With beautiful beaches, delicious seafood, and possibly the best old-school candy shop in the west, Galveston is truly a treasure trove of family fun—and yes, that includes pirate ships.
Fisherman’s Wharf has had a legacy of serving fresh seafood since 1940, but became the go-to spot for gulf shrimp in the 1960s. In fact, their shrimp was served to President John F. Kennedy at the White House. Make sure to order the bacon-wrapped Shrimp Kisses as you unwind on the back patio. Even though the restaurant is located close to the cruise dock, you probably won’t have to wait long for a table… but if you do, bide your time by enjoying a happy-hour drink until 7 p.m. or strolling over to see the nearby tall ship Elissa.
Harborside @ 20th St, Galveston, TX, US
Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum And Education Center
Lots of people know about the pirate history of the Caribbean, but you might not know that Jean Lafitte, a famous pirate, made Galveston his home in 1817. At Pirates! Legends of the Gulf, kids will get to explore a pirate-ship deck and see an actual pirate hook. Kids under five get in free, while admission for kids under 13 is $6.75. Parents must pay the fee of $10 or walk the plank. There are loads of pirate photo ops and a scavenger hunt that’s especially fun for kids of reading ages.
Your family can walk in the footsteps of pirates one day, and then, at the Galveston Railroad Museum, sit in the seats of early twentieth-century train travelers the next. Visiting this museum is truly like experiencing a time warp, if only for an hour or so. The replica train station inside even features a white plaster “Ghosts of Travelers Past” display. Try to hit this museum when the sun is out so you can explore the trains outside, including sleeping cars, dining cars, baggage cars, and cabooses. On some Saturdays, you can take an actual train ride. Check their website for the most up-to-date schedules and museum fees. Bonus points if you snag a photo of their library cat!
If you’ve worked up an appetite with all of that exploring, then you might need to grab a bite to refuel, and because this is vacation, feel free to start with dessert first! If you only have time for one food stop before you hop on a cruise or head back to your hometown, do yourself a favor and visit La King’s Confectionery. Their specialty is saltwater taffy—even if you aren’t a fan, you’ll probably walk away one after you try the sweet treat 30 seconds after it’s been wrapped up. The 1950s soda fountain ambiance is fun for kids, and the homemade ice cream is some of the best you’ll find in Texas.
Need to pack even more fun into your visit? Then definitely check out the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. You must pay a fee to visit the pier as well for each of the 16 rides, but if you opt for the $26 ride-all-day option and get wristbands in the morning, you can come back that evening to see the boardwalk lit up and catch a sunset. A handful of the rides are for kids at least 48-inches tall, but there are other attractions for kids of all ages, including some water rides, so pack towels and swimsuits, just in case.
Want more than just ocean views? Here, you can choose between three pyramids, each with its own ecosystem: They have a Rainforest Pyramid, a Discovery Pyramid, and an Aquarium Pyramid. It can take up to two hours to work your way through a single pyramid, though, so if you want to see more than one, be sure to allow enough time. Or, divide and conquer, and then share a family slideshow later on during your trip! If you can fit it in, the paddleboat cruise is a lot of fun, the Palm Beach Waterpark is a favorite for kids, and there’s even a zip line and ropes course! If you’re there at the right time, you might be able to catch a behind-the-scenes penguin experience or a shark feeding. You also can stay at the hotel on-site and treat yourself to a day at the spa or a delicious meal at one of the restaurants.
Clearly, there’s no shortage of family-friendly activities, entertainment, food, and education in Galveston. It’s kind of amazing that 29 miles covers so much ground and can provide fun for the entire family—kids and adults alike!