{"id":2046,"date":"2023-03-09T08:44:47","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T13:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/?p=2046"},"modified":"2024-11-04T14:54:55","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T19:54:55","slug":"palmera-go-destination-highlight-galveston-tx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/2023\/03\/palmera-go-destination-highlight-galveston-tx\/","title":{"rendered":"Palmera GO Destination Highlight: Galveston, TX"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Unlock spectacular travel destinations with your Palmera Vacation Club membership. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of seven barrier islands along the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston today is known as a family-friendly beach destination and popular port for cruise ships setting sail for Mexico and the Caribbean. With just about 32 miles of beaches, delicious seafood, and vacation rentals aplenty, this coastal paradise is only a road trip away for most of its visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Amy Peryam<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Those who grew up visiting Galveston know about its interesting history and resilience, but the island\u2019s past may be surprising for newcomers. For starters, you may not expect to see Victorian architecture, a beautiful reminder dating back to when the city was the second richest per capita in the United States. Called the Wall Street of the South before the deadly storm in 1900, Galveston attracted wealthy merchants and was also a major immigration port.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Galveston\u2019s deep-water port is what attracted early European settlement, and has continued to be the driving force for the local economy, including the tourism industry. The island wasn\u2019t always a family-friendly vacation destination. It wasn\u2019t until the Galveston Historical Foundation made it a mission to preserve the local historic buildings in 1957, did it take shape into the destination it is today. One can argue that efforts actually began when locals raised most of the island 17 feet after the storm in 1900 caught residents off guard, resulting in the worst natural disaster on record in North America. Once Seawall Boulevard was created, there was a new emphasis on entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The main attraction is the beach for most. How could you go wrong with miles of sandy beaches? East Beach is the biggest on the island, covering 80-acres and has several entrances. Park near the second entrance and you\u2019ll be able to enjoy the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve, an area for visitors to hike, fish, kayak, and observe wildlife. Another can\u2019t-miss spot for nature-lovers is the Galveston Island State Park. Here you\u2019ll find plenty of trails on land and in the water, so bring a kayak or paddle board! The swimming area on the beach area is totally family-friendly. Another popular beach for families is Stewart Beach. Stewart\u2019s location is the main factor, since it\u2019ll put you close to the main seawall promenade for plenty of restaurants and activities to start or end your beach day with!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Beach<\/a>
Photo by F. Muhammad<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Something that might catch your eye down the waterline during your beach day, is the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. From a distance you\u2019ll be able to make out a Ferris wheel and a group of other thrilling rollercoasters and rides. Wondering about the historical significance to this up-to-date theme park jutting out over the gulf? It was built in location where the original pier stood from 1943 to 1961.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another popular attraction that the whole family will love is a day at Moody Gardens. Located mid-island, the grounds are hard to miss as three giant pyramids dot the skyline. Each pyramid holds the unexpected inside\u2014one is an aquarium, the next is a tropical rainforest, and the third is a discovery museum. Amazing exhibits await you in all three locations. Guests are also able to enjoy a private animal encounter, the most popular being penguins who are quite the artists! On site there are also various theaters ranging from 3D, 4D, and audience recognition, meaning you\u2019re in for an experience like no other! Don\u2019t forget to take a cruise on the Colonel, a perfect replica of an 1800s paddle-wheeler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Moody<\/a>
Photo by David Mark <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In the heart of Downtown Galveston, you\u2019ll find The Strand. A few blocks from the cruise ports, The Historic Strand is now the commercial center of the island, but its buildings are more than a century old and now house local shops, galleries, and delicious restaurants. Within these few blocks, you\u2019ll find popular attractions like the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA docked at the Galveston Historic Seaport, a ship and museum where visitors can tour the harbor and learn about Galveston\u2019s past of sea commerce and immigration. Visitors are also in walking distance of The Grand 1894 Opera House and the Galveston Railroad Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the greater Historic East End, you\u2019ll find neighborhoods with colorful Victorian homes dating back to the mid-1800s. This is also where you\u2019ll find Bishop\u2019s Palace and Moody Mansion, two spectacular homes constructed in 1890s that withstood the Great Storm that you can now visit on self-guided tours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If your group is partial to museums, you\u2019re in luck. There are even more to consider fitting into your schedule! Little ones will love the Galveston Children\u2019s Museum, with its many interactive and hands-on learning opportunities. The Bryan Museum includes permanent exhibits about Texas, as well as special exhibits that change throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the island has such beautiful weather year-round, self-guided walking (or biking) tours are a great option to see the sights and get out in the sunshine. There are multiple tours to choose from, but a favorite is always seeing the tree sculptures around town. After Hurricane Ike, artists used fallen oak trees to create beautiful sculptures that can now be seen mostly in locals\u2019 yards in the East End Historical District. If tours in general are what you\u2019re after, look into Segway or even ghost tours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019re looking for a summer vacation destination, you\u2019ve found one\u2014along with a lot of other people. A lot, a lot. As any coastal, family-friendly location is going to be, summer will be the busiest time. In Galveston\u2019s case, it also tends to be the most expensive time. That being said, this island is pretty budget friendly in general, and if you\u2019re ok with crowds, we say go for it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best time to go if you\u2019re looking to save a little money and have wider distances between your beach towel and the group\u2019s next to you, will be either in March, April, October, or November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Delphino Ramirez<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Because of its location on the Gulf Coast, winters are typically pretty short. However, if you decide to visit during their winter, you\u2019ll probably experience warmer weather than what you\u2019re used to. Most days won\u2019t be perfect beach weather, but the good news is that Galveston has so much in store for you to do otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, hurricane season starts in the beginning of June and ends in late November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals up and down the coast of Galveston, and the good news is, there really isn\u2019t a bad area to end up booking your accommodations. Like always, those of us who want to be in the thick of all the entertainment, restaurants, and other activities, might want to stay closer to downtown. This is also the case if you\u2019re staying a few days before or after leaving for a cruise. Palmera Vacation Club members looking to use points, there are multiple accommodations listed on the RCI Exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Having a car is always a good idea when visiting Galveston. If you\u2019re flying into Houston, there are shuttles available to and from the airport, but renting a car gives you the freedom to explore the island and surrounding areas. To find great deals on flights, rental cars, and even cruises, check to see what\u2019s available through your Quest Travel Club portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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