Christmas stop-over between DFW and Galveston?

[edgeman61]

We have a cruise departing from Galveston on Dec 26.

 

We want to spend Christmas day with Mother, so we are thinking about leaving for the cruise sometime Christmas afternoon and diving most of the way to Galveston.

 

Originally, we thought about stopping for the night at The Woodlands, TX (just a bit north of Houston) and driving the remainder of the way the next morning.

 

Does anyone have any other suggestions (hotel and or city) that they would like to share?

 

Many thanks in advance.

[ssb]

ISLAND of Galveston is a major tourist destination in itself .

see

visitgalveston.com

and

galveston.com

and 

galvestonhistory.com

and

moodygardens.com

and

many others

 

 

 

Edited May 30, 2021 by ssb

[markpark]

We choose Pearland to get on the south side of Houston traffic.

[o-state girl]

I've stayed in the Super 8 in the Webster/NASA area.  It's only about 30 miles from the cruise terminal and only about 4 hours from Dallas/Fort Worth.  It would get you through Houston while the traffic is light on Christmas night, which is a big plus in my book (I hate Houston traffic).  It's nothing fancy, but in my experience it has been clean and really affordable.  

Edited May 31, 2021 by o-state girl

[Mary229]

Take advantage of the light holiday traffic and go at least to League City.  You will be fully out of Houston.   Personally I would just drive to Galveston and sleep in the morning of the cruise.  Have fun. 

[RGEDad]

I concur with getting south of Houston. There are a number of reasonable mid-level hotel near the Johnson Space Center right off the 45 interstate (quite possibly a little bit upscale from the Motel 6). This is about 24 miles north of Galveston so not such a long drive in the morning - and quite frankly - about half as expensive for just  place to sleep. I have stayed at Motel 6 place a number of times, and they are OK - but the Hiltons in that area are a bit nicer, more roomy, and more amenities (Well- - except for the Hilton TRU hotels which have a really weird "Hip" design and teeny tiny desks - with apparently the concept you will mill & socialize/work in the common areas). 

[TxShipShape]

I have driven down from dfw area  and stayed in the Woodlands and Webster.   I found Webster had better options and places to eat. Last time I styed in a motel along I45 in the woodlands I found the place in badly need of remolding.   If you don't want to go that far on your first leg I would consider Conroe a little bit to the north over the woodlands.

[txjim09]

Depending on your budget, staying in Galveston would be your first choice.  My wife and her cousin  stayed at Moody Gardens before a early December cruise and greatly enjoyed the Christmas displays.

 

On the other hand, Galveston has the possibility of being crazy expensive.  As others mentioned, staying south of Houston is a less expensive option.  I've stayed at the Holiday Inn off of NASA Road 1 and enjoyed the evening in Kemah.  Not Galveston but not bad.

[JBSteelerfan]

On 5/30/2021 at 8:44 PM, Mary229 said:

Take advantage of the light holiday traffic and go at least to League City.  You will be fully out of Houston.   Personally I would just drive to Galveston and sleep in the morning of the cruise.  Have fun. 

 

We have stayed at the Hampton in League City multiple times.  Very short drive the next morning and lots of choices for eating the night before the cruise.

[SPacificbound]

Once you are past Houston my recommendation would be to go ahead and make it to Galveston.   

That way you are there, no cruise morning worry of a flat tire, or backed up traffic coming in, you can just relax and enjoy Galveston.

 

"A local"

[cynt]

I would drive into Galveston and get into full cruise mode. We like staying at the Tremont. We wake up early, because who can sleep the night before a cruise, we grab hot tea and take our morning stroll down to the port and watch the ships come into port. INCREDIBLE!! 

 

Definitely get south of Houston, over the bridge and make your stop at Buccee's 😁.