Galveston is a sun-soaked island with 32 miles of coastline to help you work on your tan, improve your surfing skills and eat a bounty of seafood. But Galveston also offers more than a relaxing beach getaway – hidden in plain sight are reminders of when the city was a bustling port known for its bottomless wealth, technological advances and opulent architecture.
Nowhere else in Texas can visitors find such a concentrated set of historical sights. From its role as the birthplace of Juneteenth, to the city’s important chapter in the immigration story of America, to its preserved Victorian neighborhoods, history is on display at every turn of a street corner.
The Strand Historic District
In the 1800s, Galveston held the largest port west of New Orleans and the third busiest port in the United States. Thanks to the thriving shipping business, by the late 1880s Galveston had become one of the richest cities in the world per capita. Much of that wealth made its way to The Strand, a street that runs parallel to Galveston Bay. Dubbed “The Wall Street of the South” the street was lined with banks, wholesale houses, grocers, cigar dealers, cotton factories, commission merchants, dry goods companies and boarding houses for sailors.
Today the Strand District is still the island’s center for commerce. Opulent iron-front Victorian-era buildings house boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, souvenir shops, restaurants and bars, and anchor the historic downtown. Head to The Strand to sip craft cocktails while taking in the panoramic view of the city at The Tremont House’s Rooftop Bar, learn about the city’s history through a “Ghosts of Galveston” tour and grab a scoop of ice cream at 1920’s throwback La King’s Confectionery and Ice Cream Parlor. The Strand is also a year-round destination for the island’s biggest special events like Mardi Gras, Dickens on the Strand and the Lone Star Rally.
Texas Tidbit: Get a taste of Galveston’s local music scene with Music Nite on The Strand. The free monthly live concert series at Saengerfest Park runs from April to October.
Historic Seaport
In addition to commerce, Galveston’s port was a major portal for immigrants seeking entry into the United…
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