Galveston Beach | Dolphin Tour | Rail Museum | Rainforest Cafe | Moody Garden
Galveston is one of the favorite places to visit among locals as a day trip or weekend gateway. It is also a popular place as it is a starting point for many cruises.
So, one fine day, after a lot of discussion about whether to stay overnight or not, we planned to visit Galveston as a day trip.
Background
Ever since we landed in Houston, everyone has suggested visiting Galveston. It has been the first choice of almost everyone as a weekday trip or day trip.
Finally, we decided to explore Galveston. Luckily, all my friends also agreed to join us for the trip.
As you know, girls, we all got super excited as we were going as a family group with kids for the first time. So, we all started planning (only girls) where to go, what to wear, etc.
From my experience, when the girls plan, they go through the nitty-gritty of everything (especially when kids are involved).
There are many places to explore, but here is the list of 5 best places to visit in Galveston.
5 Best Places to Visit Galveston
Galveston Beach
The obvious choice to go when in Galveston. It is definitely one of the best places to go. The beach is clean and kid-friendly (unlike what I heard that it is dirty).
It was late September, but the weather was still dry and hot during the day. So, we decided to go around late afternoon.
After a yummy lunch, we went to Galveston Beach so that we could spend the rest of the time on the beach enjoying ourselves.
The kids got excited at the beach and we four girls went crazy with infinite pictures and reels. And yes, we did especially purchase the same T-shirts for this trip. I know this is crazy.
The beach was the highlight of our trip.
Tips:
- There is a facility available to rent chairs and umbrellas if you wish to. It is helpful during the summer.
- You can park your car on the roadside under paid parking. So, you don’t have to worry about your car and enjoy the beach.
- You can visit Jamaica Beach, which is nearby. However, do check the weather before going. There are chances of high tide, and even parking is also a concern. Your car may get stuck in the sand.
Dolphin Tour
This was the first stop of our trip. Although, I was a little skeptical about whether I would be seeing any dolphins. To my surprise, we saw so many of them.
We all decided to reach this place a little early and have breakfast together before the tour. After having our breakfast, we boarded the boat for the dolphin tour. There were so many dolphins around dancing in the water.
Most of the tours last around 45 minutes. Overall, it was a pleasant experience to watch them.
Tips:
- Book a morning tour to see the dolphins early—the chances of seeing them go down as the day progresses.
- Ample parking space is available, so you need not worry about your car.
Rail Museum
Rail Museum is another good place to visit in Galveston, especially if you have kids. The museum exhibits the vintage trains and the history of the railway system.
The museum is worth visiting at least once.
There is an engine ride (which they call a train ride) designed for children. You can skip the ride as it is basic and involves additional costs besides the general admission fee.
Rainforest Café
I know Rainforest café is a food and eating joint, but the place deserves to be included in the best places to visit in Galveston list.
The restaurant has a rainforest theme décor, and you feel like sitting in a rainforest with animals. Not only does this place offer fantastic food options, but it also has a coracle ride. Experience the rainforest through this boat ride. Kids will love this option.
Moody Garden
Moody Garden is a popular place to visit in Galveston. I explored this place separately on my other visit to Galveston (not with the group), but I considered mentioning it here.
You need at least 5-6 hours to see everything here. So, you need one more day here. The entire thing is divided into 3 pyramids and has multiple sections to visit. The first one, and which I liked the most, is the rainforest. This section is beautiful, and you can experience how you would feel if you visited the rainforest jungle. This pyramid also includes 3D and 4D shows. I personally liked 3D more than the 4D experience.
The second is the Discovery Pyramid, which I didn’t like much. It only has detailed information about the sharks on big boards, but no real sharks. I expected more from this section.
The third pyramid is of the Aquatic Pyramid. More than 3000 species of aquatic animals can be seen here. Seals and Penguins are the highlights of this section. It is a must-visit for first-time visitors.
Besides the pyramids, you can take a Cruise (paddlewheel boat ride). It only offers 3 timings, so keep a tap of it. The boat ride is really nice, especially if the weather is good and pleasant.
It also has zip-line and rope courses. This section is also nice to go for both kids and adults.
We went to Moody garden in December, hence two more sections were added: Ice Land and the Festival of Lights. Both of these attractions were amazing. I loved Ice Land.
Moody Garden in Galveston, Texas is surely a place to visit.
Some other places to explore in Galveston include Pleasure Pier, an adventure/amusement place with rides for kids to enjoy, Haunted/Ghost Walking Tour for adults, etc.
Cruises is a major attraction in Galveston as it is a departing port. There are unlimited cruise options to explore from Galveston for 3-5 nights, 7-8 nights, or 10 days.
Itinerary Options
One Day Itinerary
Dolphin Tour – Rail Museum – Rainforest Café – Galveston Beach
Two Day Itinerary
- Day 1 – Dolphin Tour – Rail Museum – Rainforest Café – Galveston Beach
- Day 2 – Moody Garden