I will be traveling to Houston for a 5-day vacation to visit my sister. She has only lived there 6 months & has not spent much time for R&R. I am looking for information on Hotel Galvez, has anyone stayed there, is their pool heated? Also has anyone crossed over to Bolivar on the ferry? Has anyone actually seen dolphins? Is it worth the trip? I have a 3yr old and I am trying to accomadate her as well as find something interesting & fun for myself.

Where does your sister live in Houston? If she lives North it would be about a 2 hour + drive to Galveston, FYI.

I've not stayed at the Galvez, but it is one of the better hotels in Galveston. There is a railroad museum in Galveston also. Galveston would be good for a days trip. THere is a new spot called Kemah ( I think that is how it is spelled..) that is also worth checking out.

Maybe someone else has the other answers you are looking for.

Haven't stayed at the Galvez--looks nice and historic -- but the area around Moody Gardens is nicer and there is a hotel there too (recommended). Moody Gardens is where you will want to go with your daughter. The ferry is free and fun. Dolphins are spotted on about 50% of the trips I make. On Bolivar consider driving about 15 miles and dining at the Stingaree Restaurant (casual)-- seafood that I drive from Houston to eat. In Galveston, the best food is found in non-chain restaurants. I personally avoid the institutional mass-produced cuisine at The Landry's and related chains. Try Benno's for seafood in a casual setting. Shrimp-n-Stuff for a casual lunch. Try La King's confectionary for dessert (on the Strand)--an old-fashioned soda fountain and candy store.

Sister,
she livers around the galleria. It will be about an hour drive for us. I had been to Kemah about 7 yrs ago. Do they still cruiz boats up & down the bay out there?

Texan,
do you know any specifics on the Moody Hotel. Do they have a good pool & is it heated? Would we be able to find FRESH SEAFOOD at the restaruants you listed? Also, where could I buy shrimp fresh off of the boats? My daughter loves marine animals & i am currently studying zoology so we are interested in aquariums also. Have you been to the one at Moody's?
Thanks for all of your input!

Welcome to Texas! Galveston is a fun place. I have been on the Boiver Ferry and, yes, I have seen the dolphins (I do not know if they are seasonal, but some trips to Boliver I have seen them and others I have not). In addition to the railroad museum, there is also a flight museum, several old victorian home tours - and then there is The Strand. The Strand is the festival hub of Galveston, i.e., Mardi Gras, Dickens on The Strand are held there annually. The Strand is the tourist shopping area of Galveston. Many interesting shops. As for fresh seafood, the docks are located parallel to The Strand, and I believe they sell seafood from the boats. Please do not overlook NASA. It is mid-way to Galveston (in Clear Lake, Texas) and it used to be more of a space museum, however, I have heard recently that they are gearing a lot of things toward children in order to ignite interest in the Space Program and to get more young people dreaming about become astronauts. Our humble equivalent to Disneyland is called Astroworld, and it is located next to the Astrodome. Houston also has a fine zoo, the Hermann Park Zoo. I hope you and your daughter enjoy your stay in Houston.

When we were there, Gaido's(in Galveston) was the best, locally owned seafood(yes,fresh seafood). It is a huge place, but unbelievable quality. I don't know if it is still there--it has been several years since we ate there.

I know people who live near Kemah and I hear it's really fixed up nice now. Pay a visit to the waterfront there.

I'll second Guido's for seafood and ambience.

I have bought seafood just off the boats on the very southeast end of the island.

If you haven't been to Kemah lately, it is worth a trip. I ate at a place north of the bridge called Pier 8. It is an all you can eat for $9.99 ($12.99 even/weekend) with salad, gumbo, steamed crab, shrimp, etc. Then you pick the raw seafood (crab, shrimp, calamari, fish, scallops, etc.), noodles, vegetables and sauce. Then they stir fry it while you are eating the appetizers. It is isn't fancy but was good.
In Galveston, I liked Clary's as well as Gaido's. Clary's is on Teichelmann Road just after you cross the causeway and behind the Galveston Daily News. I always took people on the ferry. It is fun and you can take food for the seagulls for the children to throw.