Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Attraction tickets can be purchased a la carte (with adult/child price differences), a good
idea if you don't think you'll do everything in a day pass. If you buy passes online you'll
save $5 over the gate price. To reach Moody Gardens, take 81st St from Seawall Blvd to
Jones Rd, then turn left onto Hope Blvd.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark
( 409-770-9283;
www.schlitterbahn.com
; 2026 Lockheed St; adult/child $40/32; 10am-8pm Jun-Aug)
Close
to Moody Gardens, this ginormous, indoor-outdoor water park has slides and indoor
beaches among 32 watery delights. Except for February, when it closes, the indoor part of
the park is open weekends year round.
AMUSEMENT PARK
Lone Star Flight Museum
( 409-740-7722;
http://lsfm.org
;
2002 Terminal Dr; adult/child $10/5; 9am-5pm)
Inside the hangers at
Galveston Municipal Airport you can watch the ongoing restoration of storm damage to
the impressive historic airplane collection here. For just a bit more ($375) you can take a
ride on one of the historic planes like the B-25.
MUSEUM
Galveston Island State Park
( 409-737-1222, reservations 512-389-8900;
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
; 14901 FM 3005; adult/child $3/free)
Some
10 miles southwest of downtown, swimmers will find a hard-packed white-sand beach far
from the vacation rentals and tourists of town. This state park also has nature trails
through the coastal dunes, salt marshes, bayous and mudflats. Facilities are few and shade
is rare, but it's a lovely spot.
STATE PARK
Activities
Many stores along Seawall Blvd rent bicycles ($25 to $40 per day) and four-seater, pedal-
operated surreys ($20 per hour). Both are excellent ways to roll on down the beachfront
seawall path. Water-sports gear like surfboards ($45 per day) and kayaks are also usually
for rent.
Red snapper is the fish most prized by people fishing offshore from Galveston, though
limits are often enforced. You have your pick of fishing charters and party boats from Pier
19; the visitor center keeps a full list.
In the winter months especially, birders will have no trouble spotting waterbird friends
and fowl here. For a list of the area's best sites, log onto
www.galvestonnaturetourism.org
.
