by Jennifer Eblin

Created on: February 21, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Galveston, Texas is a place that a pirate once called home, and a place where they still maintain the private home of the island's original owner. That sense of history and pride is evident everywhere you go on the island, from The Strand to the local hotels. Taking advantage of the town's local history is as easy as booking a tour with the Galveston Historical Foundation. They offer 1, 2, and 3 day tours of local places including some of the fantastic 19th century buildings on the island.

If museums are more your thing, you have to see the completely unique Mardi Gras museum. What, did you think that only New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras? Galveston gets over 500,000 visitors every year for their Mardi Gras celebration, and if you're stuck at home during the real party, the museum gives you a little taste of the local flavor. Seawolf Park is another local favorite. This museum is dedicated, and named after a submarine that was lost during WW II, and features some great WW II memorabilia.

Then there's The Strand, which is an absolute must see in town. The Strand is an enormous historic district in Galveston, with some of the oldest buildings in the area present. You can spend a day people watching on the streets, or simply hit the many museums and shops located there. You can easily find yourself wandering the streets for several hours without buying a single thing except for maybe a piece of fudge from the world famous Peanut Butter Warehouse. Go ahead and buy that fudge though because you'll definitely walk those calories off. Before you leave, make sure to hit the Pier 21 Theater for one of the two movies shown there every day. One highlights the life and times of that famous scallywag Jean Lafitte, while the others showcases the hurricane that swept through the area in 1900, leaving only a few buildings behind.

Looking for something a little different? Try Island Bowl. Yes you have bowling back home, but this unique bowling alley is more fun than you might have at home. Grab an icy cold beer, some chili cheese fries or a great cheeseburger, and whoever loses has to buy the next round. Make sure to keep it out of the gutters though! Or try the Galveston Island Duck Tours. Hop on board one of the little blue and yellow buses for a tour of the island, including 40 different blocks. This is the absolute best way to see everything the island has to offer.

Galveston Island has more things to see and do than you could ever see in one simple vacation!

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