It was the "Wallstreet of the Southwest" prior to the 1900 Storm. A financial district in a booming…read moreport city that was thriving due to the cotton industry and port location. The restored Victorian style buildings along The Strand still keep that memory alive. Unfortunately, it was all built close to sea level which had devastating consequences when the hurricane hit. It took the city over a decade to recover. All the buildings that survived were raised 17-20 feet higher. At the time, it was considered a feat of ingenuity along with the construction of the massive seawall. The Strand went through a period of disrepair up until about the 1970s. That's when many of the buildings that you see today were restored and given a historical landmark status. It started with the Old Strand Emporium. The King family opened up La King's Confectionery around the same time that the Mitchell's were revitalizing the Blum Building. This would eventually become the rebirth of the Tremont House Hotel. I mean, this is just a summary of events that made this district what it is today. There's really a lot more that went into all of this. Let's just say it was a very interesting visit full of charm. There's so many attractions to see in this part of town. There are many touristy shops mixed in with boutique shops and restaurants. I swear there's a bar on every corner, and some in between. The pier is nearby where you can get fresh fish. Some of the cruise ship terminals are within walking distance from here. There's at least 4 different museums including a railroad station and an oil rig. I think our favorite stop was La King's Confectionery. If that's not enough, then go there during one of their festivals. They have one for Mardis Gras, FeatherFest, Juneteenth, Shrimp Festival, Lone Star Rally and the Dickens at The Strand. It was an enjoyable visit!

So many cute shops!! Everyone is so welcoming and such a variety of items to shop fromread more

Located right on the water before the causeway to Galveston coming in from 45 South from Houston…read more It's a cool little village filled with very nice raised houses, camps, condos located along canals surrounded by water. This is a beautiful setting with easy access to the water from any location. Most of the homes are raise with their garages and outdoor kitchens located on the ground level and I noticed a lot of these have drive through boat launches located directly under the dwellings (how cool is that). I only found this place because of a 14 mile traffic back up due to a major accident on the causeway so we never made it to Galveston and found this village trying to get back on the highway to travel back to Houston that was a bummer but you have to make the best of the situation sometimes.

Wouldn't it be nice if every house on an island had its own private dock? Tiki Island does! You'll…read morefind Tiki just before you hit Galveston Island on the causeway going south from Houston. I love sipping scotch on the deck while watching the perfect sunsets. Just obey the 30 M.P.H. speed limits because Tiki Island has its own police force and they do not like speeders!

It was our first time to Galveston and this was the perfect mix of learning about the town and…read moreexperiencing some of the local restaurants. We wanted more at each restaurant, but by the time we did all the stops and had desert then we were full. Rachel was knowledgeable and shared in a fun way.

Our tour guide, Rachel, was the perfect Galveston insider to guide us through our first visit to…read morethe island. She brought her personal love of the town, mixed it with the historical knowledge we were hoping for and paired all of that with a variety of foods from locally owned restaurants. Variety and Quantity lots and lots of it. We highly recommend the Taste of The Strand Food Tour.

It's a unique sculpture at the part of the seawall near the Fort Crockett historical marker. The…read moresculptor (David Moore) created it based off of a Pompeo Coppini cast (or drawing) that was originally rejected back in 1904 for being too heartbreaking. It was of a grieving mother holding her baby while her other child is pulling on her skirt. He donated his works to the university, and they somehow lost them. What a shame! Fortunately, the bronze sculpture that you see today gives off that same emotion but with more of a feeling of resolution. The mother and child have risen to a peaceful & restful place after the devastating storm of 1900. That's how I'd like to interpret it. It looks even more spiritual at sunset. It's beautiful! The surrounding seawall built in the aftermath continues to protect Galveston Island. The structures have all risen to a safer level. We have early warning systems for hurricanes that they didn't have back then. It's a part of Galveston's history that is too difficult to forget. You just can't walk along the beach and not think of the 6,000 (also said to be 8000) lives lost. There are reminders everywhere including the historical seawall. It was a breezy & relaxing walk while staying at the San Luis Resort.

