What to do in Galveston next over Spring Break

[hardtner]

I may find myself in Galveston next week for 2-3 days with my wife and 3 boys (ages 12, 8, and 2). What can activities can we do as a family that we all will enjoy? Fishing is a no go What do I need to know about Moody Gardens? Museums, tours, driving sights, etc? Good restaurants? Good beach to let the kids run around?

[McKniteHD]

Galveston

I love it in Galveston and take my wife there every year. Hotels should be a little cheaper now rather than during the summer. I can't think of the website but it may be cheaper to rent a beach house for a few days rather than getting a hotel. They have a go cart track down there that is open now and they have a pretty impressive mini golf course also. Moody Gardens is a pretty cool place and you can purchase an all day pass to go to the aquarium and rain forest. Pleasure Pier is fun to go to and is similar to the Boardwalk in Kehma. You can also go visit all the shops on the Strand if the wife wants to go shopping or you just want to check out downtown. As far as going to the beach, we always bring our dogs with us so we head towards the beach houses near Jamaica Beach and you can get a little more private beach scene. The Schlitterbahn is also supposed to have climate controlled water if the kids would rather hit the slides instead of the beach. Guidos is a good restaurant down there but it fills up quick but Nick's next door serves the same food (it's the less fancy sister store). Fishtales and Fisherman's Wharf are also good places to eat. Hope this helps.

[OBU13DAD]

I like the Spot great Po boys and shrimp kisses

[leon.cty.legend]

McKnite nailed it... Also nates on the west end is good grub

[R Dubya]

I like the Spot great Po boys and shrimp kisses

Great fish tacos too!!!

[ck40711]

I like 'The Spot' and 'Casey's' for food/drinks. 'The Spot' for drinks, 'Casey's' for food.

[.270]

Nothing

[JRandolphTX]

Moody Gardens won't be cheap. You could buy an all-day pass ($56.95 per person for everything) or you can pick and choose. The Aquarium is $21.95 for adults and $17.95 for kids 12 and under. The Rainforest is the same price. I'd buy these online ahead of time if you can. Eat lunch before you go. The food and drinks can be pricey and they aren't very good.

Also, Shrimp N' Stuff on Avenue O is a good local spot too.

[buzzbait]

Cajun Greek on 61st is a must eat if you want great seafood. It's where the locals eat.

[texanatc]

Why no fishing?

[Brown]

I took my then 6 year old to Galveston a couple of years ago for spring break, huge mistake. The only advice I can give is avoid the seawall. The place is overrun by thugs, punks and all sorts of things you dont want younguns around. We stayed at the Holiday Inn resort (i think was the name) and youth walking down he seawall in broad day light smoking weed. After dark, watch out.

[TyWebb]

Go back to Houston, get on I-10, and drive to Florida.

[scdavis50]

If Sonny's on 19th is open, you should go. Family place with outstanding food.

[CaptainDave]

I believe the indoor part of Schlitterbahn is going to be open. Also, you have the pleasure pier and Moody Gardens.

As for places to eat - The Spot, Mesquito Cafe, Shrimp and Stuff are all good for casual dining type of places. Higher end dinner places would be Guidos, Rudy and Paco and Saltwater Grill. The Steakhouse at the San Luis is a legit prime steakhouse.

You could drive down to the West end to get more of a private beach feeling. Another thought is you'll could take the ferry over to Boliver and check out Crystal Beach. The ferry ride in itself is pretty cool for anyone that is not around boats much.

[lungbuster1985]

Strand- shopping with some restaurants nearby. Mosquito cafe, Farley girls, sunflower bakery, yagas. Also food on harbor side pier.

Sea wall- pleasure pier, Gaidos for higher priced dining, fish tales is good, rainforest cafe for atmosphere. Cafe Michael burger for the best burgers on the island. It's down toward Jamaica beach across from woodys.

Cajun Greek on 61st is where we eat lunch when we are there.

Moody gardens is expensive but kinda fun even as an adult. Lots of different stuff to do here.

Flight museum.

Schliterbahn, not my cup of tea but probably fun for most.

Duck tours, on sea wall. I quack at them every time I drive by.

Last year I saw a parasail boat cruising just off the sea wall, don't know much else about it.

Stewart beach is clean and family oriented, you have to pay to get on though. Pocket beaches down near Jamaica are free and can be nice. Make sure you bring chairs and shade if you go to the beach. They charge a premium to rent, and no rentals at pocket beach.

Moody has a golf course that's pretty nice.

Classic home tours are pretty cool, but probably boring for kids.

You can also rent bikes, buggies and cruise up and down the sea wall.

Segway tours/rentals are also available.

I'm sure I missed something...