Things to do in  Galveston

Just 51 miles (82 kilometers) south of Houston, there are plenty of things to do in Galveston for city-dwellers, cruise-ship passengers, and farther-flung visitors alike. Soak up the Gulf of Mexico setting on this barrier island, including the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, Galveston Island State Park, and Stewart Beach. But keep in mind that Galveston is also a place with real heritage, as proven by strolls in the East End and Strand Historic Districts, as well as visits to the Bryan Museum (dedicated to the history and art of the American West).