Great family beach-plus vacation in our front doo - Galveston

We’re often asked where to go for a good beach vacation for a family of (whatever), and our response is, “do you want to fly or drive?  Most of those requests come from folks who are on a limited budget, so they say “drive”. 

In my opinion, primarily for the variety of things to do, the best location is Galveston Island.  As their Visitors and Convention folks say, “welcome to our splendid island where there are 32 miles of relaxing beaches, superb restaurants, top resort hotels, marvelous downtown shopping, numerous antique stores, incredible art galleries, fabulous entertainment venues, and one of the country’s largest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian iron-front commercial architecture.”

The Moody Gardens complex (moodygardens.com) is a virtual beehive of activity in their pyramid settings:  the Aquarium Pyramid, Rainforest Pyramid, Discovery Museum, 3-D and 4-D theatre, Ropes Course and Zip Line. . . not to mention the pool and beach setting.  The new Ropes Course is a five-level, 48-obstacle course that gets more difficult with each level you climb.  Included in the complex is a recently renovated hotel that is second to none in facilities and service.

Virtually next door to the Moody Gardens is Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark (schlitterbahn.com/Galveston.com), with water rides and various slides that keep participants very wild, crazy, but active with lots of fun.  And just next door to that entertainment venue is the Inn at the Waterpark which is a clean, economical place to sleep the family, and breakfast comes with the room cost.

The Pleasure Pier (pleasurepier.com) that extends out over the Gulf for several hundred yards is an entertainment center with family-oriented attractions that include rides, midway games, dining venues, and retail shops.

If you want a slower pace, the historic Downtown/Strand district presents the Railroad Museum, the Texas Seaport Museum, the Bishops Palace, the Strand Theatre, and the Grand 1894 Opera House.  Also just a block away is Pier 21 with shops, restaurants, and theaters ready to entertain. Oh, the restaurants, just to name a few, Rainforest Café, Gaido’s, Landry’s, Joe’s Crab Shack; every fast food you can imagine.

All the above, and we haven’t even mentioned the water sports. . .sunning and relaxing on the beach, bay fishing, off shore fishing, birding tours, and the Nature Park.

Plan ahead for the best rates on hotel stays, or if their prices are too out of sight, rely on some hotels just north of Galveston on I-45, 15-20 minutes away.  The experienced travel agents at The Travel Factory will be glad to help you with this vacation or any other exciting bucket list trip you can dream up.  We are at 4150 Southwest Drive, or call us at 698-1421 or 800-760-4040.