Galveston Island, Texas is a small island that is a mega tourist attraction! The where to go, what to do and geographical data of this great resort town.
Galveston Texas is a relatively small island but a mega tourist attraction, offering everything you'd expect in a resort. Here is but a small bit of information on local attractions and history of the area. The where to go, what to do's as well as geographical data of this great resort town.
In the late 1800's the island was nationally proclaimed as the wall street of the south. It was the nation's largest port, second only to New York. A highly social town as well, with a southern paw deep into organized crime and illegal gambling, Galveston's charm lured the crooked as well as the "up and coming" of society.
Today the islands roots are deeply embedded in tourism, with a budding economy as the end result. Galveston is now and has always been a true gem in the south. Fine dining, shopping, arts and entertainment abound. The island boasts amenities that rival any resort along the Gulf of Mexico. Plus exciting annual events, such as Mardi Gras (one of its best!) and "Dickens on the Strand" to keep tourists returning year round, and year after year.
Yes, Galveston has a Mardi Gras, one of the oldest at that. There are literally two weeks of celebration, masked balls, some private, others public. Hundreds of musicians, marching bands as well as some bizarre elaborately decorated floats will be part of many processions. Each year a new theme is chosen, and the 2001 theme: "Space and beyond"!
During the month of December Galveston boasts another wonderful annual celebration: Dickens on the Strand. An old-fashioned Christmas time comes to life in the historical strand area. Costumed gents and ladies stroll the streets among the merchants and gift shops peddling their wares. On every street corner you'll hear the sounds of Christmas, as roving musicians and meandering choirs will fill the town with merriment.
Some unique attractions to the area include Moody Gardens which features an Aquarium, an IMAX Ride film Theater featuring a colossal screen rising up six-stories, a Rain Forest Pyramid that is home to more than 1,700 exotic plant and animal species from the rainforest of Asia, tropical Americas and Africa, and a new luxury hotel with all the amenities. There are unlimited choices when it comes to accommodations on the island, with virtually every type of accommodation imaginable from luxury hotels, private beach homes or beachfront condos all available for rent throughout the year. Some charming and some historical bed & breakfasts as well. Galveston has an entertainment and shopping area in the old historical strand district that is as easily assessable by yacht (or boat) as by car. The romance of the strand nightlife is enhanced by another transportation alternative: the horse drawn carriage.
Visitors can tour Galveston by land, sea and air.
The island is renowned for its exquisite Victorian architecture and historic homes. Museums and attractions are abundant on the Island, many within walking distance of one another. There are at least 16 historic homes (museums that are open to public).
The semi-tropical weather of Galveston has made it a long time favorite for southern vacationers. The temperatures average 51 degrees in the winter months and 81 degrees in the summer.
