BISHOP’S PALACE

Also known as Gresham’s House, the Bishop’s Palace was built in 1892 and is now considered one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in the country, putting it firmly on the National Register of Historic Places. It is estimated to have cost $250,000 and took six years to build.

Located in the East End of the Historic District, if you only have time to visit one of Galveston’s architectural treasures this one is a great one to choose. Do beware though… it is rumoured to be haunted by Walter Gresham as he is believed to be very protective of his home – especially during storms and hurricanes. Will you spot his ghost?

DON’T MISS:

• The grand stone turrets are beautiful from the outside and offer great views from within.
• Magnificent detailed woodwork and stained glass.
• The Grand Staircase which is the stunning centrepiece of the home
• The self-guided audio tour gives in-depth information about the home, and everything in it, beyond what the signage posted throughout the home does.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Two special tours are available for more in-depth visits to the house. The ‘Basement to Attic‘ is priced at $32.54 and gives visitors access to visit parts of the house that are normally restricted. These are held monthly so we recommend you look into this option in advance. The ‘1892 Bishop’s Palace Audio tour‘ allows visitors to see historical images not seen by previous tours on a handheld, high-resolution screen along with the tour commentary. This is priced from $10.48 – $11.53 with special pricing for advance online orders.
• Unfortunately, at this time the Bishops Palace is not fully accessible as there isn’t a ramp for walkers and wheelchairs.
• Parking is free along the street, or if you have parked at the terminal and dropped your luggage it is about a 25-minute walk in nice weather.

1402 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77550 | 409-762-2475 | Attraction 1 on Map Below

MOODY GARDENS

Ideal for families, Moody Gardens has so many activities you could easily spend a whole day here exploring the different pyramids and its other attractions. The Aquarium Pyramid lets you explore the ocean where you’ll learn about sharks, stingrays, and seals; while the Rainforest Pyramid allows you go get up-close to rare plants, monkeys, and an array of birds.

DON’T MISS:

• For a cruise of a different kind than the big ship you’re embarking on, you can enjoy an hour-long cruise aboard a replica of an 1800s paddlewheel boat.
• Challenge your agility, balance and strength on the tallest Steel Ropes Course on the Gulf Coast and finish it off with a trip on the zip line.
• If you’re in Galveston in November – January the Festival of Lights is a must-do with more than one million lights and an outdoor ice skating rink.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Moody Gardens is open 365 days a year; Regular hours are 10:00 – 18:00 but these can vary seasonally and per attraction, so it is best to check the hours before planning your visit. 
• There are tickets for individual attractions, value passes, and extra “Animal Encounters” available. Click here for the full information. 
• The Rainforest Pyramid only is included in the Galveston Island Pass. 

1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554 | 800-582-4673 | Attraction 2 on Map Below

GALVESTON FERRY

The Galveston to Port Bolivar ferry takes travellers on a 3-mile trip across one of the busiest waterways in the world. About 7,000 ships of all types come through here as they make their way to the Port of Houston so you’re bound to see some on the 20-minute crossing. This is actually part of the state highway system (SH 87) so it shuttles locals back and forth daily, but visitors will also enjoy this free trip to view the Texas coastline. 

TIP: If you are making a round trip (which you would likely do if you are staying in Galveston) you can park your car and board the ferry by foot which could save you time waiting in line for a space for your car.

DON’T MISS:

• Hopping out of your car to get a spot along the railing to see seabirds and ships; you may also catch a glimpse of some dolphins that like to play in the wake of the ferry.
• Cooler sea breezes that can be a welcome relief to the heat and humidity if you are visiting from late spring to early fall.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• At least one vessel operates 24 hours a day and there may be up to five in operation during busy holidays and during the summer.
• Vehicles can’t exceed 80,000 lbs but this is more than enough for any passenger car a tourist might have.
• There is no fee to take the ferry.
• For information about wait times and to view the ferry webcam click here.

1000 Ferry Rd, Galveston, TX 77550 | 409-795-2230 | Attraction 3 on Map Below

STRAND HISTORIC DISTRICT

Just two blocks from the cruise terminal, the Strand Historic District offers cruise passengers easy access before or after their cruise to this historic part of Galveston.

Listed as a National Historic Landmark, this part of town features Victorian-era buildings which now are host to a selection of restaurants, galleries and museums. It was named after the street in London because a jewellery store owner wanted his address to have higher connotations than he felt the original name ‘Avenue B’ provided.

Photo by TravelingOtter / CC BY-SA 2.0

DON’T MISS:

• The giant Galveston postcard.
• Enjoying the varied cuisine offered by local restaurants.
• Play giant chess at Saengerfest Park.
• The street performers.
• Victorian architecture (don’t forget to look up!).

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Street parking is best done using the paybyphone app, which even allows you to extend your parking remotely. You can download the app before your visit to be ready to go.
• Within a few minutes walk of Tremont House and Harbor House hotels.

Strand Street, between 20th and 25th streets in downtown Galveston |  Attraction 4 on Map Below

SCHLITTERBAHN WATERPARK

A great way to keep cool in a Texas summer and have fun at the same time, Schlitterbahn Waterpark offers water-based rides of all types. From thrill rides including the world’s tallest water coaster through to more sedate raft rides and a man-made beach complete with waves.

