Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
This tour will cover much of the island, its history, and historic sites. I will play a 45-minute documentary giving you an good introduction as we drive to Galveston on our drip-down movie screens. This is a mostly driving tour that also incorporates about 1 hour to walk and shop along the historic Strand Street. We will have other stops for photo taking. Galveston was the largest city in Texas in 1870 and 1880 and was the wealthiest city as well until the 1900 Great Storm. The Great Storm was a monster hurricane that killed at least 6,000 people on September 8th. More people died in this Galveston hurricane than ALL other hurricanes that have hit the mainland US in history. On the return trip, we can show you the documentary Isaac's Storm from the History Channel. This will be fun-filled, entertaining and educational tour of a once great city that is still a fun place to vacation.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We meet inside the rotunda of the Houston City Hall at 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas 77002 on Monday through Friday. City Hall is closed on weekends. On weekends, we meet at a park bench on the east side of City Hall.
Itinerary
-
1
This beautiful mansion from 1892 looks like a small castle. The American Institute of Architects have ranked this as the 14th most important US home built during the Victorian Age. It also has a great gift shop.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
2
The Strand is the most famous street in Galveston. It looks like a cleaner version of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It is full of shops, cafes, boutiques, and comfort food sites for ice cream, chocolate, saltwater taffy, taffy apples, fudge, jerky, and more. First, we will drive on The Strand to familiarize yourself and second, you will be on your own to stroll through it. Enjoy!
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
3
This is one of the largest and cleanest roadside stops in the US. If you have ever heard that everything is bigger in Texas, this site lives up to that motto. The gas station has 56 pumps. Each of the bathrooms has over 30 stalls, generally with an attendant to maintain its cleanliness. It has its own bakery, butcher, fudge, and roasted nuts centers for fresh foods. It has a grocery store and a large souvenir shop that can be great for the first time visitor to Texas. If you like Reese's peanut butter cups, try a Buc-ee's OverBite.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
This is, to the best of my knowledge, the only oil rig museum in the US that your can go on to tour. This is 1 of about 5 optional special activities that you can select. If you do not want to tour the Drilling Rig & Museum, you can select to: 1. Go on a boat ride and see dolphins and a shipwreck to Galveston Bay. 2. Tour the 4th largest Railroad Museum in the US. 3. Tour the Pirates Legends of the Gulf Coast Museum. 4. Tour the Galveston Historic Seaport Museum - Home of the 1977 Tall Ship ELISSA. Walk on this historic 3-masted baroque that was originally from Ireland. 5. Tour the Bryan Museum (closed on Monday and Tuesday). 6. Tour the 1895 Moody Mansion.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
5
Drive along Seawall Boulevard to see the Gulf of Mexico, the hotels, restaurants and gift shops.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
See the beginning of the Houston Ship Channel, the wharves, ships, and restaurants along the Port.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
This beautiful and historic performing arts theater is one of the oldest in all of the South. It has survived dozens of hurricanes.
Admission ticket free -
7
Drive through the Silk Stocking District to see mansions from 1890s through 1920. In the general area, we will also see 4 of the 5 oldest homes of Galveston from 1856, 1847, 1839, and 1838. The latter two homes look like plantation mansions. Big and beautiful oak, crepe myrtle, and palm trees line these areas.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
This is one of the largest waterparks in the United States. If you have children or you are a big kid, you will want to return here.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Show 2 more
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- If parents or grandparents bring their own infant seats, the children can sit in them after they are secured.
- Travelers will have their option to choose the type of food that they want to eat. For example, Seafood, barbecue, steak, Mexican, Asian, Greek, or something else. Everyone pays for his/her meal.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Top Searches
Company
Get our app
