Galveston

Historic charm meets coastal beauty Situated on the eastern side of the historic Galveston Island is Downtown Galveston, a small, busy neighborhood featuring a wide range of home styles, historic architecture and ample amenities. “It has beautiful homes and nearby beaches, and the people are very welcoming and kind,” says lifelong Galvestonian Janet Bell. Although the neighborhood is Galveston’s entertainment hub, it’s slower-paced than larger neighborhoods like Downtown Huston or Downtown Dallas. “We move on island time,” says Janae Pulliam, who is a sixth-generation Galvestonian and the Communications Coordinator for the Rosenberg Library. Downtown Galveston’s interesting architectural mix The streets of Downtown Galveston, which Pulliam describes as “always noisy,” are lined with an interesting mix of architecture. Earth-toned beach bungalows and creole cottages are the most common styles, but there is also an eclectic blend of Victorian, Second Empire, Italianate and Art Deco structures. Touched by Spanish, English, French and Caribbean ancestors, this small neighborhood paints a clear picture of Galveston’s compelling history. The Moody Mansion, Pix Building and Trinity Episcopal Church are just a few of the neighborhood’s oldest and most unique structures. Single-family homes in Downtown Galveston sell for about $225,000 for two bedrooms and upwards of $900,000 for a newly renovated five-bed. One-bedroom condos and townhouses sell for around $250,000, and three-bedrooms can sell for upwards of $780,000. Over 70% of Downtown Galveston residents are renters, and they pay about $950 per month for one-bedroom apartments and $4,5000 for four-bedrooms. Galveston Independent School District Kids in Downtown Galveston attend schools within the Galveston Independent School District. Parents send their kids to Oppe Elementary from pre-k through 4th grade, which has an A-minus Niche rating and a 12 to 1 student-teacher ratio. Weis Middle School, which has not yet been rated on Niche, is the next step for 5th graders. For 6th grade, students attend Austin Middle School, which has an A rating on Niche and a 13 to 1 student-teacher ratio. With a C rating on Niche and a 13 to 1 student-teacher ratio, Central Middle School serves 7th and 8th grade students. Ball High School, which has a B rating on Niche, is the last step for students, serving 9th through 12th graders. Baby goats and 32 miles of beaches Gus Allen Park is a dog park at the neighborhood’s center, providing space for four-legged friends to let off steam. At the community garden on 33rd and Ursuline, Seeding Galveston, residents can volunteer, play with baby goats, and purchase fresh, organic, island-grown produce. With Galveston’s convenient location on the Gulf of Mexico, locals have immediate access to 32 miles of beaches, including Stewart Beach and East Beach. Stewart Beach, which is about 2 miles from Downtown Galveston, is a popular spot for sunbathing, building sandcastles and letting kids run around at the playground. For festivals, live music and boogie boarding, residents head to East Beach, which is located about 5 miles from downtown. Mardi Gras, Juneteenth Parade and community events Galveston’s Mardi Gras Parade, which runs through Downtown Galveston, is the city’s most well-known event and draws residents from across the island. During the summer, which is the city’s busiest season, Downtown Galvestonians are at the center of endless events, including the Galveston’s annual Juneteenth Festival and Parade. Rosenburg Library, the only public library on Galveston Island, is located on Sealy and 24th and hosts free events throughout the year, including Rosenburg Day, a summer reading program in partnership with Moody Gardens, and Harry Potter Night of Wizardry. Shopping and dining in Downtown Galveston Small, local businesses are the pulse of this community. Local favorites include MOD Coffee which has been serving Downtown Galveston for over 15 years. Fresh seafood is a neighborhood staple, so it’s no surprise that residents love Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar and Shrimp N’ Stuff. Arlan’s Market is a one-stop shop for fresh groceries, or residents can easily head west to Central City to shop at Walmart, Kroger and Randall’s. The Strand, Downtown Galveston’s historic shopping street, features a diverse mix of locally owned businesses that attract locals and tourists alike. Navigating Downtown Galveston Since the island of Galveston has only two major highways, I-45 and Ferry Road, Pulliam says that locals prefer to walk, bike, scooter or even use golf carts to get around. The neighborhood also features rail and rubber wheel trolleys, which stop along the southern coast of the island.

