The Beaches of Galveston Texas & Must See Attractions

Although the 1400+ mile trip from Colorado to Galveston (GALVESTON.COM: Official Website of Galveston Island, Texas Tourism & Marketing - Galveston, TX) was relatively easy, we arrived to very blustery weather. It was the first week of April and we should have figured that the weather might not cooperate at that time of the year. For you lovers of the journey…

Click here for the blog of our journey from Greeley, Colorado to Galveston, Texas.

We made the best of it after seeing that the weather would improve after a day or two.

View if the beach and the rough seas from the vacation rental house deck

After being allowed an early check-in by Ryson Vacation Rentals Galveston Beach House Rentals & Resort Condos, a quick move in and feeding the dogs, we went for a brief walk on the beach. Oh, did I mention the rain… yeah, it was raining off and on and accompanied by a consistent cool breeze. So, just a brief walk on the beach so the dogs could explore a bit.

The wind was blowing hard, and the sea was very brown and rough. Since it wasn’t much of a “beach day”, we headed out to pick up groceries. We returned with the groceries then went out to find a place for a late lunch and one or two adult beverages. This turned into about a 20-mile drive to the Surfside Beach area on another island, connected to Galveston Island.

Walking up the ramp to the Seahorse Bar & Grill entrance and the outdoor deck

We had a late lunch at the Seahorse Bar & Grill (SEAHORSE BAR & GRILL), all the way southwest to the Surfside Beach area (Visit Surfside Beach, Texas) of the next island. A long drive for lunch after about 1400 miles and 3 days of driving. Wasn’t worth the drive… I recommend staying closer to Galveston’s Old Town and the Seawall Boulevard area.

This blog explores some of the sights of Galveston, the beaches of Galveston Texas, and several restaurants you will enjoy. Galveston has a rich history from much earlier than the antebellum days to the more recent oil and gas boom days.

Offshore Drilling Museum

Several shots of the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Platform and the Museum

One of our first visits was the Offshore Drilling Museum (Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum | Visit Galveston). Ever been a bit curious about the technology that enables the petroleum industry to drill miles below the surface of the Gulf of America and bring up the oil and gas to satisfy our needs for energy, as well as our demand for thousands of petroleum-based everyday products. Even if you are one of those misguided, anti-oil & gas individuals, you must be a bit curious about the petroleum engineering technology.

On the north end of Galveston Island, next to the shipping channel, an offshore oil platform has been permanently docked next to the Offshore Drilling Museum (Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum | Visit Galveston). The history and current technology is amazing and you owe it to yourself to become better educated about our oil and gas industry (Ocean Star Museum & Education Center | Energy Education Foundation).

Note: Be prepared for a lot of stairs to get to the three floors of the museum and to the drilling floor of the platform. Although there is some elevator assistance near the museum entrance, be prepared for the various levels and metal stairs within the museum.

The Mansions of Galveston

Galveston has a very rich history encompassing shipping and oil and gas industries stretching back to the early days of our country. Evidence of this rich history are the numerous historic mansions and buildings (Historic Buildings & Homes in Galveston, TX | Visit Galveston).

Beautiful mansions on Galveston Island are evidence of the rich history of this city.

Several of the mansions were being renovated, some even being turned into museums, and had exterior scaffolding constructed. Although I did not have a chance to tour any of the mansions, I took some shots and walked around the properties to admire the early 20th century architecture.

These mansions are monuments to the late 1800s and early 1900s history, people, and the wealth of Galveston. Take time to visit and enjoy one or more of these beautiful mansions, even if you only do a “drive by”.

Galveston’s Old Town

Within a block of the docks and shipping channel northeast of Galveston, you will find the relatively compact Old Town area. Covering several blocks, Galveston’s Old Town buildings (Downtown Galveston, TX | Visit Galveston) reminded me a lot of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Similar two-story architecture with second floor balconies and wrought iron railings (Buildings: Architecture as Art, Galveston’s Finest Collection – Galveston Island Guide).

Galveston's Old Town is a mix of historic Victorian and Antebellum architecture, many renovated and repurposed as modern stores, restaurants, bars, and cafes.

Like many older cities, Galveston has been renovating the historic Old Town buildings and repurposing them for commercial and residential uses. It is a good look and worth your time to admire and explore these historic buildings and while you are exploring make sure to visit and patronize the shops and boutiques that choose to sell from these historic sites.

The Galveston Old Town area covers about 6-7 blocks and is an easy walk. There is plenty of parking around the old town area and it is not expensive. There are numerous restaurants to enjoy lunch or simply get a quick drink during your exploring. I recommend walking a block toward the docks and have an excellent lunch at Katie’s Seafood House (Katie's Seafood House), which I describe more below.

