Galveston Beach Along The Seawall Galveston Island has many different attractions and things to see/do before or after a cruise vacation. There are many free things to do in Galveston before or after a cruise as well as attractions that cost some money, but are fun to see. In this post I will share some attractions you may want to look into doing before or after a Galveston cruise. I do not endorse or have any affiliation with any of these places. I have listed links to the website I believe is the official website or best source of information for you to find out more. The attractions listed did not pay me to be included in the text here (I included solely based on my research or familiarity with the attraction in Galveston). Further, there are many more places to see and things to do in Galveston than what I have listed here. I recommend checking out the Galveston Island Visitors Center, which I have information included at the bottom of this post. This post is intended to be a starting place for research on things to do in Galveston before or after a cruise ship vacation. Have fun planning your trip!
Galveston Railroad Museum
Address: 2602 Santa Fe Place, Galveston, TX 77550
The Galveston Railroad Museum is located a few blocks from Cruise Terminals 25 and 28. The museum has a variety of exhibits, including some train exhibits outside. Admission to the Galveston Railroad Museum is self-guided and per the museum's website it is recommended to allow 1 hour for touring the museum. According to the Galveston Railroad Museum's website the museum has approximately 40 rolling stock (includes locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and cabooses). Parking is available on-site and included in the price of admission (please note, parking is first come first served). If you love trains and want to see some railroad history, this is a perfect exhibit to check-out.
For more details on the Galveston Railroad Museum, including admission prices & more I highly recommend you check out the Galveston Railroad Museum's website below: Click Here To View
Address: 2602 Santa Fe Place, Galveston, TX 77550
The Galveston Railroad Museum is located a few blocks from Cruise Terminals 25 and 28. The museum has a variety of exhibits, including some train exhibits outside. Admission to the Galveston Railroad Museum is self-guided and per the museum's website it is recommended to allow 1 hour for touring the museum. According to the Galveston Railroad Museum's website the museum has approximately 40 rolling stock (includes locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and cabooses). Parking is available on-site and included in the price of admission (please note, parking is first come first served). If you love trains and want to see some railroad history, this is a perfect exhibit to check-out.
For more details on the Galveston Railroad Museum, including admission prices & more I highly recommend you check out the Galveston Railroad Museum's website below: Click Here To View
Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum
Address: 2002 Wharf Road, Galveston, TX 77550
The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum is a retired rig that is now a museum. Per the Energy Education Foundation's website the museum is self-guided and has videos & interactive displays. The tour is estimated to take around 1.5 hours to complete.
The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum is located along the Galveston Harbor close to the Harbor House Hotel and Pier 21 area. When you depart on your cruise you should be able to easily spot the Ocean Star.
For more details on the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum, including admission prices & more I highly recommend you check out the Energy Education Foundation's website: Click Here To View
Address: 2002 Wharf Road, Galveston, TX 77550
The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum is a retired rig that is now a museum. Per the Energy Education Foundation's website the museum is self-guided and has videos & interactive displays. The tour is estimated to take around 1.5 hours to complete.
The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum is located along the Galveston Harbor close to the Harbor House Hotel and Pier 21 area. When you depart on your cruise you should be able to easily spot the Ocean Star.
For more details on the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum, including admission prices & more I highly recommend you check out the Energy Education Foundation's website: Click Here To View
Historic Harbor Tours & Dolphin Watch
Address: Pier 22 Suite #8, Galveston, TX 77550
The Historic Harbor Tours & Dolphin Watch tour takes guests on the Seagull II around the Galveston Harbor. This is a great tour for sight-seeing and learning some history. Per the Galveston Historical Foundation website, the tours last an hour. Tickets are available for purchase at Pier 22 (look for signage).
For more details on the Historic Harbor Tours & Dolphin Watch I recommend you check out this page on the Galveston Historical Foundation's website: Click Here To View
Address: Pier 22 Suite #8, Galveston, TX 77550
The Historic Harbor Tours & Dolphin Watch tour takes guests on the Seagull II around the Galveston Harbor. This is a great tour for sight-seeing and learning some history. Per the Galveston Historical Foundation website, the tours last an hour. Tickets are available for purchase at Pier 22 (look for signage).
For more details on the Historic Harbor Tours & Dolphin Watch I recommend you check out this page on the Galveston Historical Foundation's website: Click Here To View
Moody Mansion
Address: 2618 Broadway, Galveston, TX 77550
The Moody Mansion is the restored home of W.L. Moody Jr. The Moody Mansion is open for self-guided tours and all access guided tours, depending on the ticket type you purchase. The all access tours are given at certain times which are listed on the Moody Mansion website.
For more details on Moody Mansion, including admission prices & more I highly recommend you check out the Moody Mansion's website: Click Here To View
Address: 2618 Broadway, Galveston, TX 77550
The Moody Mansion is the restored home of W.L. Moody Jr. The Moody Mansion is open for self-guided tours and all access guided tours, depending on the ticket type you purchase. The all access tours are given at certain times which are listed on the Moody Mansion website.