East End Historic District is a neighborhood frozen in time, with lavish architecture from the Gilded Age when Galveston was the largest and wealthiest city in Texas. East End was Galveston’s first residential neighborhood, and the iconic Victorian and Greek Revival homes of the early 20th century are some of the most in-demand properties on the entire island. “One of the biggest things residents have come to appreciate is the consistent architecture around the island,” says Catherine Gorman, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Galveston. “A huge fire in 1885 burned down many of the homes, but everything was almost immediately rebuilt together, so you’ll find a lot of architectural preservation that reflects that period.” The neighborhood was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976, and it is difficult to go anywhere on the East End without seeing a major landmark. Along with the district’s proximity to downtown Galveston, East End offers timeless beauty, boutique shopping and highly rated restaurants in the heart of the island. The multilevel porches, towering pillars, stained glass windows, wrought iron gates and candy-colored paint of the East End’s 20th-century Victorian and Greek Revival homes have been making residents stop and catch their breath for over a century. The neighborhood also has some of the most beautiful yards on the island, with neighbors keeping up meticulously maintained gardens, decorative benches and beautiful water fixtures. These historic properties can start in the mid $400,000s and increase to the $900,000s or even above $1 million. Homes with historic significance, including those that survived the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, have increased property values to match their status. While these iconic homes have put East End on the map, some small 1960s bungalows and townhomes are dotted around the neighborhood, which range between $250,000 and $350,000. East End has a CAP Index Crime Score of 5, slightly over the national average score of 4. Galveston is in the Coastal Windstorm Area, making hurricanes common during summer and fall. The East End Historical District Association operates multiple events that showcase the neighborhood’s historic homes. The Yard of the Month contest encourages neighbors to compete to see who has the best flowers, fountains, and decorations. The winner gets a feature on the Association’s website, a sign to keep in their yard throughout the month, and, of course, bragging rights. During the colder months, the Fall Garden Tour and East End Holiday Homes Tour allow Galveston locals to explore historically notable homes decked out in seasonal decorations. Tours highlighting the many historic landmarks of the district operate year-round. Both tourists and locals are drawn to sights like the Victorian masterpiece Bishop’s Palace, the opulent Moody Mansion, and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which was designated a minor basilica by Pope John Paul for its historical significance. East End borders some of the best shopping and dining on the island. “The District is extremely close to Downtown Galveston, where you can get some shopping done, and the 14th Street Corridor, which is the place to go for restaurants,” Gorman says. Two local favorites on the 14th Street Corridor are Mosquito Café, which is frequently voted one of the city’s best restaurants by Galveston residents, and The Sunflower Bakery & Café, beloved for its baked goods and homemade tomato soup. Downtown Galveston is known for its boutique shopping and multiple eateries on Postoffice Street. This strip has seafood restaurants like the Black Pearl Oyster Bar on 23rd Street, coffee houses like MOD Coffeehouse and bars like Old Galveston Club. The largest retail plaza on the east side of Galveston is the Galvez Shopping Center on Broadway Street, which is anchored by the only Target on the island. Within the tightly packed 50 blocks of the East End, there are a few dots of green space. Adoue Park—also known as Rosenberg Park—is on Avenue H and has a playground, picnic areas and a walking trail. Darragh Park, on 15th and Church Streets, features a large wrought iron gate and flower-covered pavilion that make it a popular destination for weddings and other events. Families living on the East End can send their children to LA Morgan Elementary School, which Niche gives an A-minus grade. Niche also named LA Morgan the top niche elementary school in the Houston area for its Health, Medical Science and Engineering magnet program. Other local schools include A-rated Austin Middle School and B-rated Ball High School. East End is also home to The University of Texas Medical Branch, a large medical school and hospital complex anchored by the John Sealy Hospital. Broadway Avenue J runs across the east end of the island and connects to Interstate 45, which leads back to the mainland. Houston is about 50 miles away from the East End of Galveston. Broadway Avenue also links to Ferry Road, which connects directly to the Galveston Ferry Terminal. The terminal offers one daily ferry between Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula. The only airport on the island is Scholes International Airport, which mainly serves private aircraft.

