About Galveston
On Galveston Island, the family-vacation appeal that washed away with Hurricane Ike's 2008 storm surge has returned with a vengeance. Whether you come for the sand-replenished beaches, the Gulf-side beaches, the state-of-the-art Pleasure Pier Amusement Park, or simply to see how creativity and elbow grease can turn flood damage into art, Galveston won't disappoint.
Galveston Weather
Winds carry moisture from the Gulf and heat from the Mexican deserts to Galveston all year long, resulting in a humid, subtropical climate. Dress for a humidity level above 70 percent whenever you go. From June through September, temperatures regularly hit the 90s and seldom drop below 75 degrees, so these are the shorts-and-sleeveless-tops months. Things cool off quickly in October, and by November, highs are in the low 70s. Worried about rain? February, March and April are the driest months, and June, September and October are the wettest. Snow and frost are very rare here in Galveston.
Good Times in Galveston
Follow the self-guided Tree Sculpture Tour map—available at the Ashton Villa Visitor's Center—to the island's East End, where dozens of Ike-ravaged oaks now live on as animals, humans or mythical creatures. The magic sprang from local artists' imaginations, and were made a reality with the help of chainsaws and chisels. Wander along Moody Gardens' Rainforest Pyramid canopy walkway as exotic butterflies float by and sloths or white-faced monkeys track your progress from treetop perches. When it's beach time, you can sun and swim at Galveston Island Beach; or you can head to the Pleasure Pier for an adrenaline rush aboard the 100-foot high, 1,246-foot-long Iron Shark Roller Coaster, which will plunge you straight down at 52 mph! Fill up on carnival food, and try your luck at Whack-a-Mole or other games. For fancier fare, Fisherman's Wharf (2200 Harborside Dr., Galveston) is just down the road, serving up freshly-caught seafood and stunning views of the bay.
Getting to Galveston
Whether you're flying into Houston's George W. Bush Intercontinental Airport and renting a car or you’re driving you own vehicle, I-45 running south from Dallas is your pathway into downtown Galveston. Interstate 10, running east-west from California to Jacksonville, Florida, joins I-45 at Houston. Since Hurricane Ike wiped out the Island Rail Trolley that once carried vacationers to all the Galveston attractions, it’s a good idea to rent a bike—or bring your own, if you’re driving to use as your around-town transportation.
Galveston Galvanized
Hurricane Ike took a heavy toll on Galveston's tourism industry, but thanks to years of island-wide restoration efforts, more than one in three Galveston jobs is now directly or indirectly tied to tourism. The University of Texas Medical Branch—with more than 8,000 skilled workers—is second on the largest-employer list. The County Government, Independent School District and American National Insurance Company account for about 3,500 non-tourism jobs.