Galveston Vacation - What to Do, What Not to Do?

I live in Galveston, have for almost 20 years. There is always something going on and plenty for families to do. Yes, Moody Gardens is definitely a 1 stop for all family fun type of place. They have the aquarium which is wonderful. The a discovery pyramid may or may not be good for your age. The 4 and 1 yo will not be able to ride the ridefilm. Then depending on what exhibit is going on, they may not enjoy that. The rain forest is ok for kids. They also have Palm Beach which is great for smaller kids. The big pool only goes to about 4 feet deep. Then they have a special childrens' pool area and splash pad (no standing water just water sprayers).

Schlitterbahn is a wonderful place, we get season passes every year. They have things for all ages.

The tall ship Elissa is great if you have any "pirate fans". My son loves it.

The Strand is making a comeback after the hurricane. It is nice, but not a lot for little ones. Sangerfest park is a fun place to let them run around, but it is hard surface, not grass.

I don't know if the railroad museum has opened back up yet. It's great, but don't take a stroller. You have to climb up and down in the trains, and where you get on, is not where you come out.

Texas City has a wonderful museum, The Texas City Museum, that has an entire upstairs that is model railroads. It's amazing.

The ferry is great. But, don't try to drive your car on and off. You would end up waiting in line forever. There is a parking lot you can park the car then walk on, ride over then ride back.

Seawolf Park on Pelican Island is nice for the kids, lots of running room. Take a picnic lunch, they don't sell food. It's a great fishing spot, so the kids will probably get to see what people catch.

Dining...
Joe's Crab Shack is great. I know it's a chain, but it has an outdoor playground. We go there a lot with friends and let the kids play. Get an outside table so you can sit and watch them.

Pretty much all Galveston restaurants are "kid friendly" because it's the nature of the island down here.

For seafood, Shrimp-N-Stuff at 39th and Ave O is great. It's a local joint, great prices, great food.

I prefer Gino's Italian over either of the Mario's restaurants. Better prices, better food. The prices at either Mario's are out-of-sight.

For Mexican, you have to go to Tortuga's. It is delicious. We go there usually once a week. They have great Mexican dishes and seafood Mexican style dishes.

If your hotel offers a free breakfast, try to eat that. Otherwise, stay away from IHOP, it is good, but will be very crowded. Go instead to Dutch Kettle, next door to Joe's Crabshack on the Seawall. Outstanding food!

The Spot is a fun place, but tends to get very crowded. The food is good, and it will be easy to feed the kids.

Galveston has some great food choices. Even though we are a small place, we have all sorts of food, Italian, Chinease, Vietamise (?sp), Greek, Mexican, etc.

Go to www.Galveston.com and do a search of what's happening when you will be here. We have all sorts of festivals and events going on all the time.

1 mom found this helpful

We love The Rainforest Cafe. Galveston's has a little water ride that is kid friendly.

1 mom found this helpful

K.,

We took our girls there a couple of years ago, and they were 4 and 1 at the time. We went to see the Elyssa (sp?), the old ship they have docked, and there's a ship museum there, I believe.

Someone below suggested a ferry ride (free), which my girls LOVED as well. What I WOULD recommend for the ferry, is 1) buy a couple loaves of cheap bread, stand at the back of the ferry, and throw it to the seagulls, and 2) leave your car parked on Galveston Island, and just walk onto the ferry. We didn't find anything of major interest on the other side, and you seem to have wait in line FOREVER to park your car on the ferry. If you walk on, you get the fun of the ferry without the huge wait.

Happy traveling!
M.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi, this will be a blast. We just came back from visiting Galveston for Spring Break (in the rain). Moody Gardens is fun, the beach, IMAX and exhibits. We found the hotel's breakfast very kid friendly. The Schlitterbahn water park is a lot of fun, helps since the water is pretty cold right now. The Seaport Museum is being rebuilt, but you can tour the Elissa, a tall ship that is docked there. The Strand is fun to walk around and explore. I echo the advice you got for Rainforest Cafe and the ferry. The ferry boats are a great adventure, we saw some dolphins in the bay. We also had fun digging in the sand and looking for shells. On your way there or back, you could stop at Kemah Boardwalk or Space Center Houston.

Enjoy!

1 mom found this helpful

There is a place where they have tons of sea turtles, it is where they raise and relaese them into the wild to help the population, as well as to research, they made fishing nets that sea turtles and other large water creature can get out of, while the fish stay in them. Really neat to see all the turtles up close. On their website, it says it is closed to the public until further notice, but we went this time last year and it was neat. It may be open by the time you go in June. Fun, free and only takes 30-45 minutes.
http://galveston.ssp.nmfs.gov/seaturtles/

1 mom found this helpful

aquarium is a MUST is very good the best I have seen in years. Go on line and look at it along with area around it.

1 mom found this helpful

There is a great putt-putt place, kid friendly. When you get to the sea wall and have to right or left go right. You will see it on your right side. They also have batting cages.

There is the Rainforest Cafe...fun for the kids. Also, don't miss The Spot, a great hamburger joint along the Seawall. If your looking for a nice healthy dining experience where you will find the locals. Both the Mosquito Cafe and The Sunflower Bakery on 14th street (East of Broadway) are wonderful cafe's. Also, if you go the the harbor....Willie G's has a nice ambience in the evening on their outdoor patio. Unfortunately, most of the shops along the Strand are still closed due to Hurricane Ike...but, it's still fun to walk and peruse the great Historic buildings and the shops that are open. Have Fun!

I have a 7 year old diagnosed last December with Asbergers. He doesn't demonstrate all the major indicators but enough that I am confident in the diagnosis. If you ever want to talk, please email me! We are not any meds but have tried 2 in the past unsuccessfully. I also have a daughter 2 years younger. I am crazy about my children!

Be sure to use the ferry boat. It's free and fun!

Hello-K.- I have triplets that are 5 and we went to Galveston last year, for a bout a week. Mostly played at the beach, and pool. Avoided the "Strand" as they call it. With kids its to difficult to look. Have you checked since the hurricane to see what's available? The Aquarium is really cool as well as the IMAX theater- as long as it doesn't scare your kids! Have a great time!

K.

The Rainforest Cafe is perfect for kids and parents to enjoy

You will find SO much at Moody Gardens you may not even want to go anywhere else! It's a wonderful place. For a restaurant that is kid friendly, I think you can't beat Joe's Crab Shack. You may have been to the ones here in Austin tho, so if you have, it will not be as much fun. Also, the pool area at Moody Gardens is just the BEST ever especially for young kids. Have fun, I'm glad you are supporting Galveston!

Go to the Boliver Ferry, it is free and ride across and see the dolphins, take some bread to throw to the gulls. If you want, drive up hiway 87 and see the storm damage.
Get some chicken legs or wings and some string and a long handles net and go crabbing off the jetties (the long row of rocks on the gulf side of the island.) The kids will love it. The paddle boat is worth the money. Moody Gardens is nice, and the kids will love the Rainforest Cafe.