Chris’ CTA (certified tourism ambassador) guidebook
Food scene
With over three decades dedicated to food management, I offer tried-and-true recommendations grounded solely in our firsthand experiences.
One of the best seafood places on the island. N’Awlins Sampler Andouille Crusted Redfish is one of my favorites. Make sure to save room for CREME BRULE TRIO.
111 locals raden deze aan
BLVD Seafood
2804 Avenue R 1/2One of the best seafood places on the island. N’Awlins Sampler Andouille Crusted Redfish is one of my favorites. Make sure to save room for CREME BRULE TRIO.
Local neighborhood restaurant. Been here for years. Very family friendly. Nearby for a quick lunch or dinner. We have tried many items on the menu and they have been great, from the gumbo to the fried shrimp.
162 locals raden deze aan
Shrimp N Stuff
3901 Avenue OLocal neighborhood restaurant. Been here for years. Very family friendly. Nearby for a quick lunch or dinner. We have tried many items on the menu and they have been great, from the gumbo to the fried shrimp.
Sit on the patio and watch ships come in. Very good seafood, fresh off the boat next door at their very own market.
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Katie's Seafood Market
1902 Wharf RdSit on the patio and watch ships come in. Very good seafood, fresh off the boat next door at their very own market.
If you're getting too much seafood and need a change, then stop by Pennies for some of the best BBQ around. They also have homemade tamales and barbacoa but call ahead for that.
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Pennies Tex Mex Take Out
1713 37th StIf you're getting too much seafood and need a change, then stop by Pennies for some of the best BBQ around. They also have homemade tamales and barbacoa but call ahead for that.
Located in a gas station. Best burger on the island. Just check out Galveston Eats on FB. All their menu rocks.
7 locals raden deze aan
Mel's Blueplate Diner
7428 Stewart RoadLocated in a gas station. Best burger on the island. Just check out Galveston Eats on FB. All their menu rocks.
Not in the mood for seafood, then try Los Patrones. Awesome Mexican food. Not a tourist place, mostly locals.
Los Patrones Fresh Mexican Cuisine
Not in the mood for seafood, then try Los Patrones. Awesome Mexican food. Not a tourist place, mostly locals.
Great brunch spot. Better than Miller's on the seawall.
271 locals raden deze aan
The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe
512 14th StGreat brunch spot. Better than Miller's on the seawall.
Leeland House Galveston
New spot on Market and 27th. Great brunch.
Best pizza on the island. Dine in or carry out. Full Italian menu as well.
99 locals raden deze aan
Mama Teresa's Flying Pizza
416 21st StBest pizza on the island. Dine in or carry out. Full Italian menu as well.
Red light coffee roasters
2728 Market StNice local coffee spot. Free street parking.
New tea and coffee spot on Market Street. Wide variety of teas. If there is a tea drinker in the group, go here. Coffee drinkers can get their fix as well. Large outdoor patio to relax.
Freckleberry Teahouse
New tea and coffee spot on Market Street. Wide variety of teas. If there is a tea drinker in the group, go here. Coffee drinkers can get their fix as well. Large outdoor patio to relax.
Great breakfasts. A local favorite. Not fancy, just the basic items, but fast and good.
America's Kitchen
Great breakfasts. A local favorite. Not fancy, just the basic items, but fast and good.
Grab a menu when you walk in and a seat. Place order at the counter while someone holds the table. Great old house turned into a great little eatery. We have mainly done breakfast, and the katastrophic, biscuits and gravy are great.
129 locals raden deze aan
Shykatz Cafe & Bakery
1528 Avenue LGrab a menu when you walk in and a seat. Place order at the counter while someone holds the table. Great old house turned into a great little eatery. We have mainly done breakfast, and the katastrophic, biscuits and gravy are great.
Another great burger joint. They do the smash burgers. Build your own type. Great fries as well. They deliver. Outside seating or take your food inside the bagel restaurant, as they are all the same folks.
MAC-IES
Another great burger joint. They do the smash burgers. Build your own type. Great fries as well. They deliver. Outside seating or take your food inside the bagel restaurant, as they are all the same folks.
Great for dine in, take-out or delivery. Breakfast is great, but plan on a wait, but worth it. Favorite dinner is the COASTAL CUISINE, fried catfish with crawfish étouffée over the top! Big pancakes and mouthwatering chicken and waffles. Of course, as the name says, gumbo! Made with a dark roux, the Cajun way!
63 locals raden deze aan
The Gumbo Diner
3602 Seawall BlvdGreat for dine in, take-out or delivery. Breakfast is great, but plan on a wait, but worth it. Favorite dinner is the COASTAL CUISINE, fried catfish with crawfish étouffée over the top! Big pancakes and mouthwatering chicken and waffles. Of course, as the name says, gumbo! Made with a dark roux, the Cajun way!
Have just done the breakfast. Excellent food and service. They treat you like family, super nice. Small place, so there can be a wait, but when the food comes out it will all be worth it. Freshly made and always hot. Huevos Divorciados is one of our favorites. Eggs with both ranchero and salsa verde.
Lupita Tex-Mex Restaurant
Have just done the breakfast. Excellent food and service. They treat you like family, super nice. Small place, so there can be a wait, but when the food comes out it will all be worth it. Freshly made and always hot. Huevos Divorciados is one of our favorites. Eggs with both ranchero and salsa verde.
