Galveston Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Galveston tours and things to do on Texas’s historic Gulf island: cruise the harbour to spot bottlenose dolphins, wander the Victorian mansions of the Strand, hear chilling tales on a ghost tour, tour the 1895 Moody Mansion and glide the Seawall by Segway. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Galveston by interest
Whatever brings you to Galveston — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Dolphin cruise
Bottlenose dolphins.
ExploreGhost tour
Haunted island.
ExploreThe Strand
Victorian downtown.
ExploreMoody Mansion
Gilded-age home.
ExploreHarbour cruise
Port & tall ship.
ExploreMansions & murder
Scandal & history.
ExploreSeawall Segway
Beachfront glide.
ExploreGalveston highlights
Dolphins & history.
ExploreTop attractions in Galveston
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Dolphin Cruise
Bottlenose dolphins.
The Strand
Victorian downtown.
Moody Mansion
Gilded-age home.
Ghost Tours
Haunted island.
Historic Harbour
Port & tall ship.
The Seawall
Gulf promenade.
Broadway Mansions
Scandal & history.
Galveston
Historic Gulf island.
Pier 21 awayDolphin Cruise
Bottlenose dolphins.
Downtown awayThe Strand
Victorian district.
Broadway awayMoody Mansion
Gilded-age home.
Old town awayGhost Tour
Haunted tales.
Pier 21 awayHarbour Cruise
Port & tall ship.
Seawall awaySeawall Segway
Beachfront glide.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Galveston visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Mar–May)
Warm and pleasant — a lovely time.
Peak
Summer and Mardi Gras draw the biggest crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and humid — beach season.
For the water
Late spring and autumn for calm cruises.
Hurricane care
Storms are possible from August to October.
Best overall
April, May and October for warm, mild days.
One day
A dolphin cruise and the Strand.
Two days
Add the Moody Mansion and a ghost tour.
Three+ days
Add the Seawall and beaches.
For the water
Dolphin and harbour cruises.
For history
The Strand and Broadway mansions.
For a night out
A haunted ghost tour.
On foot
The Strand and harbour are walkable.
By trolley
The historic trolley links downtown and the Seawall.
By car
A car helps for the Seawall and beaches.
By boat
Cruises depart from the Pier 21 harbour.
Where to stay
Stay near the Strand or the Seawall beachfront.
US dollar
Galveston uses the US dollar; cards are accepted everywhere.
Dolphin cruise
Morning trips often have calmer water.
The Strand
Combine a walk with a harbour cruise.
Moody Mansion
Allow an hour for the self-guided tour.
Ghost tour
Book an evening slot for the best atmosphere.
Seawall
Segway tours include easy training first.
Combos
Many cruises pair dolphins with the harbour tour.
Dolphin cruises
Summer trips fill up — book ahead.
Ghost tours
Evening tours fill up — reserve early.
Strand tours
Guided walks fill up — book ahead.
Moody Mansion
Busy days fill up — reserve early.
Segway tours
Small groups fill up — book ahead.
Summer peak
Summer and Mardi Gras are busiest — book far ahead.
Dolphin cruise
From about $35 for a harbour dolphin cruise.
Strand walk
Around $25 for a historic walking tour.
Moody Mansion
About $25 for a mansion tour.
Ghost tour
Roughly $30 for an evening ghost tour.
Seawall Segway
From $59 for a Segway tour.
How to save
Combine a dolphin and harbour cruise, and walk the Strand yourself.
Galveston through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Mild & quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cooler.
- Best for
- Warm & pleasant.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
- Best for
- Beach season.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Humid.
- Best for
- Warm & calmer.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Storms.