Opposite page: The Grand Galvez Hotel in Galveston. Photograph courtesy of Visit Galveston. This page, clockwise from top left: The Port of Galveston, Moody Mansion, and the Bishop’s Palace. Photographs courtesy of Visit Galveston.
HISTORIC IN NATURE Named after Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez, the city was founded in 1839 and quickly became a major port of entry, both for people and commerce. It’s estimated some 750,000 immigrants came through Galveston from the 1840s to the 1920s to settle in the Midwest and South. At one time the largest city in Texas and a major conduit for cotton exports, the Great Storm of 1900 almost wiped it off the map—the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, which not only killed more than 8,000 people, but also leveled more than 3,600 buildings and over 2,600 houses. (Today you’ll still find homes in the historic districts that proudly display the sign, “1900 Storm Survivor.”) In the aftermath, the city constructed the world’s longest seawall and, in what is considered among the greatest feats of U.S. engineering in history, its streets, utilities, homes and businesses were raised an average of eight feet across the island. Despite the setbacks, Galveston continues to thrive and grow, driven by what launched it to prominence in the 1800s: its deep-
water port, currently celebrating its 200th anniversary. Led by a surge in cruise ship tourism, Galveston is now the fourth busiest cruise port in the country behind Florida, served by Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Disney, and MSC. In early November, MSC debuted its new Terminal 16, a $156-million investment and the new homeport for year-round sailings on MSC Seascape. It’s also a longtime favorite for snowbirds, attracted by its moderate climate, impressive array of activities, and 32 miles of pristine beaches. For most of the past two decades, it has also served as the host city for the Lone Star Bike Rally, one of the largest motorcycle gatherings in the country, which briefly balloons the island’s population to over 400,000. (They’re not alone—Galveston Island welcomes more than 8 million visitors annually.) With that in mind, let’s take a look at a sampling of what Galveston has to offer: • History and Culture. Whether you love Victorian architecture or appreciate history, Galveston is rich in both. Start at Bishop’s
Palace, an 1892 Victorian mansion purchased by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galveston in 1923 as a residence for bishops until 1963. Now open to the public as a museum, it features ornate staircases and stunning stained-glass windows. Another popular stop is the Moody Mansion, a 31-room, Romanesque Revival mansion once owned by the Moody family, whose philanthropy extends throughout the state. The opulent 1894 Grand Opera House, designated as “The Official Opera House of Texas” and a 1900 storm survivor, should also be on your itinerary, as well as The Bryan Museum, with one of the largest collections of Texas and Old West artifacts. • The Grand Galvez Hotel. Grand, indeed. Opened in 1911 and named after the Spanish governor, this historic beachfront hotel is styled in Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and once served as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s temporary White House. Known for hosting celebrities, it’s also reportedly a haven for ghosts, and offers haunted tours, if you dare. • Moody Gardens. Anchored by three pyramids—housing an aquarium, rainforest,
JANUARY 2026 / 17
16-18 APC_Wanderlust_0126_final.indd 17
12/16/25 12:45 PM