10 Fall and Winter Family Activities to Do in Galveston with Teens

As the leaves begin to change color and the days grow shorter, many people start to feel a sense of dread. Summer has ended and the long, cold winter looms ahead. But there’s no need to despair!

Fall is actually a great time to take a family beach trip to Galveston, Texas. The weather is still warm enough to enjoy the water, but not so hot that you’ll be sweating non-stop. The crowds have gone home, so you’ll have the place mostly to yourselves. Best of all, rates are lower than they are in peak season, so you can do more activities without breaking the bank.

This article contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases.

Our Fall Beach Trip to Galveston

Before you pack away your swimsuits and beach umbrellas, consider taking one last trip to the shore. I took my two teens this October and we had a blast. There were a few hiccups along the way (teenagers, am I right?) but overall it was a great experience.

Let me tell you about my family’s experience on vacation in Galveston and some of the things we enjoyed the most while there.

First, we flew from Oklahoma City to Houston Hobby Airport. It was a direct flight on Southwest and was MUCH faster than driving. From there, we took a car service and drove the remaining 45 minutes to our hotel on Galveston’s Seawall. We were there midweek Monday to Thursday, so it was a short trip.

If you’re not familiar with Galveston, it’s a small island city located on the Gulf of Mexico about 50 miles southeast of Houston. The island is about 27 miles long and 3 miles wide, so it’s the perfect size for a family beach vacation.

Family Activities in Galveston We Loved

There are a ton of family-friendly activities to do on the island during the fall and winter months, but we had limited time so we had to narrow it down. Here are 10 of the best things to do in Galveston with older kids and teens:

Take a walk on the beach

This one is pretty obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning. Galveston has some of the best beaches in Texas. During the fall months, the water is still warm enough to enjoy swimming, surfing, and playing in the water. Winter months tend to be a bit chillier.

We took a long walk on the beach every morning and did a little shelling. It was a great way to start the day. Personally, I think every beach trip should include getting up early at least once to see a beach sunrise or sunset. The fresh air and exercise cleared our heads and got us ready for a day of exploring.

If you get lucky, you may see dolphins swimming in the surf. On our last day, we witnessed them on our last morning and it was quite incredible. We opted to rent two beach chairs and an umbrella from a local vendor and just enjoyed people-watching and relaxing in the sun.

Can’t read now? Pin for later!

Visit Moody Gardens

Everyone whose been to Galveston says Moody Gardens is a must-see. I have to agree. This huge complex has something for everyone, including an aquarium, a rainforest pyramid, a 3D theater, a ropes course, a paddleboat cruise, and more. We spent an entire day here and could have easily stayed longer.

My favorite moments here were watching the resident sloth hang out in his tree (Rainforest Pyramid), seeing penguins swimming around (Aquarium Pyramid), and riding the Colonel Paddleboat around the lagoon.

My teens also loved seeing all of the exotic animals (Rainforest Pyramid), even if they did make fun of me for being creeped out by the large bats that climbed up the walls.

If you go, be sure to buy your tickets online in advance. You’ll save a few bucks that way. Also, know that the ropes course is only open on the weekends during the off-season.

Go on a Harbor Cruise and Dolphin Watch Tour

On our third day in Galveston, we took a harbor cruise and dolphin-watching tour with the Galveston Historical Society. The tour was about an hour long and it was a great way to see the harbor, learn about the history of Galveston, and see some dolphins.

The boat left Pier 21 in Galveston’s historic seaport where the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA is docked, past the dry docks and the current home of the Battleship Texas, and out into Galveston Channel. We also saw the Galveston Naval Museum and the remains of the SS Selma, a concrete ship that sunk in the channel in 1920s.

The highlight for us was definitely seeing the dolphins. They were swimming and jumping alongside the boat and it was so much fun to watch them. The boat ride was really enjoyable and it was great to see the harbor from the water.

Texas Seaport Museum’s Ship to Shore Exhibit & 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA

After the harbor cruise, we walked over to the Ship to Shore exhibit at Pier 21. This is an interactive exhibit that tells the story of how immigrants arrived in Galveston in the late 1800s and early 1900s. My father’s family immigrated from Germany during that time and we found them listed on the Galveston Historical Society’s database. So it was really cool to see their names and the ship they arrived on, then walk through the exhibit.

Docked at Pier 21, there is also 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA. The ship is open for tours and it’s definitely worth taking a look around. It’s a beautiful ship and it’s really fascinating to see how it was constructed.

