Galveston

Things to do in Galveston

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Attractions
Culture & history
Food & drink
Day tours
City sightseeing
Water activities
Nature & wildlife
Travel photography
SIM card
Group Tours
Private tours
Cruises

Top 10 attractions in Galveston

View all Attractions
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
No. 1 of Night Attractions in Galveston

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier

4.3
The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is a seaside landmark located on the coast of Galveston County, Texas, USA. Built on a pier high above the Gulf of Mexico, it blends leisure, entertainment, and dining experiences, attracting visitors from all over. Here, visitors can admire the stunning seascape and feel the gentle ocean breeze. The pier features a variety of rides, such as a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a roller coaster, suitable for all ages. Strolling along the wooden boardwalk, you can also admire the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the distant ships passing by. Restaurants and food stalls offer a diverse selection of cuisines, from classic American snacks to seafood specialties, catering to every taste. At night, the lights reflect on the water, creating a captivating spectacle. More than just a place for entertainment, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is a relaxing haven where one can relax and experience seaside culture, showcasing the unique coastal charm of Galveston Island.Galveston · 1.7km from downtown
Moody Gardens Attractions Theme Park
No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Galveston

Moody Gardens Attractions Theme Park

4.2
Moody Gardens, located on Galveston Island in Texas, USA, is a comprehensive attraction that combines natural science education, animal exhibits, leisure and entertainment, and resort experiences. The most striking buildings in the park are three large glass pyramids. The Rainforest Pyramid simulates a tropical rainforest environment, allowing visitors to observe monkeys, birds, reptiles, and tropical plants up close; the Aquarium Pyramid showcases penguins, seals, sharks, and various marine creatures; and the Discovery Pyramid focuses on science education and themed exhibitions, making it suitable for family visits.Galveston · 6km from downtown
Space Center Houston
2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Space Center Houston

8.9
4.7/5
355 reviews
Space Center Houston is located in Houston, Texas, USA, and is the official visitor center of NASA's Johnson Space Center. From the Apollo moon landings to the Space Shuttle era, most American crewed spacecraft launched from Florida, while flight control after liftoff came primarily from the adjacent Johnson Space Center: after the Apollo 11 lunar module landed on the Moon in 1969, the phrase transmitted back to the ground, "Houston, Tranquility Base here," was calling precisely the control team here; the film Apollo 13 made "Houston, we have a problem" a popular catchphrase, and its prototype was also a real space emergency handled by the Houston ground team. Most of the highlights in the museum are real objects that have "been to space": Starship Gallery displays the Apollo 17 command module that carried out a lunar landing mission, the return capsules from the Mercury and Gemini programs, the training module astronauts used to prepare for the Skylab space station, and a moon rock you can touch with your own hands—only a handful of moon rocks worldwide are available for the public to touch; the spacesuit exhibition area brings together a large number of actual flight suits and extravehicular suits that were worn, including the lunar suit Pete Conrad wore while walking on the moon during Apollo 12. Outdoors, Independence Plaza stacks the real Boeing 747 shuttle carrier aircraft and the space shuttle replica Independence one above the other, and visitors can go inside both; beside it lies a Falcon 9 rocket booster that flew a cargo mission to the International Space Station. The signature experience is the NASA tram tour, with multiple routes leading to different areas of Johnson Space Center: you can overlook full-scale spacecraft and space station mockups from the elevated walkway at the astronaut training facility, visit the historic mission control room restored to its Apollo-era appearance where the moon landing was commanded, and get a close look at the Saturn V giant rocket—over 100 m long and displayed horizontally—in Rocket Park; only a handful of complete Saturn V rockets survive worldwide. Allow most of a day for the visit; tram departure time slots are limited and spots on popular routes are tight, and queues are common at Independence Plaza during peak boarding hours, so it is best to make arrangements early after entering. The exhibit where you can touch a moon rock is inside Starship Gallery and is easy to miss inadvertently; meeting astronauts and hearing them recount their space experiences is a long-standing signature activity here, so keep an eye on the day's time slot schedule.Houston · 40.3km from Galveston
Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean

