FamilyRoadTrippers

We are planning a trip to Texas and can spend a day in Galveston. Our kids are school age and we thought a day at a pool and beach could be nice on our roadtrip through Texas. We were thinking of staying at the Hotel Galvez? Is it worth the detour? How is the beach? Are there good places to eat? Thanks so much.

KathyK

If your travels take you to another area where you can go to the beach, like Corpus Christi or Padre Island, I would go there before I would go to Galveston. I've only been to Galveston, but the other beaches have to be nicer than Galveston. That said, we stayed at the Hotel Galvez last year and it was very nice, but not a place that kids would particularly like. The pool area was nice, but populated by mostly adults. Not especially "kid friendly".

longhorn55

As KathyK states, the beaches in Corpus and Padre Island (both of which I have often visited) are nicer than the one in Galveston, but I don't think elementary school-aged kids are going to care that much. I don't know how much of a detour you would have to make to go to Galveston. If you are in Houston, yeah go. If you are much further away, mmm...

Toucan2

I think the OP posted in another thread that they are doing a road trip to Texas and will be in Houston, and then maybe Austin and San Antonio?

So Galveston would be easy enough from Houston, but the beaches aren't the best ones in Texas. However, I don't think they were planning on going as far as SPI. How far is Corpus Christi from San Antonio? I can't remember but it seems like it's not a terribly long drive.

FamilyRoadTrippers

Yes, that is me. We are going to NASA for the day and then debating between going to Galveston for the next day or Houston. Any thoughts given that choice? Thanks so much.

Toucan2

Is there anyway you can be kind of flexible for that time? April is usually nice, but I have also been in that area when there were some torrential rain storms and then the beach would not be fun.

You could just stay in Houston, and if the day is nice drive down to Galveston (it is a very short drive depending where you are staying in Houston) and if it is rainy, stay in the city and do something indoors.

I am just speaking as a visitor, someone from Houston hopefully will be able to chime in.

Barblab

Go to Houston and go to the zoo, and either The Children's Museum or Medical Museum (geared to kids). The Natural History Museum would be great too as the basement is full of hands on science exhibits, and the museum itself has dinosaurs, an IMAX theater, Planetarium, and walk through butterfly center.

Rich

If you go to Galveston, Moody Gardens is a great place for kids.The have a great acquarium.

http://www.galveston.com/moodygardens/

The water at Galveston is no much different from the ocean in Louisiana.

longhorn55

Ditto Toucan's recommendation--stay in Houston and make your plans based on the weather.

FamilyRoadTrippers

We have a reservation at Houston Embassy Suites Energy Corridor. Is this a good location in Houston? The address is Katy Freeway. We got a good deal and love Embassy Suites. Thanks.

CStoneTX

Agree with Toucan to play it by ear. If you're going to NASA one day, I would stay down there, rather than the Embassy Suites Energy Corridor. That's on the other side of Houston (close to an hour drive, with no traffic). You could spend the evening in Kemah - very close to NASA. Lots of restaurants, fun things to see and do. Also, from that area, it's a very short drive to Galveston.

If you decide to stay in Houston the 2nd day, Barblab's idea of the zoo is great. Hermann Park (where the zoo is located) is lots of fun. Besides the zoo, there's a lake where you can paddle boat, a train you can ride around, etc. You can bring a picnic lunch - there are plenty of places to eat. If the weather's not nice, the Museum of Natural Science is great. Children's Museum is more geared to younger kids - your 8 year old would probably enjoy it more than your 11 year old. The Museum of Fine Arts has a King Tut exhibit going right now through April 15 that is supposed to be great for all ages.

You could even take the light rail from Herman Park to downtown. It's a quick ride, and your kids might enjoy going to the top of one of the buildings (Wells Fargo has a sky lobby at 59 floors up, and so does the Chase Tower (that one may be even higher). If your kids are into sports, Minute Maid Park (baseball) and Toyota Center (basketball) are both downtown. I bet you could tour one or both of them (or Reliant Arena - football).

Ice skating at the Galleria would also be a fun indoor activity if the weather is bad.

Have a great trip!

annalynn

Galveston is not the nicest town for beaches in Texas, but it definitely has the most flavor. Its got some great Victorian buildings, and the Strand has a lot of fun shops/restaurants. I've been at the Galvez several times, usually for conferences. Its not the most child-friendly establishment, and the refurbished pool (after the hurricane) isn't the best, either, IMO. If possible, I'd stay at the San Luis - which my boys love - or as another poster mentioned, Moody Gardens. The pool at San Luis is manna for kids, and there is a Rainforest Cafe on property. And an IHOP next door. Not my favorite spot, but I know what its like to travel with kids.

There's other fun things besides Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn for kids - there are some fun boat rides/tours, for instance, and IIRC, a train museum and a plane museum (husband took the kids there while I was at my conferences - they loved it). Our best beach is South Padre - which even has a pirate ship you can sail - but thats so far out of the way its probably not worth it.

Have fun!

sarge56

I second the Moody Gardens in Galveston. Please note, though, it can be expensive for four of you.

I disagree with many of the posters about the beaches at Galveston. They are probably all referring to the main beach area (in front of the Hotel Galvez, down to the piers), etc.

There is some very nice beach further down the strand. My daughter rented a house there last summer and the beach there was deserted! Very nice beach areas.

By all means, head to Galveston. But go further south once you are on the island. Google "Galveston Island State Park" or Jamaica beach.

Have fun planning- that's always one of the best parts of a trip!

annalynn

I'll agree with Sarge56 that there are nicer beaches further out. I haven't been to these parts in the past 18 months, but the last time I was there - which was a year plus after the last hurricane - many of those beaches were still pretty depleted and the houses weren't being rebuilt and it was horrible, terribly depressing. My geography may be off, but I think this was the section a bit more north (Crystal Beach, right?) and that Sarge56 is directing you south. Hopefully its nicer there.

Toucan2

annalynn, that was across the ferry on the Bolivar Peninsula. I wouldn't think they would be going over there. Crystal Beach is on the Bolivar P. It's getting better, but still quite sobering if you saw it pre-Ike.

volcanogirl

I'd definitely head to Galveston and visit Moody Gardens. The San Luis is a nice place to stay. The Spot is a great place to grab a burger. Also go visit the Strand for shopping and hit La King's Confectionary for ice cream and homemade candy. The beaches along the Sea Wall are fine. The hurricane was almost 4 years ago so tourist areas are rebuilt. Murdoch's is a fun place to go souvenir shopping. After you go to NASA, head to the Kemah Boardwalk for dinner - kids love it there.