You Don't Have to Blow Your Budget to Have Fun in Galveston!
Video: 10 Things to Do in Galveston TX on a Budget
10 Fun, Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Galveston TX
532 23rd Street, Galveston TX 77550
409.497.2754
Coffee lovers should definitely check out Galveston Coffee Roasters. This Mom and Pop coffee roasting shop roasts all of their beans locally and create their own unique blends. You can try free samples all day! Make sure to stop in and say "Hi" to the owners (and our friends) John and Dru!
409.497.2754
Coffee lovers should definitely check out Galveston Coffee Roasters. This Mom and Pop coffee roasting shop roasts all of their beans locally and create their own unique blends. You can try free samples all day! Make sure to stop in and say "Hi" to the owners (and our friends) John and Dru!
2100 Harborside Drive, Galveston TX 77550
409.763.1877
Operated by the Galveston Historical Foundation, the Texas Seaport Museum offers a glimpse into Galveston's maritime heritage. Inside the museum, be sure to check out "The Long 18 Cannon". This cannon was originally mounted on one of the first four ships in the Texas Navy, The Brutus. The ship sank in Galveston Bay during a hurricane in 1837. The cannon was recovered while dredging the Bay in 1884, and became yard art for a resident until 1900. It was buried during the raising of the Island after the Great Storm and was not discovered again until 1974. Of course, the crown jewel of the museum is the Elissa, a National Historic Landmark and one of only three 19th century iron square riggers that still sail in the world today! After serving as a commercial cargo ship for 90 years, it returned here to a full rebuild back to its 1870s appearance to represent Galveston's maritime history. A movie inside the Texas Seaport Museum documents Elissa's history as a working cargo ship as well as her journey through restoration. There are a couple of admission packages to choose from. Admission to see the Elissa and Museum is $12 per adult, $9 for students ages 6 to 18, FREE for children under 6.
409.763.1877
Operated by the Galveston Historical Foundation, the Texas Seaport Museum offers a glimpse into Galveston's maritime heritage. Inside the museum, be sure to check out "The Long 18 Cannon". This cannon was originally mounted on one of the first four ships in the Texas Navy, The Brutus. The ship sank in Galveston Bay during a hurricane in 1837. The cannon was recovered while dredging the Bay in 1884, and became yard art for a resident until 1900. It was buried during the raising of the Island after the Great Storm and was not discovered again until 1974. Of course, the crown jewel of the museum is the Elissa, a National Historic Landmark and one of only three 19th century iron square riggers that still sail in the world today! After serving as a commercial cargo ship for 90 years, it returned here to a full rebuild back to its 1870s appearance to represent Galveston's maritime history. A movie inside the Texas Seaport Museum documents Elissa's history as a working cargo ship as well as her journey through restoration. There are a couple of admission packages to choose from. Admission to see the Elissa and Museum is $12 per adult, $9 for students ages 6 to 18, FREE for children under 6.
2100 Harborside Drive, Galveston TX 77550
409.763.8808
Also operated by the Galveston Historical Foundation and right next door to the Texas Seaport Museum, the Pier 21 Theater features movies about Galveston's history. "The Great Storm" tells the story of the 1900 hurricane which destroyed a large percentage of Galveston during the height of it's dominance as a thriving seaport community. This remains the deadliest natural disaster in US history. In response to the devastation, Galvestonians built the seawall, dredged the harbor and raised the entire island 8 feet! "The Great Storm" documents first hand stories and original images recounting the horror of the day as well as the incredible perseverance of the community. "The Pirate Island of Jean Laffitte" tells the story of the infamous pirate, Jean Laffitte who lived here on Galveston Island for several years and used the island as his base of operations. Legend has it that some of his treasure remains buried somewhere on Galveston. Admission is $6 per adult, $5 for students ages 6 to 18, FREE for children under 6.
409.763.8808
Also operated by the Galveston Historical Foundation and right next door to the Texas Seaport Museum, the Pier 21 Theater features movies about Galveston's history. "The Great Storm" tells the story of the 1900 hurricane which destroyed a large percentage of Galveston during the height of it's dominance as a thriving seaport community. This remains the deadliest natural disaster in US history. In response to the devastation, Galvestonians built the seawall, dredged the harbor and raised the entire island 8 feet! "The Great Storm" documents first hand stories and original images recounting the horror of the day as well as the incredible perseverance of the community. "The Pirate Island of Jean Laffitte" tells the story of the infamous pirate, Jean Laffitte who lived here on Galveston Island for several years and used the island as his base of operations. Legend has it that some of his treasure remains buried somewhere on Galveston. Admission is $6 per adult, $5 for students ages 6 to 18, FREE for children under 6.
2323 Strand Street, Galveston TX 77550
409.762.6100
A must visit for us every single time we are ever in Galveston, La King's Confectionery is not to be missed. We love it so much we have a write-up and video all about it! See our La King's Confectionery page for details and a tour!
409.762.6100
A must visit for us every single time we are ever in Galveston, La King's Confectionery is not to be missed. We love it so much we have a write-up and video all about it! See our La King's Confectionery page for details and a tour!
Galveston Landing: 1000 Ferry Road North, Galveston TX 77550
Bolivar Landing: 123 Texas Highway 87, Port Bolivar TX 77650
409.795.2230
FREE! Ferry Service that operates 24 hours a day between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. You can ride it as transportation or just for fun. You can load in your vehicle (including your RV) or park your car and walk on. The Ferry is a fun way to see Galveston Bay and you might even be joined by a pod of dolphins! The first regularly scheduled ferry service began here in 1929. The State of Texas began offering the service in 1934 and it has been free since 1949! For more information about the Ferry including vehicle limits, visit the Texas Department of Transportation Ferry Information page. You can also follow @GalvestonFerry on Twitter for current wait times and updates.
