From museums and amusement destinations to watersports and splash pads, the island provides countless attractions for families of all sizes and ages. Whether it is the sprawling Moody Gardens or the famous Pleasure Pier, there is enough here to keep kids entertained for your entire vacation. Here are some of our favorite things to do with kids in Galveston, TX.

Housed in a Romanesque Revival-style structure, the Grand 1894 Opera House is located at 2020 Postoffice Street in downtown Galveston. A stunning performing arts venue, this historic building features comedy, dance, drama, and musical acts alongside year-round guided and self-guided tours.

Also known as Postoffice Street, this historic street is one of only 24 districts in the State of Texas that has been designated a “Cultural Arts and Entertainment District.” In downtown Galveston’s Postoffice District, you will discover a variety of local businesses, including boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries, surrounded by Victorian structures in a laid-back setting. A charming destination replete with tasty restaurants and art galleries, the Postoffice District also […]

Combining a lounge, game room, and bar, Market Station is one of the island’s oldest establishments set in historic downtown Galveston. Inside you will discover 10 60” televisions alongside a 22 foot shuffleboard table and 3 regulation billiards tables. This dog friendly tavern also features a custom built bar with USB outlets that serves timeless concoctions in a friendly setting.

The Segway PT is without a doubt one of the most entertaining and forward-thinking forms of human mobility. Riders are able to propel themselves and set their own pace thanks to an innovative system of computer-controlled gyroscopes that is used on these vehicles. This eliminates the need for riders to stop the vehicle and get off in order to have a better perspective. Since 2009, SegCity Segway Galveston has been […]

The Galveston Children’s Museum offers youngsters a one-of-a-kind, interactive setting in which they are encouraged to learn, investigate, create, and explore. The development of a child’s academic, social, and problem-solving skills are more important than ever before for the child’s future success throughout their lives. The conditions that are necessary for creating a better brain are now well understood, thanks to the advances that have been made in pediatric neuroscience. […]

In the 1980s, the first Mama Teresa’s restaurant opened in Crystal Beach, which is located on the Bolivar Peninsula. Customers of that restaurant have been able to indulge in mouthwatering Italian cuisine and pizzas made by hand for the past 25 years. That location was destroyed by Hurricane Ike, but they have since reopened in the heart of downtown Galveston, close to the intersection of Postoffice and 21st Streets. Mama […]

With roots all the way back to 1896, the Galveston Railroad Museum plays a vital part in the island’s rich history. This Galveston, TX museum was once a depot built by the Santa Fe, Colorado, and Gulf railroads. Today, this expansive railroad depot houses a vast assortment of dining car fine china, two model railroad layouts, and 5 acres of trains. This large collection of around 40 pieces of rolling […]

When traveling to Galveston Island, you just must make time to dine at Rudy & Paco, which is widely considered to be among the most memorable restaurants in all of Galveston. This restaurant has won a number of awards and is known for serving grilled seafood and steak with a flavor profile inspired by South and Central America. The Grand 1894 Opera House is located right next door to Rudy […]

With two locations in Galveston, this popular seafood eatery has a reputation for flavor, freshness, and value. Opened in 1976, the original location of Shrimp ‘N Stuff on Avenue O boasts a casual setting with both indoor and outdoor dining options. Serving made-from-scratch gumbo, shrimp salad, fish tacos, and more, almost everything on the menu is an island tradition. At the Downtown location, you will find slightly elevated dishes, including […]

Once an operating jack-up drilling rig that operated from 1969 to 1984, the Ocean Star now serves as a museum. Located in the Gulf of Mexico, off the shores of the scenic Galveston harbor, this former oil rig currently features three levels of impressive artifacts and exhibits dedicated to the Texas oil industry. A self-guided facility, the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum allows you to take an approximately […]

When you go to the Galveston Historic Seaport, you may immerse yourself in Texan culture while also gaining insight into the history of Gaveston. Galveston Historical Foundation moved ELISSA, an 1877 square-rigged iron barque, from a scrapyard in Piraeus Harbor, Greece to Galveston to begin restoration work in 1978. By 1982, the staff and volunteers of the GHF had finished the restoration of this uncommon and historic vessel, which they […]

Watch dolphins leap in and out of the waves in their natural environment when you book a cruise through Baywatch Dolphin Tours. Family owned and operated since 2005, this exciting boat ride leaves out of Pier 21 in front of Galveston’s Harbor House Hotel. In addition to the playful marine mammals, you will also learn about and see other iconic island sights, including the U.S. Coast Guard ships, the Port […]

Since the 1940s, this location has been known for its excellent seafood, and it was once home to a “factory” that processed shrimp and fish. This “factory” was an old tin facility where mountains of Gulf shrimp were prepared for shipment across the country. The late President John F. Kennedy enjoyed a meal at the White House that included shrimp from this precise location. The current structure, which dates back […]

Willie G’s, which offers seaside dining and is known as Galveston’s most popular place for seafood, is located on Pier 21. The experience cannot be beaten, as it features both freshly prepared seafood and steaks served in a sophisticated environment. The picturesque views of the ships arriving into the harbor are so popular that guests ask to sit on the patio throughout the entire year. Willie G’s, which is one […]