While walking the strand and need a good cup of joe, check this place out. Small little place with outdoor seating. Access is either on Strand or the back through the parking lot.
Harbor’s Edge
While walking the strand and need a good cup of joe, check this place out. Small little place with outdoor seating. Access is either on Strand or the back through the parking lot.
Go early, as they tend to run low on flavors. Speaking of flavors, they have some fun ones. They have an ice cream donut, haven't tried, but looks awesome. Like a filled donut, but with ice cream. Ice cream nachos, for 2 or 3 people. Check out their social media for specials and flavors.
54 locals raden deze aan
Hey Mikey's Ice Cream
2120 Postoffice StGo early, as they tend to run low on flavors. Speaking of flavors, they have some fun ones. They have an ice cream donut, haven't tried, but looks awesome. Like a filled donut, but with ice cream. Ice cream nachos, for 2 or 3 people. Check out their social media for specials and flavors.
Sightseeing and tours
Try driving down the west end a bit and check out a pocket beach. There are several up to and past Jamaica beach. Some you can drive on, some just a parking area. Might be a bit less crowded than the seawall. Be sure to take some food and drinks. There are some restaurants all along the highway and convenience stores.
6 locals raden deze aan
Beach Pocket Park Number 2
Try driving down the west end a bit and check out a pocket beach. There are several up to and past Jamaica beach. Some you can drive on, some just a parking area. Might be a bit less crowded than the seawall. Be sure to take some food and drinks. There are some restaurants all along the highway and convenience stores.
The Bryan Museum
1315 21st StExtensive collection of Texas history.
Get the portable virtual tour guide speaker. Great history.
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Bisschoppelijk Paleis
1402 Broadway Avenue JGet the portable virtual tour guide speaker. Great history.
Free to ride. Either drive on and explore Boliver and Crystal Beach or park and walk on for a round trip. Great place to dolphin and boat watch. There is a paid dolphin tour as well at pier 21.
Galveston - Bolivar Ferry, Texas, Verenigde Staten
Free to ride. Either drive on and explore Boliver and Crystal Beach or park and walk on for a round trip. Great place to dolphin and boat watch. There is a paid dolphin tour as well at pier 21.
The only tall ship that sails on a regular basis. Tour goes over the history of the port and its main cargo, cotton.
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Galveston Historic Seaport - Home of the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA
8The only tall ship that sails on a regular basis. Tour goes over the history of the port and its main cargo, cotton.
One of my favorite places to watch ships. Located at the east end of the seawall. Just head east on Seawall Blvd and at the end there is a small parking lot.
6 locals raden deze aan
Fort San Jacinto Historic Point
Seawall BoulevardOne of my favorite places to watch ships. Located at the east end of the seawall. Just head east on Seawall Blvd and at the end there is a small parking lot.
City/town information
Galveston has a fascinating and storied past: from devastating storms to civil war battles. Before the 1900 storm, Galveston was the second richest city per capita in the United States and was even dubbed the “Wall Street of the South” due to its flourishing banking industry and the retail success of The Strand. Galveston is also the Birthplace of Juneteenth. Among many of its Texas “firsts” (there are over 100), it had Texas’ first bank and first post office.
Galveston Island
Galveston has a fascinating and storied past: from devastating storms to civil war battles. Before the 1900 storm, Galveston was the second richest city per capita in the United States and was even dubbed the “Wall Street of the South” due to its flourishing banking industry and the retail success of The Strand. Galveston is also the Birthplace of Juneteenth. Among many of its Texas “firsts” (there are over 100), it had Texas’ first bank and first post office.
Neighborhoods
Wonderful area of the island for shopping, dining and relaxing. From upscale clothiers to tourist shops of t-shirts, to spice shops to candy shops, the strand has a little of everything. Like art, with so many artist galleries we have an art walk every 6-8 weeks. Just to the north of the district and Harborside road, is pier 21. An open pier to walk and look at the harbor and boats.
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Strand Historic District
2100 The StrandWonderful area of the island for shopping, dining and relaxing. From upscale clothiers to tourist shops of t-shirts, to spice shops to candy shops, the strand has a little of everything. Like art, with so many artist galleries we have an art walk every 6-8 weeks. Just to the north of the district and Harborside road, is pier 21. An open pier to walk and look at the harbor and boats.
Free beach parking. Short walk from car over wooden bridge to the beach. Arrive early for best parking.
66 Grand Beach Blvd
Free beach parking. Short walk from car over wooden bridge to the beach. Arrive early for best parking.
Sightseeing
The rain forest and aquarium are great. The rainforest has birds and small animals out in the open, so you can be up close and personal.
20 locals raden deze aan
Aquarium At Moody Gardens
1 Hope BlvdThe rain forest and aquarium are great. The rainforest has birds and small animals out in the open, so you can be up close and personal.
Entertainment.
Axe throwing, food, drinks and free arcade! Axes are by the hour. Nice menu selection. Balcony to sit on while eating.
Axecade
Axe throwing, food, drinks and free arcade! Axes are by the hour. Nice menu selection. Balcony to sit on while eating.