Things to Do in Galveston, Texas

The Moody Gardens theme park is one of the most popular things to do in Galveston, Texas, and continues to grow and add new exhibits every year. Moody Gardens features the Aquarium Pyramid filled with 1 million gallons of water and countless species of sharks, tropical fish and other marine life; the landmark glass Rainforest Pyramid, home to tropical plants and birds; the Imax 3-D Theater; a Ridefilm viewing experience; the 4-D Special FX Theater; a cruise on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat; the Discovery Museum; and a beach replete with lagoons, waterfalls, spas and beautiful landscaping. Tickets are sold as day passes and typically offer admittance to all of the exhibits.

A new addition to the area, the Schlitterbahn Waterpark is quickly becoming one of the most popular things to do in Galveston, Texas. With three areas of attractions---Wasserfest, Blastenhoff and Surfenberg---Schlitterbahn Galveston has plenty of water rides for the daring and not-so-daring, beaches, kids' play areas, hot tubs, pools, white-water rivers and surfing spots to keep the entire family entertained for days. Tickets are available for half-day, single-day and two-day admission and include access to all areas of the waterpark.

With over 32 miles of beaches, one of the most obvious things to do in Galveston, Texas, is to head out to the beach for a day of fun in the sun. The most popular beaches include Stewart Beach Park, which is ideal for families and home to many family-sponsored events throughout the summer, and East Beach, which permits alcohol consumption and is home to an outdoor pavilion with bar, snack bar and entertainment.

Many visitors to Galveston are unaware of the rich history of the island and often miss out on some of the most fascinating things to do in Galveston, Texas, by spending all their time at the beach. Galveston was once a booming port and home to many wealthy merchants who built stately homes on the island, many of which survive in their original condition and are open to tours. Some of these historic structures include the 1838 Michel B. Menard House, the 1859 Ashton Villa, the 1859 St. Joseph's Church, the 1861 U.S. Custom House and the 1892 Bishop's Palace. Due to their structural integrity, many of these homes sustained only minor damage in the devastating 1900 hurricane.

Nothing says Texas like oil, and what better way to learn about the wealth of the state than by visiting the hands-on Offshore Oil Rig and Museum in Galveston. The museum is on a retired offshore jack-up drilling rig and has three stories of exhibits and interactive displays explaining the history and processes involved in offshore drilling. The Ocean Star Offshore Oil Rig and Museum is open daily with very reasonable ticket prices, all at $8 and below, with kids under 6 free.