Galveston Island offers everything in a resort destination – beautiful accommodations, entertainment, shopping and 32 miles of Gulf Coast beaches. Galveston’s festivals, special events and attractions are enjoyable for Islanders and tourists alike. One bit of advice – if you live here, don’t wait until you have out-of-town visitors to tour the Island’s many attractions. Galveston’s temperate weather allows residents and visitors to enjoy the beautiful outdoors year-round, and there’s always a Gulf breeze. The Island offers wonderful Gulf beaches, golfing, fishing, volleyball and horseback riding. Beach and umbrella concessionaires provide their services in many areas of the beach, areas that are designated by the City Council as alcohol-free. Children and adults alike enjoy playing in the sand. Galveston’s…

Galveston Island has several museums, historic homes and transportation museums open to the public for tours. One such attraction is Elissa, a 19th-century squarerigged iron barque that called twice on the bustling port city during its long sailing career. Purchased in the 1970s by Galveston Historical Foundation, the ship was restored to its former majesty and is open for tours at Pier 22. The Texas Seaport Museum, home of the official tall ship of Texas, Elissa, features Galveston’s and the Texas Gulf Coast’s maritime history through exhibits and multimedia shows. Visitors can tour the 1877 iron barque and learn about the shrimping industry on Santa Maria. Others can search a computer database containing 130,000 entries for ancestors who may have immigrated to…