the Strand at 25th St." phone="409-765-5700" fax="409-765-5744" email="" url="http://www.galvestonrrmuseum.com/" hours="" price="$6">All sorts of railway things to see. It's in the old Galveston Railway Station, and the lobby is a huge period display.</see>
• <see name="Strand National Historic Landmark District" address="" directions="East of Broadway, along the east side of the island" phone="" fax="" email="" url="http://www.thestrand.com/" hours="" price="">All sorts of old buildings and historical markers.</see>
• <see name="Haak Vineyards and Winery" address="6310 Ave. T, Santa Fe, Texas" directions="" phone="409-925-1401 " fax="" email="" url="http://www.haakwine.com" hours="Noon to 18:00 (varies by season)" price="tours complimentary">Galveston County's only winery.</see>
• <see name="Lone Star Flight Museum" address="2002 Terminal Dr." directions="next to Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn Galveston" phone="409-740-7722 " fax="" email="flight@lonestarflight.org" url="http://www.lsfm.org" hours="09:00 to 17:00, Closed Christmas Day" price="$8">Historic avaition legends.</see>
• <see name="Texas Seaport Museum" address="Pier 21, Number 8" directions="Off the Strand" phone="409-763-1877" fax="" email="elissa@galvestonhistory.org" url="http://www.tsm-elissa.org" hours="" price="">Also home to several historic ships, including the 1877 tall ship Elissa.</see>
• <see name="Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum" address="" directions="" phone="409-766-7827" fax="" email="" url="http://www.oceanstaroec.com" hours="10:00 - 17:00 (varies by season)" price="$8 (seniors and students are $5)">Housed in a retired oil platform. Interesting exhibit for someone unfamiliar with the drilling process. </see>
• <see name="Seawolf Park" address="" directions="Take 51st St. north over the causeway to the other side of Pelican Island." phone="" fax="" email="" url="http://www.cavalla.org/park.html" hours="Sunrise to sunset, Friday and Saturday nights for fishing." price="">Home of USS Cavalla and USS Stewart are berthed on Pelican Island.</see>

[edit] Do

[edit] Learn

The University of Texas Medical Branch is the island's major university. There is a significant "college town" feel to the section of the Strand nearest the university. It provides mostly postgraduate medical education.

[edit] Work

The two largest employers on the island are UTMB (University of Texas Medical Branch) and ANICO (American National Insurance Company)

[edit] Buy

The Strand is an historic district near the docks with a variety of unique shops.

• <buy name="Colonel Bubbie's" address="2202 Strand" directions="Strand at 22nd St." phone="1-800-231-6005" fax="" email="emailrequests@colbubbie.com" url="http://www.colbubbie.com/" hours="" price="">This is a Army Navy Surplus Store but it is unlike any that you have ever seen, with things that you only see in movies. You really have to see it to get it. Just don't be allergic to cats when you go.</buy>

[edit] Eat

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit] Drink

• <drink name="3rd Coast Bar" address="9th and Seawall Blvd." directions="" phone="409-765-6911" fax="" email="" url="" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="21" address="2102 Postoffice" directions="" phone="409-762-2101" fax="" email="" url="" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="Balinese Room" address="2107 Seawall" directions="" phone="409-762-9696" fax="" email="" url="" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="Garza's Kon Tiki" address="315 Tremont" directions="" phone="409-765-5805" fax="" email="" url="" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="JuJu Hangout & Bar" address="2408 Strand" directions="" phone="409-765-9300" fax="" email="" url="" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="O'Malley's Stage Door Pub" address="2022 Postoffice" directions="" phone="409-763-1731" fax="" email="" url="" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="The Press Box" address="2401 Postoffice" directions="" phone="409-765-5958" fax="" email="" url="" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="Sky Bar" address="2107 Postoffice" directions="" phone="409-621-4759" fax="" email="" url="" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="Yaga's Cafe and Bar" address="2314 Strand" directions="" phone="409-762-6676" fax="" email="" url="" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe" address="413 20th Street" directions="" phone="409-762-9199" fax="" email="wrecks@wt.net" url="http://www.galvestontexas.com/oldquarter/" hours="All shows start at 21:00, closed Sunday - Tuesday" price="">Come try Galveston's own Star Bock beer.</drink>

[edit] Local beer

• <drink name="Star Bock" address="413 20th Street" directions="" phone="" fax="" email="" url="http://www.starbockbeer.com" hours="" price="">Available at the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe.</drink>
• <drink name="Saint Arnold Brewery" address="2522 Fairway Park Drive, Houston, TX 77092" directions="go north on IH-45, go left on IH-610 (exit westbound on the right side), exit 290, take the first exit, turn left on Mitchelldale, turn left on Fairway Park." phone="713-686-9494" fax="" email="" url="http://www.saintarnold.com" hours="tours Saturday at 13:00" price="">Located in Houston, their brews are often sold in local bars. Very popular beers are the Texas Wheat, Oktoberfest (August through October), and Christmas Ale (November through December).</drink>

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit] Vacation rentals

[edit] RV parks and campgrounds

[edit] Stay safe

Like any other tourist city, it is safe, but petty crime does happen. Use common sense, locking your car is a must. Serious crimes rarely happen in tourist areas.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Get out

• Houston
• Jamaica Beach
• Kemah
• Surfside
• Texas City

Carnival and Princess cruise lines (perhaps others) have regular cruises which depart from Galveston.