The tour of the ship is self-guided, but there are information cards throughout the ship that tell the story of the ship and its history. We really enjoyed our time at Pier 21 and would recommend it to anyone interested in maritime history or family history.

Dive into Haunted History with a Ghost Tour

Galveston is known for its ghost stories being one of the most haunted places in America. So, of course, we had to take a ghost tour while we were in town. There are several haunted history tours to choose from on the island. We took the 8 pm Historic Galveston Ghost Tour from Ghost on the Strand.

Our guide, Jack, was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable about the history of Galveston and the ghost stories. He told us about legendary pirates like Jean Lafitte who made Galveston his home, the Great Storm of 1900 (one of the deadliest natural disasters in American history), and modern-day sites where murderers like Robert Durst once lived.

The tour was about 90 minutes long and it was a lot of fun. The price is $25 for adults & $15 for children. We would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning about the history (and hauntings) of Galveston. Reserve tickets here with Viator.

Explore the Strand Historic District

The Strand is Galveston’s historic downtown area and it’s a great place to explore, especially if you’re into shopping. There are tons of cute shops and restaurants here, as well as art galleries and museums.

We didn’t have time to do much shopping on this trip (we were too busy exploring and driving around in our rented electric golf cart – more on that in a bit), but we did enjoy walking around and taking in the sights. We also had some delicious candy from La King’s Confectionery. This shop has been around since 1911 and it’s definitely worth a visit.

If you’re interested in history, be sure to check out the Galveston Railroad Museum and the Texas Seaport Museum. Both are located in the Strand Historic District

Drive Around Town in a Replica Model T Golf Cart

This was one of the highlights of our trip. We rented a replica Model T electric golf cart from Carriage Haus Rentals and drove it all over the island (well at least where I was able to drive). It was so much fun! The golf cart was definitely the best way to get around and see everything.

We cruised down Seawall Boulevard, past the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, and to Stewart Beach. We also drove through the Strand Historic District and downtown area past the harbor and historic homes.

The golf cart was a great way to see everything, but it did have its drawbacks. Be aware that not all of Galveston is golf cart friendly. There are several roads where rental golf carts aren’t allowed; Broadway Avenue and Harborside Drive for instance. There are some areas where the road construction made it difficult to safely drive. But overall, we had a great time tooling around town in our Model T.

I highly recommend renting one of these carts if you’re visiting Galveston with older kids or teens. Just be sure to follow the rules of the road (and watch out for pedestrians).

Self-Guided Scavenger Hunts

While driving the golf cart, we did two self-guided scavenger hunts; tree sculptures and turtle sculptures. When we picked up the car, we were provided with maps that showed all of the locations.

The tree sculptures were my favorite. Following Hurricane Ike in 2008, many of the trees on the island were damaged. These sculptures were created from the remaining tree trunks and they are really incredible. If you want a guided tour, there is a segway tour offered by SegCity via TripAdvisor.

This Tin Man and Toto sculpture (from Wizard of Oz) was my absolute favorite. It’s amazing what a chainsaw can do! A local man said this sculpture had significance to the original home owner, but I can’t verify if it’s true or not. He said that the home owner had worked in some capacity on the Wizard of Oz movie with Judy Garland.

There are also a few turtle sculptures around town. We only saw two, but apparently, there are more. Can you spot the turtle in this picture?

Bike Along the Seawall

There are many scenic bike trails in Galveston, which is a very bike-friendly location, that wind through the sand dunes and offer stunning views of the ocean. Bike riding is a great workout and a fun way to explore the island.

The seawall is a fantastic spot to walk, run, and cycle with teens. There are several informative and historical monuments along this path, from painted concrete benches and signs with descriptions of the local marine life, and birds, to plaques displaying the sites of important events surrounding the 1900 hurricane.

Pleasure Pier is along the seawall too. There are rides, games, and food at this family-friendly amusement park. We didn’t walk out on the pier or ride the rides because, after Labor Day, it’s only open on weekends. Note: there is an admission fee to walk along the pier or enjoy the rides.

There are a lot of restaurants just across the street if you want to stop and eat. Traffic during the fall and spring months isn’t as congested as in the summer, but you will still want to use caution when crossing the street.

You can bring your own bike or rent a beach cruiser or multi-person bike carriage/surrey from a number of rental shops along the seawall. Our hotel DoubleTree Hotel Galveston offered free bikes for guests to use, which was a nice perk.

