Beachtown Vacation Rentals

Bring the whole group to this sandy spot known as
Galveston’s most family-friendly beach. This amenity-rich spot has showers, restrooms, and lifeguards. Towel off and challenge your group to a game of cornhole or volleyball. Parking is by daily fee or with a seasonal pass.

East Beach pops with festivals, concerts,and parties, but nature also puts on a show. You can even horseback ride along the shoreline here. If you’re in town, this is the beach canvas for the American Institute of Architects Sandcastle Competition, so watch these creatives coax sand into masterpieces.

Family-friendly and inviting in every way, Jamaica Beach’s location on Galveston’s western end makes it an ideal spot to jump the waves, float in the surf, or just plant your chair and bask in the sun in this slice of Texas paradise.

If you’re looking for a “beyond the beach” experience, Galveston Island State Park is the place to go. Head out for a relaxing beach day, or opt to camp on the beach for several days. While you’re there, enjoy swimming, fishing, biking, geocaching, hiking, and more.

Looking for a quieter escape? Pocket Parks 1 and 2 blend a watery escape with a laid-back vibe–and you can even drive right onto the beach on Pocket Park 1. Either way, these sandy shores dazzle with turquoise waters that invite swimmers, beachcombers, and master relaxation artists to unwind.

More than a century of beach lovers have walked the sands along the Seawall and romped in the area’s waters. These are still Galveston’s best-loved beaches and the Seawall’s impressive 10 mile-length makes it the country’s longest continuous sidewalk. Come stroll, bike, swim, and taste your way along this feat of engineering crafted after the Great Storm of 1900 washed away much of Galveston.

Don’t let swimmers have all the fun in Galveston’s waters. Kayaking, standup paddleboarding, and surfing charge up any beach day. Surfers flock to jetties at 37th, 47th, 51st, and 61st Streets and lessons are a great way to test the waters. Kayakers and paddleboarders, bring your own or rent from one of Galveston’s outfitters.

The Pleasure Pier offers a unique blend of nostalgia and excitement, combining the charm of a classic seaside pier with modern, exhilarating rides.
Check out the iconic Ferris Wheel, the Iron Shark roller coaster, or the many kiddie rides for your littlest thrill seekers. The pier also boasts arcade games, delicious dining options, and stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Take your tackle box to Galveston Bay, or fish off of several piers near downtown. Find the best fishing spots with a chartered fishing excursion. Either way, secure a Texas saltwater fishing license before your trip. Boaters, Galveston’s plentiful launches get you on the water fast and boat rentals up the fun. Let someone else captain the ship with boat tours ranging from land and sea duck boat tours to dolphin watching excursions.

If you’re dreaming of a dinner straight from the sea, Galveston has you covered. Seafood and the freshest of fish are always on the menu. Gaido’s is a local favorite and considered an institution in town. Or, choose from any number of restaurants where you can eat right on the beach. Finish out your night with a sweet treat, such as homemade candies, ice cream, or old-fashioned sodas.

Moody Gardens is a multi-faceted entertainment complex that truly has something for everyone. It’s best known for its three pyramid-shaped structures, each featuring a different attraction. The Aquarium Pyramid is home to a diverse range of marine life, such as sharks, penguins, seals and tropical fish. The Rainforest Pyramid boasts a botanical garden with free-roaming rainforest animals. The third pyramid has an interactive Discovery Museum with 3D and 4D theaters. The Moody complex also has dining options, a spa, and a golf course.

The Galveston Historical Foundation preserves the area’s legacy on its annual Home Tour every summer, featuring tours of private homes that are usually off-limits to the public. Explore another historical side with Galveston Graveyard Tours and Ghost City Tours–extra spooky in the fall! Sneak fitness in with a Galveston Running Tour or kick back (or up) with helicopter tours to take in all of Galveston. These are a sampling of tours that show off different Galveston sides and cater to almost any interest.

From the Strand to the Seawall, Galveston’s shops will fill your bags with antique goods, boutique couture, and unique Galveston finds. Hit hotspots like Postoffice Street (more than 100 stores!) and the blooming WeMa for vintage home finds. Charge back up for more browsing when you savor Galveston’s culinary delights at one of the restaurants, cafes, and bars in each area.

Curate the ideal day on the course, whether it’s mini-golf or the full 18 holes. Favorite Galveston courses like the public Moody Gardens Golf Course invite locals and visitors to its greens and also lets golfers try out their practice range before hitting the links. The private Galveston Country Club offers vacation packages for visitors to try out Texas’ oldest course. For a lower key outing, Magic Carpet Golf’s waterside mini-golf course still offers plenty of bragging rights for kids and kids at heart.

Take a break from sea and sand and take in Galveston’s rich history and arts scene. The African American Museum highlights Galveston’s black pioneers. The American West thrives at the
Bryan Museum, the house for the largest collection of American West artifacts. Visit Galveston’s industrial history at the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum.
Add in tours of historic homes like Moody Mansion and Bishops Palace and maybe you’ll trade a beach day for time to hit all of these spots.

Galveston pops with events and festivals, so when you’re in town, it’s likely that you’ll have the chance to take part. New Orleans doesn’t have a lock on all of the Mardi Gras fun. In the fall, the Lone Star Motorcycle Rally (Texas’ biggest) draws in bikers and enthusiasts from around the world and other fall faves like Oktoberfest and Halloween’s Misfits Ball at the Scottish Rite Cathedral keep Galveston humming with excitement.