Kate Allen Stukenberg
- Posted:
- April 28, 2010
From East to West Beach, the Strand to the seawall, Col. Bubbies to Palisade Palms, Gaido’s to the Galvez, the fabled classics to the sleek new spas, hotels, restaurants and residences, here is your go-to guide to all things Galveston.
WHERE TO EAT
Bistro LeCroy
2021 Strand
409.762.4200
This Strand-area Cajun hot spot is in full swing after an extensive remodel.
Cafe Michael Burger
11150 Termini San Luis Pass Road
409.740.3639
Best burgers at the beach. Wash them down with a cold German brew.
DiBella’s Italian Restaurant
1902 31st St.
409.763.9036
Locals keep this casual Italian kitchen crowded on Friday nights.
Fish Tales2502 Seawall Blvd.
409.762.8545
After you catch some rays on the beach, grab a bite at this beachfront seafood stop. It’s the best spot to watch the Fourth of July fireworks — if you can get there early enough to reserve a table.
Gaido’s3802 Seawall Blvd.
409.762.9625
gaidosofgalveston.comAn Island institution serving up surf-side seafood since 1911.
Mosquito Cafe628 14th St.
409.763.1010
mosquitocafe.comTucked away in Galveston’s historic East End, this cafe is a must for trendy salads, sandwiches and pasta. Save room for dessert: The lemonade cake is to die for.
901 Postoffice901 Postoffice St.
409.762.1111
This newly opened culinary-fusion restaurant is located in a former historic home with a covered salon and back patio.
Olympia Grill at Pier 2121st & Harborside
409.7665.0021
olympiagrill.netThis stylish dining spot serves up great Greek dishes and an excellent harbor view.
Rudy & Paco2028 Postoffice St.
409.762.3696
Leave the flip-flops and shorts at the beach house when dining at this Latin-inspired seafood and steak house.
Shearn’s Restaurant7 Hope Blvd.409.741.8484
moodygardenshotel.comGrab dinner or just a drink at this top-floor restaurant for spectacular views of the pyramids of Moody Gardens and the sunsets.
The Sunflower Bakery and Café512 14th St.
409.763.5500
thesunflowerbakeryandcafe.comThis sweet bakery, housed in a historic building on the East End, also serves up savory soups and sandwiches for lunch and Sunflower’s famous Belgian waffles for brunch. Check the Web site for the delicious Saturday dinner specials.
Willie G’s2100 Harborside
409.762.3030
williegs.com/galvestonThis steak-and-seafood spot on the harbor side of the island offers great views of the ships rolling in.
FOR SIPPING COCKTAILSBarNone at Diamond Beach10327 Termini-San Luis Pass Road
404.744.3020
diamondbeachgalveston.com
Sleek and modern, BarNone is in the elegant new East End Diamond Beach mid-rise.
Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe413 20th St.
409.762.9199
oldquarteracousticcafe.comCut loose with a Lone Star to some live music at the Old Quarter, which is more than a little reminiscent of Austin in the ’60s and ’70s.
The Poop Deck2928 Seawall Blvd.
409.763.9151
This legendary biker pub features a full bar, televised sports and a deck overlooking the Gulf.
Rooftop Terrace at The Tremont House2300 Ship’s Mechanic Row
409.763.0300
wyndhamtremonthouse.comEnjoy a cool cocktail and a view of downtown on the roof of this historic Strand-area hotel.
Sonny’s Place1206 19th St.
409.763.9602
Head to this dive to enjoy a cold mug of root beer and the best chili dogs in town.
212102 Postoffice St.
409.762.2101
You’ll find plenty of cocktails and a cover band every weekend at this hip down-town bar.
WHERE TO BOOK A NIGHT
Hotel Galvez2024 Seawall Blvd.
409.765.7721
wyndham.com/hotels/glshgDubbed “The Queen of the Gulf” when it debuted in 1911, this historic property just completed the final phase of a renovation that included the refurbishment of 226 deluxe guest rooms and seven luxury suites. Stick around on Sunday for a spectacular brunch at Bernardo’s.
San Luis Resort5222 Seawall Blvd.
409.744.1500
sanluisresort.comTalk about a destination that’s hard to leave. This 30-acre luxury resort has multiple fine-dining options, bars, spa, tennis courts and the best pool experience on the island, H2O.
The Tremont House2300 Ship’s Mechanic Row
409.763.0300
wyndhamtremonthouse.comThis historic downtown European-style hotel, just steps from the Strand district, recently reopened following an extensive renovation post-Hurricane Ike.
FOR LONGER THAN A NIGHT, TRY THESE
Beachtown1801 Seaside Dr.
409.762.2222
beachtowngalveston.comThis charming residential beach village, reminiscent of Seaside, leases several of its properties. Contact the sales office for more details.
Diamond Beach10327 Termini-San Luis Pass Road
404.744.3020
diamondbeachgalveston.comThis elegant new East End mid-rise residential property has a spa and BarNone, Galveston’s first beach bar, both open to the public. However, if you’re longing for the magnificent outdoor pools, lazy river and the only indoor pool of its kind (designed with inspiration from the Turkish baths at the Danubius Hotel Gellért in Budapest), you’ll have to own a condo — or at least rent one. Summer rentals start at $300 per night with a two-night minimum.
Palisade Palms801 E. Beach Dr.
409.974.4635
palisadepalms.comThis new luxury high-rise twin-tower property on the East End has condos for lease on a weekly and monthly basis this summer season, starting at $1,800 a week. Choose from six floor plans and gain access to the resort-style amenities, including beautiful pools, tennis and basketball courts, bicycles and a private boardwalk to the beach.
