Is Galveston, TX a good vacation spot?

[mermaidwannabe]

Just wondered if anyone here has stayed in Galveston in July? I have a vacation planned already driving from Montana to DL and then San Diego, but for the same amount of money, we (me, DH, 3 DDs) can fly to Houston, stay at an oceanfront condo in Galveston, rent a car and go to Schlitterbahn. A relaxing beach vacation sounds so good. The DL/San Diego vacation is very action-packed and would be fun, but the driving will probably be a nightmare.

Anyone have an opinion?? TIA!

 

[tikilyn]

I used to live 10 minutes from Galveston and I wouldn't spend my vacation there. Back then Galveston was really getto, I last time I was there I was boarding a cruise ship though. It may have change. I know the Schlitterbahn north of San Antonio is suppose to be better.

 

[Zane_Anthony]

I enjoy Galveston and I think there is plenty to do if you visit places around there as well. There is Moody Gardens there besides Schlitterbahn. Near Galveston you have Kemah Boarwalk and NASA and MUCH MUCH more if you venture into Houston. Not sure where you live or how used to water you are but I thought the beach in Galveston was beautiful until I went to the Caribbean but it's still nice enough, and it was preferct when I didn't know any better. You do need to be really careful where you stay. There are a lot of rundown hotels on the seawall. I stayed at the Hotel Galvez and it was very nice. I can post some pictures when I get home if you would like. Depending on the days you are there you could go by the cruise terminal and see the ships. The historic area downtown (the strand) is nice as well and if you are interested I read about some ghots tours but I haven't done one myself. If you email the Visitors Bureau they will send you all kinds of information on things to do in the area.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

I've been to Galveston numerous time because my sister lives nearby. I'll never forget my first trip. I was extremely disappointed! Grey skies, grey water, oil on the beach, nasty dead sea critters on the beach. Uggg. There is no way I would specifically plan a vacation to there. It's okay for a day trip, but IMHO I feel you'll be extremely disappointed if you take a vacation there from Montana.

 

[Plantlady]

We spent 5 days there in December (photo in my signature was taken there).

I just loved it. Of course, I left Kansas cold, and enjoyed Galveston warmth!

We did the Moody Gardens, took a free ferry ride and feed the sea gulls from the back of the ferry.. the kids still talk about this. We visited Seawolf Park. DH is a history fan, so we enjoyed touring the ships, and from there we saw dolphins.. it was the first time I've seen dolphins in the wild!

We played mini golf there, collected sea shells... we drove to Freeport, and had the beach to ourselves! It was so beautiful... there were just PILES of seashells, the kids were in love.

I've been told that July is too hot there, but for us, we will go back a LOT for winter.. of course, we have family there, and that is nice too.

 

[stefffe]

keep in mind that the water park is NOT completed.....it is nothing like they have in new braunfuls.....Galveston is nice and Kema is close and its nice too.... but the water park is still small and may be dissappointing if you are expecting it to rival the original

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Thanks for the info. We did a DW/Clearwater Beach trip a few years ago and the beach was incredible, so maybe I'll steer clear of TX and keep my action-packed DL/San Diego vacation. Thanks!!

 

[Mono~rail]

We live in Lake Charles, LA which is about 2-3 hrs from Galveston (depending on how backed up the line for the ferry is). We go during the summer for little short get away or day trips, and I don't want to disparage it. But the Gulf beaches are not even comparable to the Pacific beaches in So Cal. I'm afraid you would be seriously disappointed with the beach in Galveston.

Galveston isn't that far west along the coast from where we are, and the beaches here aren't even swimmable. There are big signs up with warnings to stay out of the water because it is harboring high levels of bacteria that can cause everything from sore throat to severe gastroenteritis. That's here though - not Galveston, but Galveston isn't all that far.

The water at the Galveston beaches is brown, and at times it has an oily sheen on top of it. The Schlitterbahn there is quite a bit smaller than the one up in New Braunfels. Galveston is maybe 30 minutes south of Houston, and there is tons to do there. Used to be alot more before AstroWorld closed down. The zoo in Houston is nice.

