The Beach Sun - A Guide to the Greater Galveston & West Bay Resort Communities

Ashton Villa,

2328 Broadway, guided tours of Broadway's only (1859) antebellum mansion, including the ornate Gold Room and elegant family quarters. Open daily. Admission fee. (409) 762-3933.

Bishop's Palace,

1402 Broadway is most widely known architectural attraction in Galveston. Ranked among the top 100 homes in U.S.A. for architectural significance. Erected in 1887 by Col. Walter Gresham at a cost of $250,000. Purchased in 1923 as the resident of the bishop of Galveston-Houston Diocese of the Catholic Church. Daily tours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day. Balance of year open from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. daily except Tuesdays. Call (409) 762-2475 for schedule of guided tours.

The Colonel Paddlewheeler,

A Victorian styled paddlewheel boat, has daily cruises, plus dinner and moonlight excursions leaving the Moody Gardens dock. Call (409) 763-4666 or (713) 280-3980 reservations.

Grand 1894 Opera House,

2020 Postoffice St., has a variety of performances throughout the year from country to opera. The Grand 1894 Opera House is one of the most elegantly restored opera houses in the United States. For performance schedules, ticket prices or reservations call (409) 765-1894 or 1-800-821-1894.

Gulf Greyhound Park,

The largest greyhound racing track in the world. Located on I-45 at Exit 15, about 15 miles north of Galveston. Races nightly except Monday at 7:30 pm; matinees at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays For information or reservations call (409) 986-9500 or 1-800-ASK-2-WIN.

Lone Star Flight Museum,

One of the world's finest collections of aircrafts of the 1930's through the late 1940's. Open 7 days a week, except for holidays. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for children up to 13, children under 4 free, $5.00 for senior citizens. For details or information about group rates call (409) 740-7722.

Moody Gardens,

Features include Palm Beach (open only in the summer), the Rainforest Pyramid, 3-D IMAX Theater, The Colonel Paddle-wheeler, and a restaurant (viewing over the bay) are all open year round. Located on Hope Blvd. near Schole Field on west end of Galveston For information call (409) 744-4673, ext. 200.

Moody Mansion and Museum,

2618 Broadway, is an impressive limestone and brick mansion built in 1894, Tours provide a look at the elegance of high society, politics and fine home furnishings of the 19th century. For information call (409) 762-7668.

NOAA Sea Turtle Tour,

4700 Avenue U, see the sea turtle and hear about research being done to protect endangered species from extinction. By appointment only (409) 766-3500.

Pelican Island,

Across the harbor from the Port of Galveston and is the largely man-made by dredging. It serves as an industrial complex and is home for Texas A&M University at Galveston’s College of Marine Science & Maritime Resources and Maritime Academy. Seawolf Park is also located on the Island.

Railroad Museum,

Formerly Santa Fe Railroad Depot, at end of Strand on 25th Street features the largest collection of restored railroad cars in the southwest and see the more than 35 life-size travelers in the "People's gallery" posed in a moment from 1932. Nominal admission, open daily, for information call (409) 765-5700.

Texas Seaport Museum,

Pier 21 near The Strand, is the home of the tall ship Elissa which is a National Historic Landmark. Admission includes the wide screen presentation "Elissa: The Longest Voyage" Open daily. Call (409) 763-1877.

Samuel May Williams 1839 Home,

3601 Bernardo de Galvez (Ave P.), has been authentically restored by the GHF and is open to the public for tours. Samuel May Williams was secretary to Stephen F. Austin, financier of Texas’ War of Independence and republic, and Texas’ first banker. Call (409) 765-1839 for information.

Space Center Houston,

Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, at 1601 NASA Road 1 (across from Clear Lake). Experience mans exploration of space in a hand's on and up-close collection of artifacts, exhibits and films. For tickets or information call (713) 244-2105 or 1-800-972-0369.

Seawall,

The protective wall running parallel to Galveston Beach and the Gulf of Mexico is the Island’s world famous Seawall stretching more than 10 miles and rising 17 feet above mean low tide level. The Seawall was built to protect Galveston from Hurricanes, after the Hurricane of 1900 devastated the Island.

Seawolf Park,

On Pelican Island which can be access to by 51st Street. The park was once an immigrant quarantine station, the park is now a relaxing tropical oasis. Available for touring are WWII submarine Cavalle, destroyer escort U.S.S. Stewart and other military hardware. There are playgrounds and a lighted fishing pier. Call (409) 744-7854 for more information.

· Points of Interest ·

Bolivar Ferry,

Free ferry service between Galveston and Port Bolivar (Highway 87). Approximately a 20 minute ride, the ferries follow regular, seasonal schedules. The ferry provides one an excellent view of Galveston's harbor, Seawolf Park, SS Selma, and a fun opportunity to feed the flocks of seagulls which usually sail with the ferries. Call (409) 763-2386 for schedule information.

Garten Verein,

A dance pavilion built in 1876 by architect Nicholas J. Clayton, now known as Kempner Park was given to the city in 1923 by Stanley E. Kempner. The pavilion, a former German social club, is located Avenue O & Ursuline at 27th St.

Historical Strand District,

Between 20th to 25th streets from Water, Strand, Mechanic, Market, and Postoffice Streets, was once called the "Wall Street of the Southwest". The collection of 19th century buildings are being restored to their original decors with gas lights, and bricked walks that offer a fine selection of galleries, gift shops, factory direct merchants, and restaurants.

Jean LaFitte Marker,

1417 Water, was the former home of Pirate Jean LaFitte while he lived on Galveston Island from 1817 to 1821 til he was forced to leave Galveston after an attack on an U.S. Revenue Cutter.

Mosquito Fleet,

Piers 19 & 20 are where over a hundred shrimp trawlers use the Port of Galveston as their home port. If the shrimping season is good, each shrimp boat could bring in more than a thousand pounds of shrimp daily. The Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet is a pageant, usually held the first or second weekend after Easter, when the decorated and parade in the Port of Galveston.

Pelican Island,

Across the harbor from the Port of Galveston. It is the home of Texas A&M University at Galveston’s College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Resources, Maritime Academy, and Seawolf Park.

Port of Galveston,

From 9th to 40th Streets on Water St.(Port Industrial Blvd.) offers a spectacular view of international ships from around the world.

Port Bolivar Lighthouse,

Built in 1872, is one of the few still left intact. The Old Bolivar Lighthouse is located about one mile from the Bolivar Ferry pier on Bolivar Peninsula. (The Ferry ride is free and takes about 20 minutes, depending on season and traffic.).

Seawall Blvd.,

Paralling the Gulf of Mexico for over 10 miles, was built after The Great Storm of 1900 struck Galveston. The seawall rises 17 feet above a mean low tide and protects Galveston Island from hurricanes.

San Jacinto Battleground

A State Historical Park is located 22 miles east of Houston and about 20 miles north east of Galveston. From Galveston take Tex. Hwy.-146 east which intersects Tex. Hwy.-225 and then turn north on to Hwy.-134 (Battleground Rd.). One can see the 489 foot San Jacinto Monument from TX. Hwy 225 as you near the Park. San Jancinto Monument is open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. (March 1 to Oct. 31) and 8:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m. (Nov. 1 to Feb. 29). (Closed Dec. 24, 25) Admission Free. For information call (713) 479-2019. Battleship Texas, commissioned in 1914, is across the battle-grounds from the monument and has self-guided tours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is adults—$10.00; Seniors (65 or older) and children 6 - 12 years — $5.00; children under 6 years of age free. For information call (713) 479-2411.