Many people have been flocking to the beautiful area of Galveston Island for its incredible views and delightful homes. It has become a huge hit for locals for its unique attractions and fun activities. If you have ever wondered what it's like to live in this gorgeous area, have a look at this article to see what it's like living on Galveston Island.
Where is Galveston Island?
This incredible piece of land is situated on the east coast of Texas, and it's a barrier island within the West Bay. The island is only about 27 miles long and 3 miles wide at its largest point. It is also relatively easy to access using Interstate Highway 45, which connects the mainland to Bayou Vista.
Galveston Island is about an hour's drive from downtown Houston, and it's a well-known spot for locals to travel to for some fun in the sun. It has an amusement park for residents and visitors to enjoy on its famous Pleasure Pier, an incredible waterpark, and even an aquarium so you can get up close and personal with some interesting sea creatures. These huge attractions have made it one of the best places to go if you are looking for something new, and it brings in tourists from all over the state.
What is living on Galveston Island like?
Residents of the island love living so close to many incredible attractions, and they enjoy the fantastic views of the nearby water. With so many different things to see and do in the area, one will never get bored, not to mention, the local shopping and dining opportunities. The community is a wonderful choice for those looking at homes for sale near plenty of entertainment opportunities. It is also ideal for those who want to start purchasing investment properties in popular vacation areas. Let's take a look at some of the most popular things to do on the island so you can get a good idea of why it has become such a huge hit with vacationers.
Things to do on Galveston Island
One of the best parts about living in a coastal area is the incredible access you get to the nearby water. It's perfect for anyone who loves to enjoy their time boating, surfing, or swimming when the weather is nice and warm. Galveston Island has 32 miles of beaches, so you have quite a bit of space to enjoy some time with friends or family.
There are plenty of places all over the beach where you can rent out watercrafts and kayaks, along with a large number of fishing tours in the area that will show you how to catch some of the nearby fish. If you want a scenic trip around the water, check out their duck boat tours, where you can enjoy the best of both worlds with a land AND sea tour while you ride in style on a delightful duck boat. There are so many great ways to enjoy the nearby water, and that draws in people from all over Texas.
Best Galveston Island Attractions
Galveston Island has so many different amusements all around the island where you can spend a few hours having some fun. The Pleasure Pier is the most popular, and it has roller coasters, rides for younger kids, and swings that spin you high above the water. The pier also has plenty of food options and seating, so you can take a break among the rides and catch a bite to eat.
Another big attraction in the area is the Schlitterbahn waterpark, which has 26 acres of incredible water fun, which includes water slides, wave rivers, and even water coasters. The park has three separate areas: a waterpark with water slides for older children and adults, Surfenburg, which features many of the park's raft rides, and the Tiki Tikes Kids area, which is the perfect place for kids of all ages to play. The park is home to the world's tallest water coaster, MASSIV Monster Blaster, and people come from all over to try it out.
Moody Gardens is another huge hit, especially with the kiddos or those who love wild animals. Moody Gardens is actually a hotel, spa, and convention center, but the locals know it for the Aquarium Pyramid and Rainforest Pyramid. The Aquarium Pyramid is a glass structure that allows you to walk under the swimming sea life, including penguins, seals, sharks, and jellyfish. The Rainforest Pyramid has incredible foreign plants that house some amazing free-roaming animals such as birds, monkeys, and everybody's favorite, sloths. The center also has plenty of educational opportunities, like its 3D/4D theater and its discovery museum, which has rotating exhibits with interactive displays for kids to enjoy and learn.
Food on the Island
Galveston Island is home to so many unique restaurants, sprinkled across the island, which offer just about every kind of food imaginable. One can experience some of the finest shopping in the area, with plenty of boutiques and small businesses that have been firmly established in the community. Check out a few of these great places to see some of the best restaurants on Galveston Island.
Giado's
One of the best parts about coastal living is the access to fresh seafood and fish, which is precisely what you will find at Giado's. People have been raving about their amazing Shrimp Peques (bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with pickled jalapeno and cheese. Fried and covered in a brown-sugar chipotle glaze), and their Red Snapper Ceviche (American red snapper, Gulf shrimp, and jumbo lump crab, marinated in freshly squeezed lime, cilantro, and avocado) plus they have plenty of other amazing options on their extensive menu. This gorgeous restaurant is well known in the area for having some of the best food and atmosphere, along with being an excellent spot for a date night.
Little Daddy's Gumbo Bar
Many people prefer traditionally prepared seafood over a high-end meal, and Little Daddy's Gumbo Bar is the best place to go for that. They have one of the highest ratings in the city on TripAdvisor, and they are a great place to find whatever you are craving. They have vegetarian options along with plenty of fantastic seafood. Taste their incredible Shrimp Feast (fried, boiled, coconut, and bacon-wrapped shrimp. Served with coleslaw and sweet potato fries) or their mouthwatering swap fried alligator (Louisiana Gator, lightly fried and served with pickles) for a unique and exciting treat.
Shopping on the Island
People love to do their shopping at some of the fantastic small businesses in the area. There are so many cute shops all over the island that are perfect places to do some boutique shopping. Check out a few of these great spots to find some unique and interesting gifts for everyone on your list.
Murdoch's
This is one of the premier shopping spots in Galveston Island for gifts and trinkets that you can't find anywhere else. Many people come here for their beach supplies and to find fantastic Galveston Island-themed gifts for their loved ones. The store was initially built in the 1800s, and it has stood the test of time while bringing in customers from all over the area.
Antique Warehouse
Suppose you want something vintage and fun for your home, head over to Antique Warehouse. This two-story building is jam-packed with quirky and offbeat items that could be perfect for adding some pizazz to your interior space. They have everything from furniture to clothing, and it's hard to leave the store without picking something fun up for yourself.
The Style Co.
If you love the feeling of a new outfit, then you need to check out The Style Co. This delightful boutique has fun accessories and beautiful clothing for women of all ages. They carry incredible items from local artisans along with fresh and modern styles from great companies, so you'll be sure to find something that suits your style.
What are the Homes like in Galveston?
There are plenty of Galveston Island homes for sale that have amazing charm and incredible design. The median home value for the area is in the mid-400k range, which is quite reasonable for a home located in such a popular vacation area. Due to the high volume of travelers, the area also has several condos available for sale, which are also excellent vacation homes for those looking for a low-maintenance option.
The houses typically follow a cape cod style, with many modern farmhouse styles homes in the less populated areas of the island. Galveston has become an increasingly attractive area for investment properties as they are only going to get more expensive as the island becomes more popular. It's become a huge hit with those in the state of Texas, and it's starting to become even more popular with those outside the state who are looking for a unique destination.
Galveston Island is one of the best places to look for investment properties, and these homes offer up incredible views. It's also becoming a great spot for tourists to visit, which means short-term rentals have become very popular. Check out some of the incredible homes on Galveston Island in Texas to see which one suits your needs the best.