Galveston doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio all enjoy solid name recognition, but Galveston is largely unknown outside of Texas. This is unfortunate because the town might be the single best vacation destination in the state. A lively beach town, loaded with history and charm, Galveston may be Texas’ best kept secret.
Historical Background
For most of the 1800’s, Galveston was the largest city in Texas. Founded in 1836, Galveston became one of the most important ports in the U.S., and briefly served as the capital of Texas. There’s an alternative history where Galveston remained one of the largest cities in Texas, but mother nature had other ideas. In 1900, Galveston was the site of the worst natural disaster in American history, when it was struck by a devastating hurricane. The storm killed 8,000 people and destroyed over a third of the buildings in Galveston. While the town was eventually rebuilt, Houston would become Texas’ primary port, and Galveston never fully regained its economic importance.
Visiting Galveston
Most people who visit Galveston come for the beaches. With 32 miles of shoreline, Galveston Island is an excellent destination for those looking to relax at the beach. As you would expect, June through September is the best time of year to enjoy Galveston’s beaches, when the water temperature routinely averages over 80 degrees. That’s my kind of beach.
The island is also home to Galveston Island State Park, where you can swim, fish, hike, mountain bike, and kayak. So whether you want to relax at the beach or explore nature, Galveston has something for everybody.
While the water is the main attraction, there is plenty to do away from the beach. Some of my favorites were the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum, Galveston Naval Museum, and Moody Gardens.
There are also tons of historic structures throughout Galveston. So just going for a walk around town is quite enjoyable. The number of historic structures can’t compete with a city like Charleston, but there are certain concentrated areas that are absolutely beautiful. If so many historic buildings hadn’t been destroyed in the 1900 hurricane, it’s entirely possible that Galveston would rival more famous Southern cities such as Charleston or Savannah. But Galveston just doesn’t have the same concentration of historic buildings throughout the entire city.
Conclusion
Galveston is best known for its amazing beaches, but it’s so much more than that. The town is filled with history and fun things to do. Even if you’re not a beach lover, odds are there’s something for you in Galveston. Even if you don’t think the town is worthy of being a primary vacation destination, Galveston is less than an hour from downtown Houston. If you’re unsure, take a day trip from Houston and check it out. You’ll be glad you did.
One of my favorite authors, Erik Larson, wrote a page-turner of a book about the 1900 Hurricane, “Isaac’s Storm:” https://eriklarsonbooks.com/book/isaacs-storm/. While it’s a compelling story, you learn a lot about the early construction of Galveston and the breakwater which simply didn’t hold. If you can’t make it to Galveston (like most of us), you’ll fee like you’ve been there after reading Isaac’s Storm.
Interesting, will have to add that to the reading list.