Another good bet is the stretch of sand around 31st and Seawall, which draws revelers from Galveston’s three gay bars-all of which are nearby.įrom here, it’s a short stroll to the beloved-if touristy- Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, which abounds with souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants and contains a small amusement park and Ferris wheel. Some favorites with LGBTQ sunworshippers include Stewart Beach, at 6th Street and Seawall Boulevard, and East Beach, at the island’s eastern tip, which is the site of the Galveston Pride Beach Bash & Block Party, which had for years been held each June however, last year, the organizers moved the event to September, and once again this year Galveston Pride 2022 will take place over Labor Day weekend-the dates are September 2–4, 2022. Sandy beaches extend for 32 miles along the island’s southern shore.
Be sure to tour the museum’s 1877 three-masted tall ship, Elissa. You can rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards and meander around Galveston Bay, or set out on a dolphin-watching cruise offered by the Texas Seaport Museum, whose on-land exhibits trace the city’s prominence as both a naval and commercial port. There are quite a few ways to get wet-or at least out on the water-in Galveston. During cooler months, there’s also a climate-controlled indoor section.
Next door at Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, you can cool off on a hot afternoon by riding the world’s tallest water coaster. The 242-acre campus also offers massive 3-D and 4-D theaters, a paddlewheel cruise boat, a 428-room hotel, and a golf course. As you cross the bridge onto Galveston Island, you can’t miss the Gardens’ three soaring glass pyramids, which contain an interactive science museum, a rainforest, and an aquarium that recently completed an impressive $39 million renovation. Galveston’s visitor highlights fall primarily into two camps: museums and historic homes that showcase the city’s 200-year history, and attractions and activities related to nature and the outdoors.Īmong the latter, Moody Gardens offers enough engaging diversions to keep you busy for at least a half day. And although Galveston embraces an unhurried, small-town pace, it’s just 50 miles from downtown Houston.įor more information on the region, visit the excellent website produced by the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau. Couples planning weddings appreciate the wealth of gracious venues, from fancy resorts to lavishly restored Victorian mansions. And locals seem unfazed by setbacks and are welcoming of all kinds, including gays and lesbians, who have long maintained a visible presence here.ĭiversity is one of Galveston’s greatest assets-this city of about 50,000 appeals to everyone from urban sophisticates fond of fine galleries and upscale restaurants to easygoing beach bums content to relax in a chaise longue for days on end.
Plaques on historic buildings mark the high flood lines of the worst disasters, including the Great Storm of 1900, which claimed at least 8,000 lives. Galveston LGBTQ GuideĪ scenic barrier Island that’s weathered fierce storms and occasional economic swings, Galveston wears its battle scars with pride and resilience. Just an hour from Houston, Galveston Island delights couples with its alluring mix of old and new, refined and relaxed.