Old Central Travel Guide

Galveston

If find yourself in Galveston and you want to get away from the Seawall crowds then this is a great beach to visit. Most days you’ll find that it isn’t crowded at all, only a few people around. Follow the picturesque white boardwalk to a trail that will lead you to the beach. Be sure to stop and smell the many flowers along the way—just remember to keep off the dunes and watch out for rattlesnakes.
If find yourself in Galveston and you want to get away from the Seawall crowds then this is a great beach to visit. Most days you’ll find that it isn’t crowded at all, only a few people around. Follow the picturesque white boardwalk to a trail that will lead you to the beach. Be sure to stop and smell the many flowers along the way—just remember to keep off the dunes and watch out for rattlesnakes.
In front of Olympia Grill, view of the Pleasure Pier.
Perfect beach day.
#beach Galveston at sunset, 2013

Popular places to visit

huge cruise liner stands off the coast of Vancouver Canada Place flag flying over the Pacific Ocean sails a beautiful view of the city on the water Canada 2023

Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal

Explore the waterfront in Galveston with a trip to Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal
Evening sun illuminates the Seawall at Galveston, Texas

Galveston Seawall

You can learn about the local history of Galveston when you make a stop at a well-known site such as Galveston Seawall. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Galveston Seawall
Aerial panorama sunset over Port of Galveston Texas

Port of Galveston

Explore the waterfront in Galveston with a trip to Port of Galveston. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Port of Galveston
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier

Ride the thrilling swings over the Gulf of Mexico and browse the shops and restaurants on this fun and scenic pier.

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
View towards Moody gardens in Galveston, Texas

Moody Gardens

More than just a theme park: an aquarium, zoo, museums and rides on beautiful Galveston Bay.

Moody Gardens
Galveston Schlitterbahn Waterpark

Galveston Schlitterbahn Waterpark

Enjoy a day twisting and turning on water slides or just relax in a pool with a swim-up bar at this popular water park.

Galveston Schlitterbahn Waterpark

Things to do

Tour Galveston's 1895 Moody Mansion

Tour Galveston's 1895 Moody Mansion

฿577
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Tour Galveston's 1895 Moody Mansion
Visit The Bryan Museum

The Bryan Museum Admission

฿473
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
The Bryan Museum Admission
Groovy Galveston Scavenger Hunt

Groovy Galveston Scavenger Hunt

฿629
per adult
Groovy Galveston Scavenger Hunt
Galveston: Historic Galveston Ghost Tour

Galveston: Historic Galveston Ghost Tour

฿944
per adult
Galveston: Historic Galveston Ghost Tour
Haunted Strand Street

Galveston Haunted Smartphone Guided Audio Walking App

฿307
per adult
Galveston Haunted Smartphone Guided Audio Walking App
Picture 1 for Activity Galveston: Spooky Strand Ghost Walking Tour

Galveston: Spooky Strand Ghost Walking Tour

฿944
per adult
Galveston: Spooky Strand Ghost Walking Tour
See all activities in Galveston

Top hotels in Old Central

1 Mi to Pleasure Pier: Walkable Home in Galveston

1 Mi to Pleasure Pier: Walkable Home in Galveston

3 out of 5
Galveston TX
Stay at this apartment in Galveston. Enjoy free parking, a garden and air conditioning. Popular attractions Port of Galveston and Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
Quiwt and cute place
Cute place that we enjoyed. The only issues were the internet waa spotty and the bedroom was pretty warm. Otherwise, we enjoyed it. Quiet neighborhood, close to the cruise terminals.

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

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1 Mi to Pleasure Pier: Walkable Home in Galveston
Clarion Pointe Galveston - Beachfront

Clarion Pointe Galveston - Beachfront

3 out of 5
5914 Seawall Blvd Galveston TX
The price is ฿1,849 per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
฿1,849
฿2,126 total
23 Feb - 24 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Galveston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (227 reviews)
What sold us was being able to leave our car there during the duration of our cruise at half the cost of the usual parking lots near the terminal.

Reviewed on 21 Jan 2026

Clarion Pointe Galveston - Beachfront
The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center

The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center

4 out of 5
5222 Seawall Blvd Galveston TX
The price is ฿7,425 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
฿7,425
฿9,254 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury resort in Galveston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,169 reviews)
Great hotel and staff! Will be back!

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center
Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center

Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center

4 out of 5
7 Hope Blvd Galveston TX
The price is ฿2,879 per night from 26 Jan to 27 Jan
฿2,879
฿3,310 total
26 Jan - 27 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in Galveston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,001 reviews)
Great room and loved the attractions.

Reviewed on 21 Jan 2026

Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center
Grand Galvez Resort, Autograph Collection

Grand Galvez Resort, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
2024 Seawall Blvd Galveston TX
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿6,402 per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
฿6,402
฿7,362 total
16 Feb - 17 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Galveston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,265 reviews)
Very clean room, nice hotel 100% recommended will return

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Grand Galvez Resort, Autograph Collection
Hilton Galveston Island Resort

Hilton Galveston Island Resort

3.5 out of 5
5400 Seawall Blvd Galveston TX
The price is ฿3,643 per night from 4 Feb to 5 Feb
฿3,643
฿4,190 total
4 Feb - 5 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Galveston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,197 reviews)
Had a great experience staying at Hilton Galveston

Reviewed on 10 Jan 2026

Hilton Galveston Island Resort
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Central

Take from our room.

Midtown

While visiting Midtown, you might make a stop by sights like Galveston Seawall and Seawall Beach.

Midtown
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Kempner Park

While visiting Kempner Park, you might make a stop by sights like Seawall Beach and McGuire-Dent Recreation Center.

Kempner Park
In front of the hotel.

Historic Downtown Galveston

While visiting Historic Downtown Galveston, you might make a stop by sights like Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal and Strand Theatre.

Historic Downtown Galveston
In front of the hotel.

Strand Historic District

Strand Historic District is a destination visitors seek out for its pristine beaches, ample dining options and captivating waterfront views. You might also want to check out attractions like Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal or Strand Theatre while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Strand Historic District
One of our favorite little weekend getaways is a quick 45 minute drive from Houston. The Hotel Galvez and Spa has been the grand hotel of the Galveston sea wall since 1911. Originally built to help Galveston tourism recover from the devastation of the great hurricane of 1900 that almost ended the life of this island city. Charming architecture, beautiful pool, great bars and amenities. Given its age and history it has more than a few ghost stories as well. The Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

San Jacinto

While visiting San Jacinto, you might make a stop by sights like East End Historic District and Seawall Beach.

San Jacinto
The Bishop's Palace, also known as Gresham's Castle, is an ornate Victorian-style house, located on Broadway and 14th Street in the East End Historic District of Galveston, Texas. #Architecture

East End

If you're spending some time in East End, East End Historic District and Bishop's Palace are top sights worth seeing.

East End

Old Central Travel Guide