Things to Do in Galveston: Tours, Tickets & Boat Trips
Wondering what to do in Galveston? The Baywatch dolphin tour from Pier 21 (about $35) is the most-reviewed experience on the island, and the historic ghost tour ($33) is second — Galveston’s 1900 Storm left it the most haunted city in Texas, and half a dozen night walks, cemetery tours and a haunted harbour cruise ($56) compete for the story. Give yourself two days: one for the Strand, the tall ship Elissa, Bishop’s Palace and a dolphin boat, one for Moody Gardens, Pleasure Pier and the beach. Much of the island is free: the Seawall, the Strand’s architecture, the tree sculptures of the East End and the Bolivar ferry — with dolphins riding alongside — cost nothing. Below you can compare every Galveston tour and ticket by rating and price, with free cancellation on most.
101 tours · prices per person, book with partner
All experiences in Galveston — FAQ
What are the top things to do in Galveston?
By traveller reviews: the Pier 21 dolphin tour, the historic Galveston ghost tour, the Haunted Harbor ghost boat, the Old City Cemetery walking tour, the Red Light District history tour, a haunted pub crawl, the island e-bike tour, the Strand walking history tour, Moody Gardens and the Pleasure Pier. Compare all of them below.
How many days do you need in Galveston?
Two days. Day one: the Strand and Postoffice Street, the tall ship Elissa and the Texas Seaport Museum, Bishop’s Palace or Moody Mansion, a dolphin cruise from Pier 21 and a ghost tour at night. Day two: Moody Gardens’ aquarium and rainforest pyramids, Pleasure Pier and the beach along the Seawall or at Stewart Beach. Add a day for Space Center Houston or the Kemah Boardwalk on the way back.
What can you do in Galveston for free?
Walk the ten-mile Seawall and the beaches below it, wander the Strand’s iron-front Victorian buildings, find the tree sculptures carved from Hurricane Ike’s dead oaks in the East End Historic District, ride the free Bolivar ferry and watch for dolphins, visit the Rosenberg Library’s history rooms, stroll Postoffice Street’s galleries and see the exteriors of the Broadway mansions. Stewart and East Beach charge for parking only.
Do Galveston tours offer free cancellation?
Most experiences listed here can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time; boat trips are refunded if the captain cancels for weather. The policy is shown on each tour before you book.