Things to do in Galveston This Weekend of September 29 Include Gatsby at the Inn, GCVA Beach Volleyball Tournament, & more!

Things to do in Galveston this Weekend of September 29, 2023

Less than an hour from Houston, Galveston is a popular vacation spot all year round for Texans and visitors due to its stunning beaches and historic downtown.

What’s going on in Galveston this weekend, you ask? Galveston provides a multitude of other activities, from sightseeing on the Galveston Trolley, bird watching, fishing, and water sports, to exploring museums and delighting in fine dining, even though many visitors, especially in the summer, come primarily to laze on the beaches.

See our list of the top attractions and things to do in Galveston Texas for more suggestions on how to fill your free time.

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Events and Activities in Galveston – Museums

Galveston Arts Center

Discover the Galveston Arts Center, a nonprofit organization and autonomous museum on Galveston’s Strand that presents contemporary modern art in a historic structure. Through exhibitions and educational activities, the Galveston Arts Center seeks to support and promote modern visual art.

Location: 2127 Strand St, Galveston, TX 77550

Gavleston Naval Museum

See and experience these real-life, historical treasures — the USS Cavalla, a WWII submarine, and the USS Stewart, a WWII destroyer escort. The goal of the museum is to protect the ships’ originality and historical integrity. to commemorate and celebrate the sacrifices made to attain freedom, to teach all generations about this part of the great American history, and share about the creativity and tradition of the Navy, as well as the bravery of the military heroes and their families.

Location: 100 Seawolf Park Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554

Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum

Take a leisurely, self-guided tour through the retired Ocean Star jack-up rig which now serves as a museum and educational facility. From geological exploration to drilling, to oil and gas production, you will see offshore drilling equipment, exhibits, and videos on three levels of this refurbished offshore drilling rig.

Location: 2002 Wharf Rd, Galveston, TX 77550

For additional museums in Galveston check out our article on Galveston Museum Day

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Events and Activities in Galveston – Beaches & Parks

Seawall Urban Park

This Galveston Seawall beach is close to various beachfront restaurants and tourist attractions, including Pleasure Pier. It has more than 10 miles of coastline and is the nation’s longest continuous promenade. With the water serving as the ideal backdrop, this is a well-liked location for bicycling and running. Parking is available between 6th and 69th Streets, 81st to 103rd Streets, and other nearby streets.

Location: 801 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550

Stewart Beach Park

One of the most well-liked destinations for tourists in Galveston is Stewart Beach. It also features volleyball courts, a playground, concessions, an umbrella, and chair rentals in addition to lovely beaches. Showers and locker rooms are also available.

Located At: 201 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550

Galveston State Island Park

For those who enjoy the outdoors, Galveston Island State Park is the ideal location. This beautiful and peaceful area offers a variety of family-friendly activities for every kind of nature enthusiast at Galveston Island State Park, including swimming, fishing, bird watching, hiking, paddling, and more.

Located At: 14901 FM3005, Galveston, TX 77554

Looking for more Galveston Beaches? Check out our article on 10 Best Beaches in Galveston

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Events and Activities in Galveston – Theaters and Performing Arts

Galveston Island’s natural beauty is enhanced by the vibrant arts community, which presents both visual and performing arts. There are many opportunities for entertainment and inspiration, including theatrical performances, historical movies, and art exhibits.

NIA Cultural Center

On the outside of the building at the Juneteenth Legacy Project Headquarters art gallery, you can see the magnificent, 5,000-square-foot artwork symbolizing the independence of Black people in Galveston. Visitors are taken on a journey through African American history from the 1800s to the present day inside the gallery. The gallery features sculptures and paintings by local Black artists as well as a space for introspection. The Juneteenth Legacy Headquarters are at 22nd and Strand Street.

Location: 2211 Strand St Galveston, Texas 77550

Grand Opera House

Tour the official opera house of Texas, which is one of the few remaining theaters of its era and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Location: 2020 Postoffice St, Galveston, TX 77550

East End Theater Company

Island ETC is Galveston County’s only professional repertory theatre company and stages 5 to 6 productions a year. What once was called the Strand Street Theatre, is now operating as Island ETC — the East End Theatre Company. Through the generosity of local patrons, the theatre reopened in July 2009 after being devasted by Hurricane Ike. The re-opening stage was the production of Cabaret, and this performance skyrocketed the theatre company into becoming a household name in Galveston.

