A Day Trip to Galveston

"Where the Locals Escape the Crowds For a less crowded piece of the Galveston coast, go to a quiet stretch of coast favored by the locals during high season at the end of 8 Mile Road. To get there, take Seawall Blvd west until the seawall ends and it turns into Termini San Luis Pass Rd. Turn left on 8 Mile Rd and drive until you hit the water. Park on the beach, and enjoy. Photo via Flickr user awsheffield."

"Gaido's: Galveston's Most Well-Known Restaurant This classic Galveston seafood restaurant has been open since 1911! Gaido's serves fresh Gulf seafood in a traditional atmosphere. Menu highlights include the bisque, snapper, and pecan pie. Photo via Gaido's Seafood Restaurant Facebook page"

"Make a Splash at East Beach East Beach is the biggest public beach in Texas. Located at the far eastern tip of Galveston Island, East Beach is known for its beach parties, fishing, and bird watching.You can rent chairs and umbrellas, which are usually in ample supply. Expect a mix of families and beer drinkers."

"Stay in a Historic Galveston Warehouse The Tremont House is a very comfortable place to stay if you decide to spend a night on Galveston Island. It's on the eastern side on the strand right by all the fun. Be sure to grab a drink on the rooftop bar for great views of the harbor. Photo via wyndham.com"

"Shop Freethinking Designs at Tangerine Boutique At Tangerine Boutique in Galveston, owned by surfer girl Kim Cherryhomes, you'll find designers like Chan Luu and Heidi Merrick. Stop in and walk out with some Gulf coast fashions. Photo via Tangerine Boutique Facebook page"

"Pull Up a Stool at O'Malley's O'Malley's is a local Galveston dive with drinks, pub fare, pool, darts, music and totally doable pricing. Look for a seven-foot water mark left behind by Hurricane Ike on the wall near the front entrance. Also look for pictures of pin-up models pasted to the wall toward the back of the bar, which weren't uncovered until post-Ike reconstruction. The owners suspect the ladies date back to the 1940s when a gambling pit thrived on the second floor. Photo via O'Malleys Stage Door Facebook page."

"Score Shipyard Treasures You can find all sorts of shipyard treasures at Nautical Antiques in Galveston. They have ship lanterns, wheels, flags, glass floats, and figureheads—plenty to choose from for a cool souvenir to represent your time on the Texas coast. Photo via Nautical Antiques Facebook page"

"Beat the Rain at Moody Gardens The Moody Gardens resort has two indoor "pyramids" that make a great escape on a rainy day in Galveston. One simulates a rainforest environment and the other is filled with aquatic creatures. You can also spend the night at the Moody Gardens Hotel if you're looking for a place to stay. Photo via Moody Gardens Facebook page"

"Go for Seafood at Sonny's Place Sonny's has been open since 1944, making it the second oldest continuously operating eatery on Galveston Island. Hit it on a Friday gumbo night if you can, which comes in your choice of shrimp, crawfish, or both. Sonny's may seem like a hole-in-the-wall, but don't let that scare you off. It's just old school and really friendly seafood place. Photo via galveston.com"

"Spend Time on the Strand in Galveston You'll hear people talk about doing things "on the Strand" in Galveston, which refers to a downtown historic district primarily situated on Strand Street. Begin exploring the area at 25th and Strand, visiting its shops, restaurants, galleries, and museums in lovely 19th-century buildings. Photo via Flickr user TravelingOtter"