Tag: travel plans

22 Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Galveston

Posted on by admin

   The best laid plans . . . just might have to be “adjusted” due to unexpected weather. If you’re in Galveston on vacation and the clouds try to rain on your parade – don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to entertain yourself, your friends and family inside. Here are a few ideas to consider.

   As always, be sure to call ahead to confirm location hours and if they are open as the weather may be a factor to their site as well.

   Paid parking on the island is handled through the “paybyphone” app, and you’ll simplify your visit by setting it up ahead of time. Download the app, set it up with your license plate and credit card number and you’re good to go!

 

GALVESTON RAILROAD MUSEUM

2602 Santa Fe Place, 409-765-5700

https://galvestonrrmuseum.org

Open Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission

Free parking in the rear lot; app-paid street parking and paid lot parking alongside building.

   Interesting museum about the history of rail travel. Covered walkways between railcars outside. Explore open rail cars from different eras, including the historic Bonnie Brook Rail Car once owned by comedian/actor Jackie Gleason.

 

OCEAN STAR OFFSHORE DRILLING RIG & MUSEUM

20th Street & Harborside, 409-766-7827

https://www.oceanstaroec.com/museum/

Open Daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission

Paid parking lots, or app-paid street parking along the Strand

   The Ocean Star is retired jack-up drilling rig that operated in the Gulf of Mexico from 1969 to 1984 and drilled over 200 wells during that timeframe. In 1995, the OEC purchased the Ocean Star, and after lengthy refurbishment, opened it as a museum in 1997.
The museum is designed to be a self-guided facility with videos, information, interactive exhibits throughout, and takes most visitors about 1.5 hours to tour completely.

BRYAN MUSEUM

1315 21st Street, 409-632-7685

https://thebryanmuseum.org

Closed Monday & Tuesday. Other days open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Thursdays until 7 p.m.)

Admission

Free onsite parking for visitors off Avenue M, and street parking surrounding museum.

   The Bryan Collection is the home of one of the world’s largest collections of historical artifacts, documents, and artwork relating to Texas and the American West.

 

1892 BISHOP’S PALACE

1402 Broadway, 409-762-2475

https://www.galvestonhistory.org/sites/1892-bishops-palace

Self-guided tours daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last ticket sold at 4 p.m.)

Admission

Free street parking available

   Formerly the home of the Gresham family and later owned by the Catholic diocese, it’s one of the most significant Victorian residences in the country.

 

MOODY MANSION / CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

2618 Broadway, 409-762-7668

https://www.moodymansion.org

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last tickets sold at 4 p.m.)

Admission

  One of the attractions I most often recommend on the island, this beautiful mansion is fully furnished and gives a clear impression of what life for the wealthy was like in Galveston’s Gilded Age.

   Be sure to check out the antique car collection on site.

 

CLAY CUP STUDIOS

2219 Postoffice Street, 409-762-CLAY

https://www.claycupstudios.com/walkin

Check website for days and hours, as they vary.

   In addition to walk-in-and-choose projects at this paint-your-own pottery studio, be sure to check their schedule for special classes.

 

LA KING’S CONFECTIONERY

2323 Strand, 409-762-6100

https://lakingsconfectionery.com

Sunday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Friday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday 11:00 to 9:00 p.m.

   Old-fashioned candy counter and ice cream parlor. They’re famous for their salt water taffy. Check their website and Facebook page for time of their free taffy pulling demonstrations, using a machine over 100 years old. See something interesting in the candy case? Ask for a free sample. Ice cream is made from Galveston’s original Purity ice cream recipe.

 

GALVESTON COUNTY MUSEUM

722 21st Street in the courthouse, 409-766-2340

https://galvestoncomuseum.wixsite.com/museum/

Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Free admission.

   A small but fascinating collection with artifacts from Galveston’s past.

 

ROSENBERG LIBRARY MUSEUM

1900 Storm Exhibit

2310 Sealy Avenue

Monday, Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday closed.Parking is free behind the library and across the street on Sealy Avenue.

