Nicknamed the “Queen City of the Gulf,” Galveston is best known for barrier-island beaches, historic architecture and numerous shopping and dining districts. Founded in 1836, Galveston was once the second wealthiest city in the country thanks to its massive commercial port and active banking industry. The famous 1900 hurricane destroyed nearly the entire city, but the island was rebuilt in the 20th century as a leading tourist hub. Today, Galveston is home to over 53,000 residents, many of whom are employed by the Port of Galveston or in the finance and tourism industries. Hundreds of Victorian homes and six historic districts tell the story of a resort city with years of rich heritage behind it and a centuries-long appeal that continues to attract both tourists and new residents. “Galveston has come a long way over the years,” says Susanna Mayberry, an island resident and a Realtor with The Mayberry Group through Re/Max Leading Edge. “I moved here in 2009, a year after Hurricane Ike. The amount of growth I have seen in this small island since then is just remarkable. There is always something going on – you can do as much as you want or as little as you would like.”
Enjoy the island sunshine along the storefronts of The Strand, near East End Historic District.
A row of victorian homes in the East End Historic District of Galveston Island.
Cast a line at one of the several rock jetties that lead into the gulf in Fort Crockett.
Located a short drive from Pointe West, Gypsy Joint is a locally owned restaurant open daily.
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Gulf of Mexico beaches and an abundance of bird watching
Outdoor living is a major part of Galveston life. The island has over 32 miles of coastline, including Stewart Beach on the Seawall and East Beach on the far east side of the island. Both beaches are popular places for locals and tourists alike to relax along the Gulf of Mexico. But the seaside isn’t the only place to enjoy the outdoors. The Parks and Recreation Department oversees over 13,000 acres of preserved habitat around the Galveston Bay and multiple nature reserves. Galveston Island State Park is one of the biggest parks on the island and is especially popular among birdwatchers. Birding is so popular that Galveston is also sometimes known as “Bird City,” with hundreds of visitors coming to the island every year coming to see 300 native bird species.
Friends play fetch with their dogs on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, near Offatts Bayou.
Offatts Bayou offers several fishing opportunities due to its proximity to the bay.
Those interested in wildlife can head to the Dos Vaca Muertas birding are in Pointe West.
A family takes a stroll along the beach in Pointe West.
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Seawall Boulevard is the home of Galveston seafood
The Strand district, Seawall Boulevard and Postoffice Street are meccas of shopping and dining within this vibrant city. The Strand, once home to Galveston’s banking industry, is the main commercial hub of Downtown Galveston, stretching between 25th Street and Ferry Road with opulent late 19th buildings, restaurants, museums and art galleries. The district offers almost every kind of cuisine, from Mexican and Cajun food to fresh oysters. Waterfront restaurants on Seawall Boulevard offer open-air seating so diners can enjoy a meal while gazing out over the Gulf of Mexico. Gaido’s is one of the Seawall’s standout restaurants and has been serving fresh seafood since 1911. Postoffice Street is one of Texas’s designated Cultural and Entertainment Districts, and is known for its antique shops, small cafes and The Grand 1894 Opera House, which holds the title of “The Official Opera House of the State of Texas.”
Friends gather for food and drinks at Salsas, Fort Crockett's premier tex-mex restaurant.
Residents can stop by the West End Marina, in Pointe West, for drinks and food.
Murdochs, located in San Jacinto, sells locally curated beach related goods.
San Jacinto is a very family friendly neighborhood for both residents and visitors alike.
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Walking through history in The Strand
Galveston’s Gilded Age prosperity can still be seen in the island’s historic districts and landmarks. The Strand district is not only known for its museums and shopping but its annual festivities. The historic boulevard is home to Galveston’s Mardi Gras festival and “Dickens on the Strand” Christmas celebration, two of the most highly attended local events. Year-round, visitors can tour 19-century mansions like Bishop’s Palace, Moody Mansion and Aston Villa, which have some of the most distinctive Victorian architecture on the island. Century-old churches like Sacred Heart Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica are not only open to tours but are also two of the island’s 50 active houses of worship. Some of the island’s most popular tourist attractions include the 1940s-style amusement park rides at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier and the aquarium, zipline course and waterpark at Moody Garden’s distinct glass pyramids.
Near East End Historic District, The Strand offers dozens of restaurants, bars, and shops.
Located on the western edge of San Jacinto, Pleasure Pier is an amusement park over the water.