Sand N’ Sea Properties4127 Pirates Beach
409.797.5500
sandnsea.comTo lease a beach house for a week, weekend or month, Sand N’ Sea offers properties from luxury three-story houses on the beach to more modest ones along the canals.
SHOPPINGBuchanan Gallery220 25th St.
409.763.8683
buchanangallery.comThis fine art gallery, an island favorite, represents emerging and mid-career artists from the Gulf Coast region.
Col. Bubbies202 Strand St.
409.762.7397
colbubbie.comEven non-military buffs will get a kick perusing the extensive racks of wartime memorabilia, all for sale.
The Frog at Home2701 Broadway
409.762.3764
frogathome.comThe popular Houston home store also has a showroom in Galveston, where you can shop for unique home furnishings, window treatments, rugs and art to fill your weekend retreat.
Galveston Art & Frames1126 19th St.
409.762.3628
For wonderful old posters and vintage prints of Galveston.
Hendley Market2010 Strand
409.762.2610
hendleymarket.comA mainstay on the Strand for more than 30 years. Pick up trinkets and gifts inspired by the Victorian surroundings, as well as antique medical instruments, vintage books, and nativities and santons from around the globe.
La King’s Confectionery 2323 Strand
409.762.6100
Stop in for a milkshake at the shop’s 1920s soda fountain. On your way out, indulge in a selection of divinity, pecan pralines, fudge or La King’s famous saltwater taffy, all made in-house on vintage equipment.
Murdoch’s Bathhouse2215 Seawall Blvd.
409.762.7478
Galveston’s most historic shop for souvenir shirts and seashells was back up and running only a year after Hurricane Ike reduced it to a stack of wood pilings.
Rene’ Wiley Studio Gallery2128 Postoffiice St.
409.750.9077
renewileyart.comStop in this fine art gallery for one of artist Dale Hooks’ bowls carved from “Ike Wood,” which is what the locals dub the 10,000-plus trees cut down after Hurricane Ike.
Vic’s Estate & Fine Jewelry2413 Market St.
409.762.5792
vicsjewelry.comShop for vintage jewelry and antique silver at Vic’s, a Galveston tradition for more than 75 years.
The Witchery2116 Postoffice St.
409.515.0669
witcheryonline.comThis magical boutique sells books, gifts and potions pertaining to the metaphysical.
SPAS
Chocolate Spa at Diamond Beach10327 Termini-San Luis Pass Road
404.744.3020
The 4,000-square-foot luxury Chocolate Spa at Diamond Beach is a full-service day spa with indoor hot therapy pool, aromatherapy, mani-pedis, facials and more.
The Spa at Hotel Galvez
2024 Seawall Blvd.
409.515.2100
This luxe spa alone — with its top-notch treatments, vichy shower and relaxation room — is worth a drive to the Island.
Spa San Luis
5222 Seawall Blvd.
409.744.1500
Massage, buff and polish your worries away at this luxe, full-service spa at the posh San Luis Resort.
SIGHTS TO SEE
The Elissa
Texas Seaport Museum
Harborside Dr.
409.763.1877
Restored to her former glory, this three-masted barque speaks to Galveston’s port-ly past. Tour the decks, then visit the adjoining museum to learn about the sailing ship’s past and her amazing rescue from a scrapyard.
Lone Star Flight Museum
2002 Terminal Dr.
409.740.7722
Now boarding — no, literally: Not only does this museum provide public viewing of a wonderful collection of all things aeronautical, but it boasts vintage bomber planes you can both pilot and fly in.
Rosenberg Library
2310 Sealy Ave.
409.763.8854
Spend hours combing through the Galveston Archives, which include an incredible postcard collection, old Galveston photographs, historic books and papers.
FUN FOR KIDS
Galveston Duck Tours
2500 Seawall Blvd.
409.621.4771
Treat the kiddos to a tour of Galveston on The Duck. Destinations on The Duck include Offatt’s Bayou, the Seawall and drive-bys of the Island’s beautiful 1900s mansions, downtown Strand shopping district and the “Silk Stockings” historical homes district.
Moody Gardens
One Hope Blvd.
800.582.4673
This island attraction is mega-fun. Where else can you visit a rainforest, an aquarium and see an IMAX film, all in one day?
Rainforest Cafe
5310 Seawall Blvd.
409.744.6000
rainforestcafe.com
What child doesn’t cheer for Rainforest Cafe? The Galveston outpost is located next door to the San Luis Resort.
Schlitterbahn
2026 Lockheed St.
409.770.9283
Daring speeds, slides, endless rivers, uphill water coasters and waves for surfing and splashing.
FOR A BEACH PAD OF YOUR OWN
Beachtown
Developer: Tofigh Shirazi
Town Planner: Duany Plater-Zyberk and Co.(Seaside, Florida)
1801 Seaside Dr.
409.762.2222
This charming residential community on East Beach is redolent of Seaside, Florida, and architecturally follows this classical coastal vernacular. There are several villages with fabulous homes, and a Beach Club is planned. Town homes and lofts are above the general store, market, creamery, restaurants and coffee shops, which are planned or under construction.
Diamond Beach
Developer: Randall Davis
10327 Termini-San Luis Pass Road
404.744.3020
This elegant new mid-rise has 22 floor plans and 120 beach-view homes on the West Beach seawall. Amenities: private beach, magnificent outdoor pools, a lazy river, Turkish bath–inspired indoor pool, day spa, private movie theater, teen and children’s rooms, fitness center and concierge.
Palisade Palms
Developer: Falcon Group
801 East Beach Dr.
409.974.4635
This new luxury high-rise twin-tower property on the East End has 288 homes and is the first residential high-rise to be built on the beach in 20 years. Amenities: infinity pool, tennis and basketball courts, game and media rooms, concierge and a private boardwalk to the beach.