Like your sun ‘n fun interspersed with history and culture? Looking for a seaside vacation that’s not all that far from one of America’s largest cities? Galveston Island is good to go – close, convenient and cool. Galveston is some 42 miles from Houston Hobby Airport, a major connecting point for Southwest Airlines.
Get off the plane, on the road, and head south. Then, give your imagination free rein. Here, courtesy of the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, are some of the resort area’s prime attractions:
– Moody Gardens is a must. Start with a visit to the Aquarium Pyramid and wander the world’s oceans. Explore the Rainforest Pyramid, in which you’ll discover thousands of tropical plants, exotic fish and exquisite birds. The Discovery Pyramid unveils the secrets of science and Mother Nature. Docked at the gardens is the Colonel, a 19th Century-style sternwheeler of a ship.
– Galveston is a family-oriented sort of town. During the summer Schlitterbahn Galveston Island serves up a slew of water rides – wave pool, uphill water coasters, speed slides and such. Year-round, Schlitterbahn offers the steaming waters of a heated indoor waterpark.
– Lots of things down in Texas are pegged top petroleum. See how an offshore drilling rig works by visiting The Ocean Star, located at Pier 19. In Seawolf Park tour USS Cavalla and USS Stewart. The former is a WWII submarine, the latter a destroyer escort.
– Over on Pier 21 Theater get a glimpse of The Great Storm of 1900, the hurricane that devastated Galveston, the storm that forever defined Mother Nature’s fury.
– Set out on more placid seas aboard the Galveston Island Ferry, located on Highway 87. Ferries depart every 15 minutes or so and the voyage is free.
(Featured image: finchlake2000)