A visitor of Moody Gardens in Bayou Shores takes in the immersive aquarium.
The Moody Mansion, located in the heart of East End Historic District, offers tours of the home.
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Storm risks, from the 1900 storm to Harvey
The 1900 Hurricane shaped Galveston’s identity for a century to come, and the city is still a frequent victim of hurricanes. In recent history, storms Hurricane Ike in 2008 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017 both caused significant damage to the island. First Street Risk Factor reports that 98% of all properties in Galveston have a chance of being affected by flooding over the next 30 years. While the Galveston Seawall, originally built after the 1900 Hurricane, has prevented over $100 million in demands to the island, the city government still advises all residents to have flood insurance, even if their homes are built away from the coast. Galveston’s location on the Gulf of Mexico makes it humid year round, especially in the summer. Temperatures are in the 90s during July and August, and the 60s during January and February.
According to a 2023 FBI report, Galveston’s rate of 3,394 crimes per 100,000 people surpasses the nationwide crime by 46%. The report also indicated that of Galveston’s 1,798 reported crimes, 1,548 of which were property crimes. Retail districts like The Strand had the highest rates of both property and violent crimes in the city. Property crimes have gone up by 16% since 2021, but violent crimes have decreased by nearly 18%.
Many homes that survived the 1900 hurricane in Galveston boast a plaque near their front doors.
Hurricanes are always a possibility due to Galveston's location on the Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Ike pushed a storm surge of up to 17' in areas of Galveston Island.
The 1900 Storm Statue was created by local Galveston resident David W. Moore in 2000.
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East End Victorian villas and modern West End rentals
Living in Galveston can feel like returning to this city’s Gilded Age heyday. Grand Victorian and Queen Anne homes are largely concentrated in the East End, the island’s oldest residential district. Ranch-style and Foursquare homes in mid-town communities like Cedar Lawn and Colony Park are popular for full-time residents, while modern beach bungalows and condo developments in west-side neighborhoods like Sea Isle and Pointe West are mainly used as rental properties and second homes. Both permanent and rental properties sold quickly after 2020, and short-term rentals increased by 125%. “It’s really interesting to see how the market has boomed post-COVID,” says Zuleima Cossio, a lifelong Galveston native and a Realtor with Nan and Co. Properties. “Lots of remote workers came here. We’re going through a Renaissance right now.” Homes vary in price from $175,000 for bungalows under 1,000 square feet, $1 million for historic Victorian homes and $3 million for oceanfront penthouses, but the overall median price for the island is $397,000.
Multi-story homes are a popular sight among East End Historic District streets.
The East End Historic District features Victorian and Greek Revival style homes.
Grand Beach homes often have boardwalks over the sand dunes, leading to the beach.
High rise condos are yet another home option for those wishing to move to Lake Madeline.
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Top-rated marine science education at Galveston ISD
Students may attend the Galveston Independent School District, which earned a B rating from Niche. The school district has three magnet elementary schools, each focusing on a “themed” curriculum. Oppe Elementary School of Coastal Studies is the highest-rated local elementary school on Niche with an A-minus grade, while Burnet STREAM Magnet School has a C and Crenshaw Environmental Science Magnet School has a C-plus. Niche recognizes the B-rated Ball High School as a “standout high school” for its academics, athletics and variety of student clubs. For higher education, Galveston College is the island’s only community college and has over 50 degree programs, and Texas A&M University at Galveston specializes in programs in marine science and maritime business.
Students engage in hands-on science experiments in the Oppe Elementary School in Galveston.
High schoolers living in Galveston attend Ball High.
Galveston is home to many students that attend Galveston College.
Burnet Elementary serves most of Galveston Island, including Fort Crockett.
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Getting around Galveston by car, bike or ferry
Galveston is on the southernmost end of Interstate 45, which connects the city to Houston, 50 miles to the northwest. While most Galvestonians get around town by car, the historic and retail neighborhoods are walkable, and the Downtown Bicycle Network has established bike lanes from 53rd Street all the way to St. Mary’s Boulevard. Galveston’s streetcars, which cover 25 square miles near the Seawall, run on Fridays and weekends. The Galveston Ferry Terminal has at least one ferry operating 24/7 between Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula, and multiple ferries run on weekends and during rush hour. Scholes International Airport is next to Moody Gardens, near the center of the island, and mainly serves private and hobby aircraft.
On average, homes in Galveston, TX sell after 84 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Galveston, TX over the last 12 months is $375,000, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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