A curated gathering of photographs of the aftermath of the 1900 Storm, as well as audio recordings of interviews with storm survivors.

 

ESCAPE THE ISLAND (Escape Room)

910 21st Street, 409-443-5092

https://escapetheisland.com

   Visit their website to book a time. Five different themed escape rooms to choose from will keep your family or group entertained for an hour or so of interactive fun.

 

SCHLITTERBAHN WATER PARK (indoor section)

2109 Gene Lucas Blvd. (next to Moody Gardens), 409-770-9283

https://www.schlitterbahn.com/galveston/schedule

Admission

Check website for dates and hours

   Indoor portion of park is great even on rainy days. Free parking.

 

MOODY GARDENS RAINFOREST / AQUARIUM / 3D MOVIE THEATER

One Hope Blvd., 409-744-4673

https://www.moodygardens.com/

Admission

Free Parking

   Check website for hours and special events, which change seasonally. Fascinating for all ages, their year-round attractions are usually open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

GALVESTON BOOKSHOP

317 23rd Street, 409-750-8200

http://galvestonbookshop.com

Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Street parking available (pay on parking app, see information above)

   Wandering through a fully-stocked bookshop is one of my favorite rainy day activities, and this one has selections for everyone in the family. Special section of titles about Galveston, too (including all four of my books). Many local authors like me make sure their books at the GB are personally signed, so they make nice souvenirs and gifts as well.

 

GRAND GALVEZ HOTEL GHOST TOUR (all indoor tour)

2024 Seawall,  Call ahead to make reservations. 409-765-7721, option 1

Thursdays at 5 p.m. and Fridays at 4 p.m.

Fee.

   Led by long time Galvez concierge Melissa Hall, who has gathered stories from staff and guests for years. 90-minute family friendly tour.

 

GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSE

2020 Postoffice Street, 409-765-1894

http://www.thegrand.com

   Self-guided and guided tours of an exquisite theater from the turn of the last century. Call for details.

 

TOUJOUSE BAR at TREMONT HOUSE

2300 Ships Mechanic Row,409-763-0300

https://www.thetremonthouse.com

Paid valet parking available. Paid (via app – details above) street parking, free after 6 p.m.

   Sit at a beautifully carved mahogany bar whose history reaches back over a century, and enjoy hand-crafted cocktails. Occasional live music. Call for further details.

 

 

PIRATES, LEGENDS OF THE GULF COAST/HAUNTED MAYFIELD MANOR

2313 Harborside Drive, 409-762-6677

https://www.hauntedmayfieldmanor.com

   Year-round haunted house with live actors, and a pirate museum (separate attractions.) Admission.

 

GALVESTON ARTS CENTER

2127 Strand, 409-763-2403

https://www.galvestonartscenter.org

Wednesday through Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)

Free admission

   Exhibits a diverse array of artwork in all mediums. Family friendly. Check their website and Facebook page for occasional workshops.

 

GRAND GALVEZ DAY SPA

2024 Seawall,  409-515-2154

https://www.hotelgalvez.com/galveston-spa

   Treat yourself to a little (or a lot of) pampering at Galveston’s “Queen of the Gulf.”

 

ANTIQUING! Days and hours of antique shops on the island vary widely. Please call each shop or visit their website for specifics.

Antique Warehouse

423 25th Street, 409-762-8620

https://www.facebook.com/AntiqueWarehouseGalveston/

Somewhere in Time

124 20 (at Strand), 409-6844

https://somewhereintimeantiques.com

Big House Antiques

2212 Mechanic, 409-762-0559

https://www.facebook.com/Big-House-Antiques-168427386500765/

St. John Antiques

2001 Postoffice, 409-443-5366

http://www.stjohnantiques.com

Antiques Pavilion

2222 Postoffice, 409-443-5500

https://antiquepaviliongalveston.com

 

TROLLEY RIDES

https://www.galvestontrolley.com

$1 for adults, accompanied minors free

You can still see some of the sights around the Island – rain or not – on a fun  ride along a Seawall Loop, Downtown Loop or Historic Rail Trolley.

