Galveston Vacation

The Lone Star State of Texas has lots to offer and one of its most popular tourist destinations is Galveston. There is something for everyone on a Galveston vacation; culture, shopping, history and beaches that go on for miles. Above all, it's a fun, friendly place with many visitor attractions and there's plenty for the kids to do.

The neighborhood known as The Strand has streets full of Victorian period buildings with great restaurants and antique shops. The area hosts cultural events, including the annual Mardi Gras Festival, a jazz and blues festival and a Charles Dickens themed Christmas Festival. A horse and carriage ride is the best way to explore the old style streets.

There's more history at the Lone Star Flight Museum, a unique exhibit of aircraft that traces the development of aviation. Many of the exhibits still fly today, and contribute to air shows. There is information on famous aviators such as the eccentric Howard Hughes. For lovers of trains on a Galveston vacation, there is the Galveston Island Railroad Museum. It's also possible to see grand, tall ships that have a permanent home in Galveston.

Children can have lots of fun at the three water parks located in the city known as the Schlitterbahn. These have water slides, including uphill coasters, water playgrounds and a surfing machine. It may be hard to persuade them to leave! The natural world is also on view on a Galveston vacation at the Moody Gardens complex. This attraction is divided into three areas, marked by pyramids. The Aquarium, displaying all kinds of sea life, is one of the largest in the world. The Rainforest is a feast of tropical flora and fauna. The third section houses the Discovery Pyramid, where there are science related displays. There's also a beach and freshwater lagoons to relax by, an IMAX Theatre and an old fashioned paddlewheel river ship.

Evenings out are varied in the city with plenty of bars and nightclubs. The most famous of these is the Balinese Room, situated on the pier. It used to be a notorious, illegal gambling den but now operates without any gambling or unlawful activity. Its heyday was the 1940s and 1950s when Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope entertained the likes of Howard Hughes. In addition to the live music and food provided at the Balinese, the pier is an interesting place to explore with lots of different shops. More sedate entertainment is offered on a Galveston vacation by the City Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Company.

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