3.6
Galveston · 0m from downtown
Galveston Beach

Galveston Beach

3.5
Galveston · 4.9km from downtown
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston

Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston

3.4
Galveston · 6.3km from downtown
Aquarium At Moody Gardens

Aquarium At Moody Gardens

3.4
Galveston · 6.2km from downtown
Seawolf Park

Seawolf Park

3.4
5.0/5
4 reviews
Seawolf Park(Seawolf Park) is located in Galveston, in southern Texas, and commemorates the USS Seawolf, a submarine accidentally sunk by friendly fire during World War II. The park also displays a submarine, the remains of a merchant ship, and more.Galveston · 4.1km from downtown
Galveston Island State Park

Galveston Island State Park

3.4
Galveston · 19.6km from downtown
Rainforest Pyramid

Rainforest Pyramid

3.3
Galveston · 6.1km from downtown

Traveller favourites curated for you

Houston Museum of Natural Science
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Houston

Houston Museum of Natural Science

6.2
4.4/5
65 reviews
Houston · 74km from Galveston
Immediate accessBook now for today
Save £0.21
From£18.56
View all Attractions
Private Tour of Galveston

Private Tour of Galveston

4.8/5
26 reviews
Departs from Houston
Free cancellationBook now for todayDuration: 90 minsEnglish
From£90.41
View all Culture & history
6 days · Caribbean · Galveston - Cozumel - Progreso - Galveston

6 days · Caribbean · Galveston - Cozumel - Progreso - Galveston

4.8/5
6 reviews6 booked
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Magic
4
Depart from Galveston
From GBP 580
See all cruises
8 days · Caribbean · Galveston County - Cozumel - Roatan - Harvest Caye - Costa Maya - Galveston County

8 days · Caribbean · Galveston County - Cozumel - Roatan - Harvest Caye - Costa Maya - Galveston County

4.5/5
17 reviews4 booked
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Viva
5
Depart from Galveston County
From GBP 297
See all cruises

Experiences you can't miss in Galveston

Featured Culture & history in Galveston

View all Culture & history
Galveston: Shadows of Revelry Adults Only Walking Tour
󱌍

Galveston: Shadows of Revelry Adults Only Walking Tour

Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
From£25.98
Galveston: Ghost-Themed Walking Tour
󱌍

Galveston: Ghost-Themed Walking Tour

Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
From£22.27
Galveston: Haunted Cemetery Tour
󱌍

Galveston: Haunted Cemetery Tour

Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
From£22.27
Galveston: Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour
󱌍

Galveston: Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour

5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
From£25.98
Galveston: Historic Red Light District Guided Walking Tour
󱌍

Galveston: Historic Red Light District Guided Walking Tour

Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
From£22.28
Galveston Walking History Tour
󱌍

Galveston Walking History Tour

Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
From£24.51
Tour Galveston's 1895 Moody Mansion
󱌍

Tour Galveston's 1895 Moody Mansion

Duration: 45–90 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for today
From£18.57

Featured Day tours in Galveston

View all Day tours
Galveston Mansions and Murder Walking Tour
󱌍

Galveston Mansions and Murder Walking Tour

Duration: 90 mins
Free cancellation
From£20.10
Galveston: Dolphin-Watching Cruise
󱌍

Galveston: Dolphin-Watching Cruise

4.9/5
· 116 reviews
Duration: 45 mins
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
98.3% of travelers recommend
From£23.99
Galveston: Historic Galveston Ghost Tour
󱌍

Galveston: Historic Galveston Ghost Tour

5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
From£22.35
Galveston: Old City Cemetery Walking Tour with Local Guide
󱌍

Galveston: Old City Cemetery Walking Tour with Local Guide

5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
From£22.35
Combo: "Dark of the Moon" Ghost Tour + Red Light District Tour
󱌍

Combo: "Dark of the Moon" Ghost Tour + Red Light District Tour

4.8/5
· 23 reviews
Duration: 90–120 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for today
From£23.03
The Ghosts of Galveston Guided Walking Tour
󱌍

The Ghosts of Galveston Guided Walking Tour

4.5/5
· 26 reviews
Duration: 90 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for today
From£22.28

Featured City sightseeing in Galveston

View all City sightseeing
Galveston's Haunted Cemetery Walking Tour
󱌍

Galveston's Haunted Cemetery Walking Tour

4.5/5
· 68 reviews
Duration: 90 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for today
From£22.28
Galveston Island Ghost Tour
󱌍

Galveston Island Ghost Tour

4.9/5
· 38 reviews
Duration: 90 mins
Free cancellation
32 consecutive positive reviews
From£17.83
Galveston's Secrets of the Strand Walking Tour
󱌍

Galveston's Secrets of the Strand Walking Tour

Duration: 90 mins
Free cancellation
From£20.10
The Galveston Cemetery Tour - Walk With The Dead!
󱌍

The Galveston Cemetery Tour - Walk With The Dead!

