Galveston Island is located on the coastline of Texas just 50 miles south of Houston. And with a host of treasures to offer - including 32 miles of beaches, relaxed atmosphere, abundant leisure activities, excellent medical facilities, first-rate restaurants, educational opportunities, numerous attractions and a vibrant historic downtown that offers cruising, shopping, arts and entertainment - we decided it would fun to let YOU tell us what treasure you love best.
When visiting the Island, the first stop you should make is the Galveston Island Visitors Center. Operated by the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Center offers a wealth of brochures, free maps of the Island, and friendly guides ready to point you in the direction of whatever fun you have in mind ... and maybe even some fun you didn't know existed.
Other than the beach, the top destination for
Galveston visitors is the 242-acre Moody Gardens . Part theme park, part educational
and rehabilitative facility, part pleasure garden,
Moody Gardens is a vacation all by itself.
Upon entering Moody Gardens, you are instantly
wowed by the lush and other worldly environment
created by the Moody family. Amidst the profusion
of tropical plants gleam three glass pyramids –
pink, blue and white – housing a 10-story
rainforest, one of the world’s largest aquariums,
and an educational Discovery Museum. One
exhibit quotes a Senegalese conservationist:
“In the end, we will conserve only what we love.”
With 25 naturalists on staff, Moody Gardens
lovingly conserves a vast wonderland for the
knowledge-thirsty visitor. The complex includes
an IMAX 3D, 4D Special FX theater and IMAX
Ridefilm theaters; silky-smooth Palm Beach, with
white sand and freshwater lagoons; the 19th century
style Colonel Paddlewheeler, with onehour
narrative cruises (a favorite with birders); the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and a luxury hotel.
Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark is one
of the Hottest, Coolest Times in Texas! The park
features uphill water coasters, water slides, kid’s
playgrounds, whitewater rapids, wave pool, hot
tubs, plus the Boogie Bahn surf ride. And the
exclusive Transportainment river system makes
Schlitterbahn Galveston Island the ultimate family
destination. The summer season offers more than
32 family-friendly attractions. The coolest way to
have the hottest winter vacation is to slide into
Schlitterbahn’s Wasserfest. The park offers a
dozen heated attractions in a warm, tropical oasis
featuring four enclosed tube slides, the Torrent
Tidal Wave River, three speed slides, three water
playgrounds and more.
Focused on waterfront fun and entertainment like no other Gulf Coast destination, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier features family-oriented attractions including rides, games of chance and skill, a wide selection of food venues and retail shops.
The Pleasure Pier rides vary from thrilling to gentle, allowing guests of all ages to relish in the boardwalk excitement. Channeling excitement at every twist, turn and heart-pounding drop, the 16 rides offer unparalleled thrills.
"The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier will offer the thrill seekers on the Gulf Coast the most exhilarating collection of rides for all ages," said Tilman Fertitta, sole owner, chairman and CEO of Landry's.
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