That effervescent tingle of instant gratification – the indescribable thrill of sweet acquisition accompanying the scoring of a great “souvenir” – from the standard “been there” t-shirt or ballcap, kitschy collectible, pound of great coffee or interesting objet d’art to take away with you – to the choosing of a few perfect postcards earmarked for timely dispatch to loved ones eagerly awaiting news via postmark – is an essential component of any successful vacation, almost as vital as great food and suitable entertainment to the restorative mission of your group’s time away. Of course, venue is nearly everything when you’re enjoying your destination, as it becomes an everlasting part of the memory once you’re home and unpacked – you will remember the sights, sounds and smells of a place long after you’ve forgotten names and dates; the laughter of seabirds stirred into a happy whiff of hand-pulled salt water taffy riding the warm bay breeze fills your head as you smile at that shotglass twinkling away in the cupboard. And food…something about a favorite bite enjoyed while traveling makes it that much better, regardless of what it may be; fresh scenery and local color and culture are often the very best foils to even the simplest fare. With this in mind, groups on Gulf Coast holiday in search of the “very best” of Galveston won’t want to miss a visit to the Strand Historic District – five fabulously foot-friendly blocks of cozy cafes, good to great restaurants, charmingly “touristy” gift shops, lovely galleries, landmark museums, local businesses and must-see points of interest housed in beautiful Victorian era buildings, many of which survived the great hurricane of 1900, regarded as the worst natural disaster in US history. Once known as the Wall Street of the Southwest, the Strand is the vibrant heart of the Downtown District and a stroll through this historic area, away from the characteristic hubbub of crowded, peak-season beaches is a quintessential part of any Galveston getaway. Once you’ve wandered and done a little requisite shopping, be sure to visit the Galveston Railroad Museum, the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum and star harbor attraction, the Tall Ship Elissa. (Don’t forget to check out the giant chess set in Saengerfest Park!) Bay Watch Cruises promise venturesome types 45 minutes of guaranteed dolphin spotting; popular family attraction “Pirates, Legends of the Gulf Coast” lets you hang with the last of the buccaneers! Surrounded by so many appetizing options, you’re bound to get hungry, so grab a hearty cuppa steamy gumbo or sit down to a fresh gulf seafood fiesta, but do save room for dessert – pop by La King’s and order up a sundae or the best malt in town; talk about instant gratification! Don’t forget some of their unbelievable salt water taffy.
Exploring America > U.S. Cities > Galveston Tours
