Galveston

 Trip Advisor Travel Forum for Galveston. Here is some great information that I pulled from a Trip Advisor Forum for Galveston. The links are embedded so you will need to do a copy and paste to grab them. Created by Trip Advisor destination expert "TexasGal"

is very small island and very unique in what it has to offer tourists who come for one day or a week. That said it does require some homework on internet IMO.

Adjacent to The Port is the famous Strand downtown. It is blocks of shops, restaurants, art galleries, museums, boutiques and more. It is a delight for cruise patrons to experience before or after their cruise.

The Strand has two hotels. 

Tremont and Harbor House

I have stayed at Harbor House and it was very nice stay. That said, The Tremont is a highrise hotel with a gorgeous rooftop bar and a little more upscale.

Here are 3 websites for visitors and they will give you great info:

http://www.downtowngalveston.org/index.html

https://galvestonislandguide.com

https://www.galveston.com/visitorscenter/

Galveston Trolley and Bus System:

https://www.galvestontrolley.com

Video of Strand. There are many more if you do a search: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0dqAaS4bPE

FYI, there are webcams positioned on popular beaches, The Strand, Moody Gardens, Seawall Blvd. and the Port. They show what is happening 24 hours a day. You can even watch the cruiseships arrive and depart on these cams

Webcams: https://www.visitgalveston.com/webcams/north-galveston-webcam/

The Island has a trolley and here is their link:

Island Trolley Service: https://www.galvestontrolley.com

I am a huge fan of The Strand and all it's shops, museums, art galleries and eateries. It has it's own webpage. Google the Museums that are in The Strand. Great for families!

Walking tour video of The Strand: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0dqAaS4bPE

A must visit is a candy and ice cream shop called LaKing's Confectionery and it opened in 1920. For seafood I like Katie's. There are also a couple of popular restaurants for gumbo fans in The Strand.

Two recommendations when you go out onto the street parallel to the beach called Seawall Blvd. There is a huge gift shop called Murdochs that is on pillars out over the water. 

Then across Seawall Blvd. from Murdochs is Galveston's grand, elegant Hotel Galvez. I hope you will take the time to walk over and view the interior or have lunch (?). It is like being in the Great Gatsby movie !!!!!!

Grand Galvez Hotel: https://www.grandgalvez.com

Murdochs Gift Shop on Seawall Blvd.: https://galvestonislandguide.com/murdochs-galvestons-oldest-and-best-loved-gift-shop/

Food on Seawall Blvd.:

The Spot is casual and good shrimp poboys with seating on large deck overlooking ocean.

Mario's, I hope, still has their weekday Italian Food buffet (?)

Gaido's is upscale seafood that opened in 1911

Do a search on Moody Gardens events and Schlitterbahn Waterpark on site.

IMO, The Galveston Duck Tour is a must. See their webpage and YouTube videos.

Also, for families is the Pleasure Pier complex near Murdocks on Seawall Blvd. (See Videos)

The last recommendation I have is in The Strand. It is a candy and ice cream shop called LaKing's Confectionery and it opened in 1920. A must visit.

Enjoy!