Visit a Museum or Historic Home

Galveston Island is full of history. The Strand Historic District is a good place to start your exploration. There are several museums in Galveston that would appeal to teens, including the Bryan Museum, which has an incredible collection of artifacts, artwork, and documents related to Texas and the American West; the Texas Seaport Museum (mentioned earlier), which is dedicated to the state’s maritime history; and the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, a retired oil rig that has been turned into a museum.

We visited these three museums during the week and had them pretty much to ourselves. One museum we didn’t get to was the National Railroad Museum.

There are also several historic homes that are open for tours, including the 1838 Michel B. Menard House, the 1859 Bishop’s Palace, and the Moody Mansion. These homes offer a glimpse into what life was like during the Victorian era. We didn’t tour any of the historic homes because we were short on time, but it’s definitely something we would do if we visit again.

What We Didn’t Do

There are a few things we didn’t get to see on this trip. We would have liked to have gone out to Galveston Island State Park for a day of hiking, biking, and exploring the sandy beaches. We missed out on fishing from the Galveston Fishing Pier, which is open year-round, and we would have liked to have done some bird watching, the Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary is a great spot for that. It’s located on Bolivar Peninsula, about a 30- minute drive from Galveston Island.

And we definitely want to come back and tour some of the historic homes.

But even with all, there is to do on Galveston Island, sometimes it’s the simple things that are the most enjoyable, like taking a walk on the beach, riding a bicycle, or just relaxing and watching the waves crash against the shore. And that’s what we’ll remember most about our time here.

What About The Food?

Above are the 10 family activities to do in Galveston, but what about the food? There are some great restaurants in Galveston, especially if you like seafood. We worked up quite the appetite riding bikes and exploring all that the island had to offer, so we were ready to eat!

We had some really delicious meals while we were there. One of our favorites for breakfast was Miller’s Seawall Grill. The food was fresh and the view of the water was amazing. I highly recommend the french toast with its cinnamon sugar topping.

For lunch, we really liked The Spot. It’s a local hamburger joint with open-air patios that overlook the water. We skipped the burgers and enjoyed seafood platters instead. Also Fisherman’s Wharf is a great place for lunch with its outdoor seating and views of the harbor. The bread pudding and key lime pie are not to be missed.

For dinner, we had two excellent meals. One was at Katie’s Seafood Grill, which is right on the water. The other was at the Galvez Bar & Grill inside the Grand Galvez Hotel. Katie’s is well-known for their fish market, so we knew the seafood would be fresh. And it was! We ordered grilled oysters on the half-shell, and boudin balls stuffed with shrimp, crab cakes, and everything was delicious. The Galvez Bar & Grill is a little more upscale, but the food was worth it. The fresh oysters on the half-shell, grilled shrimp salad, and gumbo were all outstanding.

Of course, you can’t visit Galveston without indulging in some ice cream and candy from La King’s Confectionery on the Strand! This family-owned business has been making homemade ice cream, fudge, and other sweet treats for over 100 years. The shop is located in an old-fashioned candy store and the ice cream is delicious.

There are so many great places to eat in Galveston, but these are just a few of our favorites. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find it on the island.

Start planning your next trip today with Kayak.

Where to Stay in Galveston?

On this trip, we stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hilton Galveston Beach – Seawall. This hotel was in a great location, right on the seawall with easy access to the beach.

This hotel has everything needed for a comfortable stay, including spacious rooms, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, and an outdoor pool. Guests may check out beach cruisers from the hotel to use during their stay. The outdoor firepit and seating areas are perfect for enjoying the beautiful Gulf Coast sunsets.

Breakfast is not included in the room rate, but is comparable to area restaurants. There is a morning breakfast buffet or you can order off the menu. Additionally, there are several restaurants nearby if you want to explore other dining options.

The staff was friendly and helpful, and we really enjoyed our stay here. If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in Galveston, this is a great option.

For more Texas activities and vacation ideas, see:

We hope you enjoyed reading our list of family activities to do in Galveston. This island has so much to offer families, and we know you will have a great time exploring everything it has to offer. Safe travels! With so many family-friendly activities, Galveston is the perfect place for a fall getaway. So go ahead and book that fall beach trip. You won’t regret it.

Have you ever been to Galveston? What are your favorite things to do there? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Special Thanks – Our recent trip to Galveston Island was hosted by Visit Galveston for editorial purposes. All opinions are our own.

10 Fall and Winter Family Activities to Do in Galveston with Teens

Our Fall Beach Trip to Galveston