Mention Galveston, Texas and many people would remember the name from one of the classic rock songs where it appeared. Mention that it's actually an island and some people may do a double take. Yes, Galveston is in fact an island, and not just that but an island with literally thousands of things to see and do.
Start with The Strand. The Strand is one of the area's oldest attractions, and one of the only areas that managed to survive the 1900 storm that took out most of the city. This historic district is full of so many different things that you might find yourself extending your trip by a few extra days just to see everything there. Plus, if you spend a few nights on their local bar/club scene, you may even forget about heading home!
The Strand is the place to go if you're an architecture buff, or if you just like people watching. Yes you'll see thousands of tourists swimming around, but you'll also be face to face with locals and local shops. The one store you have to visit is the Peanut Butter Warehouse on 20th Street. Don't worry if you find yourself spending a few hours wandering around the store, picking up homemade fudge and taking home a prehistoric kitchen gadget from their antiques shop, now you're acting more like a local and less like a tourist.
While in The Strand you also have to hit the Pier 21 Theater. Pier 21 shows two different movies every hour: The Great Storm, which details the devastating effects of the 1900 hurricane, and The Pirate Island of Jean Lafitte. If seeing those flicks puts you in the mood for some more history, head to the Elissa. This tall ship is one of the only objects listed with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. You can also head over to the Texas Seaport Museum where you can find information on nearly every immigrant who came through Galveston to the US.
When in Galveston, make sure to hit one of the historic house tours. The Michael B. Menard Home on 33rd Street is the oldest building there, built in 1938. You'll also find the 1839 Samuel May Williams House, former home of the man who once owned the island.
Moody Gardens is another must see in Galveston. This is the perfect place to visit with kids, and the perfect place to see if you love nature. You can see the 10 story rain forest pyramid with birds and plants that are usually only found in the rain forest, and go swimming in the aquarium. Or just hit the IMAX theater, and 4D theater. Better yet, grab one of their two day passes and see every attraction they have to offer, and as many times as you want.
The only limits to what you can do in Galveston is how much time you can spend there!
This guide to Galveston Island was brought to you by Jennifer Eblin