Things to do in Galveston Island

Search for playful local dolphins on this dolphin-watching cruise in Galveston, Texas. Experience the enchanting beauty of the city from the water, and enjoy guaranteed sightings of the spectacular dolphins. Head to the meeting point, then board your boat for the tour and set off across the water. Prepare for up-close encounters with majestic marine life as your captain and naturalist guide lead you on the adventure. As the boat glides along the coastline, admire breathtaking views of Galveston's iconic landmarks, including the historic Pleasure Pier, Seawall Boulevard, and the charming Victorian architecture of the Strand Historic District. During the cruise, keep your eyes peeled, camera ready, and binoculars at hand to ensure you don’t miss a moment with the magical dolphins. The tour concludes at the original embarkation point.

Embark on a guided dolphin-watching boat tour in the waters of Galveston Bay. Enjoy the thrill of seeing these adorable creatures up close and learn about the area's history from your captain. Meet your captain and set out on an adventure into Galveston Bay. Hear entertaining stories about the scenic waterways and notable landmarks, along with insightful commentary about the rich history of the area. Keep an eye out for playful dolphins who welcome your visit and sometimes put on a show. Enjoy plenty of opportunities for capturing photos during this immersive and educational experience.

Step back in time and explore the grandeur of the Moody Mansion in Galveston. Show your ticket at the entry and head into this 28,000-square-foot, 4-story structure dating from 1895. As you explore, admire the building's turn-of-the-century splendor. At the entrance, get an informative brochure. As you wander through the opulent halls, encounter beautifully preserved artifacts, period furnishings, and intricate architectural details. Admire the grand ballroom, the family dining room, and luxurious bedrooms. In each room, get a glimpse into the lives of the Moody family and the era they lived in. Finish your self-guided tour in the mansion's lush gardens, and take a leisurely stroll to reflect on the rich history you've just experienced.

Discover the spooky history of Old City Cemetery in Galveston and see why it is said to be one of the most unnerving sites in Texas on this guided walking tour. Explore the resting place of souls who bring a touch of mischief, mystique, and macabre to the island’s haunted history. Meet “The Lady In Black” and follow her to the Old City Cemetery to uncover the mysteries at the heart of Texas’ unsettling stories. Turn from a skeptic to a ghost hunter and learn about Galveston’s unparalleled and fascinating paranormal history along the way. As you join open a dialog with the dead, unravel the horrible, scary secrets that lurk inside the ghost sanctuaries. Dive warily into the haunted past and uncover the reasons why an unstoppable paranormal force still grips the island. As you descend deeper into the ghost hunt, hear about episodes of murder, suicide, cannibalism, pirates, ghosts, and unworldly visions with no rational explanation. Walk past the gilded mansions and palaces that are only whispered about on Galveston.

Go on an offbeat adventure along Galveston's historic Strand district. During your 1.5-hour guided tour, you'll explore the spooky side of the city and get an experience few travelers get to have. The Strand in Galveston has seen a spooky number of sudden deaths. Learn about the islanders who have left this world but never fully departed and continue to lurk in the shadows, alleys, and staircases of Strand. Walk among historic 19th-century buildings that have become the home of the city's ghosts. Admire the buildings' detail and craftsmanship and cringe at the scary stories behind each one. Hear the story of the unfortunate accident at the Railroad Museum. Visit the Tremont House where crying sobs are heard on the stairwells and in the halls. Learn about the little boy who plays in the hotel, rumored to be the ghost of a child run over right outside. See The Sealy - Hutchings Building, 2 separate buildings designed to look like one is home to many of Galveston’s favorite ghosts. Sara, as the townpeople affectionately call her, is often seen on the wrought iron staircase near the window where she pulled bodies out of the water—dead or alive.  

Experience a pub crawl through Galveston's eerie pubs and restaurants. Hear the ghost stories of these haunted locations while standing on the spot where the events happened on this guided tour. Learn about the ghosts of hurricane victims that are still lost in the wreckage and civil war soldiers who still stand for Texas. Relive all these sordid tales from the past as you visit bars with real ghostly activity, you might even have a paranormal experience yourself. Be on the lookout!

Haunted Mayfield Manor is 12 rooms of terror, with attractions based on the 1900 Storm of Galveston that devastated the island. The Manor keeps the history alive in both the Haunt and Pirate Museum. You'll learn great facts about the pirates that were once here, plus the Haunted House was once a makeshift morgue for a lot of the deceased from the storm. As you explore the dimly lit chambers and shadowy recesses of the house, you'll encounter a menagerie of grotesque creations – monstrosities that shamble and lurch in the darkness, their vacant eyes gleaming with a sinister intelligence. From twisted experiments gone awry to unholy abominations born of forbidden knowledge, each room holds new terrors to behold. So, steel your nerves and prepare to confront the nightmares that dwell within the haunted house of the mad scientist.

Explore the spooky side of Galveston, Texas, on a ghost-themed adults-only tour that visits the city’s most popular haunted spots with the aid of a fun and knowledgeable guide. See firsthand why Galveston is known by some as the most haunted city in America. See for yourself where Galveston’s haunted past took place. Walk to scary locations like the Moody Mansion and 1892 Bishop’s Palace and be on the lookout for the unexplainable. As you explore, learn about the city’s dark history from a guide happy to answer your curiosities. Here are a few potential stops that you will take on this tour: Saengerfest Park, Strand Seaport, Tremont House Hotel, Mother Harvey's, Oleander Hotel, Maceo Spice and Import, Red Light Coffee/End of the Line Bordello, Havana Alley Cigar Shop and Lounge, 26th and Sante Fe. Will you be the next guest to have an experience with one of Galveston's ghosts at the haunted locations on this after-dark tour?

Explore the spooky side of Galveston, Texas, on a ghost-themed tour that visits the city’s most popular haunted spots with the aid of a fun and knowledgeable guide. See firsthand why Galveston is known by some as the most haunted city in America. See for yourself where Galveston’s haunted past took place. Walk to scary locations like the Moody Mansion and 1892 Bishop’s Palace and be on the lookout for the unexplainable. As you explore, learn about the city’s dark history from an experienced guide happy to answer your curiosities. Will you be the next guest to have an experience with one of Galveston's ghosts at the haunted locations on this after-dark tour?

Explore the secret and darker side of Galveston on a historic ghost tour. Throughout this guided experience, pass by many historical sites and mansions where it's said many mysterious things have happened. Stay tuned and alert to hear all about the island's secrets as well as its paranormal and haunted history that dates back over 150 years. Dive into Galveston's haunted past and uncover the reasons why its unstoppable paranormal force still grips the island.