Thought you knew everything about Galveston? Think again. From year-round cruises to the revitalization of the Island's Downtown to ongoing beach renourishment, Galveston is always adding something new.  Contact Leah Cast, public relations manager for the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, for the best tips on what's new and exciting on the island. Meanwhile, take a look at a few important Galveston Island facts!

• Galveston Island is located on the Gulf of Mexico, 50 miles South of Houston.
• Galveston Island is a barrier reef island that averages 2 miles in width, offering 32 miles of Gulf Coast beaches.
• Galveston Island offers temperate weather year-round, averaging 57°F in the winter months and 81°F in summer months.
• Galveston Island has four historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places, which include The Strand National Historic Landmark District, East End Historic District, Silk Stocking District and Central Business District. 
• Galveston Island is home to three National Historic Landmarks including the Tall Ship ELISSA, East End and The Strand and has approximately 1,500 historic buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. 
• Galveston Island is home to Moody Gardens which includes a Rainforest Pyramid, IMAX 3D Theater, Palm Beach, Discovery Museum, Ridefilm Theater, Aquarium Pyramid and Colonel Paddlewheel.
• Galveston Island's Schlitterbahn Waterpark offers the world's first convertible waterpark and is the third waterpark in the Schlitterbahn family of Texas parks.
• Galveston Island has a host of museums and historic homes open to the public for tours, including the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, Lone Star Flight Museum (Home of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame), Railroad Museum, Texas Seaport Museum, Ashton Villa, Bishop’s Palace, and Moody Mansion.
• Galveston Island’s Strand National Historic Landmark District/Downtown area offers a host of shops, restaurants and art galleries conveniently located within 36 square blocks.
• Galveston Island was second only to Ellis Island as an immigration station.
• Galveston has the second largest historic preservation group in the nation.  The Galveston Historical Foundation celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1996.
• Galveston Island is home to the University of Texas Medical Branch and Texas A&M University at Galveston.

From Blog.Galveston.com

Fri, 11 May 2012 18:29:15 +0000 Attend Island Hurricane Preparedness Town Hall Meeting May 30 With the start of hurricane season right around the corner, Island officials are encouraging the public to get prepared now. The City of Galveston will host its annual Hurricane Preparedness Town Hall Meeting at 6PM on Wednesday, May 30, at the Galveston Island Convention Center. The public is invited to arrive early and watch as local first responders conduct a training exercise on the beachfront an hour prior to the start of the meeting. Thu, 10 May 2012 20:56:52 +0000 Galveston to Hold General and Special Election Saturday, May 12 The City of Galveston will hold a general and special election this Saturday to elect a Mayor at-large and City Council Members from each of the island’s six districts. Tue, 08 May 2012 21:38:25 +0000 Summer in the City! Galveston Offers Free Recreation Programs Calling all parents! Are you wracking your brain trying to schedule a summer full of fun for your child? Worried you’ll have to empty your pocketbook to do so? Registration is now open for the City of Galveston’s FREE summer recreation program! Wed, 02 May 2012 19:48:57 +0000 Galveston Applying to Become a State-Designated Cultural District The Galveston Commission for the Arts, a City Council appointed board, will submit an application requesting the State of Texas to designate Galveston’s downtown area as an official cultural district. Citizens are invited to attend and participate at two upcoming meetings to learn more about the process and application. Tue, 01 May 2012 20:45:28 +0000 Galveston Launches Fraud Reporting Hotline In their continuing efforts to deter fraud, abuse, and waste City of Galveston officials have established a new hotline for citizens to report deceptive practices.

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