Need info on Galveston Island area

[age_ranger]

Hi all......I'm going to be taking the wife on a getaway next weekend and will be traveling to Galveston Island. Looking for a local area brief, and of course, any info on establishments that don't allow carry are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[seamusTX]

I have never seen a valid 30.06 sign on Galveston Island. Some government buildings have funky signs that are (IMHO) legally invalid.

Many establishments are 51%, of course.

The two most common hassles for visitors seem to be

• it is illegal to drink on the beach, and they do ticket for it
• theft from cars

Oh, and there's nowhere for visitors to shoot.

Other than that, what do you want to know?

The best general introduction to Galveston is http://www.galveston.com/.

- Jim

[Liberty]

Hi all......I'm going to be taking the wife on a getaway next weekend and will be traveling to Galveston Island. Looking for a local area brief, and of course, any info on establishments that don't allow carry are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I don't know where your staying,
Moody gardens and and the Flight Museum are a great places to visit. Moody Garden has a very nice aquarium, Rain forest exhibit and Imax movies. You can spend a day there.

If you are into it. Everyone thats been there seems to be pleased with the new Shlitterbahn.

I love the ferry. Its free, and usually you can spot some dolphins, and pelicans feeding. If you don't want to drive down Boliver peninsilla you can just walk on (no lines)

Willy G's is on the Harbor and has I nice view of the Harbor and good food albiet somewhat pricey. If you want a Mac Donalds Lunch the MickyD's at the end of Broadway has a million dollar view from their parking lot.

Mansion tours are cheap. You can find info about them at the visitor Center on 61st st.

Beaches:if you want to drive on the beach or go for a nice walk, Go all the way to west End at San Luis pass. Turn off the road and don't go on the bridge. Watch out for soft sand and deep holes. As long as you are careful and not in a low car you should be ok.

Other than the usual suspects Court house Jail etc. Galveston is pretty much gun friendly. The only business that I am aware of that has a 30.06 is the Taco Cabana on 61st in the Randells Parking lot. of course it isn't of legal size.

Give me a PM if I can help you with anything more specific.

[seamusTX]

The only business that I am aware of that has a 30.06 is the Taco Cabana on 61st in the Randells Parking lot. of course it isn't of legal size.

There are at least 20 good Mexican restaurants in Galveston. Los Patrones at 49th and Broadway is good, cheap, and clean. Tortuga's at 60th and Seawall is fancier and more expensive, but not much. Rudy and Paco's at 21st and Post Office is something of a gourmet Mexican restaurant and one of our favorites for special occasions.

There's no excuse for eating at that corporate-owned fast-food joint.

Do you know if they search walk-on passengers on the ferry? They search cars and occasionally bust somone for UCW, though from what I've heard, they respect CHL and carrying long guns.

- Jim

[Liberty]

The only business that I am aware of that has a 30.06 is the Taco Cabana on 61st in the Randells Parking lot. of course it isn't of legal size.

There are at least 20 good Mexican restaurants in Galveston. Los Patrones at 49th and Broadway is good, cheap, and clean. Tortuga's at 60th and Seawall is fancier and more expensive, but not much. Rudy and Paco's at 21st and Post Office is something of a gourmet Mexican restaurant and one of our favorites for special occasions.

There's no excuse for eating at that corporate-owned fast-food joint.

Do you know if they search walk-on passengers on the ferry? They search cars and occasionally bust somone for UCW, though from what I've heard, they respect CHL and carrying long guns.

- Jim

I got to be among the chosen once as I was returning to the island. They waved me through and I basically was able to get on at the head of the line because of it. I believe they reserve right to search walkers. I don't believe they do personal searches.

You do have the right to refuse the search. The penalty is that you are banned from boarding the boats for 24 hours.

[Venus Pax]

I'm not sure which hotel you're staying in, but Moody Gardens has a hotel safe that accommodates a handgun. You also set the combination yourself when you get there.

[age_ranger]

Very cool, good info. I think we'll be staying at the Holiday Inn on Galveston Island. I'm gonna burn up some of those hotel points for a change. Helps to know if there's certain areas that should be watched out for more than others. I'll definitely be bringing a locking case that I can secure to the vehicle. Forgot about tourist attractions and car thefts.

Definitely want to go to the Flight Museum. Being prior USAF, I'm definitely interested in anything related to aircraft.

Is Galveston Beach like South Padre? It appears as if it is its own little island and might have a few restaurants or shops there? I'm off to do a search on it now, but any info is greatly appreciated.