Photo by CJ Travel Tips / CC BY-SA 2.0

DON’T MISS:

• Shipwreck Harbor wave action pool.
• Faust und Furious, a 60-foot high race down a dual water slide.
• Soaring Eagle Zip Line.
• Torrent River, an endless river ride that travels throughout the park.
• Rohr! A 70-foot drop that accelerates you to 30 mph as you descend the 244-foot long body slide.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Tickets are $55.20 for 12 years old and over, $42.21 for seniors/children 3-11 and free for under 3s.
• Only open daily in June/July/August, open on holidays and weekends in April/May/September/October and December. For more details click here.

2109 Lockheed Rd, Galveston, TX 77554 | 409-770-9283 | Attraction 5 on Map Below

TREE SCULPTURES

Tree Sculptures has its origins in the devasting events of September 2008 when Hurricane Ike covered most of Galveston with a tidal surge which destroyed many trees. Now sculpture artists have given a second life to some of the destroyed trees by turning them into whimsical works of art at various points around the city. The self-guided tour allows you to see 21 of these destroyed trees given a new lease of life.

DON’T MISS:

• Birds of Galveston (pictured).
• Tall Ship Elissa Figurehead, especially if you have visited the ship.
• Tin Man & Toto, one of the directors of the Wizard of Oz was born in the bedroom of this property.
• Mermaid Holding Clam Shell, who is often ‘dressed’ for special occasions.
• The beautiful homes you will be walking past.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• The tour is free, but if you prefer a guided tour, Galveston Island Tours offer tours every Saturday morning on its solar-powered shuttle. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
• For a map of the tour please click here or pick up a free map at the Galveston Visitors Center.

Start at 20th St and Sealy Ave | Attraction 6 on Map Below

SEAWOLF PARK AND AMERICAN UNDERSEA WARFARE CENTER

Located on Pelican Island, which is a former immigration station site, Seawolf Park is home to the American Undersea Warfare Center. This museum is unique in having on display a submarine, a merchant ship and a destroyer escort ship, meaning it displays the hunter, the hunted and the protector all in one place.

DON’T MISS:

• USS Cavalla, the WWII submarine that sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku that attacked Pearl Harbor
• USS Stewart, the only WWII Edsall class destroyer preserved in the United States.
• S.S. Selma, the remains of the largest WWI-era concrete ship ever constructed, northwest of the fishing pier.
• Seeing if a cruise ship is coming in or out of port.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Entrance to the park is free, but there is a parking charge of $6 per car.
• American Undersea Warfare Center is $10 for 12 years old and over, $5 for children 5-11, military and seniors, and free for under 5s. Group discounts are available.
• Fishing permits are $6 for Galveston Island residents and $9 for non-residents.
• Open every day except Christmas Day from 09:00 to 17:00 in winter and 18:00 during Daylight Saving.
• American Undersea Warfare Center is on the Galveston Island Pass.

100 Seawolf Parkway, Pelican Island, Galveston, TX 77550 | 409-797-5114 | Attraction 7 on Map Below

RAILROAD MUSEUM

Housed in the former Santa Fe Railroad station, Galveston Railroad Museum has one of the largest railroad collections in the United States. With over 40 locomotives and rolling stock together with lots of other memorabilia and exhibits, this will keep anyone who likes old trains busy all day. You can also ride the Harborside Express most Saturdays.

Photo by Roy Luck

DON’T MISS:

• Ride the Harborside Express.
• Check out the model railways in various gauges.
• Explore the many railcars you can climb aboard.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Tickets are $10 for 13 years old and over, $8 for seniors, $5 for children 4-12 and free for under 3s.
• Open 10:00 to 17:00 in the summer and at weekends, 9:00 to 16:00 in the winter.
• Train rides operate most Saturdays for an additional fee of $5.
• Galveston Railroad Museum is on the Galveston Island Pass.

2602 Santa Fe Pl, Galveston, TX 77550| 409-765-5700 | Attraction 8 on Map Below

HISTORIC PLEASURE PIER

With rides from exhilarating roller-coasters and log flumes, to old-fashioned bumper cars and a Ferris wheel, Galveston’s Historic Pleasure Pier has rides for all the family. With the original destroyed by Hurricane Carla, the new pier carries on the tradition of good old-fashioned seaside fun.

DON’T MISS:

• Texas Star Flyer swings riders over the water 230 feet above the Gulf.
• Iron Shark, a 100-foot high roller-coaster with four inversions.
• Pier Pileup Bumper Cars where crashing isn’t a problem.
• Double Decker Carousel.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Rides can be paid for individually for between $4.33 and $6.50 or you can purchase an all-day pass for $29.22 for 48″ or over and $21.64 for under 48″.
• Opening times vary seasonally so please click here for full information.

2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550 | 855-789-7437 | Attraction 9 on Map Below

TALL SHIP ELISSA AND SEAPORT MUSEUM

Built in 1877 in Aberdeen, Scotland, the three-masted, iron hull, Tall Ship Elissa is now moored right next to the modern cruise terminal. This is not a modern replica, but the original ship preserved and restored to be a fully functional vessel that still sails.

The Texas Seaport Museum explores the history of the Texas Navy and Pelican Island as an entry point into the United States.

DON’T MISS:

• Explore the decks of this floating National Historic Landmark.
• Imagine travelling the world’s oceans on a sailing ship.
• Explore the history of the Texas Navies.
• Look for ancestors amongst the 133,000 names of immigrants who arrived in the United States through Galveston.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Open 10:00 to 17:30 every day, except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and during the annual sea trials.

2100 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550 | 409-763-1877 | Attraction 10 on Map Below

MAP

The map below shows all the above attractions in Galveston in relation to the cruise terminal.