 

[cruizie]

I live in Houston and we go to Galveston some. However, not to lay on the beach! Schlitterbahn in Galveston is fun but still under construction. The beach is not like going to Miami or even South Padre Island (TX). So if you are looking for a nice, relaxing beach - I think that you will be able to relax. If you are looking for a nice, relaxing, beautiful beach - look elsewhere.

That being said, there is a lot to do around Galveston. Moody Gardens (and they have a man-made beach), Kemah Boardwalk, etc.

I just think that if you are driving all that way for a beautiful beach getaway in Galveston, you will be disappointed.

 

[Mono~rail]

I totally forgot the roller coaster is open now at the Kemah Boardwalk. We're going to give it a whirl this spring.

 

[dolce]

absolutely not. i live in houston and havent stepped foot in galveston in about 8 years. water is dirty and wouldnt be worth the trip

 

[kellermomof3]

Go futher south to Mustang Island. It's perfect for families and the beaches are cleaner. My family has stayed there a few times and loved it...very relaxing.

 

[Aimeedyan]

No, it's not. If I want to visit a beach, I hop on a plane. TX beaches are just not nice OR relaxing OR pretty. =)

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I was so disappointed in the Galveston beaches. I certainly wouldn't plan my vacation around it.

 

[myAAbatteries&aTD]

We spent a week there a few years ago and were a bit disappointed. We still had a great time b/c we were on vacation, but the beaches are not very nice - sooooo much seaweed and not much beach area to enjoy, kinda smelly, too.... Moody Gardens was fun and we did enjoy that and the ferry ride was okay, not much to do at the end of it, though. Don't think we'd ever go back for a whole week again b/c there are too many nicer beaches out there....

 

[horseshowmom]

We were in Ft. Worth a couple of years ago for a horse show and came back through San Antonio, Houston, Galveston, etc. We were pretty unimpressed with Galveston in general. We did ride the ferry that was mentioned previously and enjoyed that.

(The beaches were definitely not in the same range as FL beaches.)

 

[Zane_Anthony]

Wow!! Sorry for the bad advice I guess I look at Galveston in a different way then others.

#1 I live in dead dry west texas....after it rains I think the puddles are beautiful

#2 Living no where near any large amount of water...unless the local lake that's usually dried up counts , we are not beach/water people ... so while we stay on the seawall and do walk along the beach for about 20-30 minutes..that is all we do that is actually beach related...and we would never dream of getting in the water, but i was even scared to do that in the beautiful clear water in the Caribbean

Here are some pictures just for grins:

View from my room at the Galvez

This is what we do on the beach

A restaurant/bar I like to go to.

 

[Plantlady]

I guess perhaps it is the mind frame that you go to Galveston with.

Yes, the water is not crystal clear, but, while we were there, we enjoy the CALM that the sea provided. We collected more seashells than we know what to do with. We took the ferry and ate at a wonderful local restaurant (the Stingaree). We saw dolphins in the wild, we feed sea gulls, we did the touristy Rain Forest Cafe, we built sand castles, toured WWII submarines and battleships, had picnics next to the sea, all for around $700 for a week.

We came back to Kansas refreshed and relaxed. My kids can't wait to go back.

No, it's not the Caribbean, but it was very relaxing and calm, and perfect for us cold Kansas folks.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I appreciate all the opinions, but will steer clear. I don't even want the possibility of being disappointed if we would be coming from so far away. Thanks for helping me DISers!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I was born and raised in Houston and now live in a suburb just north of it. I can tell you that I can't stand Galveston.

True, there are things to do there, but if you're going for the beaches, you're going to be disappointed. Thanks to the Mississippi river, we get the nasty side of the Gulf. Sand like mud, water the color and clarity of mud, and nasty salt spray that will stick to everything, including you.

The city surrounding the main beaches leaves a lot to be desired too. Don't get me wrong, there are some very nice developments, but they're not near the seawall area, which is where the majority of hotels are.

I say fly a little further, spend a little more, and either go to Padre in Texas, or the Gulf coast of Alabama or Florida.