So, you’ve made it to Galveston. Where do you start? It’s okay if you don’t know — you and your kids will enjoy some family-friendly suggestions for you:

• Ride the world’s tallest water coaster titled Schlitterbahn Galveston.
• Have a BBQ at East Beach, where you can also play a few games of volleyball, check out the live music, and have a great time.
• Head on over to Seawolf Park, where the USS Cavalla World War II submarine and the USS Stewart.
• Go kayaking at the Galveston State Park.
• Check out the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum. tours are self-guided and there are plenty of interesting exhibits for the family.

If you’re looking for kids activities in the area, look no further. We’ve curated some of the best things to do with family in Galveston, along with some awesome deals for you:

• Head on over to the 61st street pier, a great place to fish or just enjoy the view.
• Take a tour of Ike Tree (East End National Landmark Historic District’s tree sculptures).
• Take a ride on the ELISSA, a famed three-masted iron-hulled sailing ship dated back to 1877.
• For a fright, check out the Ghost Tours of Galveston.
• If you have an RV, think about paying the Dellanera RV Park a visit.

There are quite a few places to check out in Galveston. Here are some popular sightseeing spots for the family:

• Visit Ashton Villa, a fully restored historic home.
• At St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, you can see some of the coolest architecture in the city.
• Bishop’s Palace, also known as Gresham’s Castle, is a Victorian-style house ripe for exploration.
• Moody Mansion is a historic residential building with a Romanesque architectural style.
• Menard House is a spacious area dedicated to one of the city’s founders, Michel B. Menard.

Finding kid-friendly spaces in Galveston is quite easy if you know where to look. Here are few places to stop by, along with some more ideas for fun things to do in Galveston with kids:

• Chill out by the Seawall for a laid-back beach experience.
• Check out the amusement rides and midway games at Pleasure Pier.
• Explore the Galveston Island State Park.
• With three different pyramids of attractions, there’s something for everyone at Moody Gardens.
• Specifically, Moody Gardens’ Penguin Encounters is a 45-min program that lets you get up close and personal with the penguins.

Group activities usually make experiences better, and it’s no different in Galveston. Try out these family-friendly things to do in groups:

• Go on Galveston Duck Tours for a more unique way of sightseeing Galveston.
• See some dolphins in the natural habitat when you go on the Baywatch Dolphin Tours.
• If you’re interested in some spooky Texan history, consider Ghost Tours of Galveston.
• Capt. Hal Newson’s Airboat Tours of Galveston Bay is another unique way of touring Galveston Bay.
• Tour the harbor when you go on Galveston Harbor Tours.

Looking for something more educational? Look no further. Between the museums, tours, and different nature preserves, there’s something for everybody looking to learn something new:

• Head on over to the Galveston Railroad Museum to check out their impressive collection of railroad memorabilia and exhibits, including more than 40 locomotives and rolling stock.
• Go to The Bryan Museum, which holds one of the world’s largest collections of historical artifacts, documents and art works that pertain to Texas and the American West.
• Emerge yourself in maritime history at the Galveston Naval Museum.
• Learn how taffy is made at La King’s Confectionary.
• The Strand Historic District gives kids of all ages the chance to kick off the sand and walk around shop-lined streets.

If you have a young artist in your family, perhaps they would be interested in seeing one of the many creative and performing arts attractions Galveston has to offer? Look forward to:

• Explore all there is to see at The Strand Historic District, where there are live stage productions that take place here if theater is your thing.
• See a show at The Grand 1894 Opera House.
• Dickens on the Strand is a great place to be, as tons of entertainment on the Strand while everyone is dressed up as characters from Charles Dickens’ novels.
• Artoberfest is also something worth checking out. It takes place in October for the more artsy visitor.
• Go on a kayak tour with Artist Boat, presented leisurely with a painter’s palette, watercolors, and breathtaking imagery to draw.

Sometimes you’re up for fun even if the weather doesn’t want to cooperate. If it’s rainy or a little too warm for your liking, stop by one of these places for some indoor activities:

• Head on over to Moody Gardens, where you can check out the aquarium, museum, theater, waterpark and adventure park. The entire attraction focuses on education and conservation.
• The Galveston Children’s Museum is great for families that have preschool and elementary age kids.
• Magic Carpet Golf hosts 18 holds of indoor mini golf and unique challenges.
• Galveston Go Cart and Fun Center is a great place for birthday parties, especially for the kids with a competitive streak.
• For a spook, explore Haunted Mayfield Manor.