[seamusTX]

There are two Holiday Inns in Galveston. One is at 17th and the other is around 50th, both on the Seawall. (They are not, as advertised "on the beach." All the hotels are across a busy boulevard from the beach.

The Seawall is a combination of mostly clueless tourists and a few hustlers and bums. If you are an adult man with a confident step, all but the most addle-brained will steer clear of you.

Even the worst neighborhoods in Galveston aren't that bad. We don't have robberies on the street or drive-by shootings. The most common type of violent crime is armed robbery of convenience stores, and even that is not very common.

Definitely want to go to the Flight Museum.

In a world that is increasingly mass-produced, that place is unique. Don't hesitate to talk to the volunteers. Most are flying enthusiasts and veterans.

Oh, and don't miss the USS Cavalla.

Is Galveston Beach like South Padre? It appears as if it is its own little island and might have a few restaurants or shops there?

OK. The City of Galveston is on an island. The entire south side is beach (except for some eroded spots) and it's over 30 miles long. There must be 100 hotels and motels and several hundred restaurants. Tourism is at least one-third of the economy.

- Jim

[txinvestigator]

We are going thru Galveston and to Crystal Beach in a couple of weeks. We usually spend a couple of days sight seeing in Galveston, and I would like to find a boat tour out into the Gulf to get up close to the Dolphins for my daughter.

We did that in Corpus a couple of years ago, and it very cool.

[Liberty]

We are going thru Galveston and to Crystal Beach in a couple of weeks. We usually spend a couple of days sight seeing in Galveston, and I would like to find a boat tour out into the Gulf to get up close to the Dolphins for my daughter.

We did that in Corpus a couple of years ago, and it very cool.

There is aways the ferry, almost guaranteed to see the dolphins from there, but probably not real close or for long. but it is free.

Galveston Harbour Tours (tel. 409/765-1700)
and Galveston Baywatch tours. 832-859-4557

These guys charge $10.00, kids might be cheaper.

Neither of them really go out into the Gulf very far but stick mostly in the harbour and the shipping Channel / Bay. Probably not much reason to go way out unless you want to see lots of blue water or catch some deep water fish. The dolphins pretty much seem to hang in close to the Galveston Harbor and Boliver point areas anyway.

[txinvestigator]

We are going thru Galveston and to Crystal Beach in a couple of weeks. We usually spend a couple of days sight seeing in Galveston, and I would like to find a boat tour out into the Gulf to get up close to the Dolphins for my daughter.

We did that in Corpus a couple of years ago, and it very cool.

There is aways the ferry, almost guaranteed to see the dolphins from there, but probably not real close or for long. but it is free.

Galveston Harbour Tours (tel. 409/765-1700)
and Galveston Baywatch tours. 832-859-4557

These guys charge $10.00, kids might be cheaper.

Neither of them really go out into the Gulf very far but stick mostly in the harbour and the shipping Channel / Bay. Probably not much reason to go way out unless you want to see lots of blue water or catch some deep water fish. The dolphins pretty much seem to hang in close to the Galveston Harbor and Boliver point areas anyway.

Cool, I will call those places this week.

We ride the Ferry to and from Galveston quite often when there. We will be staying in a Beach House on Crystal Beach.

[seamusTX]

Maybe you know this: the ferry lines are atrocious on weekends. I'm talking about 3-hour waits in the afternoon. Try to use it early in the day.

If anyone going through Galveston would like to meet me for coffee or something, please send me a PM. Ncongruent was here and we tried to treat him right.

- Jim

[txinvestigator]

Maybe you know this: the ferry lines are atrocious on weekends. I'm talking about 3-hour waits in the afternoon. Try to use it early in the day.

If anyone going through Galveston would like to meet me for coffee or something, please send me a PM. Ncongruent was here and we tried to treat him right.

- Jim

I remember that. We will be arriving on a Sunday evening and leaving early Friday.

Thanks for the reminder.

[seamusTX]

The ferry traffic is heavy going from Galveston to Bolivar on weekend afternoons. It's heavy in the other direction at night. It's a drunk-teenager and "yute" crowd and often rowdy.

The rest of the time isn't bad unless they have a couple of ferries out of service.

- Jim

[Venus Pax]

Txinv,
It might not be a bad idea to take an alternate route to Crystal Beach/Bolivar since you're arriving on Sunday afternoon/evening.
I-10 east will take you to Winnie. Head south when you get to Winnie. That road takes you straight to the beach. (I can't actually remember the name, as I've driven it so many times. I'll be happy to look it up if you want.) You can avoid ferry lines this way.

Travel safely.