The Beaches of Galveston Texas

This is probably the main reason you travel to Galveston, Texas. The beaches of Galveston Texas, and there are a lot of them, remind me of the Daytona, Florida beaches, very compacted sand (you are able, and permitted in some places, to drive on the beaches) away from the surf line (13 Best Beaches in Galveston, Texas).

Depending on where you choose to stay on Galveston Island, there will be a beach nearby. See the interactive map at this address… galveston texas beaches - Bing Maps.

Some of the beaches along Seawall Boulevard will get very crowded during the summer. However, these beaches are also within walking distance of many hotels and restaurants along Seawall Boulevard. We chose to find a vacation rental house on the beach a bit south of the Seawall Boulevard beaches and restaurants. A place we figured would be more dog friendly than a Seawall Boulevard hotel. Our vacation rental was in the Bermuda Beach area, off Beach Access Road 12. A very quiet location on the beach…. See the pictures….

More Restaurants

You want French, Cajun, Italian, Oriental, Mediterranean, BBQ, every type of Seafood or just a quick burger… Galveston has it all. Whatever cuisine you want, you can find it in Galveston. Additionally, you will find a complete range of prices. Galveston is an unheralded gem for you foodies out there; make sure you visit and explore the culinary delights of Galveston.

Since everyone has a restaurant rating service, here are two that might help you with the Galveston restaurants. Most recognize Yelp! (THE BEST 10 RESTAURANTS in GALVESTON, TX - Updated 2025 - Hours - Yelp) and here’s another that also does a rating (THE 30 BEST Restaurants ,in Galveston - With Menus, Reviews, Photos - Updated June 2025).

There are two main restaurant areas on Galveston Island, the downtown/old town area, and along Seawall Boulevard across from the beaches. Of course, there are individual restaurants and bars interspersed throughout the island.

On one evening, friends drove from Ardmore, OK to visit with us in Galveston. They stayed at the 4-star Grand Galvez Resort, on Seawall Boulevard (Hotel Grand Galvez Resort, Autograph Collection, Galveston, United States of America - Lowest Rate Guaranteed!).

Upon their arrival in Galveston, we met our friends at the Black Pearl ((13) Facebook) in the Old Town area for a quick lunch. Their seafood gumbo was homemade fresh and some of the best I’ve ever had, including in New Orleans. I highly recommend the Black Pearl if you are in the Old Town area wanting a comfortable, welcoming experience.

Rudy & Paco Restaurant near the old town area of Galveston.

That evening we went to one of the finest restaurants in Galveston, Rudy & Paco Restaurant and Bar (Home | Rudy & Paco in Galveston, TX). TripAdvisor says, “When visiting Galveston Island, you simply can't miss the Island's most unique dining experience, Rudy & Paco.” (RUDY & PACO RESTAURANT & BAR, Galveston - Menu, Prices, Restaurant Reviews & Reservations - Tripadvisor) It was every bit as good as TripAdvisor says, and then some. You owe it to yourself to go to Rudy & Paco, for your one fine dining experience while in Galveston.

The Spot one of my favorites, great location, good food and drinks, and excellent service.

A much less “fancy” restaurant and meal, but no less delicious can be found at The Spot (The Spot Galveston Island Seawall Restaurant). In fact, we enjoyed the food and the convenience of The Spot so much that we went there twice for lunch. I also loved the multiple connected buildings with different bars and restaurants, all with different vibes.

Katie's Seafood House, very busy lunch, excellent food and service.

Katie’s Seafood House (Katie's Seafood House) on the pier, next to the fish markets. Talk about fresh seafood, the fishing boats pull up to the pier behind Katie’s Seafood Restaurant. Although a busy restaurant during the lunch rush, the food was fresh, excellently prepared, and the waiters and waitresses very attentive and helpful. I highly recommend Katie’s for lunch or dinner, or both.

Since we rented a beach house, most breakfasts were made at the house. We tried other places for lunches and dinners. However, I highly recommend the ones summarized above.

Our beach house rental with the deck looking out to the water. Fantastic location!

Final Thoughts

Even after the first two days of blustery rainy weather, we really enjoyed the sun, beaches, activities, and restaurants of Galveston Island for the remaining four days of our stay – so did the dogs.

One of the most beautiful pictures ever painted on nature's canvass is a sunset over the ocean (or the Gulf of American, in this case). Galveston, even during bad weather is an unlimited source of beautiful photos.

The Beaches of Galveston Texas are what brings you here. The history, architecture, eclectic dining delights, the sea, and much more is what keeps you coming back.

I highly recommend that you vacation on Galveston Island.

Sure, you will love the beaches, the old town area, and the eclectic mix of restaurants. And I’m sure that by the end of your trip you will have decided to return for another trip, as I have.

Enjoy the attractions and the beaches of Galveston, Texas….