The Storm of 1900 was one of the worst storms in recorded history, killing over 6,000 Texans in…read moreGalveston. This memorial was commissioned by the City of Galveston and the Galveston Commission for the Arts, and was completed in 2000. The artist is the talented David Moore, who used bronze to portray the victims of the storm, reaching out for aide. Before the storm, Galveston was poised to be one of the biggest port cities in the country. That fateful storm changed that forever. Since then, the citizens of Galveston built the seawall, a 12 foot barrier that keeps the sea out from the island during these terrible storms. When visiting this memorial, I feel sadness for the victims, but glad that we now have technology to warn us of these dangerous storms, so that we may do our best to prepare. The memorial is set in a beautiful place, right along the beach, with picturesque views of the Gulf of Mexico. It's a natural meeting spot, and a great place to people watch. Parking is easy, along Seawall Blvd., but you might have to technically pay to park.

Quaint and historic beach town that I've enjoyed visiting over the years whether it's hitting up…read moretourist spots on The Strand, hitting the beach, or patronizing a local business outside the range of the tourist areas. Most importantly, Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth. June 19, 1865-General Granger announced the end of slavery.

Galvez's townwas named after 18th-century Spanish military leader Bernardo de Gálvez. Europeans…read morebuilt settlements here as early as 1816 and Galveston Harbor was the first port of the original Texas Navy. Galveston is also known as the birthplace of Juneteenth (there's a historical marker) when a Union General landed here and let the locals know that slavery was no longer legal. The city is a major tourist destination thanks to the miles and miles of beaches. It's also a cruise port with a number of ship departures every week. Attractions? Lots of them including the Schlitterbahn waterpark, the Lone Star Flight Museum and the Ocean Star Drilling Platform Museum. Historical and architectural districts? Lots to see. Parking is at a premium with metered street parking throughout the downtown and tourist areas. Make sure you park legally and keep in mind that the locals are looking at you as the tourist you are! [Review 875 of 2024 - 630 in Texas - 21904 overall]

This was another incredible find when walking through the Strand Historic District on the way to…read morethe Railroad Museum. The "Absolute Equality" artwork was created by Reginald C. Adams as part of the Juneteenth Legacy Project. It's vibrant and large. It tells the step by step story visually and in writing. It's kind of difficult to capture the writing underneath it in photos unless you break it down into sections. It's easier to read in person. It also happens to be placed at the spot where Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3 at the former Osterman Building (now a paid parking lot) on the corner of 22nd Street and The Strand. Just watch out for cars pulling into the lot. I had no idea that the celebration of Juneteenth (Emancipation Day) started here in 1866. Just a year after the General Order was read. It has been an observed state holiday (now a federal holiday) in Texas since 1979. Amazing! It's a beautiful way to commemorate and memorialize this historical event. It's a must see mural! Don't miss it when in Galveston.

I figured since I was in Galveston I would make a stop at an area that is tied to an important part…read moreof history. Juneteenth, starting in Galveston, is a notable area in the city to visit. I wanted to visit here and since we were already out, I decided to drag my friends this way so that we could see where the proclamation was read. As we approached the area, it didn't look like much, but that is probably because of the direction we were approaching. When we got to the site of the building the proclamation was read from we realized the original building was no longer there. However, take the time to read the plaque to give yourself some context to the moment. The area is a welcoming one. Some benches to sit on but the thing that catches your eye is the mural on the building. It depicts the historic moment and give a bit more context to the plaque. I got to see this place in the late evening hours, but I am sure that it is better to see during the daylight hours. It is still an amazing and historic place that you should put aside some time to see.

This is a cool place to take a photo to remember a trip Galveston! Super easy to find with parking…read morelocated right across the street!

Initially installed in New Orleans in 1984, The Stone Trumpet was relocated to Galveston in 1986…read morefor the opening of a jazz restaurant. Made of steel and concrete, the Trumpet (it's actually a cornet) is 26 feet long and 14 feet tall. It is by artist David Adickes. I've seen and reviewed his work before - "A Tribute to American Statesmanship" in Houston. Free to access and since it's outside, available all day. [Review 876 of 2024 - 631 in Texas - 21905 overall]