The Powhatan House is a very well preserved example of early Galveston architecture. Built in 1847,…read moreit was the residence of one of Galveston's early mayors, John Seabrook Sydnor, who also grew up here. It was Sydnor's middle name of Seabrook for which the little town just north of Galveston on the edge of Galveston Bay was named. It is remarkable for the fact that it is in very good shape, and for the fact that it survived to 1900 Storm and several others since! It is located at 3427 Avenue O. It is very impressive to view and is surrounded by shrubs on the front facing avenue O and on the side facing 35th street. It is the current location for the Galveston Garden Club. With that being said, I would think that as a garden club they would keep those hedges a little more manicured! There is a Texas Historical marker located on the 35th street side and it is kind of hard to see, or photograph as the hedges are a little high and somewhat obscure the view. There are times when the Galveston Historical Society do tots of the islands historical homes and sometimes this one is included. It is usually the first two weekends of the month of May. It's a good way to learn about a lot of Galveston's past history, and there is a lot to learn as there are quite a few historic old homes left in Galveston with seeing and learning about!

Very cool piece of not only national but local naval history. The destroyer escort is an enjoyable…read morewalk through display of WW2 history. The submarine is also walk through with good written descriptions of each compartment and a testament to the heroism of those that served on her! $10 mandatory free for park entrance and parking. $14 per adult to tour the naval displays.

Well worth the drive to the tip of Pelican Island off of Galveston Island, this hidden park is a…read moregreat way to spend an afternoon. You can find a fishing pier, playground, picnic area, and great views of Galveston Harbor. Entrance fee is $10 a vehicle to park and visit the park. If you want to tour the historic ship and sub, it will be an extra charge of $10-15 a person but is not mandatory to visit the park. My family enjoyed walking around the park, taking in the sights of fisherman hauling in their catch, the wildlife (pelicans, dolphins, sea turtles), and the ships passing through and by the harbor. We also decided to tour the sub and destroyer from WW2. It took about an hour for us to walk through both ships, self guided. A fair amount of history with both vessels but wish the tour would have been a little longer, especially on the destroyer. Fun time to spend an afternoon in Galveston, great for families. If you skip the ships, it makes for a very cheap activity while in Galveston. Even with the ships, it is still pretty affordable afternoon.

A very neat experience that takes no time at all. Easy to navigate and very enjoyable to see the…read morehistory of Galveston.

During a long weekend trip last week to Galveston, I was fortunate enough that a waitress at BLVD…read moreSeafood recommended I check this old house out. It was nicely laid out and you could walk up and buy a ticket with a self guided audio tour of the place that included historical tid bits about the family and what was happening in the area at the time they lived in it. They apparently have private tours of the upstairs/attic areas but those you have to book and pay for in advance. I enjoyed the audio tour and even bought a few items at the quite spacious gift store! At times I felt like I was the only one in the house because it was probably a non tourist heavy day. You can easily park on the street and walk in to buy a ticket the day of...well at least on the day I was there!

I've been to several GHF events; Bishops Palace midnight tour, their warehouse, dang, I can't…read moreremember them all since 2013 when I moved here. So tomorrow April 7th, 2018 I'm going to the Plank-owners Captain Dinner and walking aboard on the 6 ships

Boat tour Seagull 2 was excellent I enjoyed the dolphins. Nathan was very informative about the…read morehistory of the area. Brian handle the boat suberbly. I would highly recommend the tour and seeing the Elissa as well as other tours Galveston historical foundation.

March 18, 2022 Galveston Island Texas…read more Went to an event that was sponsored by the Villa but was put on by "Rockstar Beer Festivals" We sat at a sold out show for about an hour 15 minutes. We listened to the narrator tell us ghost stories about the owners of Ashton Villa and other well knowns while we sipped cocktails (not one craft beer though which there is plenty of local breweries here) They "tried" to make it like the ghosts were present in the home, but, that was funny not haunted. We stayed in the big banquet room the entire time; we never toured the home (I've seen this home before but, I'm sure others had not, my friend included) C'mon, now if you're during a haunted ghost story event in a beautiful 3 story "historical" home that's a survivor of the 1900 storm that wiped out this island...you gotta move around and see the place. Disappointed. The drinks were very tasty. The crew was nice. The narrator was a good story teller AND he hammered a 6 inch nail into his nose, besides the awesome location, these were the best parts. For $46...and a BIG emphasis on tipping, it wasn't worth it. 5 STARS for the location. 3 for the event.