Check website for route, times and days, which vary by season.

 

   And of course … if it’s a stormy night on the island, it’s a great time to curl up with my book “Ghosts of Galveston” for some tales of those who’ve never quite left the shores. The version I wrote for middle school readers, “Ghostly Tales of Galveston” is a good choice for families. (Available at the Galveston Bookshop, Tina’s on the Strand, The Admiralty and amazon.com)

   When the weather clears, I hope you’ll join me for one of my walking tours. Information on those HERE.

 

Roadtripping

Posted on by admin

     Happy New Year! Heading into 2022 I’m looking forward to hitting the open road again.

     I’ve been having a great time working on travel itineraries for the next few months. Some fun adventures are in the works – near and far, new and repeat collaborations and a few openings for spontaneous trips as well.
What kind of trips are calling to you?

  •  week-long vacation

  • weekend getaway

  • mother/daughter trip

  • hometown tourist

  • second honeymoon

  • besties roadtrip

  • solo adventure

  • “me and my dog” trip

  • art lovers tour

  • culinary exploration

  • something else

     Share your travel wishlist for 2022 in the comments! I’d love to hear about it.

Don’t Let Lack of Cell Service Ruin Your Roadtrip!

Posted on by admin

     The further you travel into west Texas, the more you realize that any friends who warned you about spotty cell phone coverage and lack of wifi…weren’t exaggerating.

     But that can actually be a good thing! Lack of text notifications, calls or temptations to hop online “for just a sec” aren’t an issue. And you can blissfully focus your full attention on your travel partner, family or just yourself without the distractions that take up too much of our time.

     So please take my advice, and print out any maps, hotel contact and reservation information or anything else you would normally look up on your phone before you leave.

     I keep all of my road trip info in a folder sorted in order of arrival: accommodation reservations/contact numbers/addresses, maps of routes I’ll take locally once I arrive in each town, and I pre-list out my “bucket list” of places that I want to see with some back ups in case I end up with extra time, or some of my top choices don’t work out. Then I check off items as they are visited, or fold down pages as we leave one town to visit the next. I don’t always need all of the information, but it has sure saved us on a few occasions over the years, and on a recent trip to Big Bend we relied on it pretty heavily.

     The convenience of being able to ask your phone for directions is great, but I confess that I have a weakness for old fashioned maps, and experience with them can sure come in handy. If you just can’t manage working with all the papers, take screenshots of any maps and information you’ll need. As long as you keep your phone powered, you’ll be able to pull them up for reference.

     Also, be sure to give a “heads up” to any family members who may try to contact you during travel days when your cell phone might not cooperate. Land lines DO work fine, of course, so they can always go old school and call the hotel office where you are staying to leave a message. Remember when that was the only way? No? Nevermind.

     If any of the locations you are staying in are remote or a bit out-dated, you’ll want to make sure you keep any necessary items charged whenever possible. I’ve stayed in some old hotels (which I love) and found that they might only have one outlet…being used by the only light! That’s a bit of a challenge since we’ve all become so dependent on electronics.

     On our trip to west Texas, my husband and I tried out a small power pack and were very impressed. This particular portable power station from NinjaBatt was so lightweight and worked like a charm. We used it to power our computers when we were uploading and editing photos at night, and to keep our phones charged for emergencies (on the chance we could get a signal). He also used it to power some of his portable ham radio equipment and liked how reliable and easy it was to use. I think he might end up stealing it from me. (It’s model SGR-PPS300-5 if you want to check it out.) It has enough outlets to power just about anything you’re carrying along, and even has its own light.

     With a little preparation, challenges with your electronics won’t bother you a bit. And the trade off is worth it, because oh those wide open space views!