Welcome to Galveston Island, ADMSEP!

 

In order to help facilitate the various aspects of your meeting, please see below for important information and other references to expedite your planning.  This includes insider’s information representing favorite vendors who have been tried and are true.

 

 

Airport Information

There are two Houston-based airports that service Galveston Island.

 

Hobby Airport (HOU)                                                          George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

(47 miles from Galveston)                                                            (65 miles from Galveston)

 

Ground Transportation Companies (To and From Airports)

 

Galveston Limousine Service Inc.

(This is actually a van service to and from the airports. The van can seat up to 10 people, but reservations are needed ahead of time. The cost is approximately $45 one way and $80 round trip.)                                                               

                        409-740-5466                 Toll Free:  800-640-4826                                                      

Manager: Kim Raschke E-mail: fkraschke@aol.com                                              

www.galvestonlimousineservice.com                                                       

 

Karr Limousine                                                                                             Greater Houston Limousine Service 

713-780-8300                                                                                 281-360-6000

800-406-1459                                                                                 km@greaterhoustonlivery.com

www.karrlimousine.com

sales@karrlimousine.com

 

SuperShuttle Houston                                                                                                                                                               

713-428-5810                                                                                                

www.supershuttle.com                                                                                              

 

              There are also the regular variety of cabs and rental cars available at each airport.

 

Ground Transportation Companies on Galveston Island

Once in Galveston, if you have not rented a car, you can check with the Concierge for hotel tram availability or call one of the following local taxi companies.

 

Tropical Taxi                                                                                                  Yellow Cab Company          

409-621-4000                                                                                 409-763-3333

24-hour service                                                                                             24-hour service

 

Galveston Island Trolley                                                                                                             

409-797-3900

(The trolley line runs to and from the Galvez Hotel to the Downtown Strand shopping and historic district. It operates weekdays from 6:15AM – 8PM and weekends from 8:45AM – 6PM on about 15 minute intervals. You can change cars and take a nice, unguided driving tour of the Silk Stocking District featuring restored Victorian era homes. Maps may be downloaded at www.galveston.com/galvestontrolley.  $1 per ride!)

 

Island Carriage Rides                                                                                                 

409-765-6951

(Horse-drawn. A little slower but a lovely way to see the historic sites of the Downtown Strand. Galveston has the second largest Historical Preservation Society in the nation, and the Strand is one of only 15 downtown areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its pristine restoration.)

 

Tours & Attractions

Galveston has over 60 different attractions, historic homes, museums, arts & entertainment, outdoor recreation, and unique shopping opportunities. Please refer to www.Galveston.com for other listings. (prices listed are subject to change)

 

Moody Gardens Attractions                                                                                                      409-683-4203

Including: (3D IMAX, Rainforest, Discovery & Aquarium Pyramids, & The Colonel

Paddlewheel) Tropical gardens surround this one of a kind complex housed within 3

Pyramids.

$8.95 - $15.95 per attraction

$47 day pass to all attractions

 

Historic Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch                                                                                                                     409-763-1700

Board the Seagull II at the Texas Seaport Museum at Pier 22 for a one hour excursion

through Galveston’s historic harbor where you will be cruised to where dolphins play.

Your informative guide will entice you with true tales of the island’s rich history of

fortunes won and lost, battles and great storms, the famous & infamous.

$12 – limited seating

 

Tall Ship Elissa and the Texas Seaport Museum                                                                                                     409-763-1877

A great way to visit the Galveston Harbor. Share adventure of the high seas while walking

the decks of a floating National Historic landmark which has also been designated one of

America’s Treasures by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In the adjacent museum

tnd theater, witness the story of Elissa’s dramatic rescue from the scrapyard and her

miraculous restoration.

$8

 

Pirate Jean Lafitte and the Great Storm Films                                                                                                          409-763-8808

One day the famed pirate Jean Lafitte sailed from Galveston Bay – and was never seen again.

Galveston Island was devastated by the Great Hurricane of 1900, the deadliest natural disaster

Of our history as a nation – killing well over 6000 in an evening of terror.

$5

 

Historic Ashton Villa Mansion Tour & Museum                                                                                                        409-762-3933

Filled with antiques, family heirlooms and original art, Ashton Villa today provides an

       intimate glimpse into the life of a prominent Victorian family.

$8    

 

Historic Bishop’s Palace Mansion Tour

Galveston’s grandest and best-known building, the Bishop’s Palace is an ornate delight

of colored stone, intricately carved ornaments, rare woods, stained-glass windows,

bronze dragons and other sculptures, luxury materials and furnishings, and impressive

fireplaces from around the world (including one lined with pure silver!).

$8

 

 

              409-762-2475

 

Group Tour Contacts

Groups mean 12 or more and can be arranged in advance of your visit or on a whim once you arrive and find others interested in the same thing as you. They normally represent a savings on ticket prices.

 

Galveston Historical Foundation   (Historic Homes & Texas Seaport Museum)                                           409-762-3933

Moody Gardens Attractions                                                                                                                                    409-683-4203

Moody Gardens Behind the Scenes Tours (Aquarium)                                                                                       1-800-582-4673x4231

Galveston Island Duck Tours (City Tour)                                                                                                              409-621-4771

Treasure Island Tour Train (City Tours)                                                                                                                 409-765-9564

Harbour Tours (Dolphin Watch & Sunset Cruises)                                                                                             409-765-1700

 

Activities

GOLF                                                                                                                                                                              409-741-4626

Galveston Island Municipal Golf Course

18 holes – Open daily from 7AM – 7 PM

 

TENNIS                                                                                                                                                                          409-744-3651

Galveston Health & Racquet Club

83rd & Airport

 

FISHING CHARTERS                                                                                                                                                  

Saltwater Adventure (mention Carol McCoggins and Brian Merrell for special treatment)                      409-789-0460

 

Aqua Safari Charters                                                                                                                                                 409-762-5660

 

The Fun Stuff – Food and Nightlife

This is by no means a complete listing of fun places to go. It is, however, a listing of this insider’s favorite places close to The Galvez and sure hits every time.

 

SEAFOOD                                                                                                                                                                     

Saltwater Grill                                                                                                                                                             409-762-3474

21st and Postoffice

 

SUSHI                                                                                                                                                                           

Sky Bar                                                                                                                                                         409-621-4759

21st and Postoffice

Opens 5:30 PM

 

TO DIE FOR SOUTH AMERICAN CONTINENTAL COUISINE                                                                                                  

Rudy & Paco’s                                                                                                                                                             409-762-3696

21st and Postoffice

Opens 5:30 PM

 

MEXICAN                                                                                                                                                                      

The Original                                                                                                                                                                409-762-6001

14th and Market

 

CREATIVE SALADS                                                                                                                                                                     

Mosquito Cafe                                                                                                                                                             409-763-1010

628 14th Street

 

NIGHTLIFE                                                                                                                                                                   

Club 21                                                                                                                                                                         409-762-2101

21st and Postoffice

Open 4:30PM – 2AM Daily

      (Live music Wednesday – Sunday. Featuring artists playing 80’s, 90’s and current

       hits. Full bar features over 40 different martinis and an extensive wine list.

      (Mention ADMSEP and receive happy hour prices all night!)