I grew up coming here and as an adult went to a few weddings. Today I went to celebrate Juneteenth…read morebecause it began in Galveston and this is where General Gordon Granger read off the proclamation for the emancipation of the slaves. As Ashton Villa was the site of the reading, it holds a special place in history. I am proud of this beautiful home in my wonderful hometown.

Sept 16th, 2022 My…read morefirst time here. I came for an appreciation dinner for the volunteers of the historical foundation It's a nice BIG open space with pretty landscaping.

One of my absolute favorite pieces of Galveston architecture, of which there are many. Garten…read moreVerein and the surrounding old city neighborhood is joyous driving, biking or strolling.

Moody Mansion offers a little taste of Texas' rich history! Emphasis on RICH! We took the self…read morepaced tour -and pleasantly surprised with all the great information from staff! Bobbie is very helpful and passionate about the Mansions history and Brenda is an amazing storyteller! They added so much to the tour experience. And the audio is very informative..

We absolutely loved Moody Mansion. The decor during the Holidays made it even more special. The…read morestaff were friendly and helpful. We loved that it had so many original pieces on this tour.

Ten years after Hurricane Ike in 2008, there is still no progress on site along Seawall Blvd across…read morefrom Hotel Galvez ... my heart aches looking out from my hotel room window to the empty space that once held one of the most amazing historic and haunted buildings that I ever stepped into. I was lucky enough to make my way to the Balinese twice. I happened to be at Mardi Gras 2003 with the band Thin Lizzy. I walked around The Strand and picked up a local paper. I saw an ad for the Balinese and got way excited. I told my partner in crime that we "HAD TO GO"... so after TL hit the road, we headed over there till closing time. OMG! No words can actually describe how I felt being there as I am a sensitive person. I felt the pure awesomeness of this building. I remember taking trips to Galveston in the past as a child to young adult and it was always closed... so to be able to walk into those doors, it was like stepping into a time capsule from the 40s. I spent so much time just walking along the walls snooping into every room and every corner that I could. There were pictures of the Balinese heyday with all the celebrities that crossed that very same threshold that I did. The gambling tables were in the back room hanging on the wall as decoration. The paintings and palm trees in the grand ballroom were all original to the building. Right then and there I swore if I ever won the lottery... I'm hosting a party with ZZ Top @ Balinese Room! I found myself back at the Balinese two years later doing the exact same thing... just walking around in awe. I haven't returned to Galveston since a cruise in Dec 2005, so this trip is so bittersweet. I came to visit the Tall Ships Galveston festival but I knew that meant that I would need to face my broken heart head on. I took a walk over and sat on the bench that holds up the arches on the Seawall of what is all that is left of the Balinese Room. I opened up a spirit box app. If ghosts still walk through house doors that are no longer there, they are probably still walking in the space they previously occupied along the pier that was no longer there. I should have read Ryan M. reviews more closely before I did this to plan to sit on the Seawall for at least an hour or more, which I did not. Although the short time I did sit there this is what I heard: "born" "from", so I asked "where are you born from?"... after a few minutes I get "slightly" while at the same time I was thinking how windy it was out there. They were joking with me as it was way more than slightly. Lol. Originally opened as Chop Suey about a hundred years ago, the Balinese Room history is a perfect story for the movies and songs... please take some time to read the links for more info... http://balineseroom.net/ https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Balinese-Room-resurrection-is-in-the-works-5332958.php?cmpid=btfpm&t=9b4692aa2ac3f0c8a9#photo-4961006 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balinese_Room "The Balinese Room was a famous nightclub in Galveston, Texas, built on a pier stretching 600 feet from the Galveston Seawall over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. For decades a dance hall and illegal casino, (sat empty for nearly 20 years), Balinese Room was remodeled and reopened in 2001. Operated by Sicilian immigrant barbers-turned-bootleggers Sam and Rosario Maceo, the Balinese Room was an elite spot in the 1940-50s, featuring entertainment by Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, George Burns, The Marx Brothers and other top acts of the day. Patrons of the private club included Howard Hughes, Sophie Tucker and wealthy oil barons from nearby Houston. In 1997, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During the early morning hours of September 13, 2008, the structure was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ike. The Balinese is featured in pop culture; Rock group ZZ Top wrote and performed a song about the club called, "Balinese."" Hit the play button: Deep in the South of Texas Not so long ago, There on a crowded island In the Gulf of Mexico It didn't take too much money, Man, but it sure was nice. You could dance all night if you felt all right, Drinking whiskey and throwing dice. And everybody knows It was hard to leave. And everybody knows It was down at the Balinese. There are as many stories of who created the Margarita. I like the version I learned on my first visit... Santos Cruz, the head bartender at the legendary Balinese Room in Galveston, concocted the Margarita in 1948 in honor of singer Peggy Lee. He named it after the Spanish version of Peggy, which is Margarita. A true Margarita is equal parts tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice. Attorney Scott Arnold has "The Balinese Room Pier", a restaurant, club and retail complex formerly located on historic pier for sale. Although it was completely destroyed by Ike, there is the remaining land lease (50 year term), which includes the right to rebuild, the Balinese Room brand name and trade dress. Review #400