Bolivar Landing: 123 Texas Highway 87, Port Bolivar TX 77650
409.795.2230
FREE! Ferry Service that operates 24 hours a day between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. You can ride it as transportation or just for fun. You can load in your vehicle (including your RV) or park your car and walk on. The Ferry is a fun way to see Galveston Bay and you might even be joined by a pod of dolphins! The first regularly scheduled ferry service began here in 1929. The State of Texas began offering the service in 1934 and it has been free since 1949! For more information about the Ferry including vehicle limits, visit the Texas Department of Transportation Ferry Information page. You can also follow @GalvestonFerry on Twitter for current wait times and updates.
Throughout Galveston Island
Geocaching is a fun, global game that helps you to discover new information and details about places that you visit. The game is FREE to play, and there are over 100 geocaches hidden around Galveston Island! If you aren't familiar with geocaching, check out our page "Discover Amazing Places By Geocaching" to learn more!
Geocaching is a fun, global game that helps you to discover new information and details about places that you visit. The game is FREE to play, and there are over 100 geocaches hidden around Galveston Island! If you aren't familiar with geocaching, check out our page "Discover Amazing Places By Geocaching" to learn more!
North/South between Postoffice and Sealy, and East/West between 8th Street and 20th Street
409.797.5144
In September 2008, Hurricane Ike flooded Galveston under several feet of seawater. Unfortunately, the water killed many of the historic oak trees on the Island. Chainsaw carving artists came in and turned the dead trees into art, and today you can see more than 20 tree sculptures on the FREE self-guided tour. Follow this Link to See the Official Brochure and Sculpture Map or visit the Galveston Visitor Center at Ashton Villa, 2328 Broadway, for more information.
409.797.5144
In September 2008, Hurricane Ike flooded Galveston under several feet of seawater. Unfortunately, the water killed many of the historic oak trees on the Island. Chainsaw carving artists came in and turned the dead trees into art, and today you can see more than 20 tree sculptures on the FREE self-guided tour. Follow this Link to See the Official Brochure and Sculpture Map or visit the Galveston Visitor Center at Ashton Villa, 2328 Broadway, for more information.
Magic Carpet Golf
9030 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston TX 77554
409.740.2000
Another one of our long-time favorites! This super fun mini-golf course sits on the Galveston Seawall overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. It features two 18 hole courses with unique obstacles including a giant seashell, a henhouse, a pirate ship, a castle, a dragon and a huge block of cheese. Every hole is creative and fun. The back course offers more shade during the heat of the day, the front course gets the coastal breeze. A round of golf costs $10 for adults, $7 for kids 12 and younger. Cash or checks only.
409.740.2000
Another one of our long-time favorites! This super fun mini-golf course sits on the Galveston Seawall overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. It features two 18 hole courses with unique obstacles including a giant seashell, a henhouse, a pirate ship, a castle, a dragon and a huge block of cheese. Every hole is creative and fun. The back course offers more shade during the heat of the day, the front course gets the coastal breeze. A round of golf costs $10 for adults, $7 for kids 12 and younger. Cash or checks only.
Café Michael Burger
11150 FM 3005, Galveston TX 7755
UPDATE: Unfortunately, Cafe Michael Burger has closed. :(
Continuing west past the end of the Seawall, you'll find one of our favorite restaurants on the Island! We've been eating at Café Michael Burger since we met the owner, Debra, on a cruise many years ago. This is a great place to find delicious burgers, sandwiches, salads and German food (yes, you read that right, burgers and German food!) at very reasonable prices. Everything is always fresh, the service is always excellent and the restaurant is always spotless. Just don't visit during January, they typically take the month of January off each year.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, Cafe Michael Burger has closed. :(
Continuing west past the end of the Seawall, you'll find one of our favorite restaurants on the Island! We've been eating at Café Michael Burger since we met the owner, Debra, on a cruise many years ago. This is a great place to find delicious burgers, sandwiches, salads and German food (yes, you read that right, burgers and German food!) at very reasonable prices. Everything is always fresh, the service is always excellent and the restaurant is always spotless. Just don't visit during January, they typically take the month of January off each year.
14901 FM 3005, Galveston TX 77554
409.737.1222
If you love the outdoors (which you probably do since you're visiting this website), then Galveston Island State Park should be one of your stops while you're visiting Galveston. RV and tent camping are available both on the beach side and the bay side. Activities include kayaking, bird watching, geocaching, and Ranger led programs. Day entry is $5 per adult, FREE for children 12 and under, and FREE for anyone with a Texas State Parks Pass!
409.737.1222
If you love the outdoors (which you probably do since you're visiting this website), then Galveston Island State Park should be one of your stops while you're visiting Galveston. RV and tent camping are available both on the beach side and the bay side. Activities include kayaking, bird watching, geocaching, and Ranger led programs. Day entry is $5 per adult, FREE for children 12 and under, and FREE for anyone with a Texas State Parks Pass!
Bonus Budget Friendly Fun!
Kites Unlimited
8910 Seawall Boulevard, Suite D, Galveston TX 77554
409.744.4121
On the west end of Seawall Boulevard, you'll find our bonus idea... Kites Unlimited! This place is extremely easy to find, just look for the kites! Inside you will find an amazing selection of kites, flags and windsocks. You might even find something fun to decorate your RV site with! Definitely worth a stop while you're in the area!
409.744.4121
On the west end of Seawall Boulevard, you'll find our bonus idea... Kites Unlimited! This place is extremely easy to find, just look for the kites! Inside you will find an amazing selection of kites, flags and windsocks. You might even find something fun to decorate your RV site with! Definitely worth a stop while you're in the area!
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Safe Travels and Happy Camping!