It’s a classic
harbor scene – ships with sails, pleasure boats and waterside views. Galveston’s Pier 21 has
restaurants, an exclusive hotel, marina, theater, harbor tours and attractions.
And when a cruise ship is docked along the pier, the area bustles even more.
There’s so much
to see and do at Pier 21, and when including the Historic Strand District just
a short walk away, it would be easy to spend an entire day or weekend in the
area alone. Some of Galveston’s most popular attractions await visitors who
make their way there.
Texas Seaport Museum. Flanked by the
1877 Tall Ship Elissa, the museum explains the island’s story as a center for
immigration, welcoming more than 133,000 newcomers to the United States through
the so called “Ellis Island of the West.” And walk on deck of the iron-hulled
Elissa which traversed the world during her 90 years of transporting cargos.
The ship supports 19 sails which are maintained by dedicated volunteers who
help her sail on the Gulf of Mexico every year.
Pier 21 Theater. This small
theater shows documentaries highlighting some of Galveston’s most important
history including The Great Storm of 1900, and the life of the island’s most
famous pirate, Jean Laffite in the 18-minute documentary, Pirate Island. With a
somber tone, The Great Storm runs 27 minutes and explains how the island was
walloped by a hurricane that remains the country’s deadliest natural disaster.
The presentation tells the story of the storm through photos, letters and
articles. A third documentary shown is the 56-minute PBS production
Galveston-Gateway on the Gulf showcasing Galveston’s welcoming more than
133,000 immigrants.
Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum.
Located over the water, the Ocean Star is an actual jack-up drilling rig that
was once used in the industry. Today, the museum features interactive displays
and other exhibits on three floors detailing how oil and gas is extracted from
the ocean floor.
Galveston Boat Tours. Different
companies offer different tours. Most dramatic are the spinning jet boats of Galveston
Water Adventures, the high-powered watercraft spinning 360 degrees while
splashing water in all directions. That tour operator also has both a Sunset
Cruise around the harbor and an Eco-Tour to see dolphins, seabirds and other
marine life. Baywatch Dolphin Tours also looks out for dolphins and marine
life, while the Texas Seaport Museum’s Harbor Tours leads visitors on harbor
sightseeing with a focus on educational excursions.
Hotel. Because of its location to the cruise
ship terminal, the 42-room Harbor House Hotel and Marina is ideal for cruise
ship passengers who want to spend more time on their own on the island. The
hotel’s waterside docks feature nine boats slips for pleasure craft, so
visitors can enjoy the hotel and pier. A courtesy bus transports guests to
sister properties for use of their amenities, the Hotel Galvez & Spa along
the Seawall and the Tremont House Hotel in the Strand District.
Restaurants. Pier 21 has long-standing seafood
restaurants with excellent reputations and extensive menus. Seafood houses
include Willie G’s Seafood and Steaks and Fisherman’s Wharf. The Olympia Grill
stems from Greek immigrants and serves up in particular Greek-style cuisine.
Nonno Tony’s Seafood Kitchen serves Italian, Asian Fusion dishes, Creole and
American dishes.
Galveston
Capital Tourism and Marketing Review Singapore
Hope you experience this “causeway cure” where flip-flops replace dress shoes
and the scenery