The once proud and historic Balinese Room is no more but according to the owners - they will…read morerebuild. As I am sure you know, the Balinese Room Pier was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ike on Saturday, September 13, 2008. Her remains were located mostly on Seawall Boulevard, mixed with the wreckage of the neighboring Murdoch's and Hooter's piers, in a pile of debris as wide as the Seawall and stretching for several blocks. I have received dozens of emails, texts and phone calls expressing heartfelt condolences. So many people have taken this as a personal loss, as of course, it is. Thank all of you for your kind thoughts and wishes. One particularly eloquent email was received from Casey Smith, and I think it expresses so well what I have heard from so many of you: I am so sorry for what has happened. I have been to the Balinese Room many, many times and you have always made me feel welcome. I went to the Balinese Room right after you opened and have watched you rebuild and make it a beautiful place. Only those who walked the Balinese Room will ever know what it was like and how it made us feel, as if we were in a different time and as if we were in the presence of all those who have entertained and visited years ago. My heart goes out to you for believing in the Balinese Room. We will never forget the Balinese Room. Sincerely, Casey Smith Gun Barrel City, Texas Thanks to Casey and each of you. Luckily, there is some insurance in place which will help mitigate the financial loss. Of course, we remain at the mercy of the insurance companies and hopefully they will be fair. I do retain the rights to rebuild at the site. Economically, that is impossible but I will entertain realistic proposals from serious investors. Luckily, I have retained copies of many of the photos and other framed artifacts formerly located at the Balinese. A Texas Historical Commission representative is currently sifting the wreckage for any remaining architectural salvage. I am contemplating re-creating a much smaller Balinese Room themed club and "museum" at a building I own on Market Street near the Strand, or at some other location. Our email is balineseroom@sbcglobal.net. Please feel free to email us personal pictures, stories, etc from the Balinese. I want to continue to archive the history of the Balinese, and help preserve the legend for the future. I would particularly like to hear from any eyewitnesses to the actual slide into the ocean. My phone is 713 227 6653. We have heard that there was some removal of artifacts from the debris. If you know of anything that was recovered, please let us know. The City of Galveston has been helpful in protecting these items. You may also contact Lori Schwarz with the City at shwarzlor@cityof galveston if you know of any such removal. Googling "balinese room ike" will yield many links to national, international and local news coverage about the Pier and its destruction. There is a nice story by National Public Radio at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94729672 CNN, Geraldo Rivera and others have shared the Balinese Room story with the whole country. As Casey Smith reminds us "we will never forget the Balinese Room" Please be assured that , with your help, the story of the Balinese will live on. Sincerely, Scott Arnold Owner Balinese Room

This beautiful home belonged to Frank Davison (1855-1935) when he was hired by the Texas City…read moreImprovement Company to be the resident manager. The house was completed in 1897. The house has survived a number of storms and hurricanes but was actually damaged the most by the 1947 chemical explosion. It is open to the public on the first Sunday of most months from 2 PM to 4 PM. That wasn't today, unfortunately. [Review 866 of 2024 - 621 in Texas - 21896 overall]

Very beautiful and interesting little tour. Ladies were friendly, knowledgeable, and interesting…read more The tour included only the one large house but looking forward to seeing the remaining 3 smaller houses when they open for a tour the second Sunday in Dec.( it'll be a holiday type tour). Well worth the price. Thank you.

Took the family to The Bryan Museum on the Island and what a gem! It was such a beautiful outing…read morefilled with history. Before it was a museum the building was an orphanage. It survived the devastating 1900 storm. The storm blew out the center of the building but the east and west wings held and the survivors made it because they were tucked into those sides. I got chills learning about that. To think of those children scared for their lives is so touching. There is so much to see. There are three floors of history. The collection covers the West and beyond. It's the kind of place where you keep stopping and going, wait, what?! The $15 per person ticket is worth it. If you haven't been, especially if you're local to Houston or Galveston, put it on your list. History feels different when the building itself is the history.

An unparalleled assemblage or artifacts from Texas history Any visit to Galveston should have the…read moreBryan on the to do list