Once a military reservation overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Fort Crockett is now more known for sun-soaked days on the beach than army operations. After World War II, Seawall Boulevard became an entertainment hot spot for GIs and has remained one of Galveston’s biggest tourist attractions ever since. The area is also popular with lifelong residents thanks to its flood protections and rental property restrictions. Most tourists and part-time island dwellers know the neighborhood for San Luis Resort, a luxurious hotel and condominium complex that is built overtop the original Fort Crockett military base. The neighborhood’s prime location along the Seawall and proximity to downtown Galveston make it popular with both vacationers and locals. “Even in the wintertime there’s stuff happening there,” says Shani Atkinson, a Realtor with Galveston Island Real Estate. “A lot of the time in the off-season, the locals can enjoy the things you might have to wait on in the summer.” Fort Crockett is next to Galveston Seawall, which makes up a 10-mile stretch of beaches. Anglers can also fish directly from the Gulf at the 61st Street Fishing Pier, which is open 24/7 during peak season. Crockett Park at the Avenue S and 53rd Street intersection is the neighborhood’s main public park and features a lighted three-diamond baseball complex. Crockett Park is surrounded by multiple community churches, including Antioch Galveston Community Church on Avenue R and Moody United Methodist Church on 53rd Street. San Luis Resort is one of the largest landmarks in Fort Crockett. While it is a popular place for visitors to stay, it also offers a way for full-time and part-time residents to own Galveston property. Owners can buy a fractional share of a condo for $50,000 to $100,000, or an entire year-round unit for $500,000 to $800,000. Condo owners will be able to use the resort’s many amenities, including a pool, four on-site restaurants and a full-service spa. In addition to luxury condos, Fort Crocket also has many stand-alone family homes. Eclectic styles shift from ranch homes and bungalows to stately brick-lined Colonial Revival properties or stucco-adorned Spanish Revival residences. Many Fort Crockett homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s, but other properties are from much earlier in the 20th century. “In this area, it’s very residential and more for people who are buying to live here full time. Fort Crockett is designed not to allow any short-term rentals,” says Zuleima Cossio, a lifelong Galveston native and a Realtor with Nan and Co. Properties. “And you have beautiful homes from the 1920s and 1930s that fetch a pretty penny if they’re in good condition.” A single-story home may cost between $300,000 and $700,000, while a multi-story property can range from $400,000 to $800,000. Cossio also says that because Fort Crockett is built at the highest point on the island, it is largely protected from flooding during storm surges. Fort Crockett’s CAP Index Crime Score is 4, in line with the national average. Fort Crockett is 3 miles from downtown Galveston, which has a packed calendar of community events every year. Galveston's ArtWalk is held every six to eight weeks and highlights different local art studios. Art takes another starring role during ARToberFEST in October, which features exclusive exhibits and a large artist market. Galveston is also known for its Mardi Gras parade in the spring and the Dickens in The Strand celebration in December. Seawall Boulevard has no shortage of family-owned restaurants and tourist-popular chains. One of the oldest is Gaido's, which has been open since 1911 and dishes up fresh seafood with white-glove service. Galveston also has one of less than 20 Rainforest Café locations still operating in the U.S. The location next to San Luis Resort on Seawall Boulevard is particularly special for the attached Rainforest River Adventure Ride, which is built inside a towering volcano structure. Residents looking for an easy way to pick up groceries can go to Walmart and Kroger on Seawall Boulevard. There is also a Target at the Galvez Shopping Center on Broadway Street, one of the largest big-box shopping centers in Galveston. The Galveston Independent School District serves families across the island. Fort Crockett families are close to D. Burnet Elementary STREAM Magnet School, which gets a C rating from Niche. Burnet offers labs focusing on literature, physics and biology in line with its STREAM focus. Weis Middle School also has a C grade. Ball High School is the only public high school on the island. It has a B rating from Niche and has a $24 million renovated stadium that hosts the school’s stellar football program. Ball High School is less than a mile from Galveston College, the island’s main community college. Fort Crockett has a prime location along the Seawall and is 3 miles away from both downtown Galveston and Scholes International Airport, the only major airport on the island. Seawall Boulevard runs along the southern side of Galveston from Sweetwater Lake on the West End to Fort San Jacinto Historic Point on the East End. Seawall Boulevard connects to Ferry Road, which leads to the University of Texas Medical Branch campus and the Galveston Ferry Terminal. The island ferry runs 24/7 between the Galveston and Bolivar Peninsula. Locals heading into Houston, roughly 50 miles away, can drive onto Interstate 45 North and go straight into the city.

