A street of buildings at pier 21 lit up at night
Galveston

Galveston Texas Top Attractions

Whether you’re a foodie, an adventurer, an art lover, or a history connoisseur, there are plenty of things to do near our waterfront Galveston hotel. Take a tour of Bishop's Palace, a Victorian-era mansion that's in the National Register of Historic Places, for its spectacular architecture. Increase your knowledge of the oil and gas industry at the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum. Experience one of five unique harbor excursions and catch a glimpse of a dolphin. Catch a documentary film at Pier 21 Theater and learn about the history of Galveston.

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Cruises From Galveston

Steps From Your Cruise

Harbor House Hotel and Marina—located just steps away from the cruise terminal at Pier 21—is the preferred hotel for ship passengers seeking pre- and post-cruise accommodations. Whether you want to kick your upcoming cruise off with an on land excursion or end it with a relaxing, more stationary stay, you’ll find everything you need here.

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Explore Galveston

  • Pier 21 Theater

    pier 21 theater sign in front of building

    2100 Harborside Dr | 102 feet

    (409) 763-8808

    History reigns supreme daily at Pier 21 Theater via three short documentaries. Topics include the 1900 hurricane that destroyed Galveston Island, immigration, and the area's pirate past.

  • Pier 21

    View of pier 21 walkway with a boat and buildings in the distance

    2100 Harborside Dr | 246 feet
    (409) 763-5806

    As one of the hottest Galveston attractions, Pier 21 offers jet boating tours through Suntime Water Sports, harbor tours, history at Pier 21 Theatre, and touring fun at the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa and Ocean Star Offshore Oil Rig Museum.

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  • Texas Seaport Museum

    View of a large sailboat docked at the pier next to a restaurant

    2200 Harborside Dr | 246 feet
    (409) 763-1877

    The tall ship Elissa is a three-masted barque. Launched in 1877, she is now on view at one the most popular Galveston museums, the Texas Seaport Museum. She was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

  • Harbor Excursions

    A Carnival Triumph cruise ship docked at the port near other boats and sailboats

    From exhilarating jet boat rides to romantic sunset tours, there are plenty of unforgettable Galveston cruises to experience the harbor.

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  • Ocean Star Offshore Oil Rig & Museum

    Ocean Star oil rig in the water

    2002 Wharf Rd | 0.2 miles

    (409) 766-7827

    Located on a former jack-up drilling rig, this all-inclusive oil and gas industry museum delivers three floors of interactive exhibits, production platform models and authentic equipment.

  • Public Fishing Tours

    A man reeling a fishing pole

    Whether you’re looking to charter your own private boat or be guided on a one-of-a-kind fishing excursion, Galveston offers a variety of tours and charters for the whole family. Check out some of the area’s most popular fishing charters.

  • UTMB Galveston

    Building at UTMB Galveston

    301 University Blvd | 1.3 miles

    (409) 772-1011

    The oldest medical school in Texas is home to four schools, a major medical library and several hospitals and clinics that offer primary and specialized care.

  • Bishop’s Palace

    A view of the victorian style Bishops Palace

    1402 Broadway Avenue J | 1.1 miles

    (409) 762-2475

    Tour this classic Victorian-era home of Walter Gresham, a Civil War Colonel, and his wife and their nine children. Highlights range from stunning stained glass to decorative plaster ceilings.


Sister Property Activities

  • Fitness Classes

    hotel galvez yoga on the lawn

    Join in a complimentary workout at Hotel Galvez & Spa! Morning Vinyasa Yoga at 9 a.m. or High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) at 10:15 a.m., weather permitting Thursday, Friday & Saturday. The hotel provides the workout mats and participants are encouraged to bring water. Fitness classes are complimentary to current in-house Hotel Galvez and Harbor House Hotel guests. Open to non-guests and locals for $10 drop-in fee.

    All participants should arrive 10 minutes prior to their workout at The Spa at Hotel Galvez. For additional information, call 409.515.2100.

  • Sunday Brunch

    hotel galvez brunch for two

    Reserve your seat at Sunday Brunch at Hotel Galvez & Spa (voted top 100 in the United States). Hotel Galvez & Spa is our sister property. Served weekly, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Advance reservations are recommended.

    Call 409.515.2145 or book via OpenTable.

  • Spa at Hotel Galvez

    A private outdoor patio area with chairs, a bench and a small rectangular pond in the center of the patio

    Schedule your appointment at the award-winning Spa at Hotel Galvez. Call 409.515.2100 to schedule your appointment.


    Spa Menu

A decorative eye mask with colorful feathers sitting next to colorful beads

Top Galveston Events

Winter

December | Downtown Lanterns & Lights
January | Yaga’s Chili Quest & Beer Fest
February | Mardi Gras! Galveston

A person raising a glass of champagne for a toast

Top Galveston Events

Spring

March | Spring Break
April | Galveston Food & Wine Festival
May | Yaga’s Wild Game & BBQ Cook-off at Pier 21
May | Beach Revue

A woman holding a lit sparkler at night

Top Galveston Events

Summer

June | Galveston Juneteenth Celebration
July | Independence Day Parade & Fireworks Display
August | AIA Sandcastle Competition

Close up of a Christmas tree strung with lights

Top Galveston Events

Fall

September | Galveston Island Wild Texas Shrimp Festival
October | ARToberFEST
November | Lone Star Rally