The Strand is a charming historic district in Galveston, lined with ornate late 1800s buildings and filled with restaurants, art galleries, museums, shops, bars, and more. Here, you try some old-school candy at La King’s Confectionery, shop for souvenirs, visit the Pier 21 theater, take a horse-drawn carriage, or learn about history at the Railroad Museum. Explore the area on a segway tour, or uncover its dark side on a ghost tour. Plan your visit during Mardi Gras in February when The Strand is taken over with parades, music, and parties. – Tripadvisor

Moody Gardens is an educational conservation center revolving around nature and wildlife. You can enjoy an interactive experience with endangered animals and plants at the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids. Catch a show with the kids at the 3D and 4D theaters or check out the Discovery Museum. End the day onboard the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, complete with dinner. The best time to visit is at year-end, when the park comes alive with a mega holiday celebration—complete with ice skating and exclusive holiday shows. Snag the best deals by booking your tickets online, where you’ll find website-only discounts. – Tripadvisor

The Bishop's Palace (a.k.a. Gresham House) is a contributing building in the East End Historic District, a National Historic Landmark. The house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the national level of significance in the area of architecture. Architectural historians list the Bishop's Palace (Gresham House) as one of the most significant of Victorian residences in the country. It is owned and operated by Galveston Historical Foundation.

Walk along this eight-mile seawall built to protect Galveston from the raging winds and waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Restored to its turn of the century splendor, the 28,000 square-foot, four-story structure was completed in 1895. Today, our guests visit 20 rooms on a self-guided tour that depicts the home life of a powerful Texas family. The Moodys established one of the great American financial empires. Based on cotton, it grew to include banking, ranching, insurance and hotels. The mansion is one of the finest places to visit, a trip back in time. Touring the museum should definitely be on the top on the list for things to do on Historic Galveston Island. Tour Information: Self-guided Audio Tours: Children 6 & Under Free Self-guided audio tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (last tickets sold at 4p.m.; house closes at 5 p.m.) Behind-the-scenes Tours: Exclusive docent-guided tours to areas not normally open to the public 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday | limited size tours | reservations highly recommended Group Tours: Moody Mansion tour descriptions: Self-guided audio tours: Two audio tours allow you to set your own pace through the house and grounds. • The Moody Family tour features six members of the Moody family telling stories about their ancestors. This tour is also translated into Spanish. • Mary’s tour, appropriate for children and adults, is narrated by an actress portraying the late Mary Moody Northen as if she were guiding you through her home. Guided 25th Anniversary Tour: Behind-the-scenes tours celebrate the 25th anniversary of Moody Mansion’s restoration. A knowledgeable docent guides guests through areas not normally open to the public, describing Mary Moody Northen’s vision for preserving her home and sharing her collections. These tours are conducted at 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tour size is limited; reservations are highly recommended.

Galveston Historical Foundation brought ELISSA, an 1877 square-rigged iron barque, from a scrapyard in Piraeus Harbor, Greece to Galveston to begin restoration work in 1978. By 1982, GHF staff and volunteers completed restoration and transformed this rare, historic vessel into a floating museum that would actively sail. Today, the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA is one of only three ships of her kind in the world to still actively sail and welcomes over 40,000 visitors annually. She also serves as the Official Tall Ship of Texas, a National Historic Landmark and a symbol of the Gulf Coast’s historic beginnings as a seaport and active waterfront. The 1877 ELISSA welcomes visitors at the Texas Seaport Museum. Experiences Galveston’s maritime history daily.

Welcome Aboard! The Galveston Naval Museum is home to two Historic Naval Ships listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Touring both the USS Cavalla and the USS Stewart, you'll learn what sailors and submariners ate, where they slept and how they worked together as a fighting force during World War II. We are more than a WWII museum. We are an educational center and unique venue for Ship Sleepovers, private events and special occasions. Our Mission: To PRESERVE the historic integrity and authenticity of our ships. To REMEMBER and HONOR our Greatest Generation who sacrificed so much for our enduring freedom. To EDUCATE all generations about American history, U.S. Navy heritage and innovation, and the courage of our military heroes and their families.

The Ocean Star is a retired jackup drilling rig that offers a fun, hands on way to learn about the offshore oil and gas industry in a comfortable and accessible facility. The museum features three floors of models, exhibits, equipment and interactive displays illustrating the story of offshore exploration and production. This self guided museum offers visitors the unique opportunity to board an actual offshore rig. While ticket sales halt at 4:00 PM, visitors can remain until the site closes at 5:00. Welcome Aboard!

Historic park offering camping, hiking, bird watching, biking and swimming.