For more details on Moody Mansion, including admission prices & more I highly recommend you check out the Moody Mansion's website: Click Here To View
Seawolf Park & Galveston Naval Museum
Address: 100 Seawolf Park Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
Seawolf Park is a former immigration station and is located on Pelican Island. To access Seawolf Park you will drive on Galveston Island and there is a bridge that connects to Pelican Island. At Seawolf Park, visitors can see the USS Cavalla and USS Stewart. Some people visit Seawolf Park to fish. The admission will depend on what you are going to do/see at Seawolf Park. There are separate charges for parking, fishing, and the Galveston Naval Museum.
For more details on Seawolf Park & the Galveston Naval Museum, including admission prices, I recommend you check out this page on the Visit Galveston website for more details: Click Here to View
You can also find some information on the Galveston Park Board website: Click Here To View
Address: 100 Seawolf Park Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
Seawolf Park is a former immigration station and is located on Pelican Island. To access Seawolf Park you will drive on Galveston Island and there is a bridge that connects to Pelican Island. At Seawolf Park, visitors can see the USS Cavalla and USS Stewart. Some people visit Seawolf Park to fish. The admission will depend on what you are going to do/see at Seawolf Park. There are separate charges for parking, fishing, and the Galveston Naval Museum.
For more details on Seawolf Park & the Galveston Naval Museum, including admission prices, I recommend you check out this page on the Visit Galveston website for more details: Click Here to View
You can also find some information on the Galveston Park Board website: Click Here To View
Shopping Along The Strand
Galveston's Strand Historic District has many places to shop, eat, or drink. The Stand is located very close to Cruise Terminals 25 and 28 and not too far from Cruise Terminal 10. You can park along most streets of Galveston's Strand, which have signage regarding payment for parking.
Galveston's Strand Historic District has many places to shop, eat, or drink. The Stand is located very close to Cruise Terminals 25 and 28 and not too far from Cruise Terminal 10. You can park along most streets of Galveston's Strand, which have signage regarding payment for parking.
Galveston Seawall
The Galveston Seawall was built after the 1900 storm to protect the city from future storms. If you are looking for somewhere to visit with a great beach view, I recommend checking out the Galveston Seawall if you venture over to Seawall Boulevard during your visit to Galveston. For most areas along the Seawall you do have to pay for parking, but a few free parking areas exist!
For more details on parking along the Galveston Seawall please check out this official Galveston website: Click Here To View
The Galveston Seawall was built after the 1900 storm to protect the city from future storms. If you are looking for somewhere to visit with a great beach view, I recommend checking out the Galveston Seawall if you venture over to Seawall Boulevard during your visit to Galveston. For most areas along the Seawall you do have to pay for parking, but a few free parking areas exist!
For more details on parking along the Galveston Seawall please check out this official Galveston website: Click Here To View
Pleasure Pier
Address: 2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
Pleasure Pier has some dining and rides & amusements. You can also just pay for a walk-on ticket to the Pleasure Pier that gives access to walk on the pier, but not ride any rides. Pleasure Pier gives a great view of the Galveston Seawall and beaches. If you are into amusement parks with a neat view, this is an attraction I recommend checking out!
For the Pleasure Pier website: Click Here To View
Address: 2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
Pleasure Pier has some dining and rides & amusements. You can also just pay for a walk-on ticket to the Pleasure Pier that gives access to walk on the pier, but not ride any rides. Pleasure Pier gives a great view of the Galveston Seawall and beaches. If you are into amusement parks with a neat view, this is an attraction I recommend checking out!
For the Pleasure Pier website: Click Here To View
Galveston - Bolivar Ferry
The Galveston - Bolivary Ferry is free and runs back & forth between Galveston Island the Bolivar Peninsula. You can drive onto the ferry or board as a pedestrian. Taking the ferry back & forth is a great way to see Galveston's Harbor, the entrance to Galveston Bay, and the Bolivar Peninsula.
The Galveston - Bolivary Ferry is free and runs back & forth between Galveston Island the Bolivar Peninsula. You can drive onto the ferry or board as a pedestrian. Taking the ferry back & forth is a great way to see Galveston's Harbor, the entrance to Galveston Bay, and the Bolivar Peninsula.
Moody Gardens
Address: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
When you are driving into Galveston on I-45 you may be able to see Moody Gardens from the causeway. Moody Gardens has a variety of exhibits and things to do.
For details on Moody Gardens their official website: Click Here To View
Address: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
When you are driving into Galveston on I-45 you may be able to see Moody Gardens from the causeway. Moody Gardens has a variety of exhibits and things to do.
For details on Moody Gardens their official website: Click Here To View
Galveston Island Visitors Center
The Galveston Island Visitors Center is located at 2228 Mechanic Street Suite 101. I highly recommend checking out the Galveston.com website for more information on attractions & things to do in Galveston or for information on how to visit the visitors center.
Click Here To View The Galveston.com Website
The Galveston Island Visitors Center is located at 2228 Mechanic Street Suite 101. I highly recommend checking out the Galveston.com website for more information on attractions & things to do in Galveston or for information on how to visit the visitors center.
Click Here To View The Galveston.com Website
RyG's Cruise Guide does not endorse nor is responsible for any of the attractions/places listed here. I recommend you use this research as a starting point and do additional research before deciding to make a purchase. Information included here is subject to change at any time and may not be updated timely. All links included on this page will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide and I am not responsible for the content of those websites. If you choose to purchase or make a reservation online, make sure you independently determine if the website is official and use caution to avoid scams (website included looks official, but not actually be - so be careful).