Galveston

Moody Mansion

Completed in 1895, this beautiful home boasts 31 rooms, over 10 fireplaces, and classic cars original to the Moody family. The docent was very knowledgeable and a pleasure to talk with. The home was cleverly designed and well ahead of its time. For example, the parlor fireplace is gas and all of the lights have gas backups to mitigate unreliable electricity. The home also has a dumbwaiter, an elevator, and intercom system. Beneath the surface, all of the interior walls are brick, helping it survive the 1901 hurricane. Each room is uniquely decorated, with interior designs done by Pottier & Stymus, an NY design firm that also completed work for Rockefeller, President Grant, and Edison. At one time, Broadway Street in Galveston was dubbed "Millionaire's Row" because of the number of grand homes. Time and natural disasters has widdled the number of these homes considerably. The home is truly a gem worth seeing.

Miller's Seawall Grill

Miller's is the place to be for whatever you're in the mood for ⁠— seafood, breakfast, American. It's a little on the pricier side, but you get great portion sizes and excellent service.

La King's Confectionery

Located on the Strand, this historic candy shop boasts long display cases of candies, along with ice cream, malts, and shakes. The best part is their taffy, still made onsite by the same hundred-year old machine. Even if you're not a fan of sea salt taffy, it's worth it to stick around and see it made.

Moody Gardens

Moody Gardens hosts a family of attractions, so check out their website for full details. Most famous is their Aquarium Pyramid and Rainforest Pyramid. Their massive tanks boast sea lions, seals, penguins, sharks, jellyfish, and a massive array of exotic fish. While probably most fascinating for children, we and plenty of other adults enjoy their exhibits. The Rainforest Pyramid offers you the opportunity to walk through a rainforest ecosystem, complete with monkeys and exotic birds on the loose!

The Strand

The Strand isn't quite our speed, but it's a fun place to walk around in the evenings and see some street musicians and artists, shop a little, look at old architecture, and catch some taffee at La King's Confectionery (see above). Also check out the Spice & Tea Exchange.

The Seawall & the Beach

Whether you're into walking, running, or cycling, the Seawall offers a great view of the ocean without having to get sandy. The beach itself isn't the prettiest, but also great for an evening stroll.

Galveston Railroad Museum

File the Galveston Railroad Museum under "Surprisingly Fascinating Museums". It's not particularly well curated, but seeing and walking through old trains had me feeling like I stepped into a 1920s mystery novel. The mail car was particularly fascinating as we learned about the lives (and speed!) of the mail sorters.