Galveston Historical Driving Tour and Shopping

This tour will cover much of the island, its history, and historic sites. I will play a 45-minute documentary giving you an good introduction as we drive to Galveston on our drip-down movie screens. This is a mostly driving tour that also incorporates about 1 hour to walk and shop along the historic Strand Street. We will have other stops for photo taking. Galveston was the largest city in Texas in 1870 and 1880 and was the wealthiest city as well until the 1900 Great Storm. The Great Storm was a monster hurricane that killed at least 6,000 people on September 8th. More people died in this Galveston hurricane than ALL other hurricanes that have hit the mainland US in history. On the return trip, we can show you the documentary Isaac's Storm from the History Channel. This will be fun-filled, entertaining and educational tour of a once great city that is still a fun place to vacation.

Meeting Point

Houston City Hall

901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002, USA

We meet inside the rotunda of the Houston City Hall at 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas 77002 on Monday through Friday. City Hall is closed on weekends. On weekends, we meet at a park bench on the east side of City Hall.

What's included:

• Guide

What to expect:

Duration: 8 hours

Bishop’s Palace

1402 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77550, USA

This beautiful mansion from 1892 looks like a small castle. The American Institute of Architects have ranked this as the 14th most important US home built during the Victorian Age. It also has a great gift shop.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

The Strand

2100 Strand St, , Galveston, 77550-1633, Texas

The Strand is the most famous street in Galveston. It looks like a cleaner version of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It is full of shops, cafes, boutiques, and comfort food sites for ice cream, chocolate, saltwater taffy, taffy apples, fudge, jerky, and more. First, we will drive on The Strand to familiarize yourself and second, you will be on your own to stroll through it. Enjoy!

1 hour

Texas City

Texas City, Texas

This is one of the largest and cleanest roadside stops in the US. If you have ever heard that everything is bigger in Texas, this site lives up to that motto. The gas station has 56 pumps. Each of the bathrooms has over 30 stalls, generally with an attendant to maintain its cleanliness. It has its own bakery, butcher, fudge, and roasted nuts centers for fresh foods. It has a grocery store and a large souvenir shop that can be great for the first time visitor to Texas. If you like Reese's peanut butter cups, try a Buc-ee's OverBite.

30 minutes

Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum

2002 Wharf Rd, Galveston, 77550, Texas

This is, to the best of my knowledge, the only oil rig museum in the US that your can go on to tour. This is 1 of about 5 optional special activities that you can select. If you do not want to tour the Drilling Rig & Museum, you can select to:
1. Go on a boat ride and see dolphins and a shipwreck to Galveston Bay.
2. Tour the 4th largest Railroad Museum in the US.
3. Tour the Pirates Legends of the Gulf Coast Museum.
4. Tour the Galveston Historic Seaport Museum - Home of the 1977 Tall Ship ELISSA. Walk on this historic 3-masted baroque that was originally from Ireland.
5. Tour the Bryan Museum (closed on Monday and Tuesday).
6. Tour the 1895 Moody Mansion.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

The Seawall

Seawall Blvd, Galveston, Galveston, 77550, Texas

Drive along Seawall Boulevard to see the Gulf of Mexico, the hotels, restaurants and gift shops.

20 minutes

Port of Galveston

2502 Harborside Dr, , Galveston, 77550, Texas

See the beginning of the Houston Ship Channel, the wharves, ships, and restaurants along the Port.

10 minutes

Grand 1894 Opera House

2020 Post Office St, , Galveston, 77550-2022, Texas

This beautiful and historic performing arts theater is one of the oldest in all of the South. It has survived dozens of hurricanes.

Pass by without stopping

Avenue O

Avenue O, Galveston, TX 77550, USA

Drive through the Silk Stocking District to see mansions from 1890s through 1920. In the general area, we will also see 4 of the 5 oldest homes of Galveston from 1856, 1847, 1839, and 1838. The latter two homes look like plantation mansions. Big and beautiful oak, crepe myrtle, and palm trees line these areas.

20 minutes

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark

2026 Lockheed Rd, , Galveston, 77554-6237, Texas

This is one of the largest waterparks in the United States. If you have children or you are a big kid, you will want to return here.

Pass by without stopping