About Galveston and City Resources

WELCOME TO GALVESTON Galveston Island, less than an hour south of Houston, is more than just a resort town . The small city has a long history to match its rich beauty and charm—it’s been the home of buccaneers and tycoons, and was once called the “Wall Street of the South” because of the wealth and prosperity garnered as the nation’s second most prosperous port .

Galveston’s historic elegance is often paralleled to that of Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans, with architectural examples from every era since the 1820s . A strong connection to nature also features prominently in Galveston, with the beach and bays, endless preserved marshlands, clear skies and open space .

Galveston’s famous Seawall is lined with shops, restaurants and the Pleasure Pier, with game booths and rides . On the bay, the three pyramids of Moody Gardens punctuate the skyline . Here, guests can walk through a tropical rainforest, experience various IMAX films or explore a large aquarium .

Downtown’s Strand and nearby streets are filled with shops, cafes and live music . In December, the island hosts Dickens on the Strand, a festival that revisits the charm of England’s Victorian Era . Mardi Gras Galveston!, Texas’ largest Mardi Gras celebration, brings grand parades, great bands, food and fun for two weeks in February . Throughout the year, the Strand sees several other large events like the Yaga’s Wild Game BBQ Cookoff, the Lone Star Biker Rally, Oktoberfest and the periodic Art Walks .

Downtown is also the epicenter for the arts in Galveston . The Grand 1894 Opera House hosts several performances throughout its season and, just blocks away the East End Theater Company runs a several-show season each year with outstanding local actors and producers . Throughout downtown, several art galleries display the talents of local artists .

City of Galveston:

Home Page: https://www.galvestontx.gov Residents: https://www.galvestontx.gov/101/Residents Galveston Chamber of Commerce: http://www.galvestonchamber.com The Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau: https://www.galveston.com .