The most popular shore in Galveston Island is the first thing people see when they head into Grand Beach, a neighborhood wrapped in views of rolling surf and protected wetlands. "When you come in off Interstate 45, and you turn onto Broadway, Broadway ends at Stewart Beach," says Realtor Susan Lutz, the team owner of Elite Coastal Realty Group with United Real Estate, who's lived in Grand Beach for 13 years. "It's a wider, deeper beach, and it's close to downtown Galveston." Next door to Grand Beach, the downtown area is full of niche boutiques, restaurants, entertainment, and historic attractions that locals can drive to by golf cart. Back at home, residents wake in homes with ocean views and balconies where it's easy to while away the afternoon. "You just get more for your money in Galveston than you would in Destin or the panhandle where townhouses could be twice the cost. Everyone from California to Florida is finding out about the value here," says Capt. Mike Parker, a Bay Area Realtor for over 20 years who works with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene. "You're close to the medical and energy corridor of Houston, you get prime fishing in the Gulf, and you can live on the water for less than a million." Many choose to live here part-time and rent their properties from May to September, the height of the tourist season. Grand Beach has several public beach access points for sun-soaked days on the sand. Stewart Beach and East Beach offer enough space for casual beachgoers and volleyball players. Some bring their foldout chairs to the shore to sit and watch the sunset. Just over 2 miles away on Boddeker Road, the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve features over 700 acres of wetlands and a half-mile trail leading around a lagoon popular with kayakers and anglers. "Pelican Island is not very far either, but you have to cross a bridge. A lot of people go fishing there," Lutz says. Pelican Island is home to Seawolf Park, Galveston Naval Museum and Texas A&M Galveston. "Or there's the more tranquil pocket beaches on the west end: West Beach, Pirates Beach, Indian beach and Pointe West." All these beaches are 10 to 35 miles south of Grand Beach.   Rows of three-story pastel homes with balconies offer views across the Gulf of Mexico. Modest condos around 400 to 800 square feet start in the mid $200,000s to around $600,000 price range. Condos come with community luxuries, from resort-style pools to outdoor fireplaces, tennis and pickleball courts. Larger and more resplendent condos start in the $900,000s and go to over $4 million for a penthouse in Palisade Palms. Beachfront single-family homes are roughly the same price range and often come with in-ground pools, elevators and walls of windows with panoramic views. For those ready to build, lots ranging from $115,000 to around $400,000s are also available. However, one directly on the beach could cost upward of $800,000. Most beachfront homes have a grassy lawn between their front porch and the sand, creating a natural buffer that provides some welcome distance from the water during storms. Living on the beach in Galveston means hurricanes are a potential threat, but newer construction offers more peace of mind. "As years go on and hurricanes of the past, codes change so they are built better and stronger than homes of the past," Lutz says. Aside from just a few local stops, Grand Beach is almost entirely residential. East Beach Cantina and Rentals, people rents umbrellas and foldout chairs for the day and sells Pina Coladas, hot dogs and other treats to take to the beach. Porch Cafe is an upscale restaurant that serves filet mignons and seven-course meals. The adjacent downtown area has even more options, with plenty to choose from. Gorditas Mexico is one of the first stops on Seawall Boulevard, with tacos, loaded enchiladas and outdoor seating with bay views. This street and the historic downtown are filled with restaurants and shops. But there's another, lesser-known gem. "Tourists go to the Seawall and The Strand, and locals go to Postoffice Street," Lutz says. Rudy & Paco Restaurant and Bar serves South American-inspired cuisine and Little Daddy's Gumbo Bar is there for a taste of New Orleans. Postoffice Street also has a range of cute boutiques, like The Naked Mermaid, selling nautical-themed gifts. Anne Lanne Gallery is an exhibit space and place to purchase local art. Arlan's Market and Kroger are on Seawall Boulevard for convenient grocery stops. East Beach is a hot spot for concerts and events. It's also filled to the brim every summer as more than 60 teams compete in the AIA Sandcastle Competition. Sculptors strive to win the Golden Bucket in categories from Best Science Fiction to Best Team Signage. Lutz says Postoffice Street is the site of local events, too. "The second Tuesday of the month, they have an art walk on Postoffice street. All the stores are open, and it attracts people to come." Locals also hit the The Strand for Mardi Gras celebrations. Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier on Seawall Boulevard promises a fun time playing tourist for a day enjoying the amusement park rides. Public schools are within the Galveston Independent School District. Parents may apply to send their children to Oppe, Parker and Burnet elementary schools. Oppe, earning an A-minus on Niche, is a magnet school offering a coastal studies program. The C-rated Burnet runs a hands-on-learning lab where they introduce in-demand fields to students, like engineering. Parker Elementary teaches students early on how to grow through their challenges and gets a B rating from Niche. Students may filter into Austin Middle, earning an A from Niche, and Ball High from there. Ball High, which maintains a B-ranking, is undergoing a $200 million campus rebuild that will bring a natatorium. The construction is happening in stages so students can continue their studies uninterrupted. "You can be in Houston's city center in about an hour, where you have everything from the Texans to the Astros to the Rockets and all the sophistication of the ballet," Parker says. The City of Galveston Island Transit Systems offers public bus lines downtown but not in Grand Beach. Most rely on their cars to get around if they aren't traveling by foot or golf cart. For domestic and international flights, William P. Hobby Airport is 40 miles away. There's a medical corridor just as residents enter the downtown area with several specialized University of Texas Medical Branch hospitals, a general hospital and an emergency room. Houses of worship near Grand Beach include Galveston Bible Church on 19th Street and Islamic Center of Galveston on Broadway Avenue.

Kempner Park is an authentic coastal neighborhood rich with history and abundant in green space just steps from the Galveston Seawall. With records dating back to the 19th century, Kempner Park withstood the Great Galveston hurricane in 1900 and has blossomed into a premier destination for those seeking life along the Gulf Coast. Featuring a unique blend of historic and contemporary home styles, Kempner offers a housing stock as diverse as the colorful homes that line its sand-tinged streets. The neighborhood’s namesake, Kempner Park, has been a staple for the community for more than a century. The green space houses Garten Verein, first organized by the city in 1876 as a social club and tiered dancing center, which is now available for locals to rent for weddings and parties. Menard Park is another local hot spot, containing a dog park, tennis courts and the Jonathan M. Romano Skate Park, adjacent to the McGuire-Dent Recreation Center. The Galveston Seawall is a premier destination for jogs along the shoreline, while Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is a haven for thrill-seekers. "There's an eclectic mix of homes in Kempner Park that can fit a variety of tastes," says local Realtor Barbara Bullock of Brockway Realty. "There's new construction sitting right next to homes dating back to the 1800s, so it's a nice, diverse area." Brightly colored bungalows neighbor Queen Anne-style homes and American Foursquares along Kempner Park's sunbathed thoroughfares. Many residences price between $300,000 and $600,000, though some larger properties with ample square footage can sell for over $1 million. Galveston knows how to party, and there are numerous events held in Historic Downtown Galveston less than a mile north of Kempner Park. Dickens on The Strand is an annual holiday celebration held on the first weekend of December that incorporates a splash of Victorian London, while Mardi Gras! Galveston is the third-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States. Big-box retailers and national eateries are few and far between in Galveston. In this city, family-owned shops and restaurants are king. "You aren't going to find many chains in the area, and that's by design," Bullock says. "The city is all about the atmosphere and keeping restaurants local." Dolphin World is a quirky local shop on Seawall Boulevard, while Gordon is the place to go for grocery runs. On 37th Street, Pennies Tex Mex Take Out is a local gem for its authentic tamales, and Queen's has been serving barbecue in the area since 1966. When the sun goes down, Seawall Boulevard comes alive with The Poop Deck and Island Time being two of the area's top watering holes. Kempner Park is served by the Galveston Independent School District. Students from prekindergarten through Grade 4 may go to Morgan Elementary Health, Medical Science and Engineering Magnet school, earning an overall A-minus Niche grade, then move on to the A-rated Austin Middle School for Grades 5 through 8. Ball High is the area high school, earning a B grade and offering a highly competitive athletics program that produced NFL star Mike Evans. Thanks to its sidewalk-lined streets, several bike lanes for cyclists and access to the Galveston Seawall, Kempner Park encourages an active lifestyle. However, vehicle access will be necessary for trips off the island. Residents can get to the mainland by traveling west on Broadway Avenue, then merging onto Interstate 45, which feeds directly into downtown Houston 51 miles northwest. Hurricanes are a factor for Galveston Island. The Great Galveston hurricane ravaged the island, sparking the construction of the Galveston Seawall. The Seawall has proved to be a strong barrier protecting the island's coastline, though homes and businesses aren't completely susceptible to significant damage. Local Realtor Suzanne Corbin of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices says some locals will stay in their homes for weaker hurricanes, but recommends evacuating for stronger storms.