Location: 2317 Mechanic St, Galveston, TX 77550

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Events and Activities in Galveston – Theme Parks

Visiting theme parks is always a welcoming idea for everybody. The rides, sights, and the many IG-worthy areas will surely make anybody want to visit one when possible. Luckily, Galveston has plenty of big and fun theme parks for locals and tourists to enjoy.

Moody Gardens

Since its founding in 1983 and the approval of an eight-phase master plan in 1985, Moody Gardens® has showcased several inventive and creative programs through its diverse attractions, making it a favorite go-to place for both locals and visitors alike. This theme park is best known for its three pyramids: Discovery Pyramid, which focuses on science-related exhibits and activities; Rainforest Pyramid, which houses tropical plants and different species of forest animals; and Aquarium Pyramid, which is one of the largest in the area and holds many species of fish and other marine animals.

Location: One Hope Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77554

Schlitterbahn

Three distinct park sections join for a mile of fun at Schlitterbahn Galveston. Using swift slides like Rohr! The waterpark is an adrenaline junkie’s paradise with attractions including MASSIV, Screaming Serpents, and more! Each sector has pools, water coasters, raft rides, wonderful picnic areas, and small water playgrounds for kids of all ages.

Location: 2109 Gene Lucas Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier

An attraction that is absolutely unique is Pleasure Pier, an amusement park that is located over water. It offers a variety of fun and recreational activities within its wide-ranging restrictions with the goal of providing enjoyment for the entire family.

This amusement park is also significant historically. Despite being extremely popular during their heyday, pleasure piers are a thing of the past. Galveston’s own is one of the few locations that continue to honor this vintage style over a century later.

Location: 2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550

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Things to do in Galveston at Night

You and your friends can head to the Galveston Seawall and grab a few drinks from the many resto-bars in the area. The sea breeze, the night sky, and the cityscape’s night lights will make this a beautiful and memorable night.

If thrill is what you want, then you can also try the various tours that offer paranormal and ghost tours.

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Free Things to do in Galveston

In Galveston, there is an almost endless list of enjoyable, cost-free, and inexpensive things to do. Galveston has something for everyone, whether you’re a college student, a family, or a couple seeking a brief getaway.

For starters, plenty of the museums in Galveston have cheap admission rates and offer discounts for children and seniors. Plus, they also offer FREE admissions on certain days or events.

You can also shop and explore the many restaurants and stores on the island. Lots of these places offer not just great food and products, but also have aesthetically pleasing designs that you can enjoy touring.

Do you like fishing? Then Galveston is the perfect place for you to visit, considering that this haven is located right on the Gulf of Mexico. Visit the 61st Street Pier or the Galveston Fishing Pier if you want to try fishing on the island. Of course, you can also ask for professional help by booking a fishing guide that can help you.

Plus, if you get a Galveston Island Pass, then you can get even more discounts and freebies when you visit the island and enjoy the many things you can do in this beautiful island county.

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Things to do with Kids in Galveston

Galveston Children’s Museum at Moody Mansion

The Galveston Children’s Museum offers engaging hands-on activities and interactive displays for children ages 2 to 10. Children’s Clinic, Building Zone, Tinker Workshop, and many other exhibits are available. The museum can also cater to personal events like birthday celebrations.

Location: 2618 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77550

Galveston Railroad Museum

You really must see the Galveston Railroad Museum on your next visit to Galveston! Explore 5 acres of trains and railroad history, including the restored 1932 art deco Depot. Located at the start of the historic Strand District. Experience history firsthand by exploring the museum’s permanent displays, which include locomotives, a gallery, model train layouts, and more. There is always something fresh to see at the museum because it also hosts a variety of temporary exhibits throughout the year. The museum is committed to the preservation, study, and reuse of its vintage furnishings and apparatus.

Location: 2602 Santa Fe Pl, Galveston, TX 77550

Bryan Museum

Come see the state’s longest continuously operating public library. On the second level, the historic Grand Hallway features special displays on early Galveston and Galveston artists. Due to renovations, the 4th-floor gallery is closed.

Location: 1315 21St St Galveston, Texas 77550
Galveston Museum Day 2022 Offer: Free Admission (Closed on Sunday)

What are some other things to do in Galveston this weekend? Leave a comment and let us know.

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