Charming Galveston is a striking historic city on Galveston Island, set just an hour from Houston on Texas’ Gulf Coast. Previously a key deepwater port and an immigration station, the city is now a brilliant place for a cultural holiday or beach escape. Accommodation options range from simple B&Bs to extensive luxury resorts, ideal for a whole array of tastes and budgets. Our selection of the best places to stay in Galveston includes intimate inns perfect for romantic couples, as well as an imposing city hotel and a trendy beach resort — great for families or business travellers.
Explore Galveston with a stroll along streets lined with nineteenth-century buildings, including a multitude of museums and heritage homes in four designated historic districts. Highlights include tours of the Bishop’s Palace and the Moody Mansion, as well as visits to the Texas Seaport Museum, the Bryan Museum and the Galveston Railroad Museum, depending on your particular interests. There are myriad art galleries, too, as well as quirky boutiques and excellent eateries.
Take the whole family to Schlitterbahn Waterpark and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier for a day of adventure, or to spot amazing creatures at the famous Moody Gardens. Head to Pier 21 for watersports and boat tours, or venture further afield to snorkel and dive on the reefs which surround the islands. There are 32 miles of sun-drenched beaches, too, for laid-back days of rest and relaxation.
Whilst many of our favourite places to stay in Galveston are heritage properties in the old part of the city — well-placed for on-foot explorations — keen beach-goers can book a room at a cool contemporary resort for heaps of activities and easy access to the sand and sea.