Galveston's Lasker Park community is home to the city's first public pool and residents take full advantage of it. Residents participate in family swims, swim teams and annual events. Lasker Park offers residents vacation-like living year-round between the pool and neighborhood homes blocks away from the beach. Walking along Lasker Park's streets, you can spy palm trees shading a colorful array of homes. Cape Cods are a very popular housing style choice in the neighborhood. If buyers want more modern beach house styles, they can find them in Lasker Park. Housing prices in the neighborhood range from $200,000 to $700,000. Homes have anywhere from two to six bedrooms. "We get many recent graduates employed at The University of Texas Medical Branch as first-time home buyers," says Megan Westerdahl, a Realtor with Realty By Monica who has sold houses in the area for nearly a decade. Buyers also include those looking for vacation or second homes. Children who live in Lasker Park can attend the Galveston Independent School District, which serves students in six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. In 2022, the school district adopted a model that allows families to choose any school in the district if space is available. Nearby elementary and middle schools include Morgan Elementary Magnet School, which has an overall A-minus rating from Niche and Central Middle School, which has an overall C ranking from Niche. Lasker Park is home to Ball High School, which holds an overall B rating from Niche. The high school boasts a stellar football program, including its new $24 million renovated stadium and notable alums who have become NFL stars. There are also charter schools, private schools and colleges in the area. Galveston College, a junior college located in Lasker Park, offers over 80 programs of study. Spend your days with your family and neighborhoods at the Galveston Community Pool at Lasker Park. There's a lap pool for swimmers, a water slide and a splash pad. In October, the pool hosts a Pumpkin Plunge event, complete with face painting and pumpkin decorating. The pool is in the neighborhood's namesake park with lighted tennis courts. Moody's Garden, a 242-acre amusement park, is only 4 miles from Lasker Park. Residents can enjoy visiting the aquarium animals, including penguins and sharks, or learn something new at the science and nature museum. Roughly 11 miles down the coast is Galveston Island State Park. A popular outdoor refuge, you can splash in the waves and take a stroll on the beach. Or, for more recreational activities, go for a hike or fish for your dinner. You can even turn your day into a staycation by renting one of the park's lodges or campsites. If art is your thing, head to Galveston's ArtWalk. This free event, hosted roughly every two months, connects residents with existing art spaces. Lasker Park boasts a diverse selection of small eateries for residents. "We have a lot of local family-owned places that have been around for decades," Westerdahl says. Start your morning off at Lupita Tex-Mex Restaurant with an order of breakfast tacos. "Locally sourced seafood is also very big here," Westerdahl says. Enjoy fried shrimp or a seafood platter from Shrimp 'N Stuff, which opened in 1976. Nearby, Kroger has what you need for groceries and everyday essentials. A bit further is the Galvez Shopping Center, where you can find big-box stores like Target and Home Depot. The closest H-E-B is roughly 15 miles away in Texas City. While Houston is roughly 50 miles away via I-45 North, there is plenty to do right in Lasker Park. Living in the Galveston area "is a great place to live with lots of opportunity, so many people are also looking to settle here," Westerdahl says.