Galveston, TX

Galveston, located about 50 miles southwest of Houston, is the principal city on Texas' Galveston Island. A seaside town bordering the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston is a major tourist spot and favorite beach getaway for Southern Texans, as well as a thriving port for cruise liners.

The Associated Press named Galveston one of the U.S. coasts' five most vulnerable places for hurricanes in 2007 because of its low elevation and single evacuation route leading to Houston. History has shown this vulnerability to be true: a 1900 hurricane that hit the town is still ranked as the number one natural disaster in U.S. history, topping Hurricane Katrina statistics with 6,000 deaths. In 2008, Hurricane Ike destroyed many beachfront homes and significantly damaged downtown Galveston-but recovery is underway.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Tourism is a major source of revenue in Galveston, but the health care, insurance, and banking industries also contribute to the city's economy. The University of Texas Medical Board is Galveston County's largest employer, providing jobs for about 15,000 people. Moody National Bank and the American National Insurance Company are also headquartered in Galveston.

The Port of Galveston, also called Galveston Wharves, is a major stop for many cruise liners and is currently ranked as the number one cruise port on the Gulf Coast, as well as the number four port in North America.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

• Downtown/The Strand: The heart of Galveston, this area is full of Victorian-era buildings, restaurants, and antique shops. It is also the city's commercial center.
• The East End: A prestigious residential area north of Downtown; the University of Texas Medical Board campus is located in the far northeastern corner.
• San Jacinto: Formerly farming and commercial land, San Jacinto developed into a working-class neighborhood and has become a tourism hotspot because of its proximity to the beach.
• Kempner Park: Also once a farming and commercial area, Kempner Park developed into a residential neighborhood with homes ranging from massive Victorian mansions to simple shotgun structures. This area contains the town's two oldest homes (the homes of Michael B. Menard and Samuel May Williams), as well as the historic Ursuline Academy graveyard.
• The Industrial District: Dominated by commercial and industrial uses, this area is located near the city's port and contains warehouses, factories, and low-income housing.

BEST BETS

• Schlitterbahn Galveston Island: Named after the German word for "slippery road," this family-friendly water park lives up to its description.
• Moody Gardens: A distinctive complex--containing a tropical rainforest, an aquarium, a science center, and a par 72 golf course--that offers fun for everyone.
• The Strand: This National Historic Landmark District is filled with restored Victorian buildings, restaurants, antique shops, art galleries, and features a life-size chess board.
• The Broadway Beauties: A collection of restored Victorian homes (including 1859 Ashton Villa, 1886 Bishop's Palace, and 1895 Moody Mansion) that offers visitors a glimpse of bygone Galveston.
• Seawolf Park: An unusual seafront museum lets visitors view the USS Cavalla, a World War II submarine, and the USS Stewart, a destroyer escort.
• Texas Seaport Museum: Home of the 1877 barque Elissa (official Tall Ship of Texas), this museum also offers information about the immigrants who reached America through the Port of Galveston and about the great storm of 1900.

Other island attractions include:

• Galveston Railroad Museum
• Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum
• Lone Star Flight Museum

FOR VISITORS

One of Galveston's biggest attractions is 32 miles of beaches-along with related maritime activities such as fishing, surfing, beach volleyball, and even horseback riding along the beach. The Galveston Park Board cleans the beaches daily.

EVENTS

• Mardi Gras festival: Celebration with food, music, and parades held in The Strand every Fat Tuesday
• Texas Beach Ultimate Fest: A popular Frisbee tournament
• Lone Star Bike Rally: Annual motorcycle rally and ride, with live music and entertainment
• Dickens on the Strand: Annual Victorian-themed Christmas festival held the first week of December in The Strand district, with a parade featuring Queen Elizabeth I, costume contests, and a Dickens feast
• FeatherFest: Bird watching festival
• Island Oktoberfest: Bratwurst and bands at the island's biggest fall festival.
• Galveston Island Jazz and Blues Festival: An annual music festival in October.

LOCAL MEDIA

For daily news, residents turn to the Galveston County Daily News, the oldest continuously printed newspaper in the state. The city is also served by 13 AM radio stations, 20 FM radio stations, and 20 local television stations.

EDUCATION

Colleges and universities located on the island include:

• Galveston College
• Texas & University at Galveston
• University of Texas Medical Branch

GETTING AROUND

The island can be accessed via:

• The Galveston Causeway, which links Texas to the northern end of the island
• A toll bridge on the west end of the island
• A ferry boat that docks on the eastern end of the island

While on the island, visitors can travel on the Galveston Island Trolley, or use the city's public transportation system, Island Transit. Scholes International Airport is the city's local airport.