Help--need to kill 6 hours in Galveston post-cruise

[jarand]

Here's the dilemma: We have to disembark at around 9:00. Our flight won't leave Houston Hobby until 7:00 that evening. We are 5 adults and 2 small children (ages 4&6).

 

Supershuttle will pick us up in Galveston and take us to Hobby at any time. How can we spend about 6 hours in Galveston--with luggage, children, and exhaustion--in the meantime?

 

THANKS!

[Wayfairers]

You didn't mention time of year.... if it is summer then I highly recommend the Schlitterbahn Waterpark. http://www.galveston.com/schlitterbahnwaterpark/ Something about a waterpark perks kids (and some adults up) and if it doesn't then you can just lounge for the day. They probably have a place to store the luggage while you are there.

 

The website http://www.galveston.com will provide other ideas of things to do too.

 

The Offshore Drilling Museum open daily 10a-5p near the cruise port was fascinating for us because that is something we know nothing about. The people working there are very informative and kids we saw there appeared to be entertained. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys learning new things. It took us about an hour to see everything. http://www.oceanstaroec.com/

 

The Houston space center is fun for a day but I suspect you will be too tired to enjoy that. You could rent a car and go to that on your way to the airport.

 

Another possibility is to just go sit on the beach for the day - Galveston has a nice beach if the weather is good, it could even be cool and the kids would probably enjoy playing in the sand while the adults relax. We didn't really spend time on the beach while visiting that area, but I would think someone would be renting chairs. Several restaurants are across the street from the beach and there are cross walks at the lights.

 

There are several restaurants/shops in the area across the street from the cruise terminal - but that won't keep the kids happy long.

[Wayfairers]

Oh yeah, what to do about the luggage..... have you tried calling the shuttle place and asking if they have a place to store the luggage? If they say no, Galveston is a small, friendly town one of the local store owners or someone at the cruise port may have a place you could store the luggage. I would get that set up ahead of time though because that is something you don't want to worry about that day.

[missypriss19]

Moody Gardens would also be a good option.

[CGBCruiser]

Moody Gardens would also be a good option.

 

Definitely a good option!

[crusin okie]

I can't speak to the "what to do?" but my recommendation is regarding your luggage. If your cruise line offers the option of checking your luggage thru to your airlines, it is a great way to avoid the hassle of dragging your suitcases everywhere. You need to sign up for the service, then you set your bags outside your room and never see them again until you arrive at your home airport and pick them up from the luggage area. There is a charge and I'm sorry but I don't remembet the exact cost but you can get the info onboard.

[ssb]

Galveston:

Beaches Beaches Beaches

Old town Galveston *- Strand St To Post Office Streets four blocks

(lots of shopping, ice cream, old army surplus store, nautical shop, fine restaurants)

Wineries and wine festivals

Restaurants overlooking gulf and on port

Two first class convention centers

Many live theater venues

Many live music venues

Free concert nights - old town Galveston *- on strand

Free film nights -old town Galveston *- on strand

Free band nights-“family/kids” oriented-summer outdoor Tuesdays 24th & Sealy

1894 grand opera house * (a must seetour, and/or performances of many types)

Chess park

Artist festivals

Museums

Antique stores and art Galleries

Horse drawn carriage rides

Swimming in Gulf

Fine restaurants

Night scene

Galveston Historical Foundation properties*

Many Historical and Victorian homes

Galveston has second largest preservation membership in United States

Bishops palace (wonderful)

Moody mansion(wonderful)

Ashton villa (wonderful)

Moody gardens *(lots and lots and lots to do) (massive, fun and family oriented)

Schlitterbahn water park

Restored tall ship schooner Elissa www.tsm-elissa.org (wonderful)

1900 storm and pirate jean lafite documentary films at port

Maritime museum- www.tsm-elissa.org

Airplane museum (Lone Star Flight Museum)- http://www.lsfm.org/

Railroad museum - http://www.galvestonrrmuseum.com

Oil drilling rig museum - www.oceanstaroec.com

Sea wolf park – WWII submarine and destroyer - www.cavalla.org

Large souvenir shop over gulf water - Murdochs

Walks and shelling on the beach

Cruise ships (RCCL, Carnival, Princess, Disney)

Fishing (piers, wadefishing and charters-offshore & inshore))

Golfing

Skate board park large

Kayaking trails

Surfing and children surf camps

Kite flying on beach

Marine life and children marine care educational camps at Moody Gardens

Marine life and children marine camps at Texas AM University - Sea Camp Programs

Various Running events with major Triathlon event

Sand castle building event

Shopping shopping shopping

Dolphin watching and port water tours

Turtle rescue farm behind San Luis Resort

Carved damaged trees tour from storm

Free ferry ride and a short cruise to Bolivar

Duck tour (amphibious boat)

Galveston.com/ interact and discover/cams

Many major weekly events and festivals not mentioned

as example :

Art Walk (every 5 or so weeks year around)

Dickens on Strand (Dec) ----LARGE - http://www.dickensonthestrand.com

Lone Star Motorcycle Rally (Nov) ---LARGE - www.lonestarrally.com

Mardi Gras Galveston (Feb) ----LARGE - www.lonestarrally.com

October Fest

Beer Fests

Wine Events and Fest

Greek Fest

Epicurean Evening of all restaurants

Shrimp Fest

Yega’s Wild Game Cook Off,

County Fair - LARGE

Children’s Fest

Feather Fest - Large

Old Timey Bathing Beauty Fest

And many many more !!

[jarand]

Thanks! We've decided to stay the night, but we still need to find things to do. These are GREAT suggestions!