10 Things To Do In Galveston With Kids

Galveston Island, located 50 miles south of Houston has a fun, laid back atmosphere that makes it a great place to visit as a family. There’s no shortage of fun to be had, starting with our top picks when you’re visiting Galveston with kids …

1. Moody Gardens is a non-profit educational destination with tons of fun things to do with your family. The main attractions are the three pyramids which house an aquarium, rain forest, and a discovery center. The aquarium has a ton of sea life, a penguin exhibit, and a shark tunnel. The discovery pyramid hosts interactive exhibits with a children’s museum format. The rain forest pyramid, my favorite is home to free roaming birds, butterflies, and monkeys in addition to other animals like an ocelot, snakes, and lizards in more zoo-like habitats.

2. Schlitterbahn Galveston, TX is a super fun waterpark that is enjoyed by people of all ages. Schlitterbahn opened their first waterpark in 1966 and has been named a top waterpark 15 straight years. It is sure to please all of your little water lovers.

3. If museums are your thing, then Galveston has you covered. From the Lone Star Flight Museum to Pirates! Legends of the Gulf Coast, you are sure to find something to please everyone.

4. Ride the Ferry. The ferry is free to ride, and you can walk or drive on. If you are staying in Galveston with kids, you can park at the terminal, ride across to Bolivar Peninsula and then ride back. Your little ones can feed the sea gulls off the back of the boat or stand and look for dolphins.

5. Go fishing. Have you seen those commercials with the little kids that say “take me fishing”? How sweet are those? Super sweet. Well in Galveston you can do just that. Take your kids fishing. There are several piers which you can fish from or you can charter a boat for a bigger adventure. Either way it is sure to be a ton o’ fun.

6. Due to the rich history of Galveston, TX, several tours operate on the Island. From ghosts and cemeteries to historic buildings and art. You can walk, ride, or take a boat to several points of interest with either a guide or you can take it all in yourself with a self-guided tour.

7. Visit the Strand. The Strand is the Galveston historic district. There are tours and museums, carriage rides and shopping. December brings “Dickens on the Strand”, which is an historic Christmas reenactment where everyone dresses in period clothes and carols and does other fun stuff.

8. While walking the strand, be sure to stop in at La Kings Confectionary. La King’s is a throwback to the old soda shops where you could sip on handmade milkshakes or indulge in homemade chocolates. They also make saltwater taffy in a ton of different flavors.

9. Of course there is always the beach. I’ll be the first to admit that our beaches are not the best in the world, but they are still fun. And let’s be honest: Do kids really care what a beach look like? They just want wind and waves. We’ve got both, and if you’re in Galveston with kids, the beach will be a surefire hit.

10. Pleasure Pier is a fairly new attraction in Galveston. There are amusement park rides, games, restaurants, and shops. It is fun for all ages.

With mild temperatures, Galveston Island can be enjoyed year round. So, come to Texas where “it’s always island time.” See you there!