City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Galveston, Texas
If you’re a fan of classic country music, you’ve no doubt heard the Glenn Campbell hit Galveston. Lyrics like sea winds blowing, dark eyes glowing and sea waves crashing have prompted many us to dream of Galveston (even if we’ve never been there). While the song itself has a bittersweet (okay, downright sad) tone, Galveston is the perfect destination for boaters, nature lovers and history buffs. Plus, it’s an island. You can’t get much cooler than an island.
The southeast Texas barrier island is located on a thin sliver of land between the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay. Accessible by bridge (the Galveston Causeway) or private boat dock rental, the island is 27 miles long and about three miles wide at the widest section. Galveston Harbor connects with the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway via a deep-water channel, making it accessible to big boats and private boat slips for rent. Speaking of big boats, the Port of Galveston is the home port to several cruise liners, including the Carnival Breeze and Freedom, the Disney Magic and a couple of Royal Caribbean liners.
While you might be tempted to spend your whole time soaking up the sun (or watching the sea waves crashing) on beautiful Gulf Coast beaches like Jamaica Beach and San Luis Pass, there are quite a few other things to do on Galveston Island. Let’s take a look.
Moody Gardens
Photo: Moody Gardens Facebook
If you’re into penguins, parrots and sea turtles (and maybe a monkey or two), Moody Gardens is a must. It’s located on the waterfront along Offats Bayou, making it accessible to private boat slips and canals off of Galveston Bay and Wet Bay. Enjoy the ocean habitats of the Gulf, South Atlantic, Caribbean, North Pacific and South Pacific while learning about conservation and wildlife.
The 1.5-million-gallon aquarium habitat features seals, stingrays, sharks and more. The Rainforest Pyramid is home to creatures of Asia and Africa, including sloths, exotic birds and monkeys. Other attractions on the property include a discovery museum, a coral reef lab, 3D and 4D theaters, a ropes course, a zip line and a waterpark as well as a spa, golf, dining and the 1800s replica Colonel Paddlewheel Boat.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston
Photo: Schlitterbahn Galveston Facebook
Schlitterbahn Waterpark can be found right beside Moody Gardens. Let the kids go wild on slides, rides and wave pools while you take it easy in the lazy river or a shaded cabana. There’s a heated pool with a swim-up bar and a kids’ play areas with fountains and dumping buckets.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
Photo: Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier Facebook
The Pleasure Pier is the place to be for amusement park rides, midway games, shopping, dining and entertainment. Enjoy swings and roller coasters that soar out over the Gulf of Mexico. Don’t worry, there are much tamer rides for the little ones. A 5D theater has swaying seats that take you on an interactive adventure through a mysterious mine and encounters with prehistoric sharks.
Galveston Island State Park
Photo: Wikipedia
With both beach and bay sides, Galveston Island State Park is an excellent choice for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Spend a leisurely day away from a private boat lift rental with activities such as fishing, kayaking, picnicking, geocaching, swimming or mountain biking. There are four miles of hiking and biking trails. Sign up for a ranger program to learn about the local plants and animals.
Bishop’s Palace
Photo: Bishop's Palace Facebook
The 1892 Bishop’s Palace, also known as Gresham’s Castle, is a 19,082-square-foot Victorian mansion with wrought iron, balconies, stained-glass windows, extravagant fireplaces and intricately carved décor and sculptures. Built by Colonel Walter Gresham, and designed by Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton, it’s a National Historic Landmark located in the East End Historic District. It’s listed with the American Institute of Architects as one of the 100 most important buildings in America. Spend some time exploring the mansion on a self-guided tour.
Galveston Historic Seaport
Photo: Historic Seaport Facebook
The Galveston Historic Seaport is home to the 1877 tall ship ELISSA, a three-masted barque and a National Historic Landmark (it’s also the official tall ship of Texas) that’s now used as a floating museum. It came from Greece for restoration in 1978. Completed in 1982, it’s one of only three of its kind in the world that still actively sails. Professional officers and a volunteer crew annually perform sea trials among the shrimp boats and oil rigs off of Galveston Island. Check out the Texas Seaport Museum before heading back to private boat dock rentals.
Galveston Railroad Museum
Photo: Galveston Railroad Museum Facebook
The Galveston Railroad Museum, located in the former Santa Fe Railroad station, is home to historic train cabins, passenger cars, freight cars, steam engines and locomotives (including two F-7 locomotives in the famous Warbonnet red and yellow colors). The People’s Gallery is a recreation of the Gulf Colorado and Sant Fe Depot from 1932 (complete with statues dressed for the 30s) that tell the story of the railroad industry in Galveston.
Whether you’re spending the week at a private boat slip rental or just in town for the weekend, we hope you’ve found a few things to do the next time you’re in Galveston. Don’t forget to watch for the sea birds flying.
