Accommodations

Just 40 minutes from Houston, Galveston Island and the nearby Texas mainland offer a relaxing getaway with a large variety of condos, vacation homes, and villas. Choose a vacation that offers luxurious living while making the most of the beautiful beaches of the island at affordably priced rates.

View our Galveston Vacation Rental & Resorts

Activities

Aside from the natural beauty of the island and its beaches, Galveston offers attractions that include the Galveston Schlitterbahn waterpark, Moody Gardens, the Lone Star Flight Museum, a downtown neighborhood of historic buildings known as "The Strand," as well as many historical museums and mansions.

Events

During Mardi Gras, Galveston and The Strand Historic District hosts nine different parades and 15 masquerade balls during the 12 days and 11 nights of Mardi Gras. In June the annual AIA Sandcastle competition offers an extraordinary display of sculptures and structures at East Beach. The Lone Star Motorcycle Rally takes place in November and is a Galveston Park Board sponsored event, a four-day Island-wide affair attracting more than 250,000 bikers and motorcycle admirers. The largest of its kind in Texas, the rally features motorcycle processions, drag racing on the sand, Lil' Hawg races, live entertainment, poker runs, concept vehicles and much more! December brings Moody Gardens Festival of Lights, a month-long celebration that features one of the largest and most fantastic light presentations in Texas. Acres of elaborate holiday displays with the sounds of vocal and bell choirs. Make sure not to miss the large outdoor ice-skating rink!

Water Sports

Galveston Island offers a wide variety of water sports, including swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling, boating and sport fishing. Galveston is also home to one of the three Schlitterbahn waterparks in the United States.

Golfing

There are two 18-hole golf courses located on the Island - the Galveston Island Municipal Golf Course and the Galveston Country Club. The Municipal course is a public course and the Country Club is private. Many additional golf courses are available throughout the nearby Houston metropolitan area.

History

José de Evia, who charted the Texas coast in 1785, named Galveston Bay after Bernardo de Gálvez, the viceroy of Mexico. The town was founded after Texas gained its independence and in 1939 the Texas legislature granted incorporation to the city of Galveston with the power to elect town officers. During its early years, Galveston was the largest city in Texas, and was still the fourth largest until the 1900 Hurricane struck, devastating large portions of the city. Part of the reconstruction effort after the hurricane was the famous 10 mile long seawall that protects the Gulf Coast side of the city.