4.7/5
· 224 reviews
Duration: 90 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for today
93.8% of travelers recommend
From£23.03

More things to do

Galveston Cruises

See all cruises
6 days · Caribbean · Galveston County - Cozumel - Costa Maya - Galveston County

6 days · Caribbean · Galveston County - Cozumel - Costa Maya - Galveston County

4.8/5 · 13 reviews
Royal Caribbean ·
Liberty of the Seas3
Depart from Galveston County
From GBP 292
6 days · Caribbean · Galveston County - Costa Maya - Cozumel - Galveston County

6 days · Caribbean · Galveston County - Costa Maya - Cozumel - Galveston County

4.8/5 · 13 reviews
Royal Caribbean ·
Liberty of the Seas3
Depart from Galveston County
From GBP 199
5 days · Caribbean · Galveston County - Cozumel - Galveston County

5 days · Caribbean · Galveston County - Cozumel - Galveston County

4.8/5 · 13 reviews
Royal Caribbean ·
Liberty of the Seas3
Depart from Galveston County
From GBP 236
5 days · Galveston - Progreso - Galveston

5 days · Galveston - Progreso - Galveston

4.8/5 · 6 reviews
Disney Cruise Line ·
Disney Magic4
Depart from Galveston
From GBP 482
8 days · Caribbean · Galveston County - Roatan - Costa Maya - Cozumel - Galveston County

8 days · Caribbean · Galveston County - Roatan - Costa Maya - Cozumel - Galveston County

4.7/5 · 52 reviews
Royal Caribbean ·
Symphony of the Seas4
Depart from Galveston County
From GBP 425
10 days · Caribbean · Miami - CocoCay - Willemstad - Oranjestad - Galveston County

10 days · Caribbean · Miami - CocoCay - Willemstad - Oranjestad - Galveston County

Explore the Caribbean and discover pink-and-white sand beaches and colorful European-style houses
4.6/5 · 29 reviews
Royal Caribbean ·
Icon Of The Seas4
Depart from Miami
Up to 60% off 2nd guest-GBP 391
From GBP 1,011GBP 1,401
Galveston Today's weatherClear 18-24℃
Galveston weather for the next 2 days11/6: 20-26℃, 11/7: 19-26℃

What travellers say about Galveston

user-avatar
Zoeeavril2 November 2026
5.0
Loved every minute! So easy to book and just scanned the qr code on arrival and got straight it and was a LOT cheaper than the prices at the space center.

Space Center Houston

user-avatar
M32***2317 May 2021
5.0
[Scenery] Seawolf Park is a great base for visiting, a must-visit place for military fans, very spectacular, with a lot of text introductions and pictures, very informative [Fun] Very professional, great experience [Value for money] Worth coming!

Seawolf Park

Trip Moments in Galveston

Seawall Bike Lane: Galveston's 6 a.m. Wind and the Never-Ending Gulf

Seawall Bike Lane: Galveston's 6 a.m. Wind and the Never-Ending Gulf

“#chinaitinerary Galveston's seawall is 10 miles long and 17 feet high — built after the 1900 hurricane that killed 6,000 people — and at 6 a.m., the only thing moving along its bike lane is you and the wind.”@yui7700 · chinaitinerary · 3 days ago
Save this ultimate 12-day US travel guide

Save this ultimate 12-day US travel guide

“Hey everyone!”@Happiness depends upon ourselves · 8 days ago

Popular cities near Galveston

Lafayette

Lafayette

Houston

Houston

Austin

Austin

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Galveston?

Don't miss these attractions in Galveston: Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, Moody Gardens Attractions Theme Park, and Space Center Houston. If you like Culture & history, try Galveston: Shadows of Revelry Adults Only Walking Tour. If you enjoy Day tours, try Galveston Mansions and Murder Walking Tour.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Galveston Mansions and Murder Walking Tour, Galveston: Dolphin-Watching Cruise, and Galveston: Historic Galveston Ghost Tour. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 5 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Galveston is around GBP 20.1 – GBP 23.99. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.